Too many allow the small moments of the day to slip by without notice. Jerica Taylor's poem, "For the Hopeless Scroll Under the Swipe of Your Finger," reminds us to pay attention to these moments, and is now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Jerica's pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
I live in a small town where people are conscientious with mask wearing and safety, and restaurants and schools are open again, though not everyone is comfortable about how quickly that happened. The town is almost at its normal level of activity though many people who can stay home are doing so. Neighboring towns are going up in their reported number of cases, so a return to lockdown might be in our future.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
“The Untamed,” a Chinese fantasy drama with a beautiful romance and so many incredible characters.
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
I have a young kiddo, so my time has been even more sparse with distance learning and the disappearance of our usual routine and activities. I learned a lot about myself and how frequently I set my own work aside for things that I viewed as more important. When I made the decision to make my writing a priority in my own mind, I found a new sense of purpose and energy. Laundry and dishes and yoga and all of the things I thought I had to do first before I was allowed to do what I wanted shifted into deliberate choices. What did I want to do most? Sometimes it was write a poem, then do the laundry. Often it was skip exercise and read instead. The act of making the choice—being intentional about what I did with what little emotional energy I had—saved me from exhaustion day after day.
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 writing linked flash stories about a person who stress bakes in space and their alien crew mates are baffled by the whole thing.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
WRITE WHAT YOU WANT! I mean it in all-caps, full voice enthusiasm. Write where inspiration takes you, no matter how weird, no matter how certain you are that you don't write that kind of thing, or you're not good at that type of writing. WRITE WHATEVER THE HECK YOU WANT.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
I've met so many wonderful, supportive, incredibly talented writers on twitter who are publishing in small online journals and presses - and the people running the journals and presses!
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
So many small and independent journals and presses! Virtual readings! Videos of poets reading their own work and their favorite poems by other writers aloud!
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Your words matter! They matter to you - and there's someone out there who needs them, too.
ABOUT Jerica Taylor
Jerica Taylor is a non-binary neurodivergent queer cook, birder, and chicken herder. Their work has appeared in Schuylkill Valley Journal, Postscript, Stone of Madness, and perhappened. She lives with her wife and young daughter in Western Massachusetts.
To learn more, follow Jerica and her writing journey at her website and on Twitter.
Thanks for chatting, Jerica!
