During the last year, the monotony of every day has left the concept of time as something altogether strange. Dot Dannenberg's poem, "We Are Living," explores this notion, and is now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Dot's pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
The Washington, DC metro area is delightfully mask-compliant. In my neighborhood, everyone has a dog or a baby, so we're all outside, desperately clinging to the normalcy of outdoors before winter sets in. In some corners, brunch is still happening, I guess, but I am not ready for any of that.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
The Dutch House (Patchett), Writers & Lovers (King), and All Adults Here (Straub).
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
I write a lot more about resilience than I did before, for one. (Mostly for work.) Mostly, the pandemic has resulted in my own voice being the only thing happening in my head. I miss all of the surprising, stimulating things that I would stumble upon when I was traveling, or just out in the regular world. I miss surprising conversations and the ways they could work themselves into my writing.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
Forget the romantic vision of the writer in the garret. Your Notes app is just fine.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I'm a pantser who at some points has masqueraded as a plotter. Planning is higher-level brain function that isn't really attainable for me in These Trying Times TM. I'm more pants than ever.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I have a baby, so basically my favorite place to write is anywhere that it's quiet. This has changed during the pandemic because now we are both at home together all the time, and nowhere is quiet!
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
Probably just a bunch of moody Adrienne Lenker stuff. She gets it.
Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite poem you've written since the pandemic began?
I wrote a poem as a gift for a friend upon the birth of her daughter. I haven't seen her in over a year, or met her baby--words as gifts feel more important than ever.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
Vaccine distribution.
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Take good notes. One day, you will forget what this really felt like. In three months, you'll forget what you were thinking about right now.
ABOUT dot dannenberg
Dot Dannenberg lives outside of Washington, DC. She holds an MFA from Pacific University. One of these days she's going to get her act together.
To learn more, follow Dot and her writing journey on her Instagram.
Thanks for chatting, Dot!
