This is an occasional mid-month update.
First, a comment on the obvious
The unprecedented events unfolding around the world are alarming. Like many of you, I am looking to cope - and fill the void.
Unproductive: I've been watching and listening to far more news than I probably should. I'm guessing you have been doing the same. Try and not let it get to you.
Productive: Reading, writing, and drawing. Spending time with my son. Riding my bike (alone) when I can. I hope you too find good things to do.
I won't pretend to be an expert. Aside from a few comments on how to fill your time, I can't give any significant advice. For that, I recommend getting information from a credible source such as the WHO, CDC, or your GP.
Godspeed. Live long and prosper. May The Force be with you.
Reading and Writing
Like many, I'm now homeschooling my son. We do the standard reading and writing, along with math, science, and social studies stuff. In the afternoons, we are learning more about story elements – characters, setting, plots, etc. He is soaking it up. It reminds me of how much joy comes from story.
As for my reading, I'm still on A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. It's slow going at first - a lot of fabricated jargon to wrap my mind around. But that's typical of epic, world-building space operas. Martine has created a fascinating plot element in her story called an "imago" – a device containing another person's memory/consciousness that is surgically attached to a living person's brain stem. Sounds crazy but Martine deftly renders it believable. The "new" chimeric person is an embodiment of the inner struggles we all have. I'm delighted to see where this leads.
Are you looking for something a little lighter than a 500-page space opera? My most recent blog post was shared Monday. If you haven't taken a look in a while, please do. I'm frequently writing and posting stories that are readable in five minutes or less. Another installment comes out this Friday, March 20th.
Not on social media?
This "mid-month" update is in response to several followers saying they didn't know I had posted new blogs.
I share links to each post on social media. Still, if you don't subscribe to my SciFiCreate page on Facebook or follow me on LinkedIn or Twitter, then you won't receive these notices.
To circumvent this challenge, I am toying with the idea of having blog posts delivered right to subscribers' inboxes. What do you think? Send me a message here and let me know your thoughts.
Okay, that's it for this update. Do take care of yourself. Thanks for subscribing to JROBERTCLARK.COM. As always, please share and encourage others to check out my stuff. If, for any reason, you want to unsubscribe from this and other communications, send UNSUBSCRIBE to info@jrobertclark.com.