Pages Penned in Pandemic with Sean Chapman

Too often, all it takes is just enough courage to try. Nothing could be more true for the life of a writer when faced with more time and a blank page. Sean Chapman discusses just this and more in today's chat about his pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

I live in a small town in Cornwall which has a lot of open spaces, and we can still go for walks on the beach and be in nature so it has been a good place to live during these times.

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

I have been reading a lot of poetry, Ilya Kaminsky's Deaf Republic and Jericho Brown's The Tradition both were absolutely stunning.

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

I have the new Staying Human Bloodaxe anthology on my shelve that I looking forward to getting to.

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

I love the American-version of the Office, that always cheers me up if I need a pick me up. I think I have watched it in its entirety 5 or 6 times. Peanut Butter Falcon was a great Netflix movie recently that I highly recommend.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It is what kickstarted it really. I have dabbled in the past but the lockdown really spurred me to commit to it.

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?

This is my first year of writing poetry so am hoping to just get my work out there see what the response is like and work on my craft.

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 being furloughed from work it gives you a sense of what it must be like for writers that have writing as there source of income, what the mental aspect of that life is like.

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

It does seem that the interest for poetry has widened and re-asserted itself within those that enjoy it.

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

I have a small desk and bookcase beside a window, and two crazy dogs in the background to keep me distracted.

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

Having been writing so much, I have been listening to a lot of instrumental music as I find lyrics distracting, and I don't want them entering my stream of thought. So I have listed to both explosions in the sky and this will destroy you a lot, two post rock bands. Also I had the great recommendation of Khruangbin.

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

Just seeing how all my poems are received, which ones might get accepted etc. You realize how patient you have to be, I still have submissions I'm waiting on from May and that is normal, its not easy for an impatient person like myself!

ABOUT Sean Chapman

Sean Chapman is a British writer living in Cornwall beside the capricious Atlantic Ocean and amongst the blur of a blue Whippet and a red fox Labrador. His prolonged and wayward adolescence included working in a Taiwanese astrophysics department, on a Salford mental health ward, on the Liverpool docks and in a Manchester disability support office, before washing ashore in a Cornish surf shop. Between daydreams of cowboy adventures and surfing escapades he writes poems, dedicated to Maggie, some of which have appeared or are forthcoming in Marble Poetry, Raceme, Dreich, Trouvaille Review and Anti-Heroin Chic.

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

Thanks for chatting, Sean!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Susan Chock Salgy

When we look back on the last year, there may be much we wish to forget. However, leaving behind authentic depictions will remain as a time capsule for future versions of ourselves. Susan Chock Salgy's essay, "The COVID Interregnum," explores this, and is now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Susan's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

We are experiencing a severe spike in cases and deaths.

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

Pilgrim at Tinker's Creek by Annie Dillard.

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

Re-watched all seasons of “Downton Abbey,” and binge-watch YouTube videos about archeological digs from all over the world.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

Accelerated it. I have taken two writing classes at Writers.com and a Master Class by Malcolm Gladwell. I take class like a ballerina -- I need the rigor and discipline more than anything.

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?

Yep - I have a couple of non-fiction books I'm researching. One is about how Chinese families like mine are rebuilding their genealogies after they were destroyed in the Cultural Revolution.

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

Writing things down is the best way to find out what you really think. You have to turn off the clamoring voices trying to tell you what to think, sit awhile with a blank screen or sheet of paper, and see what comes out. The pandemic was (and still is) a roaring mess of conflicting theories. If you listen to that too much, you will never find peace.

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

Yes, I connected to lovely new writers in all the classes I took—a few of us have actually formed a new little group where we continue to read and comment on each other's work. Writers make wonderful long-term friends if you can find writers who share a common aesthetic. The shared class experience helped with that.

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

Not sure what you mean.

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

Full-on pantser. Nothing changed. Plotting drains out all the juice for me.

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

My bed, with a laptop, between 11 pm and 3 am.

