Pages Penned in Pandemic with Tina Anton

While plants may wilt and relationships may falter, there is always hope for regrowth, for love with no end. Tina Anton's short story, "Lovesick," explores this notion, and is now available to read the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Tina's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

People act like it isn't happening. They openly call it a hoax and no-maskers are rampant. Our county is purple (worst rating you can get for COVID) and we added four new COVID units to my roommates hospital this month alone (she works with COVID patients). Most stores and restaurants are closed with signs saying their employees tested positive.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

The City and the City by China Miéville And loads of online work.

If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?

Obama's new book and Finishing the Nightside series by Simon R. Green.

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

“The Mandalorian,” “New Girl,” and the John Wick movies have pretty much saved my brain.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I've been reading more poetry. Inspired me to try new writing styles including poetry. It's going relatively well.

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?

My NaNoWriMo story this year has me very excited.

If you haven't been able to write, are there any projects you're hoping to work on next?

I want to get more illustrations submitted.

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

Read more. You write better when you do.

Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?

My girlfriend. She is a writer as well.

Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

Yes!! The online community of writers has been so supportive of one another and it has been gorgeous to see.

Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?

Publishing house monopolies. I don't like it (looking at you, Penguine).

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I don't know what this question means so I'm not sure.

Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I never used to write so much on my phone. It's convenient. I've ended up writing a lot more because of it. I have physical disabilities that leave me in 24/7 high level pain. So nice to be able to write from my bed instead of sitting at my desk.

If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?

Everything by Zack Hemsey (start with Nomad and The Runner).

Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene / poem you've written since the pandemic began?

I wrote a scene where a prisoner is stuck in virtual reality serving out his prison sentence under a fake indigo sky in a non-existent desert that stretches to infinity. I had fun breaking the poor guy's brain.

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

Seeing my girlfriend more. Her mom had cancer all during 2020. My roommate works with COVID patients. We've had to stay virtual.

Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?

Take advantage of the extra hours and read while you can. Soak it all up.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I've thorough enjoyed the Twitter writing community and think that everyone would benefit (especially new writers) from being a part of it.

ABOUT Tina Anton

Tina Anton has an associate degree in creative writing. Her works have been featured in Aphelion, Weirdyear, The Rusty Nail, Electric Pulp, and other publications.

To learn more, follow Tina and her writing journey at her website and on Twitter.

Thanks for chatting, Tina!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Meagan Johanson

Too often, we don't understand the importance of a season or a second until we look back. Meagan Johanson's story, "Migration," explores this notion of recollection, and will be available to read January 2021 in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Meagan’s pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

It looks like 9 out of 10 people wearing masks, even on the streets. It looks like a world spinning madly on, but with fewer hugs and careful distances between bodies and business. It looks like Zoom screens and digital conferences and deferred holiday gatherings. However, I will say, I've never appreciated fresh air, nor the hands I do get to hold, more than now.

What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?

Weather by Jenny Offill, Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin, Luster by Raven Leilani, and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn.

Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?

Plenty; thank goodness for the digital age. I'm a podcast junkie. A few of my favorites: “The Daily,” “The Moth,” “Sincerely,” “X,” “Ologies,” “Terrible,” “Thanks For Asking,” and “Everything is Alive.” I could go on and on (and on again). I also discovered a podcast this year of just a single cat named Bilbo, purring into the microphone. It's called “Bilbcast,” and I highly recommend for your meditative moments. My family and I also watched all of the Marvel movies, in storyline order. I'd only seen Ironman before COVID. I do love a good--or even fair to middling--blockbuster, as well as anything that includes Chris Hemsworth.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

Honestly, it has honed it. Of course, every day is a new day--with new disasters, new presidents. But in general, the pandemic has forced me to choose what I want to focus my precious hours on, and I choose to make writing an important part of my life. I have carved out my own private space in the nook at the top of the stairs, and hold private headspace inside my noise-cancelling headphones. I also have a salt light I turn on when I know I'm heading into that focus; this is the silent signal to my kids to please give me my writing time and space, unless an emergency arises.

If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?

The pandemic has taught me that even writers--often solitary creatures, writing alone in stolen hours of the day--need community--for inspiration, for critique, for friendship, for growth. It has shown me that virtual doesn't have to mean alone.

Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?

I am a pantser who likes to try plotting sometimes. This usually consists of my premise and an atmosphere, and somehow the storyline winds itself up inside it, like magic, but messier. The mess is just beneath the stage.

Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?

In my office, and yes, it has changed. With both of my children at home for school, I've had fewer free hours to leave home to write. My little desk at home has served as a fine backup writing spot. Honestly, I could write in a hurricane with the right headphones on.

If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?

1.) “Pressure” by Youngblood Hawke

2.) “Move” by Saint Motel

3.) “Times Like These” by Foo Fighters

4.) “Running Down A Dream” by Tom Petty

5.) “Illuminate” by Emma Louise

While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. And going to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?

Write your own magic, and no one else's.

ABOUT meagan johanson

Meagan Johanson writes from her lair in Oregon. She has been published in Berkeley Fiction Review, Emerge Literary Journal, Lunate Fiction, and elsewhere. She loves music, books, new obsessions, and anything with butter on it.

To learn more, follow Meagan and her writing journey on Twitter.

Thanks for chatting, Meagan!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!