Despite trauma and chaos and fear from the last year, the persistence to continue writing allowed a way to work through the darkness. Adrian Ernesto Cepeda discusses just this and more in today's chat about his pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
Close to a shutdown, cases are rising by the day.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark, This Thing Called Life: Prince's Odyssey, On and Off the Record Prince's Odyssey, On and Off the Record by Neal Karlen, 'Round About Midnight: A Portrait of Miles Davis by Eric Nisenson, even the milky way is undocumented by Amy Shimson-Santo, and Strip by Jessica Abughattas.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
“VIDA” on Starz, “Gentefied” on Netflix, “Long Way Up” on Apple TV; “Love Life” on HBO Max and “Amy Schumer Learns to Cook.”
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
It has sparked me to focus on my anxiety, my depression and my past trauma.
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?
My collection of poems written for and inspired by mi Mami who passed away in 2017.
If you haven't been able to write, are there any projects you're hoping to work on next?
Writing is my life.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
Be brave, don't be afraid, the personal is universal.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
Amy Shimson-Santo and Lisa Marie Basile.
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
Looking forward to reading all the inspiring poems and stories written during this time.
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
We need more inclusivity. We are missing the voice of the LatinX writer in the publishing world.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I am a plotter. I am learning to take every day, a day at a time and not pressure myself to rush and finish any project, poem or story.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
My office.
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
1.) “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty
2.) “This Must Be The Place” by Talking Heads
3.) “New World” by Bjork
4.) “Many Rivers to Cross” by Harry Nillsson
5.) “Tilted” by Christine and the Queens.
Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite poem you've written since the pandemic began?
Quoting Frost at the end of the poem I wrote yesterday.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
Rebirth of hope in America.
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Write everything down, remember your voice is unique and the personal is universal.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Thank You for your consideration! Viva La Poesia!
ABOUT Adrian Ernesto Cepeda
Adrian Ernesto Cepedais the author of Flashes & Verses… Becoming Attractions from Unsolicited Press, Between the Spine from Picture Show Press and La Belle Ajar from CLASH Books. His poetry has been featured in Harvard Palabritas, Glass Poetry: Poets Resist, Cultural Weekly, Yes, Poetry, Frontier Poetry, The Fem, poetic diversity, Rigorous, Luna Luna Magazine, The Wild Word, The Revolution Relaunch and Palette Poetry. Adrian is an Angelino Poet who lives with his wife and their adorably spoiled cat Woody Gold in Los Angeles.
To learn more, follow Adrian and his writing journey at his website and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Thanks for chatting, Adrian!