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

Gosh, I love a couple of them like crazy. But probably at the top of the list is a new poem called "Lesson for a Tree in a Snowstorm."

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

The next poem, the next essay, the next thing that comes out on the page and sits there all perfectly formed, waiting for me to find the rest of it.

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

Find someone you trust to show your work to, who knows how to read the kind of thing you are trying to write. Then humble yourself to listen to what they say.

ABOUT Susan Chock Salgy

Susan Chock Salgy studied creative writing at Brigham Young University, and writes poetry, essays, and non-fiction. Recent publications include her essay “Indelible,” which appears in Glassworks Magazine, and poetry appearing in The Sunlight Press and The Magnolia Review.

Thanks for chatting, Susan!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Cathryn McCarthy

Whether capturing oceans or a rainy day in November through lyrical language and imagery, there is a way to celebrate even the smallest moments through writing. Cathryn McCarthy's poems, "Reasons to Believe" and "A Postcard From the Wish Tower," explore this notion, and are now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Cathryn's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

It looks much as it ever has; Southampton hasn't had it too bad so far, but cases doubled this week. I can't help thinking about November 1940, at the end of which, half of the city was razed by the Luftwaffe.

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

Jane Crow: the Life of Pauli Murray by Rosalind Rosenberg, Phineus Finn by Anthony Trollope, and The Curse of the Were Mer by Kristin Garth.

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

I've been enraptured by wildlife podcasts, such as David Oakes' “Trees a Crowd” and various wildlife caretakers' Instagram accounts: the best escapism and a reminder that we have a duty to look after and preserve our wild habitats.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I returned to poetry after a decade of writing fiction, partially inspired by the rich body of new writing that the pandemic has inspired. One morning, half way through our initial lockdown, I wrote a poem in my head while jogging, decided it was fun, and just kept at it.

Are there any projects you are excited to keep working on? If so, can you give us any details (no spoilers please!) about your project?

My first poetry collection, with the appalling working title, “An Exposition of the Moribund.”

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

You never stop, do you?

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

I'm excited by all the new indie poetry journals and by the spirit of support and love in the online poetry community. My experience in the cut-throat world of genre fiction was very different.

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

Not exactly recent events, but over the past few years I have been horrified by Amazon's destruction of small publishing houses (including every single fiction publisher I worked with in the last decade, including some fairly high profile ones.) Writing has been reduced to something we all do for free in our free time. We "work" at other things to feed money to the corporate machine. The pandemic has only made Amazon and its allies richer and creatives poorer.

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

Because of the change from fiction to poetry, I've become more of a pantser. I tend to plot fiction in detail (although the organic nature of the process still likes to surprise me) while with poetry I like to start with more freedom and see how it goes. Conversely, I find it hard to ditch a dogged loyalty to traditional narrative structure and this can still hem me in.

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

I like to write in my little garden or overlooking it, and this hasn't changed. The pandemic has simply made me more aware how lucky I am to have a small patch of outdoor space of my own.

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

Don't try your arse off—it's just not worth it. When it hurts you more than it gives you joy, stop. If you really love the writing, and not just the idea of being a writer, you'll return to it soon enough, because you won't be able to help yourself. In the meantime, just be kind to you.

ABOUT Cathryn Mccarthy

Cathryn McCarthy has adored words all her life, writes queer romantic fiction, and has recently developed an all-consuming crush on poetry. Her inspiration ranges from inner city life and grotty jobs to rural landscapes and their ancient folklores (occasionally jumbling them all together.) Publications include Acid Bath Publishing's "Wage Slave" anthology, Odd Magazine (September 2020), Floodlight Editions (October 27 2020), Pens of the Earth (November 2020) and Versification (January 2021). She holds a PhD in Cultural History from University College London.

