Escapist fiction. You hear that term a lot. But fiction can be an escape for the writer as well as the reader. Take me, for instance. Writing is more than my career. It’s my escape from reality when reality bites.
Recently someone asked me, “How can you write about murder and mayhem when you’re going through a tough time in life?” My answer: “How can I not?” When things get tough, I go to my writing cave. Throughout my career I’ve written my way through divorce (more than one), illnesses, miscarriage, family problems, the deaths of my parents and other loved ones, and global disasters.
On 9/11 I watched in shock and horror as the second plane flew into the Twin Towers and the world as I’d known it collapsed along with the building. Did I run out into the street screaming? Did I crawl under the covers and hide from the world. Yes and no. In my mind I was screaming but my physical self was at my desk writing because it was the equivalent of hiding under the covers.
When the pandemic hit this year and New York City, where I live, became the COVID capital of the world, was I fearful and panicked like everyone else in the world? You bet. Did I sink into depression and wring my hands in despair? No. I wrote. Every morning I got up while it was still dark out and wrote until evening when I was too tired to worry about anything much less the fate of the world. I felt better after I wrote than on those days when I didn’t write. I also like to think I’m doing my bit in making the world a better place by providing readers with an escape from reality.
What are you reading these days to escape from reality? I’ll start the ball rolling with a couple of recommendations. Recently I’ve been enjoying Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. Currently, I’m reading “Troubled Blood,” the latest book in the Cormoran Strike mystery series by Robert Galbraith (the pseudonym for J.K. Rowling). Both excellent.
Throwing in a dead body or two in an act of shameless promotion, may I also recommend my Cypress Bay mystery series, Books one and two, BONES AND ROSES and SWIMSUIT BODY.
We can’t all hold hands while standing in a circle like we did in kindergarten, but we can join hearts and minds through shared reading experiences. Post a comment. I’d love to hear from you.
Your message is encouraging.
Escaping Covid with Mary Balogh and Grace Burrowes historical romance. Strong character development, well documented relationships, people enduring just what we do today only set in British Isles. Set in actual history, in accurately described living conditions and respectful, often triumphant sexual events and genuine affection! l especially enjoy the series of family stories, so that Duke so- and- so reappears in the next novel and l am gratified to learn that the uncle in question went on to have several kids and lived happily in the estate in the country while the Duke’s sister in the current novel has her own adventures and situations!
I enjoy historical fiction. Many years ago, I discovered the Jalna series by Mazo de La Roche. Have you ever heard of it? I loved it.
I have been re-reading favorites , which is my comfort read. Currently I am on the last book of the OTHERS series by Anne Bishop. I also re-read SEP’s latest Dance Away With Me. No pressure or anything but when is the next Cypress Bay book coming out?
Thanks for the book recs! I haven’t either of those. Comfort reading is the best in tough times. I’m working on a new book in what I hope will be a series. Stay tuned!
Love ya, Lady! Listening to your books and reading what you have to say about you and Sandy just makes MY day. Thank you for being YOU and doing all that you do. XXOO
I couldn’t do what I do without YOU. So thank you for listening & reading 🙂