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Welcome

I started this blog in 2013 to share my reflections on reading, writing and psychology, along with my journey to become a published novelist.​  I soon graduated to about twenty book reviews a month and a weekly 99-word story. Ten years later, I've transferred my writing / publication updates to my new website but will continue here with occasional reviews and flash fiction pieces, and maybe the odd personal post.

ANNE GOODWIN'S WRITING NEWS

Silver linings: 9 good things about the coronavirus pandemic

20/3/2020

14 Comments

 

These are strange times, scary times, depressing times. If the virus doesn’t get us physically, we’ll be hurt psychologically through anxiety, grief for lost loved ones and the claustrophobia of social isolation. It will harm us economically and socially too. But there are silver linings and, although they might not balance the negatives, these potential benefits are real.

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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe gets a break from jail

Okay, it doesn't change the fact that she shouldn't ever have been there, or that she can’t be with her husband and young daughter, or that the guy in charge of our current security probably compromised hers, but she’s out of prison, albeit temporarily. Hurrah!

The climate gets a break
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Fire, flood, heatwaves and drought and it’s business as usual, but now the planes are grounded as countries close their borders and holidays are cancelled: it can’t be much fun having to self-isolate in a hotel. Massive disappointment and disruption, and a punch to the gut of the economy, but Gaia is smiling at an unexpected respite from the abuse.
Youth survives to stage the sequel

Don’t you wonder if you’ve walked into the wrong movie? All the trailers were for climate catastrophe; plague and pestilence seemed as clichéd as aliens-have-landed at the turn of the year. Yet here we are! But relative to the nuclear annihilation threat I grew up with, this has a low fatality rate, especially for the under 50s. So over to you, kids, if anyone can make a feel-good story out of the climate crisis, it’s you!

Billionaires can’t buy immunity

While some rely on food banks, despite working their socks off, those who own the companies have been able to turn a blind eye. Up until now, the superrich could buy themselves out of a crisis but the virus targets bodies indiscriminately, irrespective of bank balance. Sure, the rich will queue jump if and when an antidote materialises, and the stay-at-home rule is more comfortable if you live in a mansion than in a one-room flat, but for now I’m encouraged by the virus’s socialist streak. (Although, if we’re addressing this at the level of country or community, of course wealth makes a difference. Those of us with actual homes can self-isolate, but I’m not hearing much about how those in overcrowded slums and refugee camps are faring.)

We're forced to acknowledge our interdependency

Rich or poor, we’re all vulnerable, but it’s more than that. After decades of the politics of selfishness, here’s a timely reminder of the social contract on which we all depend. Sure, we’ve seen the idiocy of panic buying toilet roll and the theft of hand sanitisers from the boards at the feet of hospital beds, but we’ve also witnessed acts of kindness and neighbourly support. Most of all, while the places people gather close their doors, it reminds us how our own health depends not only on what we do ourselves (wash those hands!) but on the altruism of strangers, on the willingness of those with symptoms, however mild, to stay at home. And – who knew? – we discover that the people who keep us going aren't the bankers and celebrities, but healthcare staff, supermarket workers and the unsung heroes who empty the bins.

The government accepts its responsibility to govern

After decades of politicians raised by nannies sniping at the ‘nanny state’ – a.k.a. law-making for the benefit of the collective rather than for their friends – parliament pushes through rulings that would have been unthinkable a month ago. While some say #NotMyPrimeMinister should have acted sooner, even someone driven by a public-service ethos rather than self-aggrandisement would have had to pick their way through it without a script. While I still bristle at the concept of emergency legislation, there are worse ways of seeing our civil liberties eroded, such as through racist pogroms or conscription into suicidal wars. (Sorry for you in the US, however; your POTUS still thinks it’s all about him.)
Experts rehabilitated

It warms my heart to see #NotMyPrimeMinister, who in his fight for popularity has hitherto displayed an alarming aversion to the truth, give a press conference flanked by scientists. Of course, it’s partly to deflect responsibility, and we might go back to dismissing experts once we realise they can’t wield a magic wand, but I’m enjoying seeing the spotlight shone on scientific expertise.
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No party invitations

No need for introverts to conjure excuses to turn down invitations: there are no invitations! But even we can suffer from loneliness and cabin fever – and it must be a nightmare to be locked in with a domestic abuser – so thank the stars for the telephone, email and Skype.

