Pages Penned in Pandemic with Margaret McNellis

While we've said goodbye to 2020, the notions of uncertainty still exist. Sometimes it takes a day spent pursuing creative endeavors, but some days all you need is a deep breath, to forgive yourself for needing rest. Margaret McNellis discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

It’s starting to pick up steam again, but fairly slowly. I live in a small town of about 6,000 people, but here in Connecticut, we have some hot spots. For us, this would be our third wave.

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

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, and The Vermont Plays by Annie Baker are among my favorite reads of this pandemic.

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

I rewatched “Schitt’s Creek” because who doesn’t adore David Rose? I’m currently rewatching “Lark Rise to Candleford.” I’m finding comfort in rewatching shows. I also enjoyed “Enola Holmes,” and I’m currently watching “The Great British Baking Show” Collection 8, and some scary movies because it’s October.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

This is something I’ve thought a lot about. When the pandemic began eight months ago, my initial response as a writer was to flit around from project to project. At one point, I was working on six books at once, every day. Part of me knew I was never going to really get anywhere at that pace, but I felt powerless to stop it. Then, over the summer, after talking with a mentor of mine, I managed to put some projects aside. Now I’m working on just one novel, which is almost drafted. It will be my fourth drafted book, and hopefully my debut. The story takes place ca. 160 C.E., so I’ve been spending a lot of time imagining myself living in a past world (I do this a lot since I mostly write historical fiction, but this is the most distant past I’ve written in). The poems I submitted for this project fell onto the page one day after a morning meditating at the beach. Many of my thoughts that day were of the pandemic, and it crept into the verse a bit, but also, I was trying to distract myself with some of them by focusing on what I saw that day. The structure of sonnets gave me something to puzzle out, something I could solve, in a time when the world at large was too confusing.

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?

The novel I’m drafting right now, for one! I just got an idea for another book the other day, which I think I’ll tackle next (but not until I finish my Ancient Rome story). Then I have 5 other novels in-progress/in the wings, as well as a short story collection. Writing has always provided an escape, a way to re-envision the world, an opportunity to examine a particular element of human nature—but during these times, I find myself feeling bereft if I don’t have creative work to focus on. I’m fortunate to have a bunch of projects, so long as I can keep myself from going back into that early pandemic mode of jumping from one to the other.

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

Writing is a lifeline. In a time when there’s so much destruction (not just the pandemic, but also destruction of our natural world, of people’s homes in natural disasters, and via threats to our democracy by the Trump administration), to be able to create something is worth clinging to. More than that, to be able to create something and share it with others, to keep the storytelling going, to connect with people through words when we’re unable to connect in the same room, is something special, something cherished.

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

Oh goodness, yes. Everyone who is a current student, alumni, or faculty in the Mountainview MFA program, for starters. I’ve also recently begun training for a book coach certification, and am meeting lots of writers through that program. Last but not least, some of my dearest friends I’ve had for years are writers. We FaceTime, watch shows together over video calls, text daily, talk about stories, characters, etc. I write letters by hand to friends—I’ve done this for years, but during the pandemic, it feels even more necessary.

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

I think the publishing industry is opening its eyes to the injustice against writers who have been systemically marginalized over the past many centuries. It’s an exciting time to be alive and seeing so many #ownvoices projects coming to light, seeing writers coming together under #publishingpaidme. I hope it leads to a fairer marketplace for the sake of authors, and a broader range of published stories for readers.

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

I think whenever there is a move toward progression, there exists a risk to snap back in the other direction in a two-steps-forward, one-step-back pattern. The best thing we can do to guard against this is to continue to support a diverse industry. One trend I see happening now that worries me a little is cancel culture. The only reason this concerns me is I think that, taken too far, it could venture into the realm of censorship. Rather than cancelling someone, I think it’d be better to try to educate them. Cancelling is like shunning somebody, excommunicating them from our global society. How will people learn to be more tolerant if we cancel them? I do believe in supporting authors who demonstrate empathy, but I also think that we have an opportunity to educate and elevate, to increase empathy in the world, and cancel culture precludes that opportunity.

