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When I Wasn’t at Writing Camp by Grace Burrowes
Giveaway!
March 9, 2022
My success as an author depends on my creativity—my ability to imagine interesting characters in fascinating predicaments and intriguing settings. When the pandemic first hit, as a writer, I thought, “Welp, going to have more time to spend on those happily-ever-afters!”
(What I thought as a non-writer went in a very different and less-printable direction.)
Initially, I did get a fair amount of new material drafted. I also worked on revising some older titles that had reverted to me, and I took on some website updates. But after a few months, the “extra” no longer resulted in any “extra” words.
What’s an author to do? I wasn’t exactly blocked, but the fire hose of words and ideas was producing at a trickle rather than a gush. Upon reflection, I could see what was afoot. If we want our minds to get out of predictive text mode, where we’re on auto-pilot much of the time, then we have to put ourselves in situations we haven’t seen before—or haven’t seen often.
Take a different route to work, order a different entré at our fav restaurant. Ask a different co-worker to join us for lunch. Try on some new clothes outside of our old reliable styles. Make any small step away from any comfy rut, and the result is more alertness. From there can come new connections between ideas, new perspectives, and… creativity!
I was working from home before the pandemic, but once COVID hit, I left my property about once a week to scurry through the grocery store, hit the ATM, and maybe (after a few months), treat myself to a trip to a nearly-deserted horse barn. My ruts developed ruts.
Even something as simple as taking fewer showers had an impact, because the shower is one place technology generally doesn’t follow us, we aren’t wearing any uniforms or wardrobe-identities, and we have just enough to occupy us logistically—scrub this, rinse that—that our imaginations can wander freely.
And of course, no writing conferences, no retreats, no critique partner meet ups…
I was getting pretty frustrated when I realized that I could challenge myself to explore new terrain in a literary sense. I’ve written nearly a hundred romances, and read thousands, but I’ve also long loved reading a well written whodunit.
So why not try writing one?
My romance writing journey began, with the question, “Could I write one of these?” and as the pandemic ground on, I gave historical mystery writing a try. I attended mystery writing webinars, I read the iconic authors in the field (much of that was re-reading), ferreted out craft guidance, and turned over various premises in my mind.
I could feel the creative sun peeking through the pandemic clouds, and when I found myself in a certain mood between romance projects, I started a scene, which started a book, which started a series. For the first time, I wrote a whole book in one character’s point of view, and I wrote in first person. That approach was novel for me, when novelty wasn’t to be had anywhere. One book led to another, and by the time I had six titles stashed in my broom closet, I decided—what the heck—why not publish them?
And thus the Lady Violet Mysteries owe much of their existence to the isolation, monotony, and myriad challenges of the pandemic years. With Violet, Sebastian, and St. Sevier, I traveled all over the British Isles. We solved thefts, kidnappings, disappearances, and more. Because there’s no law against adding a little happily-ever-after to a mystery, we also fell in love (some of us), and did some growing and changing (all of us).
Writing a historical mystery series gave me all the joys I love about writing romance, plus some new challenges and delights. The Lady Violet Mysteries were not what I had on my writing schedule, but they were what I needed to keep my joie de plume in good trim between romances, and I hope they are tales my readers will enjoy!
Did the pandemic hold any surprises for you? Any silver linings? Any changes you’ll keep into the future? In honor of my Lady Violet Mysteries, I’m holding a giveaway. Leave a comment and let me know. I'm giving away three copies each of Lady Violet Investigates (book one), Lady Violet Attends a Wedding (book two), and Lady Violet Finds a Bridegroom (book three), for a total of nine winners. Good Luck!
Lady Violet Mysteries #1
Lady Violet Belmaine emerges from two years of mourning less than enthusiastic about resuming her place in Polite Society. She’s talked into attending a country house party by her French physician friend, Hugh St. Sevier, only to find that the house party guests are preyed upon by a mysterious thief.
Among the guests is Sebastian MacHeath, Marquess of Dunkeld. Violet once considered Sebastian her closest confidant, but war and the passing years have changed him. Nonetheless, when Sebastian’s valet, another veteran, comes under suspicion, Violet, St. Sevier, and Sebastian must work together to discover the true culprit, lest an innocent man be sent to the gallows for crimes he did not commit.
Mystery Historical | Mystery Woman Sleuth [Self-Published, On Sale: February 22, 2022, e-Book, ISBN: 9781956975062 / eISBN: 9781952443916]
Sweet, Spicy, Substantial Regency Romances...
Grace Burrowes started writing romance novels as an antidote to empty nest, and soon found that penning happily ever afters is an antidote to all of life’s little challenges. She has published more than fifty Regency, contemporary, and Victorian love stories, including Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus, and Apple Book Store books of the year. She spent more than 25 years representing children in foster care court, and lives in western Maryland.
Comments
15 comments posted.
