Craft Chat Question: How do I handle the pandemic?

Mel L · Aug 4, 2026

I'm currently editing my novel, set in the present day, and considering a change in the timeline. The question is whether or not to take Covid into account.

Until now, I've avoided the period around the pandemic as it might make some readers wonder why there are no restrictions on travel, etc. So I had my story timeline starting in 2016 and ending in 2019. The actual year and the newsfeed overall is not relevant to the story, but there are a couple of mentions of specific dates, ie on a birth certificate.

Now I'm thinking of expanding the timeline, which would mean either starting earlier or ending later. Wondering if it's worth worrying about. Will readers notice or even care? Especially when I think of time to publication (if and when, ha ha!) which will likely make it 10 years after Covid began.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Pamela Jo · Aug 4, 2026

I think start earlier. Readers will noice. So you have to make it an alternate timeline or place it in the world as it existed pre pandemic. At least that is how I dealt with it in my book set in 2018.

Vagabond Heart · Aug 4, 2026

I agree with PJ. Readers will notice.
I just gave feedback on something, and the first thing I saw was they had included freedom to travel, with a passport that only had a couple of days left on it, before it expired. I told them to check the country's rules about that as, since Covid, some don't allow you to travel with less than 6 months.
These things are part of everyday life now.

Hannah Faoileán · Aug 4, 2026

I agree with the above comments - change the date. People will definitely notice, and if they happen to have a grievous reason to recall a pandemic date, they will be very upset and annoyed that you obliterated it even if it is a fictitious history.

Mel L · Aug 4, 2026

@Pamela Jo @Hannah Faoileán @Vagabond Heart
Thank you, oh wise women of Litopia! You are certainly right, and it's what my gut was saying even if my lazy side secretly hoped I could get away with it. It's amazing the details that will catch you out -- I also just realized I was talking about the view over Notre Dame in September 2019 when the cathedral had caught fire in April!

RK Wallis · Aug 5, 2026

I just read The Wedding People by Alison Espach and she’s used Covid to drive the plot.

Mel L · Aug 5, 2026

RK Wallis said:
I just read The Wedding People by Alison Espach and she’s used Covid to drive the plot.

Well at least she had a clear timeline! Any good?

RK Wallis · Aug 5, 2026

I enjoyed 80% but she lost me at the end. The main character just did something that went against everything she'd said. I lost all respect for her, but the Covid bit worked

wrightstuff · Aug 5, 2026

Vagabond Heart said:
I agree with PJ. Readers will notice.
I just gave feedback on something, and the first thing I saw was they had included freedom to travel, with a passport that only had a couple of days left on it, before it expired. I told them to check the country's rules about that as, since Covid, some don't allow you to travel with less than 6 months.
These things are part of everyday life now.

Most countries have long required the traveller to have 6 months on the passport as a condition of entry.

wrightstuff · Aug 5, 2026

Mel L said:
I'm currently editing my novel, set in the present day, and considering a change in the timeline. The question is whether or not to take Covid into account.

Until now, I've avoided the period around the pandemic as it might make some readers wonder why there are no restrictions on travel, etc. So I had my story timeline starting in 2016 and ending in 2019. The actual year and the newsfeed overall is not relevant to the story, but there are a couple of mentions of specific dates, ie on a birth certificate.

Now I'm thinking of expanding the timeline, which would mean either starting earlier or ending later. Wondering if it's worth worrying about. Will readers notice or even care? Especially when I think of time to publication (if and when, ha ha!) which will likely make it 10 years after Covid began.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I would suggest avoiding the timeline (don't we all wish we could!) unless you're going to use it as part of the plot/background.

I am digging deep into Covid to underpin the sequel to Life in Layers, as it allows me to amplify a couple of the themes I only touched on in the first one. Otherwise, I'd say leave well alone!

Craft Chat Question: How do I handle the pandemic?

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