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

I’m a plantser. For me, copious plotting can feel stifling. It also delays my getting into the story, which I don’t personally care for. I’ve tried pantsing once, and it led to disaster for me. That project never got past 25,000 words, and it was meant to be a novel. It derailed and went to some illogical places because I had no idea where I was going. It was like trying to drive through thick fog when you can’t even see the front of your car.

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

I write at my desk, with active noise-cancelling headphones playing some Bach, Mozart, or other instrumental music. I also like to write by hand at the beach. This hasn’t really changed, though right before the pandemic, I found a little coffee shop I’d have liked to write in. I’m hopeful it will still be open when the pandemic ends...so far it’s still open, so my fingers are crossed.

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

This is hard to pin down, but I’ll try. There was a section of my current novel I penned about one of my narrators, a Druid woman, that felt to me like it really got to the truth of her character. It was visceral and open. It’s still in a pretty rough draft, but the scene itself exposes her character at her most vulnerable, even while she’s trying to be anything but. I feel really good about that scene and its promise. Here’s hoping it will stay in the book!

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

December 31? In all honesty, I’m really looking forward to the latter half of December. I’m going to have some time to really focus on my writing, and I love the winter months. Nothing like cold, short days to inspire reading by the fire with a cup of herbal tea or escaping into the past to write.

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

Go easy on yourself. Remember that no one produces perfection on a first draft. Remember that these are uncertain times, uncommon times, unprecedented times, and you can forgive yourself if your writing habits or production isn’t what you expect. Take it one day at a time, stay healthy, and just try to bring honesty to the page.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I believe everyone has a story to tell. We all can have a voice, and that is the gift of storytelling. It’s what unites us. Humans have been telling stories since we first came together in caves. We experience our world and each other through story. We develop empathy through story. Whether fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, etc., story matters. It’s a way to connect when we can’t gather. Whether you write, read, or both, give space to story in your life right now and always.

ABOUT Margaret McNellis

Margaret holds a B.A. in Art History, an M.A. in English & Creative Writing, an MFA in Fiction, and she also has a graduate certificate in the teaching of composition. Margaret writes historical fiction, YA fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and occasionally, a contemporary story. Margaret is one of the editors of Revolt Literary Magazine, and she has served as a fiction reader for The West Trade Review, and is launching services as a book coach.

To learn more, follow Margaret and her writing journey at her website and on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Thanks for chatting, Margaret!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Karla Linn Merrifield

Throughout 2020, time moved differently. While some languished in the empty days, others took advantage of these newfound hours. Karla Linn Merrifield discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

I'm a snowbird in the US in Florida, recently relocated from Western New York. In my home state of NY, there's been an uptick, but our restrictions have been clear and well communicated so that the virus is fairly well under control. People are for the most part following the laws. Florida is another matter--there are NO restrictions here so I traded snow and a controlled virus for warmth and an uncontrolled virus spread, meaning I am very much safely cocooned in my condo away from the world at large.

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

I've been reading biographies of famous guitarists since before COVID for a book I'm writing on guitars and famous guitarists that will be published in 2021. So I've "lived" with biographies: Warren Zevon, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, and several others.

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

I am looking forward to Canadian mystery writer Louise Penney's newest, already on my nightstand.

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

I was just talking about this with my bestie. I'm a Netflix junkie currently watching "Weeds." Total distraction. I watch YouTube videos friends share and for book research. Scroll Facebook. Read the NYT and WP daily. And have my Alexa play music on demand. Not much time for regular telly, and I'd rather read than podcast.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It's given me more time without many distractions to think more and write more. I'm disciplined about my writing normally and that habit has served me well to use "newfound" time.

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 two full-length collections of poetry coming out in 2021, one in February, now in early production stage, and the second out in December that I'm still composing poems for, maybe a dozen to go. I'll be happily busy booking Zoom readings and workshops , sending out monthly batches of submissions as per usual, keeping my journal (in its 57th year), reading poetry, receiving poetry, sharing poetry. I am a fortunate daughter.

