Pages Penned in Pandemic with Thea Schiller

Throughout these many months, many have found solace in hobbies, whether it be art or time in nature with family, music or writing, it doesn't much matter. Thea Schiller discusses using this time in seclusion to engage with other worlds, and today I'm excited to chat further about the pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

People are cautious; most wear masks. Some people eat in outside restaurants; I still isolate.

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

Invisible City by Julia DahL, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella, A Window Across the River by Brian Morton, and Mrs. Bridges by Evan S. Connell.

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

TV show from New Zealand, 800 Words.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

Writing more....lots of poetry, and also writing a mystery.

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

Thank goodness I am a writer because all the time I am forced to spend in isolation without it, would be not only treacherous but more painful. At least I can utilize my mind and productively engage in other worlds to keep me happy and still engaged in life.

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

I have many friends who are writers; I belong to 3 writing groups plus I have been facilitating a poetry writing group at the Somers Library for the past 6 years, and now we are continuing on Zoom.

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

I am happy to see that self-publishing is expanding as a recognized form of publishing. In 2016 I self-published my poetry book, Blue Morning River: A poetry collection that is on Amazon and has sold some copies.

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

There is a difficulty in getting someone to read your novel if you are an unknown writer.

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

I used to definitely be a "pantser" but now with the pandemic, and especially since I am writing a mystery, I am also thinking about the plot points and what I should include in chapters which will be the seeds of something that will appear in much later chapters.

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

I write on my Macbook Pro in my kitchen!

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

1.) "You've Got a Friend" by Carol King

2.) "Diamonds and Rust" by Joan Baez

3.) Chopin's nocturnes

4.) Beethoven's 5th

5.) "Good Job" by Alicia Keys

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

"Mischief.”

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

A viable vaccine.

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

Keep on, write every day, and don't get discouraged by rejections.

ABOUT thea schiller

Thea Schiller, a New York poet and psychotherapist. She facilitates a poetry workshop at the Somers library in Somers, N.Y. and practices psychotherapy in CT. She holds a B.A. in creative writing from The City University of New York, and an MS in counseling from Western CT State University. Her poem, “Sarah,” was the Orchard Poetry Prize winner in Furrow, University of Wisconsin. Recently, she has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and her poems have appeared in The San Diego Annual Poetry Review 2017-2018, Edify Fiction, The Ravens Perch, 4th & Sycamore, Hevria, Lucent Dreaming, and The Tenth Muse, as well as many small literary journals in the past. When given the chance, she follows her muse from Norway to Greece.

Thanks for chatting, Thea!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Amita Basu

For many, the best form of escape during these tough times included writing and reading. Amita Basu found solace in much the same way, and today I'm excited to chat with her about the pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Lots of unemployment. Hardly any perceptible social unrest.

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

Read several classics for the first time: The Diary of Anne Frank, To Kill A Mockingbird, two of Brecht's plays, and Kundera's Slowness. Also read some brilliant new/newish fiction: The Overstory, The Illicit Happiness of Other People, and The Ocean At The End of the Lane. Reread one of my favorite books, David Copperfield. And I've just finished reading two books from different ends of the political spectrum: Mein Kampf and Marxist Christopher Caudwell's Studies In A Dying Culture.

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

Sam Harris's podcast.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It hasn't. I'm immensely fortunate to be more or less insulated from the pandemic. It did take some discipline to keep writing and working when normal outings and routines were disrupted.

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?

Two novels, and one short story collection. One novel is a mystery; the other is a bildungsroman.

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

Keep going no matter what.

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

Yes; three other amateur writers who have stayed cheerful, remained available for reading partnerships, and kept making time to do their own writing despite busy schedules.

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

I've become much more of a plotter, as I've realized that when I write things without any planning, I generally write shit.

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

My room, as quiet as possible. That has not changed.

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

I don't play music when I write. I used to; I realized it was very distracting.

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

I wrote a flash story about how social class mediates experiences of acute stressors like the pandemic. It won a prize and was published in Kelp Journal. It manages to critique the obliviousness and apparent lack of empathy we often see in rich people, but does so without condemning them, or romanticizing poverty.

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

Finishing my PhD thesis.

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

If you can keep writing during the pandemic—you will build your resilience to write no matter what.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

These questions are thought-provoking! Good job.

