Feb 23, 2026
Looking back at the Covid years, did that time impact your current writing?
It’s only been a few years, but it feels like ancient history.
Like many writers, I am an introvert. (Well, mostly, depending on the circumstances.) The year and a half of working from home deepened my appreciation of that personality trait. In contrast, many of the extroverts from our office returned to work much sooner. It came as a shock to my system the first time we went out to a restaurant to eat after the quarantine was lifted.
How did that affect my writing?
I want to say it increased my speed, but that’s not true. Instead, I became more deliberate in my choice of words, which slowed me down. Editing became a fixation. I’m more concerned with writing the best words I can rather than as many as possible.
But I don’t know how much of that is because of Covid or all the changes in my life after the restrictions were lifted. Retiring, moving halfway across the country, my mother dying. Everything happened way to close together. The older I get, the more of a perfectionist I become when it comes to my writing.
Is the change in my writing style good or bad? It depends on what my current goal is. Right now, it’s bad. I’m trying to get the first draft of this book finished. Last week was a good week; this week not so much. (Too few words, and I’m not happy with the pace of the story. But I keep plugging away.) I’m debating whether I need the last 500 words at all. I thought I’d get it done by the end of this month, but don’t see it happening. Not if I keep getting rid of words!
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
How is everyone else doing?
Did Covid effect your writing? I’m looking forward to your answers. As regular readers know, you can join me by following the links below
As always, please stay safe until next time.
Goal update: I only made it to 39,000 words. I have several good excuses, but I haven’t forgiven myself yet.
I’m an introvert, and dare I say it, I actually enjoyed the fact that extroverts had to experience my world for a while. Plus, I had covid and it wasn’t fun.
I was ucky- I didn’t get Covid until 4 years after the “event” and, having kept up with my vaccinations, it was a mild case.
Yes, I’m an introvert too. I loved working from home and writing in my spare time. It didn’t bother me then (or now) if I didn’t see anybody all day.
I rarely get time to myself unless it’s when I am driving somewhere.