I spent a long time debating what to title this blog. “A World in Chaos”. “A World in Panic”. “A World gone mad”.

But I decided to go with “A World, Changed”. Because yes, the spread of Corvid-19 is creating a situation unprecedented in the modern world. Quarantine. Social Distancing. Shops and spaces closing down.

As someone fortunate enough to live in a country that has had relative* stability in my lifetime, the measures now being put in place are alien territory. Whilst I am an introvert, whose general social life is basically social distancing, I still enjoy meeting my family and friends on occasion. Now, we have the additional worry of the virus for our older relatives, and worry of those relatives who are by themselves, isolated from the world.

In these unprecedented times, its easy to feel out of control. It’s easy to see the world tumbling around you and fall to your knees. Us, as individuals, cannot change the virus or change the world. Not all of us are the doctors or nurses on the front line, or the scientists looking for a cure, or the other key workers whose roles are important to keep society going.

Those of us who aren’t those key workers can sometimes feel overwhelmed. How can we help? And for those of us who are on the high risk lists, we can’t even offer to help the community, because we are the ones who need to socially isolate more.

So what can we do?

I was thinking about this last (and pretty much) every night. For those of us who are restricted more so, we can still influence our world. We can influence our family, our friends (virtually). We can check in on people, we can spread kindness to those who are struggling. Those whose weddings have been cancelled, those whose birthdays have been forgotten. We can celebrate the achievements and successes of our peers even more than we normally would. We can show up, each morning, and commit to giving some kindness into the world. Some compassion.

Heavens knows the world needs it.

Some kindness and happiness in the world.

You might have already seen these from around the world, but here are some of my favourite happy news stories, silly memes and stupid videos, that have put a smile to my face over the last few months. Maybe they might put a smile to yours.

Writing Updates

For those of you who are subscribed to my Newsletter, you would have received some more WIP updates in your newsletter, along with a sneak peak of my next short story The Gateway of Arieum. It’s a story that’s built upon my existing flash fiction “Fortunes Path”.

Once finished, The Gateway of Arieum is going to be released to all my newsletter subscribers and then offered as a free download for all new subscribers to my newsletter!

Want to read The Gateway of Arieum when it is released? Sign up for my newsletter below!

Instagram #darkandlightauthorchallenge

This month I’ve been taking part in the #darkandlightauthorchallenge over on my Instagram, talking about my WIP, characters, worldbuilding and writing advice! Check out the tag on IG for the wider community’s answer, and if you’re interested in my responses, see a few of my posts linked below!

That’s it for this month! I hope you are all staying safe out there, and don’t forget to stay socially distanced, and wash your hands!

Photo Credit Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

• Take Your Time (Opinion Blog)
  Social media, along with a fun mix of “look how much this person achieved before they were 30!” media stories, has created an invisible expectation … More Take Your Time (Opinion Blog)
• Traditional vs Self Publishing (Opinion Blog)
  First published as part of my Summer Newsletter 2020 – if you’re not signed up to my quarterly newsletters, click here! This month I’ve spent … More Traditional vs Self Publishing (Opinion Blog)
• A Message to Past Me
  As a kid, the phrase “you can’t spell” was always a synonym for “you’re an idiot” and/or the equally wonderful “you can’t write”. For me, … More A Message to Past Me
• Why High Fantasy is Great
  I’ve previously written on why everyone should read a fantasy book at least once. But today, it’s all about the High Fantasy, why it’s brilliant, … More Why High Fantasy is Great
• Unproductive? That’s okay
  I’ve seen lots of posts over the last few months that are all about being productive. Using new freed up time from lack of commutes … More Unproductive? That’s okay
• Why female protagonists are important in the fantasy genre
  One of my loves of fantasy is seeing so many lady heroines kicking ass and taking names. Not all of them are the typical “warrior” … More Why female protagonists are important in the fantasy genre