ABOUT amita basu

Amita Basu is a cognitive science PhD candidate. Her fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in Silver Pen Fabula Argentea, Flash Fiction Magazine, Gasher, Fearsome Critters, Star 82 Review, Kelp, Potato Soup Journal, Dove Tales, St. Katherine Review, Ligeia, Novel Noctule, The Bookends Review, Entropy, Proem, Muse India, Scarlet Leaf Review, and The Right-Eyed Deer. Her nonfiction has appeared in The Curious Reader, Deccan Herald, Qrius, The Hindu Open Page, Countercurrents, and ParentEdge.

She’s working on a collection of short stories about women’s lives in India, and a medical/legal mystery novel about art. She lives in Bangalore, India. Amita hosts an interview and guest blog series for early-career artists and scientists. Her published writing can be read on her website.

To learn more, follow Amita and her writing journey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Thanks for chatting, Amita

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Bruce Louis Dodson

While many experienced dramatic changes to daily life throughout this year, others took advantage of the time they were given to go to work and create art. As such, I'm excited to chat with one of those writers, Bruce Louis Dodson, about the pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Things getting a bit worse here.

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

Workers Write from Blue Cubicle Press.

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

The Colossus of Maroussi by Henry Miller.

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

“Fury.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I've been writing more than usual.

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 have just finished a memoir - 'Dearie.'

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

I have been able to write.

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

Nothing comes to mind.

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

Writers Abroad collective.

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

No. It has made things harder. Many publishers are paused.

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

No.

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

Pantser. No change.

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

My office. No change.

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

I do not listen to music while I write.

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

"It was the worst of times."

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

Trump out of office.

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

Read.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

No.

ABOUT Bruce Louis Dodson

Bruce Louis Dodson is an expat living in Borlänge, Sweden, where he writes fiction and poetry. Some of his most recent work has appeared in: Foreign & Far Away – Writers Abroad Anthology, Sleeping Cat Books – Trip of a Lifetime Anthology, Northern Liberties Review, Pirene’s Fountain, Tic Toc and Storm Cycle Anthologies - Kind of a Hurricane Press, Vine Leaves, Cordite Poetry Review, Buffalo Almanac, mgversion2>datura, and Maintenant 14.

To learn more, follow Bruce and his writing journey on his website and Facebook.

Thanks for chatting, Bruce!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Yash Seyedbagheri

As we near the end of a year like no other, let us recall the small joys from these months, whether it be a favorite show or book or favorite space create. Today I'm excited to chat about just this and more with Yash Seyedbagheri.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

I live in a rural county, where there have been two fatalities and 75 reported cases. I'm not certain how many of those cases are from my community.

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

The Stories of Richard Bausch by Richard Bausch, We Live In Water by Jess Walter, and A Stranger In This World by Kevin Canty.

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

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Saturday Night Live,” along with listening to Tchaikovsky and Debussy.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It's helped highlight the ethical and moral impulse to write, as well as the need to question the worst human tendencies.

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 considering writing a humorous novel set in an MFA program, involving egos, drinking, and a few trident fights.

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

I've been a member of a writing group on Zoom, which has given me a reason to keep writing and an opportunity for personal communion and laughter.

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

I hope that writing will take on a purpose beyond thinly veiled manifestos. I worry that craft, storytelling ability, and the ability to produce emotional connections will be subordinated to all else. I think there's a time and place for political expression. It's finding the line between political message and narrative, however, that's vital.

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

It used to be a coffee shop in Fort Collins, Colorado, where I once lived. Now having come home to tend to family, I write in my room. It's a cozy space of its own, though, albeit without the soothing coffee shop bustle.

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

1.) “Marche Slav” by Tchaikovsky

2.) “Claire De Lune” by Debussy

3.) “Funeral March of A Marionette” by Charles Gounod,

4.) “Waltz of The Flowers” by Tchaikovsky, ,

5.) “Valse Sentimentale” by Tchaikovsky

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

Try to write daily. Even if just flash fiction or the beginnings of a longer piece. It's like playing a musical instrument; you need practice and motivation.