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

Thanks for chatting, Cathryn!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Jasmina Kuenzli

Often the only way to make sense of heartbreak or chaos is through the lens of fantastical stories, which provide a distance from the darkness. Jasmina Kuenzli's poems, "Ariel" and "The Sea Witch," explore this notion, and are now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Jasmina's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

I was in a small town outside of Austin with family for spring break when it hit.Everyone started wearing masks, and there were warnings all over the place, but most people didn't stay home after the first couple of weeks.There are a lot of people who don't take the virus seriously and refuse to wear masks. Currently, I am teaching in Houston. We started in-person learning this week, with safety measures. It doesn't feel safe at school--we are mainly doing the best we can to keep people safe, but the state will not allow us to do learning virtually. Many of my colleagues are still virtual because they are high risk. Students and staff are lonely and burnt out, and it seems, as cases rise in the Houston area, that the possibility of at least being exposed to COVID-19 is a certainty at this point. Some of my coworkers and students have already lost family members. It feels extremely bleak.

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

Red, White And Royal Blue by Casey McQuistion, The entire Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski, Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer, I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, and of course I did a lot of re-reads as well!

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

I'm currently reading Jeff Vandermeer's Dead Astronauts, and I love it so far!

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

I've watched all the Star Wars movies over and over and listened to the “Thank the Maker” Podcast throughout quarantine. I also love the podcast "Awsten and Travis' Slumber Party." and I've retreated into a lot of my favorite old shows: “New Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries,” and “Criminal Minds.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I was able to write a lot more at the beginning because when we started virtual learning, my workload and stress level decreased considerably. I was dealing with a lot of harassment at work before the pandemic, and online, it went away. I am actually significantly more productive and less depressed even now than I was when the pandemic started. However, since school has started, the avalanche of new requirements and student engagement issues have made my writing levels decrease—it is sometimes difficult to get up the motivation or put aside the time to write. Teaching this fall has resulted in double the requirements for teachers, significantly less time to do it all, and significantly less engagement from students. not to mention that we're living in a time of political turmoil and the state of Texas, at least as far as education goes, does not seem to care about its teachers or its students. It's hard to keep my head up and write, but I'm trying!

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 a novel called The Pirate Queen, a space opera that is inspired by the story of Irish pirate queen Grace O'Malley and Queen Elizabeth of England. I wrote it for my master's thesis, and I am working on editing it and getting up the courage to send it to publishers for publication! I'm also working on compiling a book of creative nonfiction essays about my romantic relationships. And I kind of want to make a book of poetry. (You can see how I feel like I don't have time to do anything).

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

I also have an idea for a fantasy novel series based loosely on caricatures of my best friends.

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

1) Start with what brings you comfort and why you started writing in the first place (the stories that inspired you first) 2) Read. It is much harder to write if you're not reading. 3) Make note of what stands out to you, what happens, how you feel. And leave it alone. Don't pressure yourself to turn it into art until you look back on it later.

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

My family, my best friends Brenna and Sarah who I talk to every single day, my dog nephew Denver, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

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

I'm hoping that the publishing world will offer more opportunities for writers without connections, upcoming writers, and writers from marginalized communities. I also am hoping that the publishing world stops turning up its nose at fanfiction, because honestly some of the best writing I've seen is on fic websites. Publishers--search AAO3. There are so many talented people out there! Some of my favorite things I have ever read have been on fic websites, and I still write fic!

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?

I have no idea what this means?

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

My favorite place is just somewhere I can be ALONE. I need to not have anyone else in my head.

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

1.) “Sunnyland” by Mayday Parade

2.) “Glitter and Crimson” by All Time Low

3.) “I Miss Having Sex But At Least I Don't Wanna Die” by Waterparks (I mean)

4.) “Christmas Tree Farm” by Taylor Swift

5.) “Illicit Affairs” by Taylor Swift

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

I wrote a couple of stories based on fairytales and I'm really excited about them!

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

Seeing my family and friends over the holidays!

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

Do not stop writing. Do it as often as you can, as much as you can. Do not care if it's bad.

