This is K.M. Island and you are listening to the 499th episode of the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast.

This episode of Helping Writers Become Authors is brought to you in partnership with Podtone.

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As always I'm recording this about a week before you're hearing it, which means I've just emerged

from a very crazy weekend in which the US declared a state of emergency in light of

the COVID pandemic. I of course have no idea what changes will take place

within the time between my recording this and you're hearing it,

but I would like to send my best wishes for health and safety to everyone in affected areas,

whether that means dealing with actual health issues or self-quarantine, or just trying to figure

out your part in supporting your community during this unprecedented event.

The good news for many writers, myself included, is that the near future will probably be providing some extra opportunities for writing time.

My encouragement to all of us is to make good use of this time,

to do what we need to to keep our spirits up and our anxieties at bay to help our neighbors however

we can, to read and learn lots of yummy things, and to write amazing stories.

To that end, I hope you enjoy this week's podcast, The Power of Hopeful Stories in a Stressful Time. What is your story putting stressful time.

What is your story putting into the world?

Now I mean that question literally.

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