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

Writing, no problemo. I want to keep learning how to play my guitars so I can write their poems.

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

Show up. Stand up. Witness. Envision. Write.

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

So, so many writers, artists, teachers, mentors, friends, lovers, good spirits have buoyed me. I am a fortunate daughter.

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

The publishing world is adapting! The explosion of journals and other outlets online, which are often also published in print...Instagram...YouTube...podcasts... The new media are our friends.

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

I worry about a retraction in the "traditional" publishing outlets with a "blockbuster" mentality. I worry about university presses diminishing because of lack of funding. I worry about smaller, independent and often non-profit publishers can survive without arts and grants funding. But thanks in part to the Internet, determined creative souls will prevail. This Kayla King Books endeavor to wit.

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

IMHO, I'm an ace planner. I relish the opportunity to plan ahead and plot my course around the globe, traveler that I am. COVID brought that to a halt (with many reservations to cancel). I'm learning new horizons: when the vaccine comes and is widely distributed...mid-2021? No way of discerning confidently that horizon. I've loosened up schedule-wise.

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

No change. I write everywhere, anywhere. In my head, on paper, on keyboard. But I have pet places: the sunroom at my northern home, the lanai at my Florida winter home.

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

GREAT question!!!!!

1.) Warren Zevon's "My Shit's Fucked Up"

2.) Claire Means’ "Guts"

3.) Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway to Heaven"

4.) Leonard Cohen’s "Chelsea Hotel, No. 2."

5.) Gloria Gaynor’s "I Will Survive”

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

The poem I wrote about Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, a pantoum, a difficult poetic form I felt did him justice.

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

Two delayed 50th-year high school reunions (I shad to split my secondary education). Book launches. Meals with friends and lovers. And, please, please, a president named Joe Biden.

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

Show up. Do it. Even if it's only a sentence or a paragraph/stanza every day.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Thank you so much for this introspective experience. I am a fortunate daughter.

ABOUT Karla Linn Merrifield

Karla Linn Merrifield, a nine-time Pushcart-Prize nominee and National Park Artist-in-Residence, has had 800+ poems appear in dozens of journals and anthologies. She has 14 books to her credit. Following her 2018 Psyche’s Scroll (Poetry Box Select) is the newly released full-length book Athabaskan Fractal: Poems of the Far North from Cirque Press.

In early 2021, her Half a World of Kisses will be published by Truth Serum Press (Australia) under its new Lindauer Poets imprint. She is currently at work on a poetry collection, My Body the Guitar, inspired by famous guitarists and their guitars; the book is slated to be published in December 2021 by Before Your Quiet Eyes Publications Holograph Series (Rochester, NY). Her Godwit: Poems of Canada (FootHills Publishing) received the Eiseman Award for Poetry. She is a frequent contributor to The Songs of Eretz Poetry Review, and assistant editor and poetry book reviewer emerita for The Centrifugal Eye. She is a member of Just Poets (Rochester, NY), the Florida State Poetry Society, the New Mexico Poetry Society, and The Author's Guild.

To learn more, follow Karla and her writing journey at her website and on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Thanks for chatting, Karla!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Wendy Taylor Carlisle

Finding comfort in small moments of escape became a way of survival for many throughout 2020. Wendy Taylor Carlisle discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Our city has 2000 people, but we are a tourist hub, so lots of folk from Oklahoma and Missouri without masks. So far, we have few cases, but we're wary.

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

Fire to Fire: New and Selected by Mark Doty, Louise Gluck’s Meadowlands, Vita Nova, The Wild Iris, Faithful and Virtuous Night (again). I just discovered Laura Kasischke through her, Where Now: New and Selected—I took my time with that, and am just now studying Meter with Annie Finch and reading her hefty, A Poet's Craft. I'm finishing A Strange and Eventful History, a biography by Michael Holyroyd of Ellen Terry & Henry Irving & their families and Szymborska's Poems - New and Collected is always on my nightstand.

