Writers spend so much time alone in their own heads. While wonderful worlds and stories may be built from such places, there is always the danger that we will place too much pressure on ourselves, feeling trapped in our own thoughts with nowhere to go. Casper discusses just this and more in today's chat about their pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
Nottingham was on a local lockdown for ages after the summer, but now it's a nationwide lockdown. It's not really any different from March, barely anything's changed. I think we had around a month or two of vague normality and then everything went back to lockdown. I live in an odd area of Nottingham and I see so many people just not caring anymore. We're a forgotten city, the government doesn't really care about Nottingham. It's rough.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
I finally read Villette for the first time, and while it won't overtake Jane Eyre as my favorite Bronte novel, it is definitely very good. I've also read 1Q84, my favorite Murakami novel, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, and a wonderful novel called Scarlet Odyssey by C. T. Rwizi.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
“The Crown” season 4 was easily binged within two days and I felt a little piece of my heart die when I realized I had none left to watch. Other than that, I've been introduced to “Black Mirror,” and I've finally watched the entirety of “Attack on Titan.”
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
I ended up completely stopping writing at the start of the crisis. I was moving house and leaving my family and dealing with a lot at the time, but I just completely stopped and I didn't pick it up for six months. This second national lockdown has inspired me to I guess change my life a bit. I signed up for a BA in English Lit and Creative Writing, and that spurred me on to write again. I'm a bit rusty though!
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've had an idea in my head for a long time about a chapbook I'd love to have published, but having the idea is very different to actually writing the thing!
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
It's okay to stop for a while if you need to. You don't have to wait for inspiration either. There's no pressure to be a more dedicated writer than everyone else, it really doesn't matter. If there's pressure, it's only in your own head and nowhere else.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
Kyle Lovell supported my comeback to poetry and I'm really thankful for their kind words. Floria Lundon has been a star, as usual, she always hypes up my writing even when it's dreadful. My partner, Liam, has been my absolute rock.
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
I've been out of the loop for so long I'm not sure what changes are happening—I'm a social media hermit at the moment. Looking at the writing community as a whole I can see a lot of people being far more motivated to write, though, and I think that's wonderful.
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
Not necessarily in the publishing world but in the book world as a whole, I've been really upset to see so many amazing local bookshops struggle to keep afloat in this pandemic.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
Definitely somewhere in between. I have a notebook of words and phrases I love the sound of, and if I arrange all of those in some odd order in a document, I end up being able to fill in the gaps.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
My favorite place to write used to be in my old home in Rutland—we were surrounded by miles of fields. During the pandemic the only place I've really been able to write is in my city flat, but that's okay. I get shy writing around other people anyway!
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
I don't listen to music I love when I write because I end up singing along too much and distracting myself. The best thing I've found is ambient music for studying (especially Ravenclaw Commonroom ones), but lately I've REALLY loved listening to Youtube playlists of Japanese 80s City Pop. Great genre.
Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite poem you've written since the pandemic began?
I finally edited a poem I wrote a very long time ago about inevitable loss and knowing that even if a connection is right for you right now, it won't be in the future. It was great to see it properly come to light.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
The best thing to happen by the end of 2020 will be Christmas. I'm not even Christian, I just really love tinsel. It will be my first with my partner and we're thinking of having takeout for our Christmas dinner.
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Don't pressure yourself. Don't give up on what you love, of course, but don't force yourself to write if you don't want to. Don't force yourself to do anything if it's going to be bad for your mental or physical health. Honestly, bad times will pass. The most important thing is your happiness in the present moment, nothing else.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Wear a bloody mask!
ABOUT Casper
Casper is a writer from Nottingham, UK, and has found a true home in poetry. Currently, you can find his words in Thread/Fate (postghostpress). If you can't find him, he's probably crocheting - check under the bed.
To learn more, follow Casper and their writing journey on Twitter and Instagram.
Thanks for chatting, Casper!
