Pages Penned in Pandemic with SK Grout

Spooky season is upon us, but there's nothing more terrifying than the persistence of the pandemic. Today, however, I'm excited to chat with SK Grout about the pages she’s penned during this time.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Wearing masks on public transport is compulsory. The streets are emptying as many inhabitants choose to work remotely from other locations. Routine sounds of sirens and food delivery mopeds.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

Natalie Diaz’s Post-Colonial Love Poem, Eavan Boland’s A Journey with Two Maps, The Bloodaxe Book of Contemporary Indian Poets edited by Jeet Thayil, Margaret Rogerson’s An Enchantment of Ravens, Letters: Summer 1926 Boris Pasternak by Marina Tsvetaeva & Rainer Maria Rilke, The Secret Lives of Colour by Kassia St Clair, Vahni Capildeo’s Odyssey Calling, and R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War.

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

Podcasts: “The Tablo Podcast,” “BBC In Our Time,” and “The Ancient World.”

TV Shows: “Hotel del Luna,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “Itaewon Class,” “Grayson Perry's Art Club,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and “Beastars.”

Films: Studio Ghibli films and Wong Kar Wai films.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

Sometime in early April, I read an article from a novelist who talked about creating and carving out a quiet time every day completely separated from devices (phone, internet etc) and I adopted this practice for every morning during lockdown. This quiet space really helped me focus both on the micro level of writing the piece in front of me, as well as more project level thinking about planning, themes, books etc. Writing groups seemed to spring up around me (as well as online resources like Zoom readings and online teaching resources) and I've been very busy with writing, feed-backing and workshopping poems.

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

Writers often talk about writing every day, and I understand that with greater clarity now having had the space and time (and I acknowledge how lucky I have been) to write within a routine. Ada Limón wrote in a blog on the Poetry Foundation about writing every day: "This practice lets the mind know that everyday we must be observant, that we are paying attention, always." I have noticed that writing every day has helped me be inventive and fresh with my writing. There's also not the pressure to write an amazing poem as soon as I sit down. I've also allowed myself to be freer with my writing and myself, not just writing one genre. A piece of writing may turn into an essay, a diary entry, a poem, a longer piece for a short story.

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

I'm grateful for the generosity and care of the writers that feedback and read my early work. It's the greatest gift for someone to spend time reading your work and giving feedback and I'm very blessed and very honoured to have some amazing writers around me.

Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

I have been in awe of online poetry readings from other countries! I really hope that this openness of events online continues in the future. It feels both intimate and generous. The possibilities and audience are so great!

Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

I often think to tell myself to slow down, how I have to tell myself to not get swept up in social media. This is not necessarily related to the pandemic, but it's so wearying and stressful to feel this act of comparison all the time, particularly with so much stress and grief around us. And I do believe we need time to grieve as well, to acknowledge our grief and find renewed strength to keep going.

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I generally work in an ordered chaos, or a chaotic order. It's hard to change my Virgo nature.

Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?

One of my favourite places to write used to be in cafes. I would get a lot of inspiration from the world around me. Now I've set up a space so I can look out a window and mainly keep an eye on my neighbour's cat.

If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top songs would be on your list?

Lots of BTS, lol. Ok, seriously:

1.) "Winter Bear" by V

2.) "Tokyo Love Hotel" by Rina Sawayama

3.) "Susie Save Your Love" by Allie X & Mitski

4.) "Limitless" by Sudan Archives

5.) "Milliardat" DAM

6.) "Spring Day" by BTS

Without too many spoilers, what is your Favorite poem you've written since the pandemic began?

I've written a lot of nature and animal poems.

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

New BTS album later in the year :)

Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?

Stay open to ideas (mostly this comes through reading and writing) - they don't necessarily have to come from classical sources. Some of my favourite poems are about anime, games, films, TV shows. Collect prompts as well. If you're anything like me, they may not work immediately and you'll want to come back when you're ready.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Take care of yourselves and give yourself time. Spring is coming.

ABOUT Sk grout

SK Grout (she/they) grew up in Aotearoa/New Zealand, has lived in Germany and now splits her time as best she can between London and Auckland. She is the author of the micro chapbook to be female is to be interrogated (2018, The Poetry Annals). She holds a post-graduate degree in creative writing from City, University of London and is a Feedback Editor for Tinderbox Poetry. Her work also appears in Cordite Poetry Review, trampset, Banshee Lit, Parentheses Journal, Barren Magazine and elsewhere. More information can be found at her website.

Don’t forget to check out SK’s poem, “time spent understanding,” published by dialogist. And be sure to follow SK and her writing journey on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for chatting, SK!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Ogunfowokan Ifeoluwapo

With autumn's arrival, perhaps the instinct to stay in and continue to self-isolate when possible feels more natural. However, the persistence of COVID-19 means this series continues ever onward, and I'm excited to chat with Ogunfowokan Ifeoluwapo about imposed solitude and her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

There are 2,071 cases in my city. 983 patients have been discharged and 29 deaths have been recorded.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine and Someone Like You by Karen Kingsbury.

If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?

I've been reading and I intend on reading Spiked by Jon McGoran.

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

“The Men's Club” (movie).

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 intend to keep writing more blog posts.

If you haven't been able to write, are there any projects you're hoping to work on next?

I'm planning to write more blog posts.

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

Writing has enabled me to inspire people in ways I never thought I could.

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

No.

Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

It seems that being in isolation has allowed writers to have a flow of ideas and that has pushed them to write more. I'm happy for that.

Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

Yes! The economic situation globally is getting more discouraging and this is difficult for writers who are looking forward to selling their books.

Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I love writing in the comfort of my room.

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

To get more people who love my blog posts. I have a lot of promotion to do.

Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?

Keep writing. Don't let your mood affect your productivity.

