Spooky season is upon us, but there's nothing more terrifying than the persistence of the pandemic. Today, however, I'm excited to chat with SK Grout about the pages she’s penned during this time.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
Wearing masks on public transport is compulsory. The streets are emptying as many inhabitants choose to work remotely from other locations. Routine sounds of sirens and food delivery mopeds.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
Natalie Diaz’s Post-Colonial Love Poem, Eavan Boland’s A Journey with Two Maps, The Bloodaxe Book of Contemporary Indian Poets edited by Jeet Thayil, Margaret Rogerson’s An Enchantment of Ravens, Letters: Summer 1926 Boris Pasternak by Marina Tsvetaeva & Rainer Maria Rilke, The Secret Lives of Colour by Kassia St Clair, Vahni Capildeo’s Odyssey Calling, and R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
Podcasts: “The Tablo Podcast,” “BBC In Our Time,” and “The Ancient World.”
TV Shows: “Hotel del Luna,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “Itaewon Class,” “Grayson Perry's Art Club,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and “Beastars.”
Films: Studio Ghibli films and Wong Kar Wai films.
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
Sometime in early April, I read an article from a novelist who talked about creating and carving out a quiet time every day completely separated from devices (phone, internet etc) and I adopted this practice for every morning during lockdown. This quiet space really helped me focus both on the micro level of writing the piece in front of me, as well as more project level thinking about planning, themes, books etc. Writing groups seemed to spring up around me (as well as online resources like Zoom readings and online teaching resources) and I've been very busy with writing, feed-backing and workshopping poems.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
Writers often talk about writing every day, and I understand that with greater clarity now having had the space and time (and I acknowledge how lucky I have been) to write within a routine. Ada Limón wrote in a blog on the Poetry Foundation about writing every day: "This practice lets the mind know that everyday we must be observant, that we are paying attention, always." I have noticed that writing every day has helped me be inventive and fresh with my writing. There's also not the pressure to write an amazing poem as soon as I sit down. I've also allowed myself to be freer with my writing and myself, not just writing one genre. A piece of writing may turn into an essay, a diary entry, a poem, a longer piece for a short story.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
I'm grateful for the generosity and care of the writers that feedback and read my early work. It's the greatest gift for someone to spend time reading your work and giving feedback and I'm very blessed and very honoured to have some amazing writers around me.
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
I have been in awe of online poetry readings from other countries! I really hope that this openness of events online continues in the future. It feels both intimate and generous. The possibilities and audience are so great!
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
I often think to tell myself to slow down, how I have to tell myself to not get swept up in social media. This is not necessarily related to the pandemic, but it's so wearying and stressful to feel this act of comparison all the time, particularly with so much stress and grief around us. And I do believe we need time to grieve as well, to acknowledge our grief and find renewed strength to keep going.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I generally work in an ordered chaos, or a chaotic order. It's hard to change my Virgo nature.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
One of my favourite places to write used to be in cafes. I would get a lot of inspiration from the world around me. Now I've set up a space so I can look out a window and mainly keep an eye on my neighbour's cat.
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top songs would be on your list?
Lots of BTS, lol. Ok, seriously:
1.) "Winter Bear" by V
2.) "Tokyo Love Hotel" by Rina Sawayama
3.) "Susie Save Your Love" by Allie X & Mitski
4.) "Limitless" by Sudan Archives
5.) "Milliardat" DAM
6.) "Spring Day" by BTS
Without too many spoilers, what is your Favorite poem you've written since the pandemic began?
I've written a lot of nature and animal poems.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
New BTS album later in the year :)
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
Stay open to ideas (mostly this comes through reading and writing) - they don't necessarily have to come from classical sources. Some of my favourite poems are about anime, games, films, TV shows. Collect prompts as well. If you're anything like me, they may not work immediately and you'll want to come back when you're ready.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Take care of yourselves and give yourself time. Spring is coming.
ABOUT Sk grout
SK Grout (she/they) grew up in Aotearoa/New Zealand, has lived in Germany and now splits her time as best she can between London and Auckland. She is the author of the micro chapbook to be female is to be interrogated (2018, The Poetry Annals). She holds a post-graduate degree in creative writing from City, University of London and is a Feedback Editor for Tinderbox Poetry. Her work also appears in Cordite Poetry Review, trampset, Banshee Lit, Parentheses Journal, Barren Magazine and elsewhere. More information can be found at her website.
Don’t forget to check out SK’s poem, “time spent understanding,” published by dialogist. And be sure to follow SK and her writing journey on Twitter and Instagram.
Thanks for chatting, SK!