ABOUT Yash Seyedbagheri

Yash Seyedbagheri is a graduate of Colorado State University's MFA program in fiction. His stories, "Soon” and “How To Be A Good Episcopalian,” have been nominated for Pushcarts. He has also had work nominated for The Best of the Net and The Best Small Fictions. A native of Idaho, Yash’s work is forthcoming or has been published in The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts, Write City Magazine, and Ariel Chart, among others.

To learn more, follow Yash and his writing journey on Twitter.

Thanks for chatting, Yash!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Christy Nolan

We're all guilty of letting small moments pass by without recognizing their importance, but throughout 2020, those have become among the most important. Christy Nolan's poem, "For Body, For Mind," explores certain minutes passing by, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Christy's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Like an afterthought. Some people take it seriously, some tried for a minute. Having worked at a restaurant from July until the latest New York State micro-cluster shutdown in November, people very much seemed to feel entitled to the freedom of choice when it comes to severity and consequence. I struggle with this. Buffalo is a blue collar city, and people here are passionate about having the freedom to work and take control of their own health. I love Buffalo, and the area is deemed "the city of good neighbors" for a reason, but I see so much lost in that title right now. So many people are stuck inside, struggling mentally, financially and physically, out of work and losing faith because others refuse to think of them. It all feels both selfish and understandable. A bigger picture can be stressful to consider at all times. I've slipped up a lot myself. We're all just trying to get by at the end of the day, but we can all stand to do so with a bit more kindness and consideration.

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

Kayla King's NYT Bestselling Series - release date TBD

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

Oh man, I’ve binged every streaming service. Some highlights: "Palm Springs," "New Girl" (again), "Pride & Prejudice" ('05), "Fleabag" (again), "Stateless," lots of crime dramas, and not enough comedy.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

Being part of this collective has reignited my motivation to work on this part of myself. I used to go to writing as an outlet, to convince myself and others who didn’t take me so seriously that I had talent and to process emotions in a better way than I had been used to, especially with trauma and just the constant beatdown of life. As I got older and gained confidence in my intelligence, perspective and insight as a person, writing became less of a need and more of a passion; and while this might make it seem like I would have turned to writing more because of that shift, it actually caused me to put it on the backburner. It feels good to be back, and I’ve had a lot of fun charting my progress as a more mature wordsmith throughout the year.

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 mostly excited to get my name out there. This opportunity has given me a burst of motivation and excitement that my mental health sort of kept away for a long while. The poem I’m excited to share in this collective is heavy, but I have so much more to share about the beautiful in the small and the big in the quiet. My social media platform is wide open to opportunities!

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 more about life, myself, and my strengths, which has given me confidence to share my work to this extent. I've also taken more time with my work and understand the endless task of editing and rewriting like I've never known before.

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

I can think of a few wink.

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

People are starting to take the initiative themselves. Art is subjective, but good art is clear. Mainstream outlets aren't as important or regarded as they once seemed to be because there are so many other ways to showcase great work.

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

If it involves overthinking, I'm there.

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

In my bed at 3 a.m. Some things will never change.

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

1.)” I am California” - John Craigie

2.) “She Always Takes it Black” / “Honey, It's Alright” - Gregory Alan Isakov (sorry, can't just pick one of his)

3.) “Heaven Up There” - Palace

4.) “Past Life” - Maggie Rogers

5.) “Save Yourself” - Kaleo

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

The one I hope you accept!

**Editor’s note: As this interview goes live, that poem has been accepted for publication in the collective!

ABOUT Christy nolan

This is Christy’s first time submitting her original poetry, though it isn’t the first time she’s shared her story. She’s no stranger to reflecting on the uncomfortable with meter and alliteration and has always found comfort in the notes of her hand-me-down, cracked-up iPhone. The isolation brought on by the pandemic extended Christy the space to find purpose, confront the past, and rediscover parts of herself she’d forgotten she loved. Christy lives a wonderfully middle-class life in Buffalo, NY and fell in love with the ordinary before she knew what that meant. Laughing or crying, she’s grateful for any opportunity to feel; she hopes her work encourages the same in you.

To learn more, follow Christy and her writing journey on Twitter and Instagram. And for more phenomenal playlists, follow her on Spotify.

Thanks for chatting, Christy!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Jason de Koff

While there is always the sense of facing the unknowable, never has this felt more prominent than in the year 2020. Jason de Koff's poem, "Navigating New Worlds," explores just this in a dreamy atmosphere with no escape, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Jason's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

There is widespread, free testing which I think has helped to keep numbers down. Local governments are unable to enforce a mask policy but private corporations are requiring masks for staff and customers which I believe is also helping.