ABOUT Ogunfowokan Ifeoluwapo

Ogunfowokan Ifeoluwapo is a blogger on social psychology and mental wellness at yourmentalstability.com.

Don’t forget to check out Ogunfowokan’s timely post, “How To Enjoy Imposed Solitude- The COVID-19 Era,” as well as “Signs Of A Happy And Healthy Relationship” over on her blog! And be sure to follow Ogunfowokan and her writing journey on Twitter.

Thanks for chatting, Ogunfowokan!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Lindsay Allister

As the days of September bring us closer to the end of one season and the start of the next, I'm excited to continue this series, and chat with Lindsay Allister about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

It was very quiet for the few months but people have slowly tried to return to normal, and nearly everyone is wearing a face mask now.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

I’ve reread a lot of children’s classics to my kids at bedtime including The Railway Children and Black Beauty. I’ve been rereading the Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson.

If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?

I have a few bookcases of books to be read! But I’ve been building up a collection of Colson Whitehead books to read.

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

I’ve worked my way through “The Umbrella Academy”, “Stranger Things” and I’m about to start “The Witcher.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It’s made it harder because I’ve had to homeschool my kids so I’ve lost my quiet time to sit and write.

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 working on my next book. Admittedly, I tend to have several projects on the go at one time, but one currently has my full attention and will be ready in the next couple of months.

If you haven't been able to write, are there any projects you're hoping to work on next?

Once this is over, and we are back to “normal” I’ll have the chance to get cracking with all of these projects.

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

That information can be weaponized and politically spun. I’m honestly in shock at the destructive behavior of some people because they have been told to wear a mask and wash their hands to stop the spread of a virus.

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

To be honest, trying to homeschool the kids and get some writing work done has taken up so much of my time, I haven’t had a chance to feel disconnected.

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I’m a bit of both.

Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?

In my kitchen on my vintage typewriter.

If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?

1.) “When I Come Around” - Greenday

2.) “The Day I Tried to Live” - Soundgarden

3.) “Shake It Off” - Taylor Swift

4.) “Leave It Alone” - NOFX

5.) “Same Old Story” - Pennywise

Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene you've written since the pandemic began?

Oh, there are a few. The bit were he finds the body, the car getting stopped on the bridge. Or my short story “when it ended”.

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

Halloween—it’s my favorite time of year.

Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?

Don’t panic, read plenty, only watch the news once a day for an update, message your loved ones everyday, and write everything down. As a historian, that information will be important for future generations.

ABOUT Newtownards in the Great War

Before the Great War began, Ireland had already began to take up arms. Conflict and political unrest was at the forefront of everyone's mind as the country was trying to liberate itself. Newtownards was to become the centre in the eye of the storm which would shape the country for the next hundred years. But when War threatens the lives of countless people, it was the men of Ulster and Ireland that answered the call. Newtownards in the Great War tells the tales of the men and women who were prepared to sacrifice everything they had in order to be free from persecution and serve their King with pride. From the beginnings of the UVF to the division of Ireland, Newtownards and the Ards peninsula held the secrets of the men and shaped the world in a way no-one thought would be possible.

ABOUT lindsay allister

Lindsay Allister is an internet explorer fluent in several languages including emoji, meme and #hashtag.

Be sure to follow Lindsay and her writing journey at her website and on Twitter.

Thanks for chatting, Lindsay!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Preston Smith

Pumpkin Spice is back, that crisp autumn chill rewards us every few days with a sneak peek of what's to come, and yet, even as we transition into a new season, there is still too much that remains unchanged. Amidst this juxtaposition, I am excited to chat with Preston Smith about his pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

The pandemic has been very interesting here in Dayton, OH. From early March until mid-July, I stepped away from my barista & manager role at the coffee shop I work at and self-quarantined at home. I live about twenty minutes from the shop, which is actually in downtown Dayton, so I've sort of seen two different sides of it.

Where I live, people don't appear to be taking it that seriously. Especially before government-issued mask mandates, I would constantly see people without masks on my weekly trips to the grocery store.

However, after returning to work, I see everyone downtown wearing masks. What's interesting, too, is that my coffee shop is directly across the street from a fairly large hospital, with a lot of our customers being either patients, visitors, or nurses/doctors themselves. That's really been the most stressful part—just the thought that one of them could be bringing COVID directly from the hospital to us.

From my understanding, though, our county isn't one of the higher risk counties in Ohio anymore, but I'm still extremely weary.

If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?

I haven't been able to bring myself to read unfortunately, but I have bought some books this year that I'm looking forward to reading! I promised a good friend of mine that I would read Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series and even bought the box set but haven't yet—so I really need to get on that! I think in general I'm really excited to get into some YA and fantasy again because I'm beginning my sixth consecutive year of college literature programs where we typically read established works and the canon, so I'm very ready to graduate with my MA in May and have a lot more freedom to read what I want to read! And sometime soon I need to explore this Sarah J. Maas series before my friend disowns me!

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

Various media have certainly been escapes for me since the pandemic began. One of the shows I took up bingeing while self-quarantining was "Schitt's Creek," and it's become one of my favorite shows ever! I watched the series in about two weeks and have since gone back and watched random episodes, and I end up quoting it far too often ("Ew, David!"). My older sister got me to watch it and I've since made my mom and my little sister binge it. On the music front, the album I've turned to the most is definitely Rina Sawayama's debut album "SAWAYAMA." It's genre-fluid but remains cohesive, and I can't recommend it enough!

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

More than ever, the pandemic has caused my writing to come in waves. In April, I got the urge to write a chapbook, and by June any ambition I had was completely gone. I'm not sure I wrote a single poem that month. I wrote out deadlines for various projects for myself and everything, but I just couldn't write.

