Sometimes all we can do amidst darkness and chaos is to keep writing. Gary Beck discusses just this and more in today's chat about his pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
More people than previously are wearing masks, but very few are distancing.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
Herodotus the Persian Wars and Hamlet.
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?
Yes. A novel and a poetry collection.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
Keep Writing!
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
Yes. Simon and Schuster was just sold to Penguin Books and they will dominate the publishing world.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
On my sofa. No.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
Publishing my book of plays.
ABOUT gary beck
Gary Beck has spent most of his adult life as a theater director and worked as an art dealer when he couldn't earn a living in the theater. He has also been a tennis pro, a ditch digger and a salvage diver. His original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway. His poetry, fiction and essays have appeared in hundreds of literary magazines and his published books include 28 poetry collections, 11 novels, 3 short story collections, 1 collection of essays and 2 books of plays. Published poetry books include: Dawn in Cities, Assault on Nature, Songs of a Clerk, Civilized Ways, Displays, Perceptions, Fault Lines, Tremors, Perturbations, Rude Awakenings, The Remission of Order, Contusions and Desperate Seeker (Winter Goose Publishing. Forthcoming: Learning Curve and Ignition Point). Earth Links, Too Harsh For Pastels, Severance, Redemption Value and Fractional Disorder (Cyberwit Publishing). His novels include Extreme Change (Winter Goose Publishing) and Wavelength (Cyberwit Publishing). His short story collections include: A Glimpse of Youth (Sweatshoppe Publications). Now I Accuse and other stories (Winter Goose Publishing) and Dogs Don’t Send Flowers and other stories (Wordcatcher Publishing). Collected Essays of Gary Beck (Cyberwit Publishing). The Big Match and other one act plays (Wordcatcher Publishing). Collected Plays of Gary Beck Volume 1 and: Plays of Aristophanes translated, then directed by Gary Beck (Cyberwit Publishing). Gary lives in New York City.
To learn more, follow Gary and his writing journey at his website and on Facebook.
Thanks for chatting, Gary!