ABOUT jasmina kuenzli

Jasmina Kuenzli is an author of poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction. When she isn’t writing, Jasmina can be found weightlifting, running, and holding impromptu dance parties in her car at traffic lights. Her life goals include landing a back flip, getting legally adopted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and being a contributor on Drunk History. She would like to thank Brenna and Sarah, who hear all these stories first, and Harry Styles, who is sunshine distilled in a human being.

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

Thanks for chatting, Jasmina!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Anthony Leiner

The ebb and flow between loss and new life is a constant. No pandemic could change this balance. Anthony Leiner's monologue, "The Drive Home," explores this balancing act, and is now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Anthony's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

It seems, to most people I come across, they don't give it the gravity it deserves.

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

The Night Circus.

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

The left right game podcast and the show "what we do in the shadows."

Are there any projects you are excited to keep working on? If so, can you give us any details (no spoilers please!) about your project?

My full length plays "Keeping Merry" and "Holidays at the end of the world."

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

Focus on getting your thoughts down to paper. You can't worry about where you can take your work down the line if it's not a thing yet.

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

My writing group "Howl Players" have kept my head above the over whelming waters that my thoughts create.

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

A secluded corner in a library but now it's at my desk with the sounds of rain playing in the back ground.

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

This and another play I'm working on "Holiday's at the end of the world."

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

Celebrating the holidays with my wife.

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

Just write. Don't let yourself get in the way. If you're worried about it "being bad" or "no one liking it." Just get you thoughts out of your head and on that paper.

ABOUT anthony leiner

Anthony Leiner is a Hudson Valley local that graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2015 with a BA in Theatre and Creative Writing. After beginning his career in acting, Anthony soon realized he was more at home creating stories than playing in them. Some of his works include: On the Floor, Our Cuckoo Bird, and Hearts and Minds. His plays have been produced by the Rosendale Theatre, Urban Stages Theatre Company, and The Manhattan Repertoire Theatre. Some of his biggest achievements include winning first place in the Manhattan Rep. 2017 Winter Short Play Contest and directing/ producing Moments: A short play festival at the Morton Library (A short play festival consisting of five of his original works). Along with play writing, Anthony has directed plays other than his own. Most notably, a found space production of Dog Sees God by Bert V. Royal, produced by Paper Rain Productions.

To learn more, follow Anthony and his writing journey at his website and on Instagram.

Thanks for chatting, Anthony!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Adrian Ernesto Cepeda

Despite trauma and chaos and fear from the last year, the persistence to continue writing allowed a way to work through the darkness. Adrian Ernesto Cepeda discusses just this and more in today's chat about his pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Close to a shutdown, cases are rising by the day.

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

Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark, This Thing Called Life: Prince's Odyssey, On and Off the Record Prince's Odyssey, On and Off the Record by Neal Karlen, 'Round About Midnight: A Portrait of Miles Davis by Eric Nisenson, even the milky way is undocumented by Amy Shimson-Santo, and Strip by Jessica Abughattas.

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

“VIDA” on Starz, “Gentefied” on Netflix, “Long Way Up” on Apple TV; “Love Life” on HBO Max and “Amy Schumer Learns to Cook.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It has sparked me to focus on my anxiety, my depression and my past trauma.

Are there any projects you are excited to keep working on? If so, can you give us any details (no spoilers please!) about your project?

My collection of poems written for and inspired by mi Mami who passed away in 2017.

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

Writing is my life.

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

Be brave, don't be afraid, the personal is universal.

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

Amy Shimson-Santo and Lisa Marie Basile.

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

Looking forward to reading all the inspiring poems and stories written during this time.

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

We need more inclusivity. We are missing the voice of the LatinX writer in the publishing world.

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

I am a plotter. I am learning to take every day, a day at a time and not pressure myself to rush and finish any project, poem or story.

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

My office.