I got myself together in July and wrote and revised a lot, but now in August I haven't been able to write again. Hopefully, this means September will be a good month for writing if this pattern persists?

What this time has really taught me is that I can't push myself and I have to let the writing happen when it happens. My forced writing is always my worst, and it took me a long time to realize that! It's also been challenging because as a person and in my writing I'm very optimistic, and as someone still rather young, this has been one of the most devastating experiences to live through on a global scale and it's been hard to maintain that optimism in myself and in my writing.

I think I ultimately turned to writing about my queer experience and history because they have nothing to do with the pandemic, about which I've only written one poem—"Cinderella as Told During a Global Pandemic," which itself may never see the light of day!

So at some point, I guess I realized I have to separate the pandemic from my writing in order to maintain my optimistic nature, which I spent years building for myself.

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?

Ooh yes!! I've been consumed by two projects, both of which I'm now submitting to presses! When the pandemic first started, I began a chapbook about the life and death of Joan of Arc, which ultimately became titled "JOAN:ARC" thanks to the amazing Rebecca Hazelton, who offered the title to the then-unnamed chapbook in a Twitter reply to me. (I still can't believe that happened!!!)

The other project I've been working on is my debut full-length poetry collection titled "Beneath Honeysuckle Rum." Where "JOAN:ARC" is historical and my published chapbook, Red Rover, Red Lover, tells a fictional story, "Beneath Honeysuckle Rum" is extremely personal to me and it felt right that my first full-length collection would be something raw and from my heart. It's split into four sections (Fear, Apathy, Hope, and Peace), and it's mostly about my queer experience(s). The poems are mostly about two specific men, but other men and women from my past are sprinkled throughout as well and it all culminates in the raging optimist of a bisexual that I am today!

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

I feel like we say this all the time—especially on Twitter where there is a condensed community of writers—but I'd have to say that this time really shows that you are a writer whether you're writing all the time or not, that you don't have to write a certain amount to earn that title, etc.

At the beginning, there was this narrative that everyone should be using this time to be productive—write a novel, etc.—and I am SO happy that died down VERY quickly. We're human first, and surviving a global pandemic and maintaining one's mental health are more important than meeting writing goals or trying to prove that you're a writer.

I'd also say that you don't HAVE to write what you know, despite that being the token saying for so long. But mostly that you're a valid writer whether you've been writing during the pandemic or not.

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

There is one man in my personal life that has made a world of difference for me during the pandemic. We've been able to use this time to grow closer, and I can't quite put into words how much it has meant to me. I've also been taking this time to reach out to a lot of people—both friends I haven't spoken to in a while and ones that I saw more recently before the pandemic.

For example, while I was an undergraduate literature student, I became quite close with a lot of the creative writing MFA students at my university, and I've been trying to keep in contact with them and reach out to them periodically during the pandemic. They are some of the absolute best writers I know, and they're even better humans in general. They adopted me as their own even though I wasn't a creative writing student and I was in undergrad, and I'll never ever forget that. They really are my chosen family, and I can't wait to see each of them do amazing things with their words. Roseanna, Remi, Neeru, Julie, and many others—if you're reading this, I love you.

Finally, more than ever, I got to talk with poets on Twitter, which really helped me feel a sort of community during this time. A few writers you should definitely be keeping your eyes on that I adore are Sage Ravenwood, Lynn Schmidt, Ankh Spice, Venus Davis, and so, so many others!

If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?

Oh I love this question a lot!! I make a lot of playlists and listen to music constantly, especially during the pandemic, and I also always listen to music when I write. They might not all fit thematically, but 5 songs that got me through the pandemic thus far and from which I would make a playlist are:

1.) "Daisies" by Katy Perry

2.) "I Know Alone" by HAIM

3.) "Bad Friend" by Rina Sawayama

4.) "Joyride" by Tinashe

5.) "Underdressed" by VÉRITÉ

Part of the pandemic for me personally was marked by a pretty big romantic heartbreak, so some of these songs helped me deal with those emotions, while others were comforting for other reasons. No matter the reason, I'd recommend these 5 songs to anyone! :)

Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite poem you've written since the pandemic began?

Ooh, I'm so excited to talk about this. As I mentioned in a previous answer, I went through a pretty bad heartbreak earlier this year. However, before the pandemic, in February, I met a man that I immediately knew I liked. We kept in touch and, a little while after my heartbreak, we've grown closer. One of the projects I've been working on during the pandemic is my debut full-length poetry collection titled "Beneath Honeysuckle Rum," and poems about this boy began materializing as I was putting finishing touches on the book.

My favorite of these poems is titled "To the Boy in California." It begins with "I'll tell the boy in California there is only one way/to cut a pineapple: gently/around its core so as not to break flesh/or pierce its heart," and it very quickly became one of my favorite poems in the book and definitely my favorite since the pandemic began.

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

At the time of this interview, it's August 19th and in 5 days I begin my final year of college—the second year of my literature MA program. While I'm excited to graduate, what I'm most excited about is getting to teach and talk about poetry with my students this year. Like last year, I'll be teaching freshman composition. I was nervous to incorporate too much creative writing into my course last year, as it was my first year and I was new, but this year I really want to get my students thinking about poetry, as I think there are plenty of lessons to be learned when studying poetry that can be applied to academic writing.

So I guess right now I'm just really excited to find that balance where I'm meeting all of the university's standards and preparing the students for the rest of their college careers but also allowing them to engage with creative writing a little bit as well.

Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?

I would say to not push yourself too hard during this time. The pandemic is affecting everyone differently. If you're someone where writing is helping you get through it, definitely do that; however, if you're not writing and can't right now, don't stress yourself out about it. As cliche as this statement has become, this situation is unprecedented, nonetheless with everything going on socially—allow yourself to breathe. Whether you write now or later, it will happen.

