Distraction is often the biggest difficulty writers must deal with when attempting to put words on the page. Catherine Lee discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
Our mayor has done an excellent job of counteracting federal and state government carelessness. We have had one-third the infection rate of the rest of the state and country. But after Labor Day, we have gradually increased testing, positivity rate, hospitalizations.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
I'm not reading books so much as watching videos and taking workshops online.
If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?
Works by James Baldwin and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
“Saturday Night Live” and “Seniors In Play” acting classes.
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
I'm writing more and different pieces.
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?
Hoping to interest a publisher of (or win a contest to release) a multimedia book of jazz poetry and short essays.
If you haven't been able to write, are there any projects you're hoping to work on next?
Perfecting a website where I offer writing/editing services to others.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
Be inspired to rewrite others' stories or enact them yourself. Read aloud the same piece multiple times with different voices.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
Online friends and sister/fellow actors.
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
More creatives using meeting software apps that record collaborations help the average person better appreciate self-published media projects.
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
The quality bar has been enormously raised by exponential increases in online publishing. All the misspelled, ungrammatical, badly lit, incompetent projects that are posted discourage those who value quality from slogging through the muck. This causes viewers to limit rather than expand horizons.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
Sometimes pen to paper. Then transcribe a second and later drafts on laptop.
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
Anything composed by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell, Jon Hendricks.
Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite poem you've written since the pandemic began?
“Tongue," which appears on a poetry bot in association with the Robert Indiana exhibit at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio Texas.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
Helping others while supporting myself with writing/editing.
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Write an insight down the instant you think of it. If you don't, distractions everywhere will kill it.
ABOUT Catherine Lee
Catherine Lee explores poetry as a percussive voice either as a soloist reading at poetry events or with jazz musicians when sitting in “on poem.” Jazz-Cat's multimedia pieces—radio specials, original poetry, commentary, and videos—are archived on Soundcloud and Vimeo. Lee blogs research about master performers on Padlet and Facebook/Jazz Ovation Inn. Her jazz-related poetry was featured in the July 2020 "Music" Issue 5 of Northampton Poetry Review, pages 63-74.
To learn more, follow Catherine and her writing journey at her website and on Facebook, Vimeo, and Soundcloud.
Thanks for chatting, Catherine!
