I will admit there have been days the past few months where solace can only be found cocooned in a favorite blanket, the smell of fresh-brewed coffee creeping up out of the mug, a beloved show queued up and ready to binge.
But there have been other days which stand out as tiny accomplishments, heart racing, searching for some semblance of sense in the small corners of my world. These are the days I’ve written. Though unpublished or unfinished, it doesn't much matter, because the pages penned in pandemic are tangible reminders that life moves ever onward.
While thinking about these often messy, meandering, miraculous pages, I’ve found strength. I couldn't imagine surviving the state of our world without the catharsis of writing.
What's more, I wondered if other writers felt the same way. So begins a new series in which I'll be chatting about such pages penned and what it's like now as the pandemic continues.
Until then, I thought I would share a glimpse of what my writing life has been like during these times.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
When I enter a grocery store, shoppers wear masks, they clean the handles of carts, and they keep at a distance. In this respect, I feel lucky. I know there are some who are outraged by some of the stricter standards in Buffalo and the Western New York area, however, I do feel some small semblance of safety in regards to these regulations.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
Some of my favorite reads have been Fever Dream, Morning in the Burned House, Moonstruck: Volume 1, and Kingdom Animalia. I've also taken part in a book club with some of my favorite people, reading Children of Blood and Bone, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and currently, The Guest List.
If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?
Though I have been reading throughout the past few months, I absolutely cannot wait to devour Midnight Sun! Finding comfort in nostalgic bookish worlds such as stories from Panem and Forks has been a delight amidst the darkness.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
I have watched Little Women on repeat and sought comfort in perennial favorites: Home Again, Pride and Prejudice, Practical Magic, Harry Potter. However, I will say HAMILTON has completely taken over my life all over again!
As far as TV, there's too many fantastic shows to name them all, but some that stand out include So Weird (I rediscovered this beloved show from childhood on Disney +), The United States of Tara, Alias Grace, Teen Wolf, Schitt’s Creek, GLOW, Community, and as always, Parks & Recreation and Gilmore Girls.
I've been discovering some new podcasts lately and a favorite is certainly Mind Love. I also enjoyed listening to the So Weird podcast along with watching the show. Favorites I always return to include 88 Cups of Tea, First Draft, That Smart Hustle, and The Manuscript Academy.
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
While I'm continuing my work-in-progress novel, I certainly find there are days that are easier than others. Writing a post-pandemic narrative while living in a pandemic is at times strange and surreal, cathartic and chaotic. It's been six years with this story, but the concept of surviving versus living has becoming all too clear in these months.
Are there any projects you are excited to keep working on? If so, can you give us any details (no spoilers please!) about your project?
During the month of April this year, I wrote one poem every day to celebrate National Poetry Month, and I'm excited to continue to edit and organize these poems I so love. To read more about this project, you can check out What We Called the April Poems.
I'm also still tinkering with a story I've been working on for the last eleven years. I love this story now more than ever, and somedays it's just the escape I need from the reality of our world.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
I think the past few months have taught me the importance of kindness: to others, but what's more, being kind to myself. I have written about my struggles with anxiety before, but these weeks and months have taught me to take a step back, take a break, take my time while I have it. I've been working on bettering myself just as much as I have been working to make my novel into the best version possible.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
Before quarantine and the pandemic, I was routinely meeting with a fantastic writing group in the Buffalo area. Since being home, we have continued to meet biweekly over Google Meets. Not only has this kept us accountable for our writing, but it has allowed us to stay tethered, which is much needed during these times of self-isolation.
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
The focus on diversity and the commitment to inclusivity, which began with the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement, continues to make strides toward ensuring readers young and old will someday find themselves on the page. Though, there is no denying these are small steps in a much longer journey to a world far better than the one we currently occupy, there is resounding support from the agents and editors I support as they, too, remind: Black lives matter. Black stories matter.
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
While traditional publishing has always had its gatekeepers and strictures, now more than ever, the prospects for debut novelists do seem to be diminishing. This makes the possibility of publication more slight than ever before. Though I am doing everything I can to craft a story worth telling, there is always the chance a post-pandemic narrative won't sell amidst these unprecedented times. However, I refuse to give up or give in based on the difficulties darkening a writing journey too used to uneven roads.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I would definitely say I am a plotter! I thrive on outlines. But I must thank a favorite writer for suggesting the notion of discovery writing once or twice. I prefer this term, discover, to the idea of flying by the seat of one's pants. In part, because I start with an outline, but also there is a beauty in discovering a story as the words unfurl before me. I've taken this opportunity to take a step back when needed, to listen to my characters, and to follow where they lead.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
My favorite place to write is a clearing in the White Mountains just beyond the building where I received my MFA. However, it's been four years since I've been back. Since that time, I have found that writing on my back patio has been lovely as well. Though I've always wanted to be a coffee shop writer, I've never really found a way to settle into my story in such a public place. In these regards, the pandemic hasn't affected my ability to find comfort in writing from home.
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
1.) Level of Concern - Twenty One Pilots
2.) Wait For It - Hamilton
3.) ALL of folklore (more specifically: the 1, seven, and invisible string) - Taylor Swift
4.) All Will Be Well - The Gabe Dixon Band
5.) Non-Stop - Hamilton
Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene you've written since the pandemic began?
The first scene that comes to mind occurs between my main character and her mom. There is a conversation about numbers and words, apologies and wishes and dreams. This scene is everything I've felt during these many months.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
I absolutely love Thanksgiving and this year, it feels extra special. But I must say, waiting for that first day of October to watch my favorite Halloween movies while wrapped up in a blanket, embracing an autumnal chill, a reminder that all things must end so that new seasons can begin again - this, too, feels like something to look forward to this year!
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Once again, I can't stress the importance of being kind to yourself. Not everything happens in a day, but there is so much to be enjoyed and accomplished in twenty-four hours time.
As always, I would say, keep going. During these months, I haven't escaped rejection, but I refuse to give up, and I think this is the most useful tool in the life of a writer.
One final piece of advice: Read. Read everything. Read anything. Read good books and bad books and things some people call trite. Escape into stories and give your mind a rest from puzzling out ways to leave your mark and save our world. Great thinking comes from imagining and imagining is honed best through filling creative wells with stories.
Wherever you are in the world, dear reader, whether you’re a writer or just someone trying to make the best of pandemic times, I hope you’re staying safe and well and finding ways to believe that better days are on their way, if only in our dreams.