ABOUT Preston Smith

Preston Smith (he/him) is an MA candidate in literature at Wright State University. He is a poetry editor for Periwinkle Literary Journal, and his debut chapbook, Red Rover, Red Lover, released from Roaring Junior Press in early 2020. He can be found on Twitter (and Instagram!) @psm_writes tweeting about his cats, baking, and fairy tales. His poems appear in Black Bough Poetry, Nightingale & Sparrow, and Pink Plastic House, among others.

Don’t forget to check out Preston’s poem, “When the Apocalypse Hits At High Noon, We Sit Down For a Drink,” published by ang(st)! And be sure to follow Preston and his writing journey at his website and on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for chatting, Preston!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Steve McCarthy

Though we've entered another month without reprieve, today I am excited to chat with Steve McCarthy about his pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Many businesses such as gyms, tours, etc are still not open.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

The Dark Tower: The Drawing of Three by Stephen King, Joe Hill's Anthology "Strange Weather", and Keith Buckley's "Watch."

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

No, not really. I don't really watch TV. I love movies, but none came out!

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It accelerated it during the full closure times.

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 life work, which will be the entire 'Sins of the Gods' series. I've been working on the ideas and building the worlds and stories since I was a junior in High School. 1999!

If you haven't been able to write, are there any projects you're hoping to work on next?

I've been able to write, but after the dark and heavy things of 'The Sins of the Gods', I want to complete my comedy novel. It's about an EMT who opens his own detective agency because the police won't hire him. He springs into action when the horrifying June Bug killer, a woman who is cutting people's body parts out to make herself into a human June Bug, revives after ten years in her cocoon. It's as much Thomas Harris as it is Tim and Eric and/or the Simpsons.

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

The more you write, the easier it is. You can't wait for inspiration. You have to get the keys clicking. Turn off the TV and write!

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

Yes, the Lock Keeper Six Writer's Group and the Buffalo Writer's Groups. Virtual feedback sessions and impromptu sessions!

Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

Not in particular.

Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

Just that it may be more difficult to get traditionally published possibly due to layoffs, closures, etc.

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?

Plotter. Very strictly. I have a very strict outline of the history of my series and a formatted picture of how I want to get there.

Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?

Dining room table or my chair at the front window. No.

If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?

1.) "Stay with Me" by In Flames

2.) "And We Run" by Within Temptation

3.) The entire "Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" soundtrack

4.) The soundtrack to "The Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford"

5.) "Monaalisa" by Fleshgod Apocalypse.

Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene you've written since the pandemic began?

Without a doubt, the opening chapter to "Insurgency" where the near death Sheriff in the late 1870’s New Mexico is approached by a stranger (Necromidius , the Devil's second in command) and offered a deal to assist in hunting down a killer who is assisting three escaped demons from Hell. Necromidius is so fun to write. In my mind, he is the Joker of my world. Morose in his sense of humor, quick to anger, and always laughing.

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

Finishing the major overhauls of the editing process for my debut novel.

Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?

The hardest part of writing is the writing. It can seem so daunting and what you see in your mind is sometimes so faraway from the groundwork you have to lay to get there. But just like any project, you break it down into steps. You work at it and you don't stop.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I will soon be creating a Wordpress website to publish some anthology stories that take place in the Universe of 'The Sins of the Gods' starting with the novella "The Man Who Worshipped Death". Set in Philadelphia in the mid-1970s, it follows a twenty something funeral home owner, Lorenzo, who has the gift of being able to see ghosts on the spiritual plane. When he sees a person die right before his eyes and the Grim Reaper appears to take the person's soul, Lorenzo becomes obsessed with finding out who the tall 'Man in the Shadows' was. Meanwhile, his father is killed in a botched robbery and Lorenzo falls deeper down the spiral of madness and revenge.

About Steve McCarthy

Steve McCarthy is a dark fantasy/horror writer from Amherst, NY. Currently, he is editing the debut novel of his contemporary dark fantasy series 'The Sins of the Gods: The Scars Within". In addition, he is a screenwriter focusing on horror and fantasy scripts. Steve's screenplay "The Glass Casket: The Last Days of Edgar Allen Poe" was selected as a finalist for the Shriekfest Film Festival. He also continues a blog called "The Paranormal Paradox," which discusses his own personal ghost stories and encounters with personal theories on science and physics.

During the pandemic, Steve started running with the idea of 'what happens before the events of this debut novel? Not long after, he jumped in headfirst and is currently working on a companion piece to his debut novel called "Insurgency".

Be sure to follow Steve and his writing journey on Twitter and at his blog.

Thanks for chatting, Steve!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with J.S. Bowers

While there are still many uncertainties as 2020 moves ever onward, today I am excited to chat with J.S. Bowers about his pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

I'm lucky to live in a state, New York, where the threat of the virus is taken seriously. In my neighborhood, what the pandemic looks like is people wearing masks even when they're walking their dogs.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

What a pleasure it is to have some uninterrupted reading time! I've been re-reading some of the novels of Ursula K. LeGuin. In my view, there's no writer I'd rather study and learn from. She had an extraordinary imagination, and her prose is tight, beautiful, and surprising. I'm not a big reader of self-help books, but I feel tremendously lucky to have discovered 100 Days by Susan Balogh, a western New York writer.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It's not so much the pandemic, but the circumstance of my retirement from higher education, that has freed me up to spend more of my time and energy writing fiction. I have an ironic gratitude toward the wave of layoffs that affected Kentucky state universities over the past few years. As a result, I retired from my IT career at a time that was perfect for me, rather than years past my prime. I'm energized and optimistic.

