In my latest novel, Tarnished, my main character Ella is forced into a long distance relationship. Granted, it isn’t your typical LDR, considering the fact that Ella is on the run, hiding from a man who wants to own her, and others who’d like to see her dead. Like Ella, sometimes circumstances are out of your control and you might have to find a way to keep a relationship alive even when you’re not next to the person you love.

Here are a few tips on how to help stay connected even when there are thousands of miles between you.

Find the best way to communicate: I’m not a big phone talker, in fact, I pretty much detest it, so texting works well for me. A text doesn’t necessarily have to be a conversation. It can just be a quick note to let your partner know you’re thinking of them. That said, sometimes my husband just wants to hear my voice, so of course I’ll make time to talk to him, even if it is just for a few minutes.

Make it visual: I could spend the whole day trying to take a cute selfie, but you don’t necessarily have to send pictures of yourself to stay in touch. When my husband is out of town, I love seeing the sights he’s seeing, whether it’s a flock of birds, a beautiful sunset or a time-lapse video of his walk to the office.

Get creative: One of the most difficult things about distance can be the way it takes spontaneity out of a relationship, but it doesn’t have to. Maybe you can surprise your partner with a list of things you love about them. Send one thing every hour for a whole day. Or maybe write a real letter and put it in the mail. You could make a funny video or paint them a painting, anything to let them know you’re thinking of them.

Don’t get discouraged: There are going to be times when none of these things seem to work. You’ll curse the saying “distance makes the heart grow fonder” because sometimes distance just makes your heart grumpy. But time will pass. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that. And pretty soon, you’ll be in your lover’s arms again.

Kate Jarvik Birch is a visual artist, author, playwright, daydreamer, and professional procrastinator. As a child, she wanted to grow up to be either a unicorn or mermaid. Luckily, being a writer turned out to be just as magical. Her essays and short stories have been published in literary journals including Indiana Review and Saint Ann’s Review. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband and three kids. To learn more visit Facebook, Twitter, or KateJarvikBirch.com