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

The Forest by Edward Rutherfurd and Upstate by Edmund Wilson.

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

“The Great British Bake Off,” “The 100,” and “The Office.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I started seriously writing and submitting poetry during the pandemic. When there were fewer things to do, I found this as a great outlet for my creative energy.

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 am working on a chapbook of my poetry.

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

I found I could be a successful writer and discovered a passion that had been greatly minimized in the past.

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

I'm more on the planner side but have a pretty casual attitude about it. During the pandemic, this casual attitude definitely helped me to wade the uncertainty that the pandemic brought. I realized there wasn't much we could do about it but try to navigate as best we could and try to keep a positive attitude.

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

I enjoy writing outside. For me a lot of my poetry is inspired by nature so this makes the most sense for me. I believe its always been this way.

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

1.) Tubthumper by Chumbawumba

2.) Wonderwall by Oasis

3.) Thunder by Imagine Dragons

4.) Beautiful Letdown by Switchfoot

5.) Slide by Goo Goo Dolls

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

"...no pictures are hung, in the hallways of fallow minds" in my poem called "Poets, Help Wanted”

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

Keep going, whether you are writing or not, just keep going.

ABOUT jason de koff

Jason de Koff is an associate professor of agronomy and soil science at Tennessee State University. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, Jaclyn, and his two daughters, Tegan and Maizie. He has published in a number of scientific journals, and has over 30 poems published or forthcoming in literary journals this year.

To learn more, follow Jason and her writing journey on Twitter.

Thanks for chatting, Jason!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Helen Faller

As we near the end of this tumultuous year, there are still things that once felt normal, which now seem unfathomable. Helen Faller's short story, "Return to Innocence," explores the just this through a taboo kiss, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Helen's pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

We have an 11PM curfew and we're not allowed to travel outside the city limits to spend the night in the surrounding region.

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

I've been reading German krimis, in German, set in the 1920s Weimar Period in Berlin.

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

I gave in and signed up for Netflix at the beginning of the pandemic. I've enjoyed watching “Stranger Things” (scarier than our daily life in Berlin), “Sex Education” (the party scenes were really exciting because no two households were allowed within six feet of each other when I was watching it) and “Grace and Frankie” (which generally makes me feel better about aging).

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

My daughter was home from school for six months and I had to manage her schooling. So it was very hard to get any writing done at all. Now I'm back into the swing of things. I work on my own writing projects in the mornings and my work-for-hire editing and writing gigs in the afternoon.

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?

Oh yes. I'm having a great time crafting at a word level my memoir about how I ran away from my husband to learn how to make dumplings on the Silk Road.

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

Once things normalize enough for us to have performances/night life again in Berlin, I want to start producing concerts again. I had a micro-label once upon a time in the US.

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

That it's okay if you can't produce anything during times of crisis.

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

Yes, I run a writing group here in Berlin. Even when we couldn't see each other, we had virtual cocktail parties and cried on each other's virtual shoulders.

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

I'm glad that there's finally an effort to represent people of color.

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

I'm a particularist and an actualist. I have to write real scenes as they happened or as I imagine they happened and then walk myself back from that to let my imagination open up.

ABOUT Helen Faller

A single-mother anthropologist with a PhD from the University of Michigan, Helen Faller’s work-in-progress, Love Feasts: A Memoir of Dumplings—and Divorce—On the Silk Road (83,000 words), tells the story of how she ran away from her divorce in Philadelphia to the Silk Road to learn how to make dumplings and mend her broken heart. She posts about dumplings to some 10,000 followers on her website and social media outlets. She lives in Berlin with her eleven-year-old daughter.

To learn more, follow Helen and her writing journey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Thanks for chatting, Helen!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Emily Manthei

While many of us have coped with the last year in our own ways, there is a sense of universality that comes with surviving similar difficulties. Emily Manthei's essay, "Männer LOL," explores the horror and hilarity of online dating during these times, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Emily's pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Although Berlin was not initially hit very hard, it is now one of the hotspots of Germany's second-wave. Restrictions have been tightening since the beginning of October.