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 a novel called "Wash Away" about a chemical company that has automated its factory and inadvertently created an artificial intelligence that is now re-programming itself, expanding its own capabilities. At the same time, one of the scientists there has manipulated DNA to develop a life form that may be the fulfillment of generations of mythology. My challenge: to tell this story without writing a science fiction novel.

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

Be a productive user of time. It feels like time is endless and what we don't do today we can always do tomorrow. But that feeling is false.

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

I moved to western New York in September 2019, only a few months before the coronavirus began spreading. I knew that I wanted to meet other writers, so I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to go to meetings and events. I'm so grateful for NaNoWriMo, for the Buffalo Erie County Public Library, and for Meetup in helping me find other creative people. I'm truly fortunate that before the lockdown began, I made some good friends who have wanted to continue having group meetings online. Kayla King is one of those -- thank you, Kayla, for inviting me to contribute to your "Pages Penned in Pandemic" project! My writing group friends from Kentucky, too, have been kind enough to keep me in their circle. Interacting with other writers is essential. Thank you, from the heart, to all my writing friends.

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I used to hold the ideal that outlining is a virtue, and I thought I lacked an essential creative skill because my outlines always disintegrated after a few chapters. I am a discovery writer, but I think plot is the most important element of a narrative. When I'm working on a project, I feel that an intuitive mental outline is guiding me, even if I can't put that outline on a page.

Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I like to write on my back porch. Weirdly enough, I used to write in my car quite often. I'd drive to some deserted parking lot and take advantage of the quiet for a couple of hours.

If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?

I can't listen to music while I'm writing, but I listen to music as a reward when I'm done. Some of my top reward songs:

1.) "Golden Years" by David Bowie

2.) "Cumberland Blues" by the Grateful Dead

3.) "Peach" by Prince

4.) "Tightrope" by Janelle Monae

5.) I'm a songwriting collaborator with C.P. Butchvarov, and I love his music, all of which is available free online.

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

I hope to find a literary agent to represent my completed YA fantasy novel, Silver Sparks. The pandemic has given me time I need to research and query. It's a tough process, handing off your perfect little jewel to people who are going to reject it.

About J.S. Bowers

J.S. Bowers is a fiction writer, novelist, and editor of Nobody’s Wife, the memoirs of Joan Haverty Kerouac.

Don’t forget to check out “Frog Talk,” published by Deep South Magazine! And be sure to follow J.S. Bowers and his writing journey at his website or on Twitter.

Thanks for chatting, J.S!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Holley Long

While there is still much in our world that continues to bring fear and anxiety and too many unknowns to count, today I am excited to chat with Holley Long about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Alabama is under a mask order, but most people are pretending the virus isn't an issue. In my city, stores are still packed, people still go out to eat, and though schools have delayed their start dates, the plan is still to reopen. My county has nearly 1,000 cases, with almost 200 confirmed in just the last two weeks.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

I loved The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd, and I enjoyed Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld. I also re-read Pride and Prejudice, and I'm currently re-reading Twilight before the release of Midnight Sun.

If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?

I'm looking forward to A Rogue of One's Own by Evie Dunmore, her follow-up to Bringing Down the Duke. I also can't wait for Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant, releasing in January 2021, and A Court of Silver and Flames by Sarah J. Maas, also coming in January.

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

"Chatty Broads with Bekah and Jess" is my go-to podcast. They tackle everything from social justice issues to pop culture (I LOVE their Bachelor recaps). I also watched "Mrs. America" on Hulu, and since March I've been trying to watch every episode of "The Simpsons" on Disney+.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I got lucky, because right as the pandemic was beginning to take hold, I was putting the finishing touches on my YA novel "The Marked Ones." I've spent this summer querying and trying to work on the sequel, and that last bit has been slow going. However, I'm being patient with myself and looking forward to the fall, when I will really begin drafting again!

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 really excited to write the sequel to my novel! "The Marked Ones" follows Lilly Norton, a high school senior who has reached her breaking point after endless bouts of tragedy. But before she shatters, a cloaked creatures appears to her, and its offers of a new life are as enticing as they are terrifying. I loved every minute of crafting "The Marked Ones," and I can't wait to dive into its follow-up!

If you haven't been able to write, are there any projects you're hoping to work on next?

Along with "The Marked Ones" sequel, I'd like to start blogging again. I have a long list of writing life posts I'm dying to put together, and I'm going to try to find time to get them up on my website.

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

I've learned the importance of online communication. Whether it's commenting under an Instagram post or reaching out to another writer about their work, technology makes it so much easier to encourage one another to the finish line.

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

Definitely you! All of your notes on my chapters and my query letter have been invaluable, as has your encouragement along the way! Kim Chance has also been a great source of inspiration and encouragement, with her Insta stories and Prayer Request boxes. And of course my boyfriend, Zach, never fails to cheer me up when the writing life has me down.

Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

I think the increase in virtual events is great! More people can be involved, and authors seem more laid back on screen than at podiums.

Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

I do worry that the struggling economy will mean publishers take on less projects. Though I am concerned about my work, I also wonder how many great stories will never get into the hands of readers because of the state of the world. I'm remaining confident, though, that the literary community will adapt, as it always has!

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?

Definitely in between. I write loose outlines, and then my first drafts deviate from the plan. With "The Marked Ones," the last half of the first draft is completely different from the last half of the final draft.

Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I usually need a tabletop to write, so I'm either at my kitchen table or on my balcony at my porch table. Sometimes, though, I curl up in bed or on my couch and am able to write for hours.

If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?

1.) "Clean" by Taylor Swift

2.) "Requiem for a Tower" by Clinton Mansell/Escala

3.) "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato

4.) "Rainbow" by Kacey Musgraves

5.) "Road Less Travelled" by Lauren Alaina

Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene you've written since the pandemic began?

