When the pandemic began, there were spaces in which the wild took over. Ben Nardolilli's poem, "Zoonotic," explores this wildnerness, and is now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Ben's pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
It's heating up again in parts of it. People generally still wear masks.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
Middlesex and Black Reconstruction in America.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
“Schitt's Creek.”
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
I finished a novel.
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 some short stories.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
How little isolation changes being a writer for the most part.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
Yes.
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
Not really.
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
I worry about an end of readings and bookstores closing.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
A plotter?
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
My room. No.
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
1.) “Little Sister” by Nico
2.) “Djohariah” by S. Stevens
3.) “Blue Condition” by Cream
4.) “Maybe this Time” from Cabaret
5.) “NY Girls” by Steeleye Span
Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene you've written since the pandemic began?
I wrote a play within a play for a novel I finished this summer. That was nice.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
Maybe going home for Christmas.
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Keep writing and remember writers have put words to paper in worse pandemics.
ABOUT Ben Nardolilli
Ben Nardolilli currently lives in New York City. His work has appeared in Perigee Magazine, Red Fez, Danse Macabre, The 22 Magazine, Quail Bell Magazine, Elimae, The Northampton Review, Local Train Magazine, The Minetta Review, and Yes Poetry. He blogs at mirrorsponge.blogspot.com and is trying to publish his novels.
To learn more, follow Ben and his writing journey at his website.
Thanks for chatting, Ben!