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

1.) “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty

2.) “This Must Be The Place” by Talking Heads

3.) “New World” by Bjork

4.) “Many Rivers to Cross” by Harry Nillsson

5.) “Tilted” by Christine and the Queens.

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

Quoting Frost at the end of the poem I wrote yesterday.

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

Rebirth of hope in America.

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

Write everything down, remember your voice is unique and the personal is universal.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Thank You for your consideration! Viva La Poesia!

ABOUT Adrian Ernesto Cepeda

Adrian Ernesto Cepedais the author of Flashes & Verses… Becoming Attractions from Unsolicited Press, Between the Spine from Picture Show Press and La Belle Ajar from CLASH Books. His poetry has been featured in Harvard Palabritas, Glass Poetry: Poets Resist, Cultural Weekly, Yes, Poetry, Frontier Poetry, The Fem, poetic diversity, Rigorous, Luna Luna Magazine, The Wild Word, The Revolution Relaunch and Palette Poetry. Adrian is an Angelino Poet who lives with his wife and their adorably spoiled cat Woody Gold in Los Angeles.

To learn more, follow Adrian and his writing journey at his website and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Thanks for chatting, Adrian!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Millicent Borges Accardi

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that sometimes there can be a benefit to spending time with your own thoughts. Perhaps, most especially, for writers. Millicent Borges Accardi discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Mostly under lock-down, restaurants with limited outdoor dining, everyone in masks. Within my rural bubble, people do run errands and walk dogs but it is not business as usual. Many of us are house-bound and working from home, venturing out only when necessary.

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

The Cult of Trump, poems by Benjamin Garcia and Tim Seilbles.

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

Watching old episodes of “Bewitched,” and the miniseries, “The Queen's Gambit.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

Early on, I did a poem a day challenge (May and June) where every poem was inspired by lines from contemporary Latinx poetry and had to do with the pandemic. After that I spent months in a revision mode.

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?

Finishing up two interviews! With figurative artist F Scott Hess and Portuguese-American writer Frank X Gaspar.

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

Getting my reading series “Loose Lips” back on track. We had to cancel multiple events because of COVID (the country library where we usually host readings has been closed) and perhaps launching version of the series on Zoom (which seems to be the standard for literary events and teaching, at least in the short-term future).

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

Silence and being alone helps with your thoughts.

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

Amy Sayer Baptista, PaulA Neves, Carlo Matos

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

Inclusivity. Diversity. Kindness.

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

I am afraid smaller presses will fail and close as well as journals. I am afraid we will have fewer publishing options and there will be more and more contests where writers are excluded because of growing entry fees and costs.

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

Pantser.

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

Wherever I can. Nope. No change.

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

1.) “In the Air Tonight” by X

2.) “Cherry Bomb” by X

3.) “Los Angeles” by X

4.) “Sunday Best” by Prince

5.) “1999” by Prince

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

I guess a long series of poems dealing with the notion of quarantine (social, physical, spiritual).

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

Paying off debts! Finally getting my car officially registered (it has been so long without registration tags).

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

Read, read widely. Read books you know you will love and read books you hate from word one.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Kindness.

ABOUT Millicent Borges Accardi

Millicent Borges Accardi, a Portuguese-American writer, is the author of two poetry books, most recently Only More So (Salmon Poetry). Her awards include fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Fulbright, CantoMundo, Creative Capacity, the California Arts Council, The Corporation of Yaddo, Fundação Luso-Americana, and Barbara Deming Foundation, "Money for Women." She’s led poetry workshops at Keystone College, Nimrod Writers Conference, The Muse in Norfolk, Virginia, and University of Texas, Austin. Her non-fiction can be found in The Writers Chronicle, Poets Quarterly, and Portuguese American Journal. Recent readings at Brown University, Rutgers, UMass Dartmouth, Rhode Island College and the Carr Reading Series at the University of Illinois. Recent poems in New American Writing, Another Chicago Magazine and The Journal.

To learn more, follow Millicent and her writing journey at her website and on Twitter.