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

When the reader is ready, the book will appear.

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

The stupidest Rom Coms possible—a soap from Australia called “Offspring.” I watch far too much political stuff on TV, that and police procedurals, neither of which comfort me.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I've done "The Grind," a poem a day, five out of the last 9 months. I've submitted less but written a lot.

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 will be reprinting a book from 2008 with Doubleback and will be reediting that starting after Christmas.

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

There are no excuses for not writing. There is nothing more comforting than writing. I think I'll be able to write through an apocalypse, if a Rom-Com doesn't hijack me.

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

Two writing groups and classes with Kim Addonizio and Annie Finch.

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

I don't have much to do with the "publishing world" I write. I publish. That's my world. There seem to be more little magazines. That's nice.

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

I'm a poet. Doesn't apply. Hasn't changed in years.

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

At my desk in my little office, after taking notes in my big chair in the living room from 6-8 in the morning.

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

I don't listen to music when I write, it confuses me, taking up space, as it does, needed for the wordmelodies.

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

I walk more, so I've written a bunch about Arkansas wildlife and flora and those have been new for me and are a delight.

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

I don't look forward or backward. I try to stay where my feet are.

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

Read, then write. Rinse and repeat.

ABOUT Wendy Taylor Carlisle

Wendy Taylor Carlisle lives and writes in the Arkansas Ozarks. She is the author of four books and five chapbooks. Her poems have appeared on line, in Rattle, Cider Press Review, and others and forthcoming in the Atlanta Review.

To learn more, follow Wendy and her writing journey at her website or on Twitter and Goodreads.

Thanks for chatting, Wendy!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Bobbie Crafts

For many, writing continues to be a necessary form of catharsis. Bobbie Crafts discusses just this, 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?

I live in rural Virginia and the County has 70,000 people. We wear masks to stores and people generally stay home. Restaurants have expanded onto sidewalks, some stores are stricter than others about masks, but people are going about their lives, eyes on the ground.

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

I am reading H is for Hawk by Helen McDonald, a non-fiction, poetic account of a naturalist's relationship with a hawk she trains as a falconer. It’s sad and thrilling, and a perfect escape from the crazy tumult of society.

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

I want to read more good novels. I want to read Moby Dick, which I've never read, more Robert Frost poetry, and more poetry by Louise Gluck, the recent Nobel prize winner. Also, more modern novels by European and South American writers.

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

Although I'm not a TV person, I did enjoy re-visiting the John Huston film, "The African Queen" with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn; a beautiful escape piece and gentle romance.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I have a caustic sense of humor and conditions now have brought out the darkest of it. Cartoons are my friends and I relate to the dark wisdom hidden in many of them, disguised by clever drawings. I want to write sharp, angry and pointed stories, but also stories about human connection, a long ago seeming thing, lost to us now.

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 work on three or four stories to sharpen them for my critique group, at any given time. I seem to be stuck in a time warp where thirteen year old girls and boys are my favorite first person narrators. I have four or five stories about young characters interacting with the world, finding themselves out. One is about a boy in love with baseball who discovers his mother is cheating on his father. He grows into a more mature person in how he deals with it.

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

I always want to write, and it is pouring out! More fiction than poetry, although I love to write that also.

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

To be my own best editor, based on what I have learned in my wonderful critique group of four amazing women.

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

See above!! They really do help me stay connected, plus my equally amazing husband. Horses are central to my life, as well. I have a rescue operation and ride a beautiful bay gelding, Rodrigo, several times a week.

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

I am not in touch with much in the world of publishing, so that is hard to answer. I think writers are writing more, but I don't know where that writing is going.

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

I see many smaller journals are shutting down or don't exist. It has to be difficult to staff operations now, and financially, everyone is taking a hit.

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

I am into character first and the plot grows from the character's actions. I frequently get stumped on plot because I'm too wound up in character. I think I am a pantser, as I understand the word, in that I don't always give much thought to where the story is going. Although I'll never be an "outline" person, I am trying to "see" the ending or faint promise of an ending as I write. But it's best when the story writes itself, and the ending naturally happens. I wait for that.

