Some of the greatest works in literature were written while the author was in isolation of some description or under quarantine. Take William Shakespeare, for example. His life and creativity were frequently hindered by outbreaks of the plague. It has been suggested that one of his greatest works, King Lear, was written while he was in isolation (or quarantine) during the latest plague outbreak in 1605 or 1606. Littered with violent and disturbing images, the theory holds merit.

But Shakespeare wasn’t the only one to make good use of his time under household duress. What about Ernest Hemmingway, Anne Frank, Zlata Filipović and so many others. There’s plenty to write about and, when the time to write is handed to us, literally, on a silver platter, why not make good use of it and do what we do best?

That leads to the questions: what do I write? and how do I start? Well, to answer the first question, write what first comes mind. In spite of the fact that Facebook thread suggest that post-apocalyptic novels are now in the current affairs section, that doesn’t mean we have to write doom and gloom. We don’t have to be like Shakespeare and write about terrible people and frightening events. We can, if that’s where the spirit leads us, but there are so many other possibilities. Why not write something positive? Cheerful? A good dose of happy writing is a good cure for any ailment, even if the ailment is merely time on our hands.

Make a list. And check it more than twice. Like Santa, I’m forever making lists. Jot down the first word that comes to mind and let your thoughts expand to multiple words and phrases and let the creative juices bubble. Perhaps you’ll start to see a pattern of where your thoughts are leading and inspiration will pop into your mind. Or not. It doesn’t matter. You’re writing.

And this leads to journaling. Very important. At all times, not just in a crisis. Write your thoughts, emotions, happenings. It will all come in handy at a later date. And, if nothing else, it gets you writing and sharing your ideas, even if it’s only sharing it on paper (or on the computer screen).

Journaling, listing: all good ways to start a bubble of an idea and let it expand. Happy thoughts. Sad thoughts. Scary thoughts. It will all add to your work, whether it’s a current one or something you’ll write in the future.

I guess what to write and how to start questions somehow blend together. I find that once I set that first word on a blank page (in hard or soft copy), the rest takes route. The important thing is to write. That’s your gift to share, your gift to get you through these difficult times. Perhaps you won’t write the next blockbuster novel, or poem, or short story. Perhaps you won’t write the next blockbuster movie or stageplay like Come From Away (a musical inspired by the good-hearted people of Newfoundland during the 9-1-1 terrorist event). The important thing is that you write. To fill the time, to fill the inner need to create, just write.

Stay well and happy writing.