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

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evariso. The Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin. Swing Time by Zadie Smith. Turn This World Inside Out: The Emergence of Nurturance Culture by Nora Samaran.

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

I re-watched “Mad Men” and “The Americans” because I like to feed my anxiety with tense TV drama. Listening to "Hidden Brain" and "On Being" are my soothing balms, as well as reading the daily meditations from the Center for Action and Contemplation.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I was doing a lot of journalism pre-pandemic, but that has proved too impossible during this time, so I've shifted more towards short stories and back to screenplays, so I can disappear into my own alternate versions of reality.

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've been transforming a memoir I wrote about filmmaking in Bangladesh into a novel.

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

I really want to get back to film in some way - music videos, shorts, features. Writing is great. But I am missing the visual action of bringing those worlds to life on film.

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

It's taught me that although writing is probably my best "skill," I'm not only a writer. I also seek visual artistic creation, and although I couldn't survive without carefully parsing out my thoughts on paper, I need to express them through actions and visualization, too. Maybe the pandemic has also helped me to write prose more like a screenwriter, too. Which means: action, visuals, exterior!

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

I've been pretty connected with my writer's group. We met online sometimes, and have met quite a lot in person, since the lockdowns have lifted. They've been a nice source of constancy and connection to the world.

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

Ed Harcourt has just released an instrumental album, "Monochrome To Colour," that I've been listening to a lot. His entire back catalogue sounds like it was written for the pandemic: "Loneliness," "Furnaces," "The World is On Fire," "Do As I Say Not As I Do," "Here Be Monsters"... I mean, it's really quite stunning how on the nose his music seems right now. And not in a bad way!

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

I'm looking forward to the end of the year.

ABOUT Emily Manthei

Emily Manthei is an American filmmaker and journalist based in Berlin. Her work focuses on culture, migration and subculture, from a real-world, humorous lens. It has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Daily Beast, Deutsche Welle, and Open Skies, among other publications. She's made short films in North and Central America, Europe and Asia, which have appeared in (and won) film festivals all over the world.

To learn more, follow Emily and her writing journey on her website, Medium, Twitter, and Instagram.

Thanks for chatting, Emily!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with James Morena

Too often, we experience small moments and let them pass by, never knowing the lasting imprints they may leave behind. For many, 2020 may be one long moment, which leaves echoes behind for years. James Morena's flash fiction, "Evidence of Annihilation," explores an event strange enough to bind strangers together, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about James' pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Austin is filled with many young liberals who want to follow rules. Distance and masks has taken the music from this city, but it feels safe to walk outdoors.

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

Angels in America, Internment, and Patron Saint of Nothing.

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

“The Best British Baking Show,” “Chopped,” and other cooking shows.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I write about my experiences. I have had little motivation as I have been isolated.

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

Reading is just as important as writing. Not only reading, but analysis of great and not great writing is valuable.

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

I have joined book and article/short story reading clubs. This has helped me stay connected with my community and has forced me to read.

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

I have been a plotter or grapher in the past. I have worked to be more fluid in my writing. I like when I surprise myself as I have no idea what is going to happen next.

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

I love writing at coffee shops. I had to purchase a desk so that I feel that I have a designated writing space.

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

I wrote a story called “Customer Happy” about how a Vietnamese drug dealer is living his American dream, while his customer wonders why he has yet to achieve it.

ABOUT JAMES MORENA

James Morena earned his MFA in Fiction at Mountain View Grand in Southern New Hampshire. His stories have been published in Amoskeag Journal, Forge Journal, Rio Grande Review and others. He also has published essays and poems. James teaches English at university and high school levels.

To learn more, follow James and his writing journey on Instagram.

Thanks for chatting, James!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Rachel A.G. Gilman

Looking back on this year, perhaps the strangest moment might be the day we realized the pandemic was in fact real. Many stocked up on supplies while others searched out experiences. Rachel A.G. Gilman's short story, "The Rabbit, The Owl, and the Newt," explores that strange time in March as the pandemic began to feel real, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Rachel's pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

I went to my hometown of Woodstock, New York during most of the pandemic, so it's been relatively quiet. People are generally wearing masks given that it's a state mandate. They are finding ways to be outside when the weather permits. I suppose the big difference is that a lot of people, like myself, who are usually based in the city have travelled up north, which has been a bit of an adjustment, especially for anyone looking to buy a house as the prices have sky-rocketed.