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

Either in bed with a legal pad or my computer, in the next room.

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

1.) Bach, almost anything

2.) Mozart, almost anything

3.) Bob Dylan, almost anything

4.) Billy Joel, same.

5.) Also Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Satchmo, Billie Holliday (not all).

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

I wrote a few poems about the daughter I lost to suicide in 2010. The loss has become closer and as painful as it was then since the pandemic.

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

My husband and I are working on opening a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy clinic in our county: it will be huge in our area, and should take off in others as well.

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

Find fanciful outlets for your writing. Use the chaos around you to ground you in your writing and search your imagination for new ways of looking at what you see and feel every day.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I am not sure why I am prolific now: I have reached out to other writers and feel supported in ways I haven't before. I think writing affords that opportunity in a unique way and I am grateful for it. So many new ways of writing are coming to me.

In 1995, I was accepted at Yaddo, the artist's colony near Saratoga Springs, NY. It was a life-changing experience, as I functioned both as a photographer and a writer during that amazing month. My time there made me understand how all- encompassing art is when an artist is allowed to immerse oneself in it. I was able, for the first time, to put writing and photography into the forefront of my life, to give them passion and energy.

My energy had been directed at keeping a house and relationship together, and dealing with a bipolar child. It was a huge gift to be able to focus on what really got my heart and spirit going. The period I'm in now is similar, although I am at home. I have more freedom to write and produce and motivation is high.

ABOUT bobbie crafts

Bobbie Crafts has been a writer and photographer for most of her life. Writing came first. Although never published except for a non-fiction interview in a photography magazine, she belongs to a critique group and and online poetry group. She lives, near her horse rescue farm in Virginia.

Thanks for chatting, Bobbie!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Kathryn Sadakierski

No matter the troubling times we may have to face in the weeks and months to come, finding a way to process such things through art can bring solace. Kathryn Sadakierski discusses just this, and today I'm excited to chat with her about the pages penned penned in pandemic.

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

I have an eclectic taste in literature, as my list of favorite books that I read in quarantine (a mix of classics, poetry, drama, historical fiction, and nonfiction) suggest: Emma and Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (one of my all-time favorite writers), Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Sun at Midnight: Poems by Muso Soseki, Fences by August Wilson, Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts, and Aloha Rodeo: Three Hawaiian Cowboys, the World's Greatest Rodeo, and a Hidden History of the American West by David Wolman and Julian Smith.

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

I re-watched "National Treasure" (and its sequel), which I hadn't seen since they were first released. While I wouldn't say that watching Nicholas Cage steal the Declaration of Independence put me at ease, per se, it certainly took my mind off of things, and being a history buff, it reignited all of my joy for the amazing things that can be discovered through learning about history. Unsurprisingly, reading Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott novels during the quarantine also inspired me to watch their movie adaptations, which transported me to another era. As for TV, watching episodes from nostalgic '50s and '60s sitcoms, like "I Love Lucy" and "The Munsters" very much put me at ease with their lightheartedness.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I think that my writing has gained more of a sense of urgency, and become more reflective. I primarily write poetry, but this time led me to write many personal essays about my experiences, looking back, and forward, based on the insights I gained from the changes wrought in the present.

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

This time truly taught me that writers are the voices of generations, and that above all, art is healing. Art endures, and through this time, I felt a responsibility to create art that will serve as a testament to the courage and tenacity of people who lived in this time of such uncertainty and change. These past few months have further solidified to me the significance of creating art that is relevant and meaningful, that can have the power to create positive change and resonate with others on a deep emotional level. Being a writer is not a solitary endeavor, even while quarantined; writing can bridge gaps, reaching across great depths to both comfort and call to action during pivotal times. What is recorded in writing is what will be remembered. In the future, the accounts left by writers will mark the dreams, triumphs, and hardships of the past. As such, writing with integrity is essential.

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

I am excited that during this time, creatives can come together to process recent events through art, reach greater understanding and empathy, and shed light that can bring hope and solace. It is encouraging that there are new opportunities to innovate, and broaden access to art.

