Blooming Sweet by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

Romance in Bloom is our theme this month, but we've been hearing about our lives in isolation as well. And why shouldn't we? The world is different from a couple of months ago. We're different. Some of us are coping better than others.

I think writers are coping well. Some of us are more productive because the day job is gone or happening remotely from home. Some of us are not writing at all because of the stress surrounding the changes we've seen and worry over the changes still to come. That does not mean they aren't thinking about their works-in-progress in the back corners of their minds. When their personal stress eases, the stories will flow again and they'll be fired up by all the pent-up ideas and creative energy.

I wondered until yesterday what I had to share here about my writing life and how I cope on a daily basis. I bake!

This is Chocolate Meringue Pie and my husband requested it. On other days I've baked butterscotch pie. But I won't show a photo because it looked a lot like this one. I've had a lot of comments on my meringue. The secret? Whip it longer than you think. Meringue should be pretty firm to peak like this. I've also been baking biscuits to go with some meals like chili or homemade soup. Muffins are another favourite in our home. Baking relaxes me, so I'm using it to help me cope.

Another way I'm coping is reading romances I've read and loved before. They take me away from the headlines of the day. But every night I find myself marveling that the entire world is suffering through this pandemic. I think of the people we interacted with in Portugal: the waitstaff, the bartenders, the cashiers, the cleaning lady, other tourists and realize they, too, are dealing with fear, worry, loss of jobs, and the health of their families. So, too, are the airline personnel who got us home.

When I think of that wide scope, it makes me feel blessed to live where I do. We're allowed to walk park trails, and stroll the beaches because of our relatively small population. We're not crowded and social distancing is easier. We've seen and waved and chatted to more strangers in the past weeks than we ever have because everyone is out walking.

The book I'm working on now is titled Rayder's Appeal and it is connected loosely to my novella series, The Brantons. This one has a quest, or a mystery (but no one dies) and lost of romance. More than once, I was told that Rayder's Appeal had a heroine that wouldn't work. But then, that's my specialty and now I'm ready to unleash Ellie Macklin on the world. I'm in the midst of revisions now and don't have a cover to share, but I should next month so please stay tuned because Rayder's Appeal is coming soon!

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Until next time, keep reading and enjoying the health you have.

Bonnie Edwards