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!