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

I love to write in the great outdoors. I am very much inspired by nature, and draw upon sensory details in my writing. I strive to create rich, evocative imagery in my work, and prefer to write directly from life. That being said, it hasn't changed that my favorite place to write is outside, but during the quarantine, I wrote in my backyard. Normally, I write about wherever I travel to, particularly finding inspiration in writing about the ocean, but because I couldn't travel during the quarantine, I came to appreciate all of the beauty (literally) in my own backyard. Returning to the same spots, I could more acutely capture the subtly changing details of the natural landscape, or how I felt while immersed in it, each day.

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

1.) "Memory" by Elaine Paige

I'm a Broadway fanatic, and streamed "Cats" during Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Shows Must Go On" series offered through the quarantine, and from there, fell in love with "Memory." Plus, what song could better capture the yearning for the past, the onslaught of memories, during the pandemic? It's no wonder I listened to this song so often while writing, striving to capture this wistfulness.

2.) "Oh Sherrie" by Steve Perry

This song is so catchy, it always lifts my spirits, and I have listened to it more times than I can count during this time. The line in the chorus "Our love holds on" feels so appropriate for the pandemic, when we're holding on, persevering, and being uplifted by the love of our families and communities, a theme that I often revisited in my writing.

3.) "The Moment of Truth" by Survivor

Aside from watching "The Karate Kid" during quarantine, I was inspired to again listen to this song while writing, because it reflected my sense of determination while processing life during the pandemic through my writing. I treated my time spent writing as a "moment of truth," not only to authentically capture my experiences during the time, but to be a voice for hope and positive change, fulfilling my goals to record as much as I could (for posterity!), before the memories of this time fade.

4.) "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers

On sunny days while writing outside in the quarantine, I found myself listening to this song, which captured the positive tone I sought to convey in my writing about life during the pandemic. In the springtime, I wrote about the familiar signs of spring, its symbols of rebirth, returning: flowers, birdsong, lengthening days of sunlight, in contrast to the often incomprehensible events of the pandemic, the change and uncertainty, fear and devastation. This song inspired me to write about signs of hope through it all, to focus on the goodness in the day at hand, and live life fully.

5.) "When All is Said and Done" by ABBA

I explored the idea of coming to appreciate the simple things that matter most throughout this time of loss and change, and this song reminded me to consider what still remains, and does not change, or the beautiful aspects of life that can be savored, at the end of the day. I enjoyed listening to the 2008 "Mamma Mia" movie version of this song while writing. It has a very soothing melody, and focused my thoughts as I wrote.

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

One of my favorite poems I wrote since the pandemic began was about an opera that I streamed during the quarantine. I drew parallels to the themes and symbols in the opera, comparing it to current times, and reflecting on what seeing the opera meant to me. It was interesting to think about a classic opera through this lens.

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 further working on my manuscripts. I'm compiling some collections of essays and poetry that I have written during the pandemic, and am looking forward to seeing them take shape. It has been cathartic to embrace my creativity during this time, and I'm looking forward to continuing to hone my writing.

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

Don't give up! Find inspiration in every day. Keep reading. The more you read, the more you can broaden your awareness of literary styles and techniques, learning about the craft of great writers, and then develop your own unique voice. I also would encourage you to read/watch the news every day, which can also broaden your awareness, and inspire you. Rather than being disheartened by the headlines, you can turn them around. Write about the change you wish to see. This is a step you can take towards making this change happen, and bettering the future.

ABOUT Kathryn Sadakierski

Kathryn Sadakierski’s writing has appeared in various magazines and literary journals, including Critical Read, Literature Today, Northern New England Review, Origami Poems Project, Snapdragon: A Journal of Art and Healing, Spillwords, The Decadent Review, The Voices Project, Visual Verse, and elsewhere. Her work is forthcoming in Auroras & Blossoms, Capsule Stories, Inkwell Literary Magazine (BLC), seashores: an international journal to share the spirit of haiku, and Yellow Arrow Journal.