Thanks for chatting, Millicent!

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Pages Penned in Pandemic with Megan Cannella

When tasked with navigating grief, sometimes it is easier to wonder about the what was or what ifs then deal with the actual act of missing someone. Megan Cannella's poem, "Estate Planning," explores this notion, and is now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Megan’s pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

People keep trying to get back to normal too soon- restaurants, casinos, and resorts have reopened. I'm alone in my studio apartment.

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

Belabored by Lyz Lenz, Luster by Raven Leilani, Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Maree Brown, You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat.

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

I've gotten into “Supernatural,” which is not my normal thing. I've also been leaning hard on “Real Housewives of New York” and “New Girl.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It is the reason I got back into writing. I hadn't written creatively in about 10 yrs. Now I am an editor on a lit mag. Writing has given me an outlet for my anxiety about the pandemic and about my relationships, as I am so isolated...because science.

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 just want to keep growing in my writing and eventually finish my dissertation. My dissertation is about dystopian motherhood in 21st century American lit, so it has been especially difficult to work on right 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 last few months have made me lean into my independent nature. I was always independent, but spending so much time alone and going through a break up during this time has made me more independent and thus braver in my writing. I am writing stuff that even surprises me.

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

C. Cimmone and the other editors at Versification have been a life saver. Also lit mag Twitter (I don't know what else to call it) has been amazing and has helped me feel less alone.

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

I am glad that more people are making space for more voices.

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

Pantser.

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

In bed—nope. I have a studio apt...not too many places to go.

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

Probably just a lot of The Mountain Goats.

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

There was a weird flash piece I wrote about working at a call center—that was my favorite.

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

Moving forward with my projects and only doing what makes me happy.

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

Keep going...even if you have to pause for a very long time...keep going.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Stay safe and well.

ABOUT Megan cannella

Megan Cannella is a Midwestern transplant currently living in Nevada. For over a decade, Megan has bounced between working at a call center, grad school, and teaching. She has work in or forthcoming from @PorcupineLit, @dailydrunkmag, @VerseZine, @TBQuarterly, and @perhappened.

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

Thanks for chatting, Megan!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Hannah Peterson

Though many found catharsis in exploring the pandemic in their writing, others used words as an escape from the chaos of 2020. Hannah Peterson discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Things feel pretty normal here. Most everyone wears their mask but stores and restaurants are all open.

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

How to choose! One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker immediately comes to mind. Also Lesley Nneka Arimah's What it Means When a Man Falls From the Sky.

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

Looking forward to reading The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk.

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

I got really into anime this summer and it's so exciting to learn about and enjoy stories from another culture. It felt very refreshing and I'm still hooked on so many different shows! A couple of my favorites have been Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood and Hunter x Hunter.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I'll have really strong bursts in which I'll be able to focus on my writing for a few days at time, but there was also weeks I would go without writing at all. I think the pandemic exacerbated a lot of events this past year that would've been stressful without COVID, but became incredibly more difficult and distracting because of it.

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 finished a novel in 2018, and have been editing it since then. I really feel it's so close to being ready for the next step.

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

World events don't have to influence your writing if you don't want them to. A lot of people were encouraging me to explore my feelings about the pandemic or the state of the world and that's just not the type of thing I like to write. Writing (and this is reflected in the theme of my submission) is as much about the joy for yourself as it is for others. Ten years from now, I'd want to remember that despite the state of the world I found a way to write things that felt fun for me to create and, hopefully, for others to consume!

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

My good friends Anthony, Aidan, and I created a writing group for the three of us in which we met weekly for a while to discuss what each other was working on. Even if I didn't always write as much as I set out to, it was really wonderful to have discourse with other writers about their triumphs and struggles.

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

I love writing in cafes. So cliched, I know, but there's nothing like a cozy café to sit and write in. Obviously now I write much more from home. I try to make my bedroom/office as relaxing and café-like as I can. For me this means, writing by a window, fresh coffee, dim lighting, a jazzy playlist and a candle or two close by.

