I don’t read as much as I used to, or perhaps should, though it is something I intend to rectify. These were interesting questions from Rory today. You can check out his blog here
1] How real do you need your reality reading or fiction reading to be?
Romantic fiction was always escapism for me, but I seemed to prefer stories where it was poor guy/girl made good and make oodles of money so as far from any reality I could imagine as possible. Saying that, I have read fast-paced thrillers that have had me running with the hero to escape danger, for example David Baldacci’s Last Man Standing and Matthew Reilly’s Scarecrow!
2] Have you knowingly noticed over the last 9 months and since the arrival of Covid – 19 your writing style has altered?
I have received comments to say it has because my activities and socialising have changed dramatically. There is no darts league any more and SW meetings have been suspended and replaced by zoom participation, so I no longer write about them.
Also as Maggie is no longer with us, there will always be mentions of her in my blog but obviously they will be happy memories rather than current events.
3] Have you noticed any changes in the way that you personally blog – for instance your overall outlook and positivity reflects upon you differently now?
I find myself growing angry at the stupidity of the selfish morons who show no respect or consideration for other people as they party, travel and socialise in large groups. Such actions are putting more people at risk, and as such are forcing many to become afraid to venture outside the safety of their own boundaries.
I started a Today is……….. daily post sort of in response to a What Day Is It Anyway series which I believe has now folded. It’s become a regular thing for me, even though it’s nothing more than stating the day and what we might be getting up to. It’s a bit like a Dear Diary, but seems quite popular. We don’t do very much, and what we do is pretty basic and mundane, but it’s some form of normalcy I suppose as the previous ‘Normal’ has long since been kicked into orbit.
pensitivity101 
I look forward to, and enjoy very much, your “Today is…” posts.
Hi Grace! Thank you for saying. I appreciate it. Hope you have a good Christmas and all the best for the coming year. Let’s hope we start 2021 on a positive note.
I love your “Today Is…” posts too. Also I don’t read as much as I used to or should either. I really hope to rectify that too.
Thanks Astrid. I’m pleased you do. Thanks for commenting and a Merry Christmas to you and your family
Excellent and honest answers Di, many thanks – l share many of your angers also.
Thanks Rory.
Pleasure Di 🙂
1. I like how my fiction reading is about escapism, but often teaches me something. For example, many crime authors have a background in the law / police. I seem to have read a lot of novels with mental health and gender issues as the prevailing theme, and that’s been eye opening and interesting, but still wrapped in great storytelling.
2. Writing style – I already lean toward a darker streak (I think) in short fiction, but definitely Covid has added a darker element to many people’s writing. My non-fiction / opinion pieces have been non-existent this year. No travel. Staying in. We have enough coverage of Covid and the stresses with news coverage. What could I add of value to that ?
3. I’m not angry, but anxious definitely. I tend to underlying anxiety as normal, but I can feel it acutely – and I’m in a safer country with good finances. I’m all good. But still … I miss my kids. We live in different states and we haven’t seen them since December last year. Luckily we’re not an overly sentimental lot, but still …. 😍
Hope you can have some contact with your family over the holidays Trish. Merry Christmas