The reading revolution

With nightlife on hold, and social gatherings discouraged, people will certainly have more time for reading, but books must still compete with TV and film. But with ebooks so accessible, and such variety on offer, there’s a chance of reading being revived. As I already get through well over 100 books a year, and hardly had a social life, there’s little scope for my reading stats being boosted but, as a writer, I sincerely hope other people’s will. While you’re here, why not check out my own books, along with hundreds of others I’ve reviewed on this blog.

Do you agree on these benefits? Have you noticed any others? How are you faring in these difficult times?

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Now, as times get tough, it’s ever more essential we take care of our own and each other’s mental well-being. What would you do when a friend says she’s been seeing things? I must admit, a shiver went through me when Charli claimed she’d seen a rabbit on her roof. And she’s drawing us in, asking for 99-word stories about it. Should I humour her?
Police, fire or ambulance?

What service, please?

We’ll need a fire ladder to access the roof and an ambulance in case he’s injured … I don’t think a crime has been committed but what was he doing there?

Okay, calm down, let’s get this straight: there’s a man on your roof, not a burglar, you’re worried he might be injured and can’t get down?

Almost.

Almost?

It’s not a man.

Makes no odds whether they identify as male, female or non-binary, if a person’s in trouble …

I wouldn’t anthropomorphise.

Pardon?

It’s a rabbit.

A rabbit. How long have you been self-isolating, madam?

Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
14 Comments
Charli Mills
21/3/2020 08:43:34 pm

Ha, ha! I love that last line in your flash, Anne! Even the most committed of introverts among us might be daft and hallucinating by the time this is all over. Your Silver Linings are absolutely brilliant. I've been chuckling, too to see our own government openly practicing socialism. Yet, as you say, the abomination in the White House continues to abominate everything but his frail ego. He has proved with this crisis (as if we needed more proof) that he is no leader. I received a phone text from the campaign team for Bernie Sanders. They are using their campaign messaging system to reach citizens to check in with people at the state level and to communicate important updates. Bernie is leading us. Many of our state governors are, too, including ours. And our community remains intact, resilient and compassionate. We had organized on Facebook to monitor the needs of our community, and from a distance, we are all checking in with neighbors. I also see families getting to be families instead of so busy. Hopeful sightings.

Reply
Anne Goodwin
23/3/2020 11:04:53 am

Thanks Charli, I'm reassured to know that Bernie is leading from behind the scenes. Our local councillor is also coordinating support for vulnerable neighbours. But it's a hard one to manage when the safest thing you can do is to wait it out indoors.

Reply
Cynthia Drake
25/3/2020 11:16:44 pm

Love this so very much! I say ditto to all of Charli Mills comments here🤗

Reply
Anne Goodwin
26/3/2020 08:37:44 am

Thanks for visiting, Cynthia, and I’m glad you liked the post. I feel as if I know you from snippets Charli has shared about your community, so lovely to have you visit my blog. Hope you’re able to stay sane and safe in these difficult times.

Norah Colvin
22/3/2020 12:15:31 pm

And so the anti-meliorist steps up to the podium and finds the silver lining in a pandemic. I love it. Anne, I love the 9 good things you have found in the situation that confronts us. For me, I think the tenth is that it is you who has shared these 9 positives. Way to go!
I also love your rabbit story. It is perfect. Perfect for someone who writes about mental health and shares stories about fictional psychologists. I look forward to reading the psychologist's report.
I guess if a rabbit was to land on a roof anywhere, why wouldn't it be the Carrot Ranch?

