If there’s one thing that’s a constant in this world, it’s that you can expect that busy people are eventually productive people.
So what can I hold as evidence? I managed a lot of completions since my last blog post, including:
A three week trip to England during which I sought out many Jane Austen locations (lifetime and film) among other tourist destinations, plus met JAFFers Mίra Magdó and Lizzie Sargent, and saw Pride and Prejudice with author Leslie L. Diamond at the only operating Regency theatre left in England (the Royal Theatre in Bury St. Edmunds)—that should have been a blog post in itself;- Writing a JAFF novella (working title The Fitzwilliam Intervention);
- New writing on Book One: An Accomplished Woman of my non-JAFF Regency trilogy (the Lady Hoxley, Matchmaker Trilogy);
- Collaborating with narrator Neil MacFarlane on the recently released audiobook for my novel The Mist of Her Memory.
During the start of the current pandemic, I was still in my home in Mexico, which at the time seemed to be the safer place to be. In the midst of the expat travel panic in late March, I contracted viral pneumonia, which was also a COVID-19 scare. This meant I was in isolation in a nice private hospital in Mexico at the cost of an excellent insurance company then rushed home on a private jet since the commercial companies wouldn’t take someone with my cough. For the record, I was tested as COVID-19 negative, as well as negative for Influenza A and B and Dengue.
I’m now recovering, though my lung capacity won’t let me exercise like I used to, but that will be overcome in time. Being a COVID-19 vulnerable person, I must be more careful than most, so I remain isolated in my home, with only walks in a mask to get out of the condo. I don’t mind, as it’s a lovely loft apartment with huge windows and views to make you jealous, and includes two cats who like to cuddle up to me while I’m on the laptop on the sofa. I can read and write and edit like before, and I’m enjoying it as well. I’m busy enough that I have to say “no” to special projects, and all that’s on top of a happy and balanced real life!
I’ll let the pictures show the excitement from my trip! Click on the thumbnails for a larger picture.
Thanks, Monica! I never thought of Darcy in his private jet, since I tend to write Regencies. It’s a great idea!
Looks like your trip to the UK was lovely, Suzan. Next time we need to meet up.
So sorry to hear about your troubles. Pneumonia is scary at the best of times, let alone with the fear of Covid-19 added to it.
But, there is a silver lining. If you ever want to write a novel featuring Darcy and his private jet, you’ve now experienced it first hand!
Thanks, Kelly. I had wanted to meet up with more people but everyone was busy on the days I had free. Still, the ones I met are now special people in my life.
Thanks for sharing your photos, Suzan! It is great that you got to meet up with fellow JAFF folk in England! It’s good to know you have more books in the works!
Like you, I was overwhelmed at so much at Chawton. I enjoyed York but was there for too short a time. Next time I get to the UK, we’ll meet up! I hope you feel better and escape Covid-19.
How lovely to see your photos from your UK trip! Thanks for sharing them with us. I remember the first time I stood by that little table in Chawton and still get goosebumps whenever I think about it. So sorry that circumstances conspired to prevent our proposed get-together when you were in York.
Hope your health continues to improve and you manage to stay safe. I’ve had some sort of virus too this month. Don’t know if it was the dreaded Covid-19, but spent a week and a half self-isolating from hubby, just in case.
Best wishes to you and yours