Re: When I Wasn’t at Writing Camp by Grace Burrowes
My silver linings during the pandemic were discovering several new authors
and being able to do lots of reading and the other one was making a
deliberate effort to discover new recipes for dinners to cook and slices,
biscuits and muffins to bake. My son and I often did the cooking together
and it was lovely spending the time working together and chatting and
ending up with such delicious results.
(Sharon Seymour 8:28pm March 9, 2022)
I have spent many a happy hour reading your books during the pandemic. Lady
Violet and her friends were lovely companions.
(Andrea Nichols 5:49am March 10, 2022)
The pandemic brought me quality time with my first daughter,
and helped my second daughter exist!
My first daughter had said a few words here and there, but
really took off speaking after I came home from my last
normal day of teaching (literally that evening). It was so
cool to see the transformation from non-verbal to verbal,
and I'll be forever grateful.
Because we started out on asynchronous learning, I could
keep odd hours and that made it easier to conceive my second
daughter when I wanted, so she was born at the perfect time
of year; I graded midterms, posted marking period grades,
and then went on maternity leave for the second half of the
school year.
Professionally, I got to learn all sorts of new tools and
convert to a "paperless" classroom (I still encourage them
to do math on paper, but have them turn it in electronically
so I can't lose it and don't spend hours sorting stupid
papers)
(Suzanne Salazar 6:13pm March 11, 2022)
The pandemic didn't change things for me personally.
However, my husband (an ER/ED tech) & our daughter (a bank
teller) had to continue working outside the home which
caused a lot of worry for all of us.
(Tina Rucci 12:23pm March 15, 2022)
Did the pandemic hold any surprises for you? I was surprised (and dismayed) by the resistance to vaccines and mask-wearing. Any silver linings? I learned about ZOOM meetings and my HOA may continue them to allow greater participation in the future. Any changes you’ll keep into the future? I discovered meal kits and I will probably continue to order - a good solution for a household of only two people on a fixed income and rising gas/food prices.
(Linda Gawthrop 12:49pm March 15, 2022)
One of the few positive experiences during the pandemic was that my
husband‘s employer established remote working from home. At first, he was
out of his element but after over two years of working remotely it’s now his
preferred work setting.
(Tracy Urschler 4:13pm March 15, 2022)
My silver lining is that I was already used to staying home most of the time,
since I have chronic illnesses and can no longer drive. I didn’t have the huge
adjustment a lot of people did.
(Kara Marks 6:38pm March 15, 2022)
Glad that most people were kind and resilient early in the pandemic. People helped each other.
(Susan Jang 10:22pm March 15, 2022)
The surprises I found were family and friends who kept in
contact, just not in person, during the acute part of the
pandemic. Notes, texts, email and phone calls were vital. I
also found walking in the woods to be a moment to refuel
myself by being around trees and water in creeks and ponds.
(Alyson Widen 11:49pm March 15, 2022)
I found out who my true friends are,the ones who would check
up on a lady who is disabled elderly living alone
(Vickie Couturier 10:07am March 16, 2022)
Your isolation was a boon for your readers. I am looking forward to this series.
I wish my two years had been as productive. We were so busy with
volunteer activities that projects at home had not been done and the clutter got
out of hand. I had delusions of sorting through everything and finally getting a
handle on the mess. We thought those repair projects would finally get done.
Well, here we are and things are pretty much where they were 2 years ago. I am
immunocompromised and in the past few months been diagnosed with another
serious disease. As a result, I rarely left home except for treatments and doctor
appointments. My husband became a bit over protective, which was sweet, but
is now getting old. I discovered I would make good hermit. With all the time I
had here with nothing interrupting, I didn't even get many books read.
I am starting to get things done, getting out a little bit more and even reading. I
will likely be wearing a mask for a long time. Our area still has a high COVID
rate plus the mask should help a bit with Spring pollen allergies. We do have a
trip planned, but will be careful about crowds, etc. We were going to take this
trip with our RV so we could maintain some isolation, but the high gas prices
may make us have to change those plans. I don't like this feeling of not being able to relax and go back to the carefree
attitude of being able to do pretty much what we like when we want.
(Patricia Barraclough 12:50pm March 17, 2022)
The pandemic luckily didn't really cause much disturbance in my life. I am
so very fortunate - and I know it! Thanks for this chance to win.
(Nancy Reynolds 10:43am March 17, 2022)
I was surprised by the large number of people who refused to
get the vaccine and wear masks. During this period of time, I
spent many hours reading books from a Kindle and mainly left
my home for groceries and for doctor visits.
(Anna Speed 12:37pm March 17, 2022)
The pandemic taught me to live in the present
moment, focusing on the now. Everything slowed
down. My world became simple. That was my
silver lining in the cloud.
(Debra Hicks 1:43am March 18, 2022)
I was pleasantly surprised by the silver lining of what companies were willing to make accessible from home that might not have been otherwise. Not the least of which was online videos of people reading books ;) .
(Madie Busse 11:53pm March 20, 2022)
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