I’m like most of the rest of the world at the moment: staying at home most of the time, apart from necessary trips outside. I’m able to work from home – no, not the writing (that’s in the evenings) but my day job from NHS Digital, as they gave us all laptops. I’m also working on books seven and eight, and on a knitted blanket which I started several years ago and then managed to lose under a pile of other projects, and I’m sewing masks. (They’re not compulsory here in the UK yet, but I and a number of friends and coworkers want to have them, so my fabric stash is making itself useful. If anyone’s curious, it’s this pattern – https://operationwecansewit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/We-Can-Sew-It-Mask-Pattern-2.20.20-v4.pdf – with bias tape ties.)

For my birthday last year, my parents took me to a production of the Malory Towers musical. One of the songs (based on a line from the books) was about becoming “women who the world can lean on”. I find that coming to mind every now and again these days. Sometimes we lean on others: sometimes other people lean on us. Nobody can be strong all the time.

It would be nice if I had a great insight or helpful thought to post here, but to be honest, I’m finding it hard work going from day to day myself, and my creativity is way down. So if it helps you to know it: you aren’t alone. We’re all living from day to day. Hopefully it will be better in a while.

Stay safe and keep well.

6 responses to “sheltering in place”

  1. Andrew says:

    Hi Genevieve,

    I’m a huge fan of your books.

    Glad you’re okay sheltering in place and I appreciate your honest blog post.

    I’ve worn a face mask outside and I’m not sure why masks are not compulsory here in the UK. Perhaps things will change?

    The only sort of helpful thoughts I can provide are that I’ve decided I’m no-longer marking time till this horrid situation is over, but instead I’m trying to continue my development and growth as an individual during this period, helped by the love and strength that my better half provides and vice versa.

    Each moment that I have with my better half, is a success, a win, something that I didn’t have before and a moment to cherish and be thankful for. A moment could just be a cuddle or enjoying a dinner together and that time is time won.

    I also stay in contact with some others remotely, such as an elderly Uncle and those snippets of conversation, no matter how small, are rewarding for all involved and something to look forward to.

    I wish you the best through this tough time. Would love to read more about your sewing and I hope working from home goes as well as possible.

    All the best from the Isle of Wight

  2. Hannah says:

    Glad you’re keeping safe, thank you for all the work you’re doing to help people! I’ve been re-reading the series from the beginning and it’s really helping me get through this <3

  3. Sharon Reid says:

    Hi Genevieve, I have just recently discovered you at Audible.ca and have thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 books of the Invisible Library. I am a dedicated bibliophile so the concept itself was fascinating. I work for Island Health on Vancouver Island but as I work in the Mental Health and Substance Use field, am still able to go to work which for me is good as it has become my one and only social outlet. These are certainly strange times. I’ve wondered what the literature coming out of this will be like. I hope you are able to get out into the sunshine and enjoy the burgeoning spring. It’s lovely here where I live. I’m looking forward to reading or listening to the next books in the series. Thanks so much for your work.

    • grcogman says:

      Thank you! I’m very glad you’re enjoying the books. I’m getting some fresh air via short walks for exercise or getting the shopping, and enjoying the sun when it comes out. Here’s looking forward to the eventual end of lockdowns.

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