Though destinations might have changed from faraway locales to staying safe at home instead, that doesn't mean we can't dream of exploring the world beyond our windows. David Brookes' short story, "The Destination Before Next," explores the main tourist sites and hidden streets of Istanbul, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about David's pages penned penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
Crummy - Sheffield in northern England has a rising number of cases. Several nearby cities such as Leeds and Manchester are in full 'local lockdowns' at the time of writing (mid-Oct), and we'll probably be next. The UK's NHS Track and Trace app puts us at 'medium risk'/'Tier 2' (of 3). Handling of the pandemic in England and other parts of Britain has been incompetent, and callously geared toward economy over human lives.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
Infinite Ground by Martin MacInnes, The Overstory by Richard Powers, and A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin.
If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?
Zuckerman Unbound by Philip Roth and Collected Stories by John Cheever.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
“The Umbrella Academy” for easy pulp viewing; “Parks and Rec” as comfort. For podcasts, I always turn to “No Such Thing as a Fish,” “99% Invisible,” “The Allusionist,” and “Athletico Mince.”
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
It's given me more time! Sometimes I'm more relaxed, sometimes I'm more stressed, but more time means more opportunities to hit the keyboard when I feel the urge. I've strongly resisted writing about the pandemic itself - I doubt any writer will have any special insight that thousands of other people haven't also had.
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 finally finished a novel length project so I'm excited to start thinking about returning to short stories for a while, to tide me over during the novel querying process.
If you haven't been able to write, are there any projects you're hoping to work on next?
I have an idea for a short story centered around the 'bubble houses' created by Wallace Neff in the 40s, and a few other ideas. I choose to write whichever idea I feel the most emotionally connected to at the time.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
Hire beta readers before seeking representation or publication!
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
A friend in another city is a writer and fellow English/Writing grad. He probably doesn't know how grateful I am for our occasional chats.
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
No, not related to the pandemic. It's fantastic that female writers and POCs are getting more attention from publishers. Cynically, that will only continue for as long as they're "trending" because that's how publishing works. If we support writers of color then this should turn into a real and positive change in publishing.
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
As a white male writer, I will probably have to take a back seat for a while, and that's OK.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I plot novels down to the chapter, but I'm flexible with my outlines. With short stories, I usually establish theme, character and an outline, and then coast on a vibe for a while until I find the real story. Then I whittle it down until it's short and tight.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I write at home, alone and in silence, and this hasn't changed.
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
My musical tastes are too whimsical and embarrassingly retro to reveal here.
Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene you've written since the pandemic began?
I only picked up poetry again in September, and I wrote a piece about my home village, a post-working class township outside of Sheffield with mixed levels of affluence. It's a little bleak but I'm proud that I captured certain images.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
An announcement that travel restrictions have lifted, so that I can responsibly travel to either the Jurassic Coast in England, or Gombe in Tanzania. If I lose my job before restrictions are lifted, I'll walk the Shikoku temple pilgrimage in Japan.
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Write authentically and respectfully. Always be original.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
When talking about important issues: you might be right, but you don't have to be a dick about it.
ABOUT david brookes
David Brookes is a writer currently living in the UK, from where he runs his editing firm The STP Literary Service. He has stories published in many magazines including Scrittura Magazine, Every Day Fiction, Electric Spec, Pantechnicon, Bewildering Stories, Whispering Spirits, Morpheus Tales, The Cynic and Aphelion. His fiction has appeared in printed anthologies, most recently Aloe, a collection of stories written during lockdown. His first novel, Half Discovered Wings, was published internationally by Libros International in 2009. Read more about his work at his website.
To learn more, follow Davis and his writing journey on Twitter.
Thanks for chatting, David!
