My Thoughts & Life Update: March 2020

Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed and anxious? I know I am, but I’m also hopeful. This pandemic will not be resolved in a few weeks, but it will eventually get better, and I keep reminding myself of that.

It’s difficult for an author (or any business) to decide what to do during times like these. We want to keep sharing things that might make you happy (like books or behind-the-scenes or our writing life) but we also want to be respectful of the difficult times that we are all facing ahead due to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

My day job is telework ready, so I am lucky that I do not need to go into an office for either that or my writing life. I know not everyone is so lucky, and I was one of those who would need to still go into to work in the past during tough times; I used work at a cafe and my old boss made me come in during a blizzard where we got over 2 feet of snow that I had to trudge through on my walk there since the buses, etc. weren’t running (we had maybe 2 customers in 8 hours but at least I got paid). So I feel for all of you now who need to do the same (without the snow).

A few years ago, I would not have been able to even afford stockpiling groceries, so I know that I am lucky in that, too, and I feel for those of you who are unable to do that. Some schools are still running meal programs for kids, and your local food bank may be able to help, too.

Stay safe, practice social distancing, and be mindful of others who you may hurt unintentionally.

My father’s surgery is scheduled for the start of April, and I am gutted that I cannot be there to help him and my mom. The risk to them is too great – even if I am asymptomatic, I could unknowingly carry it to them, and they are at high-risk for coronavirus. That means I skip a trip, and hopefully my father’s surgery goes well (and the hospitals are not overwhelmed with coronavirus patients).

My own surgery (very minor, especially compared to my father’s) is scheduled for early May (again, assuming the hospitals are not overwhelmed). I have so much to do before then, but will I be able to focus enough to do it? I’d planned to finish writing the draft of the Vollywood book this month, then start work editing the Brazenbourg series, but the timelines for both of those are up in the air now. I’ll still try to publish the Brazenbourg duet later this year, and I’ll keep you updated as releases and plans change.

I’m going to continue sharing fun content on the blog and in this newsletter to provide some lighter content in the midst of all the chaos, because I believe we need a little light in our dark, semi-self-isolated lives right now. Just know that it’s never my intention to be insensitive to anyone or their situation, and that’s definitely not my intent with the content I’ll produce. Since the situation is so fluid I may change course but, for now, this is what I plan to do.

Take care of one another, and follow trusted sources for news and information like the CDC and World Health Organization.

Thank you for your steadfast support of Valleria and all my books—I am truly grateful. I hope you all stay healthy and safe.

~xoxo Marianne

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