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

I started a book reviewing newsletter I am going through all of the books that I have collected over the years and finally reading them with the extra time. Some of my favorites have been The Idiot by Elif Batuman, Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford, and Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby.

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

All I have really been able to focus on during the past few months is reality TV. I have hopelessly dedicated myself to the “90 Day Fiancé” franchise with absolutely no regrets. It's good fun that takes my mind out of actual reality for a while, which is nice. I have also been listening to a lot of music. Phoebe Bridgers' new album “Punisher” and of course Taylor Swift's “folklore” have done a lot of good for me.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I think it has made me more assertive in finding time to work on my writing. Without my usual schedule—waking up early, commuting into work, getting home and eating dinner—boundaries have been a little blurry, and I had previously relied on them to make sure that I was writing and reading regularly. In many ways, though, I have been able to write just as much if not more than I did before going into quarantine. The material is largely the same, but there has been some anxiety as to whether or not it feels relevant anymore given the state of the world.

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?

Right before the pandemic, I started a collection of autofiction pieces about boys I never quite dated. I'm super excited to continue to work and expand on it (including a few new sections about trying to find love in quarantine). I have also started a new novel that's certainly had some pandemic influences in the plot.

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 resilience is the biggest thing. There aren't a lot of ways to assert control right now, whether in writing or in anything else, but when we look back on this time, something that's going to come up is what we did try to do with our time. For me, I want that to be writing. Even when the world felt like it was ending, I kept going, and tried to be hopeful, which is a lesson I think you have to learn as a writer regardless. Why not learn it under the pressure of a global pandemic?

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

I think a lot of my writer friends have been feeling the same sort of waves of either really wanting to write and be creative, or giving in to the terribleness around us and thinking nothing matters. What's important in that is being there for one another and being continually supportive, being a reader or a listener depending on what the moment calls for. I am very fortunate that I have a small group of writers from school that are also my dear friends and we have been doing this for each other despite the distance.

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

Everything! I work in publishing and I am so excited to see it expanding to become more inclusive. It's disheartening it took so long and such horrendous circumstances for it to happen, but alas, at least it's finally happening. I also think the number of literary magazines like No Contact that have spawned out of this time are fabulous ways for writers to feel inspired to continue creating.

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

I am and always will be a plotter. It's interesting to think about the pandemic affecting this since it's made it difficult to plan in general... I don't think it has changed my process, though. I still like to know where I am going with a project before I set out. I'm okay taking some detours along the way but I tend to need the final destination.

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

Pre-pandemic, I liked writing on the couch in my apartment early in the morning, before the sun came up. I got the most done in that quiet space before I headed out to work or with friends. When I went upstate, I did not have as much privacy because I was living with my parents, but what I did have all of a sudden was a backyard! I started writing outside during all times of day, which was really nice and gave me some much needed fresh air. It's going to be hard ever going back.

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

1.) "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac

2.) "Illicit Affairs" by Taylor Swift

3.) "Fire" by Waxahatchee

2.) "Savior Complex" by Phoebe Bridgers

5.) "Grand Canyon" by The Ophelias

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

I wrote a solid sex scene that takes place with CNN on in the background (in the short story I submitted here). It brought me a bit of joy a mist everything being a mess.

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

Right now, I'm sort of excited to go for some walks and watch the leaves change for the autumn, and then perhaps to enjoy a little snow come winter. The weather is a mess, too, on top of everything else but I think that these are two things I know will happen. Sometimes we need to look at the little things that are definitely going to bring us a hint of joy for a moment.

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

As a young writer myself, I think continuing to read and write is really all anyone can do right now, as much as anyone can. That, and be kind to yourself. The world is falling apart and there is only so much you can do in that framework. Do what brings you joy as much as you can. Keep going!

ABOUT rachel a.g. gilman

Rachel A.G. Gilman's work has been published in journals throughout the US, UK, and Australia. She is the Creator/EIC of The Rational Creature and was EIC for Columbia Journal, Issue 58. She holds an MFA in Writing from Columbia University and is currently reading for an MSt in Creative Writing from the University of Oxford.

To learn more, follow Rachel and her writing journey on her website, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Thanks for chatting, Rachel!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!