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

Christmas! I always feel very grounded and full during the holiday season. I like knowing, no matter what's happened during the year, there's this celebration at the end of it when we all recognize the joy of being together, of selflessness, and of gratitude. Even if "being together" means something different this year, what we are celebrating hasn't changed.

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

Just write and read what makes you happy and forget about the rest. Chances are, someone else will like it too.

ABOUT Hannah peterson

Hannah is a theatrical producer and artist who loves all forms of storytelling and hope to make a career of doing so.

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

Thanks for chatting, Hannah!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Finding a Way to Survive

While holding my print copy of Pages Penned in Pandemic, I thought back to the original vision for this book. I wanted to celebrate the people who did not give up during 2020, but rather, found a way to survive by writing. This notion of endurance and sacrifice and strength beheld by these souls was something I wanted to capture in a tangible way, as a means to look back in ten years and remember how we conquered.

Standing on the other side of this dream, I know the collective does just that. And as I discussed the publication with my former AP English teacher, I was steered toward William Faulkner’s Nobel Prize speech. Though this banquet address was given December 10, 1950, there is much that resonates with my initial wish. He explains, “I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.”

Those who contributed to this collective proved their own compassion and sacrifice and endurance long before submitting to us; they continued to write despite the chaos and upheaval of the last year. They prevailed.

These reflections were much needed among the worry about the book’s spine and interior design elements and the reaction readers would have once they finally received their own copies of a book that belonged to us, the editors, for so long. However, as I explained in my “Letter From the Editor,” I don’t think this book ever really belonged to us. Stories are meant to be shared.

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Now some people, though I won’t name them here, have asked what myself and my co-founder / editor / best friend / brightest light in my universe gain from this book if we are not receiving any monetary compensation. There are so many answers I could give, but I’m not sure a simple, for the love and belief in storytelling would do. Because believe me, I have tried that explanation.

So if you, dear reader, are also wondering why we will be donating all proceeds from the print collective to 826 National, I shall endeavor to expound upon those motivations.

When I was younger, I was blessed with unending encouragement and support from my teachers. There was Mrs. Wood and Ms. Bookmiller, Mrs. Slocum and Mrs. Fisher, Mr. Wienclawski and Mrs. Stachowiak. All of these gracious souls helped guide me toward this life as a writer. I was given “The Scarlet Ibis” and The Giver and A Separate Peace, Frankenstein and The Idylls of the King and Beowulf, Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Like Water For Chocolate and Ethan Frome, poetry by Thomas Hardy and William Blake and Tennyson. But more than that, I was given room to expand not only my bookish horizons, but my writing ambitions as well. And these people, dear reader, are the reason I wanted to donate our proceeds to an organization that would give support to young writers. I thought of them living in the midst of a pandemic, unsure if their words were worth putting on the page.

The answer, dear reader, is that yes, we need those young writers to tell their stories. Often I think about how the moments we are living now will become scars in future books. They will become small moments that feel too honest, they’ll ache in a way tiny things shouldn’t, in much the same fashion that Guy looking up in Fahrenheit 451 feels too real; Bradbury’s scars from the Cold War exist on every page.

This realization and drive to donate our proceeds from this book arrived day one in the timeline of this project. I’d already posted a dozen or so interviews with authors for the featured blog series and my favorite answer to read was always: “Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?” It was the easiest decision to make.

Perhaps this all seems a bit tangential. But this is precisely why we’ve chosen to keep only this book as evidence that we created something important over the last few months. We gave a forever home to stories and poems and essays and more written during tumultuous times. While some pieces offer chances for escape, others directly depict the experience of the pandemic. And we are so proud of every page within this collective.

Now on the other side of 2020, the urgency of the pandemic has yet to fade. But there is a way to prevail despite the darkness because there is hope and possibility and light. As long as we tell our stories, we can conquer anything.