Whether capturing oceans or a rainy day in November through lyrical language and imagery, there is a way to celebrate even the smallest moments through writing. Cathryn McCarthy's poems, "Reasons to Believe" and "A Postcard From the Wish Tower," explore this notion, and are now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Cathryn's pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
It looks much as it ever has; Southampton hasn't had it too bad so far, but cases doubled this week. I can't help thinking about November 1940, at the end of which, half of the city was razed by the Luftwaffe.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
Jane Crow: the Life of Pauli Murray by Rosalind Rosenberg, Phineus Finn by Anthony Trollope, and The Curse of the Were Mer by Kristin Garth.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
I've been enraptured by wildlife podcasts, such as David Oakes' “Trees a Crowd” and various wildlife caretakers' Instagram accounts: the best escapism and a reminder that we have a duty to look after and preserve our wild habitats.
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
I returned to poetry after a decade of writing fiction, partially inspired by the rich body of new writing that the pandemic has inspired. One morning, half way through our initial lockdown, I wrote a poem in my head while jogging, decided it was fun, and just kept at it.
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 first poetry collection, with the appalling working title, “An Exposition of the Moribund.”
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
You never stop, do you?
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
I'm excited by all the new indie poetry journals and by the spirit of support and love in the online poetry community. My experience in the cut-throat world of genre fiction was very different.
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
Not exactly recent events, but over the past few years I have been horrified by Amazon's destruction of small publishing houses (including every single fiction publisher I worked with in the last decade, including some fairly high profile ones.) Writing has been reduced to something we all do for free in our free time. We "work" at other things to feed money to the corporate machine. The pandemic has only made Amazon and its allies richer and creatives poorer.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
Because of the change from fiction to poetry, I've become more of a pantser. I tend to plot fiction in detail (although the organic nature of the process still likes to surprise me) while with poetry I like to start with more freedom and see how it goes. Conversely, I find it hard to ditch a dogged loyalty to traditional narrative structure and this can still hem me in.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I like to write in my little garden or overlooking it, and this hasn't changed. The pandemic has simply made me more aware how lucky I am to have a small patch of outdoor space of my own.
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Don't try your arse off—it's just not worth it. When it hurts you more than it gives you joy, stop. If you really love the writing, and not just the idea of being a writer, you'll return to it soon enough, because you won't be able to help yourself. In the meantime, just be kind to you.
ABOUT Cathryn Mccarthy
Cathryn McCarthy has adored words all her life, writes queer romantic fiction, and has recently developed an all-consuming crush on poetry. Her inspiration ranges from inner city life and grotty jobs to rural landscapes and their ancient folklores (occasionally jumbling them all together.) Publications include Acid Bath Publishing's "Wage Slave" anthology, Odd Magazine (September 2020), Floodlight Editions (October 27 2020), Pens of the Earth (November 2020) and Versification (January 2021). She holds a PhD in Cultural History from University College London.
To learn more, follow Cathryn and her writing journey on Twitter and Instagram.
Thanks for chatting, Cathryn!