I put the finishing touches on a scene featuring two characters who form an unlikely partnership/friendship in my book; their interaction is hesitant and speaks to their underlying issues, but it's also hopeful in showing how they can help each other. I'm really proud of how it turned out!

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

The holidays! I'm used to small gatherings with family, anyway, and though watching sports, Thanksgiving Day parades, and Christmas Live specials is up in the air, the food and company will be just as wonderful as ever.

Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?

Hopefully, the world will not always look as it does now. But while it does, try to take time you may have off before returning to school to write just one thing, or revise something, or read something amazing. Reach out to a writer you admire while everyone's online. And above all, have fun. That's the most important thing in writing, to enjoy it, every moment.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I hope that anyone who has faced tragedy and loss during these difficult months finds a light at the end of the tunnel. Know you are never alone.

About Holley Long

Holley Long is a storyteller based in Alabama. She writes primarily fiction, but she also occasionally posts about the trials and tribulations of the writing life on her website awriterslifeforme.com. Currently she is querying her young adult novel "The Marked Ones."

Holley has thoughts about a future book deal, which you can check out HERE! And be sure to follow Holley and her writing journey on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for chatting, Holley!

Read more about the pages penned in pandemic!

Pages Penned in Pandemic

I will admit there have been days the past few months where solace can only be found cocooned in a favorite blanket, the smell of fresh-brewed coffee creeping up out of the mug, a beloved show queued up and ready to binge.

But there have been other days which stand out as tiny accomplishments, heart racing, searching for some semblance of sense in the small corners of my world. These are the days I’ve written. Though unpublished or unfinished, it doesn't much matter, because the pages penned in pandemic are tangible reminders that life moves ever onward.

While thinking about these often messy, meandering, miraculous pages, I’ve found strength. I couldn't imagine surviving the state of our world without the catharsis of writing.

What's more, I wondered if other writers felt the same way. So begins a new series in which I'll be chatting about such pages penned and what it's like now as the pandemic continues.

Until then, I thought I would share a glimpse of what my writing life has been like during these times.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

When I enter a grocery store, shoppers wear masks, they clean the handles of carts, and they keep at a distance. In this respect, I feel lucky. I know there are some who are outraged by some of the stricter standards in Buffalo and the Western New York area, however, I do feel some small semblance of safety in regards to these regulations.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

Some of my favorite reads have been Fever Dream, Morning in the Burned House, Moonstruck: Volume 1, and Kingdom Animalia. I've also taken part in a book club with some of my favorite people, reading Children of Blood and Bone, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and currently, The Guest List.

If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?

Though I have been reading throughout the past few months, I absolutely cannot wait to devour Midnight Sun! Finding comfort in nostalgic bookish worlds such as stories from Panem and Forks has been a delight amidst the darkness.

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

I have watched Little Women on repeat and sought comfort in perennial favorites: Home Again, Pride and Prejudice, Practical Magic, Harry Potter. However, I will say HAMILTON has completely taken over my life all over again!

As far as TV, there's too many fantastic shows to name them all, but some that stand out include So Weird (I rediscovered this beloved show from childhood on Disney +), The United States of Tara, Alias Grace, Teen Wolf, Schitt’s Creek, GLOW, Community, and as always, Parks & Recreation and Gilmore Girls.

I've been discovering some new podcasts lately and a favorite is certainly Mind Love. I also enjoyed listening to the So Weird podcast along with watching the show. Favorites I always return to include 88 Cups of Tea, First Draft, That Smart Hustle, and The Manuscript Academy.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

While I'm continuing my work-in-progress novel, I certainly find there are days that are easier than others. Writing a post-pandemic narrative while living in a pandemic is at times strange and surreal, cathartic and chaotic. It's been six years with this story, but the concept of surviving versus living has becoming all too clear in these months.

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?

During the month of April this year, I wrote one poem every day to celebrate National Poetry Month, and I'm excited to continue to edit and organize these poems I so love. To read more about this project, you can check out What We Called the April Poems.

I'm also still tinkering with a story I've been working on for the last eleven years. I love this story now more than ever, and somedays it's just the escape I need from the reality of our world.

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

I think the past few months have taught me the importance of kindness: to others, but what's more, being kind to myself. I have written about my struggles with anxiety before, but these weeks and months have taught me to take a step back, take a break, take my time while I have it. I've been working on bettering myself just as much as I have been working to make my novel into the best version possible.

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

Before quarantine and the pandemic, I was routinely meeting with a fantastic writing group in the Buffalo area. Since being home, we have continued to meet biweekly over Google Meets. Not only has this kept us accountable for our writing, but it has allowed us to stay tethered, which is much needed during these times of self-isolation.

Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

The focus on diversity and the commitment to inclusivity, which began with the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement, continues to make strides toward ensuring readers young and old will someday find themselves on the page. Though, there is no denying these are small steps in a much longer journey to a world far better than the one we currently occupy, there is resounding support from the agents and editors I support as they, too, remind: Black lives matter. Black stories matter.

Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

While traditional publishing has always had its gatekeepers and strictures, now more than ever, the prospects for debut novelists do seem to be diminishing. This makes the possibility of publication more slight than ever before. Though I am doing everything I can to craft a story worth telling, there is always the chance a post-pandemic narrative won't sell amidst these unprecedented times. However, I refuse to give up or give in based on the difficulties darkening a writing journey too used to uneven roads.

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I would definitely say I am a plotter! I thrive on outlines. But I must thank a favorite writer for suggesting the notion of discovery writing once or twice. I prefer this term, discover, to the idea of flying by the seat of one's pants. In part, because I start with an outline, but also there is a beauty in discovering a story as the words unfurl before me. I've taken this opportunity to take a step back when needed, to listen to my characters, and to follow where they lead.

Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?