To learn more, follow Kathryn and her writing journey on Goodreads and LinkedIn.

Thanks for chatting, Kathryn!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Ash Slade

Looking back on 2020, a stark reality for everyone involved the notion of uncertainty. Whether that be in terms of employment or health or day-to-day struggles with motivation or mental health or whatever, the uncertainty of the past year remains clear. Ash Slade's poem, "On This Road We Go Down," explores this journey of uncertainty, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Ash's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

It's tough like in most other towns. That being said, I think most people get the seriousness of the situation. Most people stay home unless going to work, school, or permitted activities. People wear masks and keep their distance like they should.

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

I'm looking forward to reading poetry by Walt Whitman, Dylan Thomas, and William Carlos Williams.

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

“Pawn Stars,” “Midsomer Murders,” and “The Virginian.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I've had more time to engage with pen and paper. I've been working less and writing more. I've been revising pieces from three to four years ago to figure out how they can work now. I think the pandemic has made the process more deliberate for me. I play with the words in my head more than I did before. There's more drafts and redos.

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 only write a few poems at a time. No big projects like a book are in my plans. I'm working on a poem about my dad now.

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

The most important lesson I've learned is to keep a record of key things that happen. Jot anything that comes to mind down so it's not lost in the shuffle of confusion. I've always done this, but I'm doing it more seriously now. What people overlook, I focus in on.

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

No fellow writers since that's my jam. That being said, I have a close friend that is my spiritual advisor in all matters. Whatever the situation, she's handing it over to God. She was a fundamental adult in my formative years, and became close friend as I've gotten older.

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

My favorite places to write are my bedroom and the living room while watching TV. These places stir great ideas because I'm able to sort out what's rumbling around in my head. I like my bedroom because I can sit in bed or at my shaky desk and jot it all down. My second space is the living room where I can watch TV and think out my ideas, or sit and look out the backdoor windows. I do some writing at work in between checking out customers at the register. You see interesting people and that jogs ideas too.

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

1.) "Firework" by Katy Perry

2.) "Subterranean Homesick Blues" by Bob Dylan

3.) "Here I Am Lord" by Dan Schutte

4.) "Daisies" by Katy Perry

5.) The Summons by John Bell

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

"On This Road We Go Down" because I think it captures the journey of uncertainty. We know we're headed somewhere, but unsure of the details about it all. I'm convinced someone is walking that road with us too. For me, that's God, but it's different for each of us.

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

Christmas and New Year's. These two holidays are most important because they represent new beginnings. I think 2021 is going to be a turning point and clean slate in terms of dealing with this illness. Christmas also centers the individual on more important things like unity and peace.

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

Keep writing. Let this uncertain time inspire your pen. Don't stop writing, your voice is more important now than ever before.

ABOUT ash slade

Ash Slade lives in CT. She has written poetry for fifteen years starting at 13. In her spare time, Ash enjoys reading poetry, studying the Bible, and spending time with loved ones. Previous publications include The Blue Nib and Circus of Indie Artists: Nevermore Edition edited by Dale Bruning.

Thanks for chatting, Ash!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Philip Berry

When faced with loss, many of us are unable to fathom how to move on. Amidst these many months, however, we've been forced to continue on despite hardship and grief, clinging to memories and better days. Philip Berry's short story, "Asymmetries," tackles these topics, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Philip's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Young families + masks - their grand parents and elders, some of whom lived through the tail end of a world war and have the longest perspective.

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

Mr. Norris Changes Trains, The Inside Story by Martin Amis, A History of The World by Andrew Marr, and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

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

It didn't keep me at ease, but 'Unorthodox' on Netflix was terrific.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

For a while, writing felt irrelevant and spurious. But then, the words, which had not stopped building up, had to be given space on the page.

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

That we are a little selfish, and will find patterns to describe in the greatest tragedies.

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

All the editors of small presses and on-line zines deserve credit for maintaining venues for writers like me.

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

The dining table, in a bubble that nobody can see.

