To say 2020 was an "interesting" year for me is an understatement.
I'm a big fan of Chinese drama TV so I try to keep up a little on what's being filmed etc. in 2019 toward the end of the year I was seeing all types of strange information and filming being halted and then saw the first remarks about Covid.
I had an extended trip planned to visit Mongolia for a month and decided to cancel it. Toward the end of January I decided lockdown would be happening soon and by the end of February it was me, the cat and my computer.
I finished my novel Dead Souls Doing the Samba and announced on my social media accounts it would be put up on Tapas. Because I've spent most of my adult life working in various forms of entertainment I have a small group of people still in the industry and one of them asked for an advance copy of the book and immediately optioned it for a screenplay. I was offered to write it myself but been there, done that, don't like having to second guess people and left it up to the company. I understand the first draft is almost done and when I approve they'll start shopping it around. If it happens, great, if it doesn't... oh well. I still have the book.
I have long wanted to write a fantasy novel, I had no idea it would turn into a series. I completed the first volume and posted it here on Tapas: Bright Morn of Issareth. I've recently finished the second volume and that too is up: Bright Morn of Issreth Vol. II The Journey and now I'm several chapters into the third book and discussing the new cover with my artist.
Through this all my poor kitty is quite elderly and not in the peak of health. This year of isolation has allowed me to spend every minute with him and I'm grateful for that. No rushing around and leaving him with kitty sitters.
There are many awful things that have happened (deaths, illnesses, etc.) but like the old cliché says, your eyes are in the front of your head so you can keep moving forward.
The funny thing I've learned (although I've probably always known it) I'm pretty good at this "recluse" life. When this is all over I'm planning a couple months by myself at a cottage in the woods... and there's still that trip to Mongolia I need to do.
Write hard, write true.