My favorite place to write is a clearing in the White Mountains just beyond the building where I received my MFA. However, it's been four years since I've been back. Since that time, I have found that writing on my back patio has been lovely as well. Though I've always wanted to be a coffee shop writer, I've never really found a way to settle into my story in such a public place. In these regards, the pandemic hasn't affected my ability to find comfort in writing from home.

If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?

1.) Level of Concern - Twenty One Pilots

2.) Wait For It - Hamilton

3.) ALL of folklore (more specifically: the 1, seven, and invisible string) - Taylor Swift

4.) All Will Be Well - The Gabe Dixon Band

5.) Non-Stop - Hamilton

Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene you've written since the pandemic began?

The first scene that comes to mind occurs between my main character and her mom. There is a conversation about numbers and words, apologies and wishes and dreams. This scene is everything I've felt during these many months.

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

I absolutely love Thanksgiving and this year, it feels extra special. But I must say, waiting for that first day of October to watch my favorite Halloween movies while wrapped up in a blanket, embracing an autumnal chill, a reminder that all things must end so that new seasons can begin again - this, too, feels like something to look forward to this year!

Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?

Once again, I can't stress the importance of being kind to yourself. Not everything happens in a day, but there is so much to be enjoyed and accomplished in twenty-four hours time.

As always, I would say, keep going. During these months, I haven't escaped rejection, but I refuse to give up, and I think this is the most useful tool in the life of a writer.

One final piece of advice: Read. Read everything. Read anything. Read good books and bad books and things some people call trite. Escape into stories and give your mind a rest from puzzling out ways to leave your mark and save our world. Great thinking comes from imagining and imagining is honed best through filling creative wells with stories.

Wherever you are in the world, dear reader, whether you’re a writer or just someone trying to make the best of pandemic times, I hope you’re staying safe and well and finding ways to believe that better days are on their way, if only in our dreams.

Dodging Raindrops: An Author Interview

Recently, I found myself looking out the window from the passenger seat, a practically unknown spot materializing on a back road last driven too many years before. These kinds of places leave marks in memories, even if we’re unable to map them into anything tangible.

Debut author, Megan Ciampo knows these places well. In her novel, Dodging Raindrops, Maeve Fitzpatrick longs for those spots on the map she once called home. Keep reading to learn more about Megan’s writing journey, her debut novel, and what comes next!

Let's start at the beginning, when did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I've always been interested in writing but I didn't seriously consider it until a I took a creative writing class as an elective during the spring semester of my sophomore year at Rutgers. We had to write a three-page story and I realized I wanted to take it a lot further than that so I submitted the three pages and kept the idea in my head. Bits of that three page paper are actually scattered throughout Dodging Raindrops!

Dodging Raindrops follows Maeve struggling through post-college life. Was there anything from your real life experience that inspired you?

In one way or another, most things in Dodging Raindrops have been inspired by my life or my friends' lives. I've switched some details around and combined scenarios to fit the story I was trying to tell but there is plenty of real-life inspiration! I think there's a little bit of all of us in Maeve and her struggles.

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between?

I try to be a plotter but I definitely fell more in the "somewhere in between" category while writing Dodging Raindrops. I plotted out the basics and they stayed the same through the entire process but most of the details and pages became on-the-whim creations!

Where is your favorite place to write?

If you asked me this six months ago, I would have said Newburyport, Massachusetts, a really small town on the coast of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. But now, after spending the COVID-19 quarantine at my parents' house in Goshen, New York, their house is by far my favorite place to write. I wrote 75% of Dodging Raindrops sitting at a wrought-iron table in their front yard!

Did you curate a playlist for your book while writing, or is music too distracting for your process?

I listened to a lot of country music, especially while writing the parts about her hometown, but I also found myself writing a lot with headphones on but nothing playing. It all depended on what part of the story I was working on.

What Hogwarts house would you sort Maeve into and why?

Fun fact: I never got into the Harry Potter series! I remember reading the first book and seeing the first movie but I also have vivid memories of being scared after watching the first few minutes of the second movie. In my defense, I was seven! But, either way, I still haven't made it past that point in the books or the movies!

Without too many spoilers, what was your favorite scene to write for Dodging Raindrops? 

There's a scene in the beginning of Dodging Raindrops where Maeve goes back to her hometown for the first time. I wrote it last fall after spending the majority of a few months away from my hometown. I remember driving down the streets and being struck by a weird sense of nostalgia.

Is there any advice you would give to young writers just starting out on their journey?

It's simple and kind of cliche but keep writing - write for yourself and write the story you want to tell! Every writer has good days and bad days and yes, the bad days always seem like they outnumber the good ones but stick with it. And, as you get toward the end of the story, finish it. That was my biggest struggle. I got to the point where I had three or four chapters left to write and I started hating everything that I was writing. I was ready to throw in the towel and a friend of mine told me I had to finish it. He said "If you hate it after you finish it, you can throw it away. But you have to finish it or you'll always wonder 'what if.'" And, he was right. I finished it, loved it, and published it! So, keep writing and finish your story!

What comes next? Is there another project you will be working on following the publication of Dodging Raindrops?

I told myself that I was going to take a bit of a writing break because this one took a lot of time but I've already gotten a few ideas for a sequel so I don't think the break will last too long! Right now, I'm definitely enjoying the release of Dodging Raindrops but I think Maeve's story will continue soon!

About Dodging Raindrops

For the past decade, Maeve Fitzpatrick has started every January 1st with the creation of a New Year’s Resolution list, always with the intention of bettering herself. List after list, month after month, year after year, items remain unaccomplished and, eventually, forgotten. ​

After trading her small town on Florida’s Gulf Coast for the crowded streets of New York City and underestimating the struggles of living on her own, Maeve decides to follow her list to a T this year, no matter what it takes. ​

The ‘just graduated from college’ thing seemed difficult on its own but when a pompous boss, relationship problems, being overworked in a cutthroat industry, losing friendships, bouts of jealousy, and another overseas deployment get added to her plate, she can’t avoid the temptation of booking a one-way flight back to Florida. ​

Will help from handwritten letters, video chats, new friends, and her always-supportive family, allow Maeve to successfully navigate a new life in a new city?

