I’m one of those writers who likes to interact with his characters. I believe if you create strong characters, they will help write the story, solve their own problems and overcome their obstacles. It might look this short story below. In this story, Dr. Andrew, the director of a large hospital emergency room, is the protagonist. His love interest is Margaret, a nurse and the Director of Nursing. The antagonist is, of course, the Covid-19 virus. I’ve inserted myself into the story to talk with the main characters.
Love During a Pandemic
“Don’t get excited, Margaret. This is Monte Anderson, the author of this novel.”
“What? You’re Monte Anderson?” she asked. “I thought you’d be…”
“Younger,” Dr. Andrew interjected.
Margaret laughed. “I was going to say taller but younger with do.”
“Okay, okay. Knock it off. I’m glad to see that during this pandemic, you two still have your sense of humor.”
“What bring you to the ER?” Dr. Andrew asked.
Margaret turned to face him. “Two of your nurses tested positive this morning. I sent them home to self-quarantine. I thought I would fill in.”
“Thanks,” Dr. Andrew said as he touched Margaret’s arm. “We can use your help.”
Margaret turned back to face me. “And while you’re here, where are the sex scenes? Your working title is ‘Love During a Pandemic,’ but I don’t see any sex scenes.”
“I’m trying to build the sexual tension between you and Doctor Andrew. On page 89 you two take a break to go on a date.”
Margaret stepped closer to me. “I read that part. There’s no sex.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “The sex is implied.”
Margaret folded her arms. “That’s bullshit. Sex is implied when you used the word ‘Love’ in the title. Oh, wait... There’s no sex because you can’t write about sex.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I said. “I can write sex scenes.”
Margaret stepped even closer and poked me in the chest with her finger. “Then prove it. Andrew and I can help.”
“Do you think it’s appropriate for the two of you to stop and have sex in the middle of a global pandemic?”
“Yes,” they both shouted.
“That what the story line is all about, ‘Love’.
“I’ll consider it. I’m rewriting several parts. I can in throw in a few sex scenes.”
“Then do it for God’s sake,” Margaret said. “You’re the author. Hurry up and quit wasting my time.”
“I was also thinking that the protagonist needs a challenge or obstacle to overcome,” I said.
“What the hell?” Margaret and Dr. Andrew both yelled.
“We’re in a pandemic, “Dr. Andrew reminded me. “The ER if maxed out. We have no beds left in ICU, and the patients keep coming. That’s enough of a challenge. I can’t handle any more. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to this challenge.”
“Good point,” I said.
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Love During a Pandemic
“Don’t get excited, Margaret. This is Monte Anderson, the author of this novel.”
“What? You’re Monte Anderson?” she asked. “I thought you’d be…”
“Younger,” Dr. Andrew interjected.
Margaret laughed. “I was going to say taller but younger with do.”
“Okay, okay. Knock it off. I’m glad to see that during this pandemic, you two still have your sense of humor.”
“What bring you to the ER?” Dr. Andrew asked.
Margaret turned to face him. “Two of your nurses tested positive this morning. I sent them home to self-quarantine. I thought I would fill in.”
“Thanks,” Dr. Andrew said as he touched Margaret’s arm. “We can use your help.”
Margaret turned back to face me. “And while you’re here, where are the sex scenes? Your working title is ‘Love During a Pandemic,’ but I don’t see any sex scenes.”
“I’m trying to build the sexual tension between you and Doctor Andrew. On page 89 you two take a break to go on a date.”
Margaret stepped closer to me. “I read that part. There’s no sex.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “The sex is implied.”
Margaret folded her arms. “That’s bullshit. Sex is implied when you used the word ‘Love’ in the title. Oh, wait... There’s no sex because you can’t write about sex.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I said. “I can write sex scenes.”
Margaret stepped even closer and poked me in the chest with her finger. “Then prove it. Andrew and I can help.”
“Do you think it’s appropriate for the two of you to stop and have sex in the middle of a global pandemic?”
“Yes,” they both shouted.
“That what the story line is all about, ‘Love’.
“I’ll consider it. I’m rewriting several parts. I can in throw in a few sex scenes.”
“Then do it for God’s sake,” Margaret said. “You’re the author. Hurry up and quit wasting my time.”
“I was also thinking that the protagonist needs a challenge or obstacle to overcome,” I said.
“What the hell?” Margaret and Dr. Andrew both yelled.
“We’re in a pandemic, “Dr. Andrew reminded me. “The ER if maxed out. We have no beds left in ICU, and the patients keep coming. That’s enough of a challenge. I can’t handle any more. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to this challenge.”
“Good point,” I said.
[If you don’t want to miss any of my blog posts, follow me.]
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