Sometimes wishing for memories to be erased, the tangible evidence burned away to nothing, is all we are left with in the end. Carol McGill's poem, "No proper burial," explores this notion, and is now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Carol's pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
Honestly? Grim.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
The first thing to come to mind is the Neopolitan quartet by Elena Ferrante. I’m halfway through and I’ve never read anything quite like it, she’s a new favorite for sure. In the first week of lockdown, I read The Secret Place by Tana French, which was very impressive and so addictive. I also loved The Flat Share by Beth O’Leary, gorgeous and fun and exactly the escapism I needed.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
I’ve watched “Sex Education” twice, once in March and again in the winter. “Fleabag” is as good as everyone says. “Crazy Ex Girlfriend” does a whole bunch of stuff I didn’t realize tv could even do—musical and feminist and with actually good bi representation. Also I’m from Dublin, so “Normal People” was a really big deal for me.
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
I think it will be interesting to read over what I’ve written this year and see if there are any recurring themes. For now, the main effect has been that I have more time. I’ve never been able to focus on writing so much, and I’m choosing to see that as a silver lining.
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?
I’m attempting a non-fiction piece for pretty much the first time. It’s definitely a challenge but I’m really excited about it.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
I’m in a really amazing writing group, which has been wonderful in terms of motivation. I also have quite a few friends who love writing and who swap stories with me. A second pair of eyes is so valuable, I’m very lucky.
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
I am very excited about the conversations on (often unconscious) biases in the publishing industry, and the increase in attention given to BIPOC writers in particular. It's long overdue. Stories are how we make sense of the world and understand each other, so it matters which ones we choose to tell and listen to. It's crucial that everybody has the chance to participate and to see themselves represented.
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
That being said, I'm aware that publishing is a business and that this can give it an ugly edge (for example, my understanding of the situation with JK Rowling's latest novel is that its potential to sell was prioritized over its potential to do harm). It's wonderful to see the recent increase in diversity but I worry this won't be maintained once it stops being a trend. We need to make sure this shift is sustainable and meaningful. Individuals can help by examining their own reading and book buying.
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
They’d probably all be from folklore.
ABOUT carol mcgill
Carol McGill has had work appear in Capsule Stories, Sonder, Crannóg, Q/A Poetry, Silver Apples Magazine, Brilliant Flash Fiction, and the anthology Words To Tie To Bricks. She founded the Morning Coffee Writing Competition with Sonder Magazine. She was the 2019-2020 chairperson of Trinity Literary Society.
To learn more, follow Carol and her writing journey on Twitter.
Thanks for chatting, Carol!
