What’s it like to be an author in lockdown?
Initially, I didn’t think it would be too bad. There wasn’t a huge difference between lockdown and my normal lifestyle – long hours in one room, poor nutrition, no social contact of any kind – I could do that.
However – there’s a lot of difference between staying in voluntarily and being told to stay in. A month or so in and I was beginning to gnaw at my desk. And I’ve had my eyes tested already this year so I couldn’t even fall back on the ‘Well, I think there’s something wrong with my eyes so I’ll just go on a thirty-mile drive,’ excuse which seems to be so fashionable these days.
Anyway, I’ve beavered away for the last four months – mostly in an effort to save my sanity but I am slightly worried it’s had the opposite effect. I have just about finished Another Time Another Place. I’m on the finals stretch of Long Shadows (book three in the Elizabeth Cage series - due out October 2021). I’ve literally just finished the edits to Joy to the World. The Ordeal of the Haunted Room is edited and the edits for Hard Time turn up on the 6th July. I admit it’s been hard. Harder that I thought it would be. In fact, I had a complete meltdown a couple of weeks ago and had to be talked to quite sternly.
Then, of course, just as I’m wandering around the flat, enveloped in a miasma of Imposter Syndrome – and yes, that is a thing before anyone asks. It’s when you’re convinced you’re rubbish and it’s only a matter of time before the world finds out and you’re subjected to national and international humiliation and all your readers ask for their money back. Believe me, I can really do that one – especially at three o’clock in the morning – then I open my laptop to discover Another Time Another Place has whizzed straight to Number One in Time Travel on Amazon – thank you very much, everyone – and suddenly the world seems a much brighter place. And I can legitimately take the afternoon off. And I have a couple of good books to read. And most importantly, there’s a giant bar of Swiss chocolate hidden under the cushion just over there. I don’t even have to get up …
PS: you can also pre-order a signed copy of Another Time, Another place by clicking HERE.
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Readers Q&A's
Yup, huge fan! Love the historians, both the good and the bad, along with the junior Time cops but am thrilled to read about a new Elizabeth Cage. So glad that you can read my mind. Well, maybe not ‘glad’, a bit spooky really, but thankful.
From the Western Slopes of Colorado
Impostor Syndrome is very real, and a BITCH to battle. Ironically, as much as I adore St. Mary’s, Max & Co. make this short historian feel like an impostor all the time!! (They’re just too bloody brilliant!) Trust who you are, what you do, and how much we all love the worlds you create.
Greetings who ever you are…We have met but you could have been a clone, or something else that only you could have dreamed up.
Jodi, you little devil. Just as we are settling down to a nearly normal life you spring Another Time, Another Place on us! I have just read the teaser on Amazon and i am NOT happy.. More like stewing until i can get my hands on the book (or you) in 9 months. Still, i have placed my orders and will order the Audible version as soon as…
Keep safe. Sue
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