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!
