Leaves continue to change, but there is so much of the day-to-day that remains the same. Nonetheless, I’m excited to chat with A.M. Kelly about the pages she’s penned in pandemic.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman, and To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
I mean I've been stress binging the same seasons of “Great British Bake Off” for years, so there's always that. I've recently started watching K-dramas and C-dramas. It's become an addiction. Right now I'm loving “The Untamed” and I”"t's Okay Not To Be Okay.” Honestly, I haven't really had a lot of time to get caught up on shows lately.
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
I don't remember writing much, if at all, for the first three or four months. I only feel like I really got into a good flow a couple months ago.
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'm really excited to finish up edits on Son of a Southern Sea, my high fantasy manuscript.
Here's a quick summary of what it's about:
After his mother dies, 19-year-old Jay journeys across the sea to Epheria, her native land, to confront both his heritage and the family who cast her out. Unable to speak the Epherian language, Jay relies on his guide—the charming and rakish Earl of Furling, Evarius Debouche. Alienated in the beautiful but brutal country, Jay can’t help being drawn to Evarius. Yet when he discovers that Evarius is the mastermind behind a band of thieves who rob the wealthy elite to feed the starving poor, Jay is dragged into a deadly game of outlaws and political intrigue. As Jay becomes increasingly wary of Evarius’s ruthless scheming, he is plagued with doubt over whether or not he can trust the man he’s falling for. Jay must use every one of his wits if he wants to protect his lover, his estranged family, and his motley crew newfound of friends, from the revolution brewing in Epheria.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
The chamber group in the movie “Titanic,” playing as the ship went down.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
My writing group has been incredible. Our virtual meetings really kept me sane for a few months there. That crew is full of some of the best, most encouraging, most supportive folks I could ever ask for. It helps that they're damn good writers too!
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I think of myself as a total pantser but that's not really true. I do an incredible amount of prep work before I begin (Pinterest boards, playlists, sometimes drawing art of my characters). Mostly I have certain scenes or points that I call mile markers. I know where I have to go, generally speaking, but I have no idea how to get there. I just have to keep following wherever the story leads to get from one mile marker to the next. I tend to spend a LONG time in revisions as compared to drafting. This hasn't really changed much during the pandemic but I have been actively reflecting on my process more. I've come to better understand how my brain works during this time.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
My favorite place to write is my local café, the Lock Keeper Coffee House. Obviously that wasn't an option for a while, so I had to make do with my desk at home instead.
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
1.) Dinner & Diatribes by Hozier
2.) Run To The Hills by Iron Maiden
3.) Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven
4.) Mama by My Chemical Romance
5.) That's Life by Frank Sinatra
Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene / poem you've written since the pandemic began?
Favorites are hard things to pin down. If you asked me another day I might give a different answer, but today I'm gonna say it's a chapter in Son of a Southern Sea where two characters get together. I really went out of my comfort zone with that one. I had a lot of doubt. In the end, I'm proud of what I achieved.
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Never stop writing but don't fall for the idea that it's a betrayal to get a job (that isn't writing) that you can tolerate doing and which will pay you well enough to be comfortable. You will get more words on the page when you have financial security than when you are working three jobs.
ABOUT a.m. kelly
A.M. Kelly’s short story “Cracked Brown Tile” won the Scribblers Literary Prize in 2015, while her shorty story “Blackberries” received an honorable mention for the same in 2016. She is a member of the Buffalo Writers’ Meetup, where she takes great joy in meeting and workshopping with other writers.
In her free time, A.M. Kelly is a prolific baker with a deep appreciation for French patisserie in particular. More information can be found at her website.
Don’t forget to check out Part One of A.M’s short story “Son of the Witch.” And be sure to follow A.M. and her writing journey on Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.
Thanks for chatting, A.M.!