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

Recent likes & loves:

1.) All of Future Islands back catalogue

2.) “Don't Shy Away” by Loma

3.) Tom Waits

4.) Kid A

5.) 80's stuff

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

“Pure Tones,” a poem, appeared in Re-side. It is about the birdsong that we all appreciated during the hard lockdown.

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

There is a place for your work; keep trying to find it.

ABOUT Philip Berry

Philip's short fiction has appeared in Metaphorosis, Headstuff, The Corona Book of SF, and Ellipsis Zine. He also writes poetry and CNF. He is a London-based doctor.

To learn more, follow Philip and his writing journey at his website and on Twitter.

Thanks for chatting, Philip!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Lisa Lerma Weber

As we've conquered these many months, the elusive notion of hope is something many discussed, some found, while others only searched for such a feeling. Lisa Lerma Weber's essay, "Fallen Nest," explores this idea of hope, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Lisa's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Seeing everyone in masks makes me feel like I'm living in some post-apocalyptic movie.

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

No. In fact, I feel like television adds to my anxiety because I can't tear myself away from the news.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

My writing has become a little more angry, a little more urgent.

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

I would like to work on a chapbook.

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

I am grateful for a supportive writing community on Twitter and my Versification team.

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

I am definitely a pantser, as I am in most aspects of my life. This has not changed.

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

The kitchen table. Yes, I used to write in my office. Now, I like being near my family, though it might not help my productivity. I just don't want to feel more secluded than I already do.

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

Voting in a new president.

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

Hold on to hope.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Be kind.

ABOUT lisa lerma weber

Lisa Lerma Weber is a writer living in San Diego, CA. Her words and photography have been published online and in print. She is a junior editor for Versification.

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

Thanks for chatting, Lisa!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Larna Bobby Lou

For many, the last year has meant seeking safety, whatever that may mean. Others sought to take chances and put themselves out there in a way they never had before. Larna Bobby Lou discusses just that, 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?

Not as bleak as you'd imagine. I have used my time productively, working on my poems and enjoying the forest walks! If you head to the supermarket that is the only place you can really get a sense of the actual pandemic!

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

The Cultural Revolution, Mao's Great Famine, and The Tragedy of Liberation.

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

Bake Off!

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I think it has made me more aware of my surroundings, and increased the time I have to work on my writing, which has been a bonus!

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?

Yes...but it's a secret!

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

Write what you want, be yourself, don't be submissive - submit!

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

Nothing has changed except my confidence, I am now submitting my work instead of writing in private.

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

Home.

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

A few actually, the two I've submitted to you, “Liars Lies” and “Strayed” are two of my favorites as I've stepped out of the box and challenged myself to write some new/different.

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

Having work published!

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

Keep writing, it's only a benefit!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I love reading and writing so so much!

ABOUT larna bobby lou

Larna Bobby Lou has a degree in English literature, which was completed with a strand of creative writing. She posts poetry, photography, and more on her website.

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

Thanks for chatting, Larna!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with John Grey

Too often, we let the smallest of moments slip by without another thought. If we're lucky, however, we take the time to appreciate the ephemerality of such things such as a spider web, morning dew, or a rosebush. John Grey's poem, "First Touch," explores just this, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about John's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Cases and deaths have been high. Most people though are wearing masks and social distancing.

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

Typhoon by Joseph Conrad and Black Money by Ross McDonald.

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

Watched the TV series "Wolf Hall" and movies like "The Hours" and "Trumbo."

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I've been writing more than ever.

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

The key is discipline.

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

Some email connections thankfully.

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

I'm pleased that so many literary zines are surviving the pandemic and many more are coming in line.

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

The fake news and conspiracy theories that so many people are hooked by.

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

My study; now and always.

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

I'm hoping to be able to travel again.

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

Make the most of more hours by yourself.

ABOUT John Grey

John Grey is an Australian poet, US resident, recently published in Soundings East, Dalhousie Review, and Connecticut River Review. His latest book, Leaves On Pages is available through Amazon.

Thanks for chatting, John!

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