During these turbulent COVID times, I moved into a new community in SW FL—about four plus hours away from my Orlando home base and writing community—just in time for a global pandemic. With societal lockdowns and health concerns, it was very difficult to meet new people or connect with fellow writers or other community groups in 2020. I spent time unpacking and settling into my new home, edited Friends Like These which is currently on submission to publishers, and began to write a new women’s fiction novel. But like most people, 2020 was a time of isolation.
This past year, I’ve been triple vaxxed and am cautiously inching back toward normalcy in reaching out to local writing and service organizations. Thankfully, virtual meetings have helped me stay in touch with the Citrus Crime Writers, the Central Florida chapter of Sisters in Crime, Inc. (SinC). I continue to attend CCW’s monthly meetings and enjoy posting news items on their channels as their social media coordinator. I also was able to connect with fellow writers in the Women’s Fiction Writers Association on both its Facebook page and in a monthly Zoom critique circle on my current writing project. I’ve even joined and attended a few in-person meetings with the Gulf Coast Writers Association in Fort Myers.
Recently, I’ve been applying my writing skills for Beyond Ourselves, a local community service organization, publishing an article about the group in the Charlotte Sun and drafting letters and materials for their upcoming Share the Love for the Kids Home Tour, planned for Feb. 5, 2022, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm, benefiting children’s charities in Charlotte County. And I’m sitting on a local historic preservation advisory board for the city.
At year’s end, I’m grateful for a wonderful life, good health, and a growing sense of community in my little slice of coastal paradise. Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season and a happy and healthy 2022!
Bridges DelPonte 