Finding Inspiration in Tough Times by V. M. Burns

The last few months have been a challenge, to say the least. The world has changed and if most of us will take an introspective look, we’d notice changes within ourselves too. Even self-confessed recluses may feel the differences. After all, just a few short months ago, your grocery/favorite Chinese or pizza delivery driver wasn’t wearing a mask and rubber gloves. Schools are closed. Non-essential workers are either unemployed (my company calls it furloughed) or working from home. Our daily routine has changed and many of us have changed with it. Netflix Binge watching has become a daily activity rather than a weekend indulgence. Nevertheless, writers still have deadlines and past activities that brought inspiration or sparked ideas are either no longer an option in our new Stay-At-Home and practice Social Distancing reality. Yet, there are still ways to stir up those creative juices. My recommendation is to spend some time traveling and reconnecting with old friends.

Before you pick up the closest rock and prepare to hurl it in my direction, let me explain. One of the things that I find so endearing about cozy mysteries is the fact that the characters really drive the story. Characters are key, especially when there are long running series. Often, readers pick up books in a series because they like the characters. They enjoy spending time with them and want to know what happens next. Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone series wasn’t a cozy, but readers grew to know and love the spunky private investigator as she worked her way through the alphabet. The characters in a series become old friends who we enjoy spending time with and, to make it more interesting, you can find great cozies in practically every country in the world and throughout various time periods.

The next time you need inspiration, turn on a bit of music and explore the streets, dance halls and the luxurious parlors of Melbourne with lady detective, Phryne Fisher in the Phryne Fisher Mysteries by Kerry Greenwood. Next, take a trip to early twentieth century New York City and discover the haute cuisine of Swiss Chef, Fritz Brenner and the exotic orchids of Nero Wolfe as told in the clever, jaunty lingo of Archie Goodwin in the Nero Wolfe Mystery series by Rex Stout. Or, pour yourself a cup of tea and take a visit to the charming village of St. Mary Mead where you can spend time with elderly spinster and crime-solving maven, Miss Jane Marple by the queen of cozy mysteries, Agatha Christie.

I love cozies. It’s what I read and therefore, what I write. Whenever I need inspiration, I enjoy taking a stroll back down memory lane and spending time with old friends. Generally, it doesn’t take long before I find myself rejuvenated, inspired and ready to hit the keyboard. If you don’t like rereading mysteries that you’ve already read, then sheltering in place is probably the perfect time to tackle your To-Be-Read pile. If yours is anything like mine, then it’s mountainous and ready to topple over. Who knows, you might just find a new friend in its towering ranks.

Diversions by Kait Carson

The world is entering into a new normal. For the foreseeable future we are instructed to wash our hands frequently through two renditions of Happy Birthday, practice social distancing by leaving at least six feet between ourselves and the next closest person, and not gather in groups of more than ten. Many of us are working from home, even more have lost their jobs without amenities, store shelves are empty of basic provisions, yet we have more need of those same provisions given that entire families are clustered together in self-imposed isolation.

People are reeling. Tomorrow is no longer a certainty, and no one knows what the world will look like at the end of this period of trial. Concentration is a thing of the past. It will return as we adapt to the situation, but until that happens, we need diversions. Something, anything, to take our minds from the news and the rising counts.

Earlier this month Marilyn Levinson shared her love of Sudoku as a favorite diversion. Crossword puzzles, board games, reading, movie watching, rom-coms, and favorite television reruns also rank high. Right now is the perfect time to belly up to a streaming binge. Try to opt for something that has lots of episodes, and a good slice of comedy, or eye-candy. Too bad I just finished Longmire. Maybe I should start again.

There is only one problem with all of the above suggestions. They require an ability to pay attention. Lately, I’ve found myself fresh out of an attention span. That’s when I remembered I had purchased the Jacquie Lawson Cotswold Advent calendar. Each day of Advent the user was meant to click on an ornament that uncovered a different game or activity. Some were simple and one was made for mindless diversion.

Day twenty-one is titled Holiday Lights. It’s various screens of multi-color ornaments that the player “breaks” with a click of the mouse. There are ten levels, no tricks, and less strategy. Computerized bubble paper. Ingenious! Especially gratifying is the glass breaking sound the ornaments make. A small tinkle of glass for a few baubles, a jolly explosion for multiples. I’m no warrior, but every time I win the game, I feel as if I’ve beaten back my fear and worry. Take that, coronavirus. We’re going to beat you to your knees! I couldn’t get through the day right now without a good game of smash the ornaments.

Have you found a diversion that works for you?

Stay safe, everyone, and take care of each other.