My success as an author depends on my creativity—my ability to imagine interesting characters in fascinating predicaments and intriguing settings. When the pandemic first hit, as a writer, I thought, “Welp, going to have more time to spend on those happily-ever-afters!”
(What I thought as a non-writer went in a very different and less-printable direction.)
Initially, I did get a fair amount of new material drafted. I also worked on revising some older titles that had reverted to me, and I took on some website updates. But after a few months, the “extra” no longer resulted in any “extra” words.
What’s an author to do? I wasn’t exactly blocked, but the fire hose of words and ideas was producing at a trickle rather than a gush. Upon reflection, I could see what was afoot. If we want our minds to get out of predictive text mode, where we’re on auto-pilot much of the time, then we have to put ourselves in situations we haven’t seen before—or haven’t seen often.
Take a different route to work, order a different entré at our fav restaurant. Ask a different co-worker to join us for lunch. Try on some new clothes outside of our old reliable styles. Make any small step away from any comfy rut, and the result is more alertness. From there can come new connections between ideas, new perspectives, and… creativity!
I was working from home before the pandemic, but once COVID hit, I left my property about once a week to scurry through the grocery store, hit the ATM, and maybe (after a few months), treat myself to a trip to a nearly-deserted horse barn. My ruts developed ruts.
Even something as simple as taking fewer showers had an impact, because the shower is one place technology generally doesn’t follow us, we aren’t wearing any uniforms or wardrobe-identities, and we have just enough to occupy us logistically—scrub this, rinse that—that our imaginations can wander freely.
And of course, no writing conferences, no retreats, no critique partner meet ups…
I was getting pretty frustrated when I realized that I could challenge myself to explore new terrain in a literary sense. I’ve written nearly a hundred romances, and read thousands, but I’ve also long loved reading a well written whodunit.
So why not try writing one?
My romance writing journey began, with the question, “Could I write one of these?” and as the pandemic ground on, I gave historical mystery writing a try. I attended mystery writing webinars, I read the iconic authors in the field (much of that was re-reading), ferreted out craft guidance, and turned over various premises in my mind.
I could feel the creative sun peeking through the pandemic clouds, and when I found myself in a certain mood between romance projects, I started a scene, which started a book, which started a series. For the first time, I wrote a whole book in one character’s point of view, and I wrote in first person. That approach was novel for me, when novelty wasn’t to be had anywhere. One book led to another, and by the time I had six titles stashed in my broom closet, I decided—what the heck—why not publish them?
And thus the Lady Violet Mysteries owe much of their existence to the isolation, monotony, and myriad challenges of the pandemic years. With Violet, Sebastian, and St. Sevier, I traveled all over the British Isles. We solved thefts, kidnappings, disappearances, and more. Because there’s no law against adding a little happily-ever-after to a mystery, we also fell in love (some of us), and did some growing and changing (all of us).
Writing a historical mystery series gave me all the joys I love about writing romance, plus some new challenges and delights. The Lady Violet Mysteries were not what I had on my writing schedule, but they were what I needed to keep my joie de plume in good trim between romances, and I hope they are tales my readers will enjoy!
Did the pandemic hold any surprises for you? Any silver linings? Any changes you’ll keep into the future?
LADY VIOLET INVESTIGATES by Grace Burrowes
Lady Violet Belmaine emerges from two years of mourning less than enthusiastic about resuming her place in Polite Society. She’s talked into attending a country house party by her French physician friend, Hugh St. Sevier, only to find that the house party guests are preyed upon by a mysterious thief.
Among the guests is Sebastian MacHeath, Marquess of Dunkeld. Violet once considered Sebastian her closest confidant, but war and the passing years have changed him. Nonetheless, when Sebastian’s valet, another veteran, comes under suspicion, Violet, St. Sevier, and Sebastian must work together to discover the true culprit, lest an innocent man be sent to the gallows for crimes he did not commit.
Mystery Historical | Mystery Woman Sleuth [Self-Published, On Sale: February 22, 2022, e-Book, ISBN: 9781956975062 / eISBN: 9781952443916]
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About Grace Burrowes
Sweet, Spicy, Substantial Regency Romances…
Grace Burrowes started writing romance novels as an antidote to empty nest, and soon found that penning happily ever afters is an antidote to all of life’s little challenges. She has published more than fifty Regency, contemporary, and Victorian love stories, including Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus, and Apple Book Store books of the year. She spent more than 25 years representing children in foster care court, and lives in western Maryland.
Windham Sisters | Duke’s Obsession | Windhams | Lonely Lords | Captive Hearts | Sweetest Kisses | True Gentlemen | Jaded Gentlemen | Windham Brides | Rogues to Riches | Lady Violet Mysteries
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