About Megan Ciampo

Megan Ciampo was born and raised in Goshen, New York before studying Communications at Rutgers Univeristy. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including WeKnowTheDJ and ABC7NY. Dodging Raindrops is her debut novel. Find out more about Megan at meganciampo.com.

Follow Megan and her writing journey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Thanks for chatting, Megan!

What We Called the April Poems

There is something to be said of celebrating successes, no matter how small they may be. During the difficult days we've faced throughout the last few months, this feels more important than ever.

In an attempt to celebrate my friends' birthdays, I collected the 30 poems I wrote during April into a book. Now titled Things We Left on the Mantle, I couldn't help but include the additional moniker: or What We called the April Poems. This name was lovingly given to these gems in the months since being written exclusively on my iPhone’s Bear app.

This book is dedicated to the bests who live on opposite coasts, but never fail to come together on FaceTime to remind me that goodness can obliterate even the darkest of days. But it must be said, that the endeavor to follow National Poetry Month to its end would not have been possible without the daily feedback from Amanda K. and Uriah, the additional words from Amanda M., and to the fellow writers from One For One Thousand for their existence and unknowing reminder that photos can do wonders for framing narratives.

Through compiling those daily words and poems into a tangible book, I found myself celebrating not only the accomplishment of persevering, but also the beauty of vulnerable words, some true, most only half, but penned into existence nonetheless. And though this collection is unpublished, unedited, and perhaps only temporarily titled, it became real the moment the words left my mind.

So why are these specific poems so special if they're unpublished, unedited, etc?

I think too often writers and non-writers alike get caught up in the validation of someone else proclaiming words matter. Or that those words are only important once published and placed in the world. Don't misunderstand, dear, reader, the feeling of publication is a uniquely boasting and bashful beast, one which continues to thill every time. However, I've come to the point in my writing journey when I know enough to take a breath and a minute to revel in my ability, to feel gratitude for my perseverance, to agree when people tell me they love my big, beautiful brain. I love it, too. I'm trying to find that happy medium between humility and pride, and I think this book has struck that balance.

What makes this year noteworthy?

You didn't really ask, but I suppose it's something, dear reader, that you may wish to know. While I attempted to write poems throughout the months of Aprils past, this was the first in which I accomplished one every day for the entire month.

But where does such a compulsory urge to write every day come from?

Well, such an entreaty always feels necessary during National Poetry Month. It's my way of honoring my life as a poet, as a reader of poetry, as someone who picks apart song lyrics in the hopes there might be lyrical poetics beneath the production. The more poems I wrote, the more I wanted to write. I found safety on the page.

What made this April so different from those in the past?

While staying safe inside the walls of my home, I found the need to escape into words more desperately than ever before. Working on the daily poems felt profound and cathartic and steady during the early weeks of upheaval. For the first 8 days of the poems, the narrators never ventured beyond closed doors. At the urging of one of the bests, I took April 9th on a road trip just to feel like I, too, was experiencing the outside world while maintaining social distancing. And there was a sense of the exceptional each time I followed the rules I set forth.

Why would you impose rules on yourself?

Great question, dear reader! Some many years before now, I started sending stream-of-consciousness writings to the other best. Many poems came out of such efforts. To make these more difficult, we started assigning words for the other person to incorporate. Thus the first, but most useful rule was integrated into my month-long project.

Rule #1: Three words

Some days there were more than three, but every day had words provided by someone other than myself. Only one word was left out, but I promise, it was quite difficult to render within the writing, and that was after I was able to successfully include the word necrophile. There is a thrill I get at finding a rhythm to the writing, being guided by those assigned words. Sometimes it felt like a steady rainstorm, other days an endless spiral.

Rule #2: Stream-of-Consciousness

This seemed like the most obvious to apply, as it ensures the ephemeral is captured on the page without overthinking. I'm habitual in my need to overthink, but staying true to the fleeting feel of words being written all at once without editing helped hone my voice and strengthen the craft of the poems as the month progressed.

Rule #3: Don’t look back

While this may seem like it goes hand-in-hand with the second rule, I can assure you, this extends beyond the moment of writing. Throughout the month, I didn't look back to find a theme or central character or to edit any previous days' poems. But most interestingly, my obsessions were still there, certain characters and stories and themes all found their way to the page regardless of my manufacturing. That, dear reader, is the true magic of writing.

What comes next?

Well, dear reader, I hope Jonathan Groff narrated that message in your mind. Now I take a minute to read through the collection as is, relishing the tangibility of pages, thinking back on the photos that only added to the challenge of crafting these 30 poems. After that, the real work begins. I’ll revise. I'll submit to literary magazines. One best friend will edit the hell out of the writing and maybe help arrange these poems. Or maybe the poems will remain in date order. Another best friend will listen to me narrate this collection over the phone, though she is many states away. And when it's time, I will send out the full collection, and hope for real publication.

And when that day comes and this book is real for you, too, dear reader, I hope you will find words that break you, if only just a little, stanzas to heal the hurt, memories to reflect on three years from now when we only whisper about the tragedies beheld in the year 2020.

Until then, reader, I hope you are well and safe. I hope you are paying attention to the world and speaking up as we battle injustice and hurt. I hope you are healing and growing and becoming better in every possible way.

One last thought in regards to what I’ve called these April poems. There is a reason we leave things on the mantle, dear reader. We wish to remember.

This book is me remembering.