Reply
Anne Goodwin
23/3/2020 11:24:29 am

Thanks, Norah, but don't go deluding yourself that I'm a convert! I think these points – and your tenth – are blips on the road to ruin. When I wrote this last week I still thought it was business as usual for introverts but now I'm saddened at society closing down and worry about the mental health impact of isolation – Spain has just extended its lockdown for another fifteen days.

I hadn't registered how Charli's roof rabbit might have been drawn by the carrots. And hallucinating rabbits is only a problem if it becomes a problem. Hers seems to have conjured some creative responses. I look forward to reading yours.

Reply
Norah Colvin
30/3/2020 12:17:34 pm

Yes, I am also concerned about mental health issues and the impact of dysfunctional and abusive families being locked up together. I fear there will be many tragedies come out of this virus and they won't all be reflected in the number of deaths. But, what can we do? I'd be the last to make an alternative suggestion. I was thinking tonight that my family should have come to stay with me before this isolation began. But we didn't know what we were in for, and who knows what that might have done to us too. I think as they say, which annoys me a bit, "We're all in this together" -- to survive. Some have better places to be in it than others.

Anne Goodwin
2/4/2020 04:56:40 pm

It's hard to know what we'd have done if we'd had more warning and whether that would have make things any better. Here we had an abrupt turnaround from get out and enjoy the open spaces to keep away because of overcrowding. I suppose some things will get easier, others harder as we adjust – if we adjust, or stay stuck but in grief and dread. On the other hand, I might find another 9 good things!

Susan Zutautas link
22/3/2020 12:51:28 pm

Oh my goodness your flash has me laughing. Just what I needed especially in these hard days. Thanks, Anne!

Reply
Anne Goodwin
23/3/2020 11:26:13 am

Thanks, Susan, I'm delighted the humour works for you. Certainly much needed now.

Reply
Caroline link
25/3/2020 12:32:11 pm

Hi Anne, I have been enjoying your 9 good things on twitter so good to read them all together here. Great flash fiction too.
I dont have anything to add really, except the quality of quiet and the clean air is noticable here in Devon.
Caroline

Reply
Anne Goodwin
25/3/2020 05:31:35 pm

Thanks, Caroline, I hope your air stays fresh out in Devon and you weren't overwhelmed with tourist and second home owners at the weekend. Seems everyone had the same idea.

Reply
Clare Stevens link
26/3/2020 10:34:49 am

Love this post - it helps put things in perspective.
There are a lot of ironies in this situation 1) that the most right wing UK government in my lifetime is forced to deliver a socialist agenda - 2) that those recently maligned 'low skilled' workers are now recognised as the people keeping the country going, and 3) that in these times of distancing a lot of us are actually getting closer - albeit virtually.
I love the flash fiction too!
It ought to be a perfect time to write, but I am finding myself too bombarded with information and emotion to find the peace to sit down and do it - are you the same? Or are you more grounded?

Reply
Anne Goodwin
26/3/2020 04:54:20 pm

Thanks, Clare, and good to hear from you. Yeah, amazing how this government is discovering socialism, although of course it wouldn't call it that. But hey, actions not words! Did you catch Jeremy Corbyn yesterday praising the cleaners? So many supposedly unskilled workers having to contain an awful lot.

I'm okay at the moment, but was rather low at the weekend. The lockdown has helped in bringing more clarity, albeit not yet for everyone, but I imagine cycling through periods of denial, crippling anxiety and grief. I was surprised how upset I was about the closure of schools, pubs and restaurants, given how little I use them, but it's the loss of normality, I suppose.

I doubt it's the best frame of mind for creativity – although that might come when we are more adapted to the new normal – but I'm working through pedantic editing and drafting blog posts. I think we have to go easy on ourselves – as you say, the bombardment of information and emotion (and shopping) takes its toll.

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