Despite the constant tribulations and trials faced throughout the year, there is much to be grateful for this month. And today, I'm excited to chat with Wm. Brett Hill about his pages penned in pandemic.
What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?
My county has the highest number of cases in the state but people still act like everything is normal. A lot of people are going out to bars and getting together for parties with little consideration to what damage they may do. My family has been self-quarantining since March and I've been working from home, so we're trying to keep safe but oftentimes it seems we're the only ones.
What are some favorite books you've read during quarantine?
I've been trying to read authors I've found through Twitter during my lockdown, and because my attention span has been slightly less than that of a flea, I've been going with short stories and novellas. Patricia Correll's "Walk Me Home: A Fairy Tale", Patrick F. Johnson's "12:23", and Kyle Anthony's "Something Missing" stand out in my mind. Novel-wise, I loved William F. Aicher's The Trouble With Being God and Dea Poirier's Next Girl to Die.
If you haven't been reading, what are some books you're most looking forward to reading?
I haven't been reading as much as I would like. D.C. Wright-Hammer's Between Two Minds: Awakening and Alanna Rusnak's The Church in the Wildwood keep beckoning to me from the shelf.
Have there been any movies, tv shows, podcasts, etc. that have helped keep you at ease the past few months?
I became obsessed with “Letterkenny” for a while, watching the entire series over the course of two weeks. I'm currently re-watching the entirety of “Red Dwarf.”
How has the pandemic affected your writing?
At first writing completely shut down. I don't think I'm alone in saying this pandemic did my head in and made it hard to string a cohesive thought together. After a while (probably two months or so) I started to feel the tickle in my brain of ideas sprouting and was able to jot down a few short stories. I have a book banging around in there now (that was originally a novella) and so I'm letting it out chapter by chapter, seeing where it goes. Some days it's easy to write, and some days it's impossible. I'm allowing for either to happen because struggling against it just adds to the misery.
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?
The book I'm working on is really making me happy. The original idea I had was to do a mystery series based around several characters and a town, and it has expanded from there to a world so that's fun. There's a lot of wordplay in it which is fun to write in anticipation of the groans from those who get it. I'll see where it goes but I'm thinking this book will then be followed by some shorts with the same characters.
If asked ten years from now what the past few months have taught you about being a writer, what would come to mind?
Don't force it. It's all well and good to say "write every day" but if it feels more like a punishment then you're doing it incorrectly. The words will come.
Have there been any fellow writers or people in your life who have helped you stay connected during the pandemic?
My buddies Paul and Sean help keep my creativity flowing. We get together every couple of weeks and brainstorm. The amazing writers I've met on Twitter have been a salve, too. They are too numerous to name without fear of forgetting someone, but the writing community as a whole is incredibly supportive and entertaining.
Is there anything that excites you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
I'm afraid I am unaware of changes in the publishing world as my knowledge of it is limited. I've seen a trend toward self-publishing that I've participated in, which is good in that I'm more likely to find stories I want to read.
Is there anything that worries you about the changes being incited in the publishing world in light of recent events?
The good thing about self-publishing is that anybody can publish a book. The bad thing about self-publishing is that anybody can publish a book.
Are you a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between? Has this changed during the pandemic?
I am a card-carrying pantser. Every time I try to do an outline I veer so far off track I'm writing a different book by the end. This hasn't changed. The only real change is that I take longer breaks during writing and sometimes have to re-read what I've written to keep everything fresh in my head.
Where is your favorite place to write? Has this changed during the pandemic?
My desk, in the back room of my house, surrounded by a ludicrous amount of tchotchkes, as it should be. It has become even more of a haven during the pandemic.
If you curated a playlist for writing life in the pandemic, what top 5 songs would be on your list?
1.) "Step Right Up" by Tom Waits (for humor)
2.) "Krigsgaldr" by Heilung (for mood and inspiration)
3.) "Dance Anthem of the '80s" by Regina Spektor (for levity)
4.) "Ugh! Your Ugly Houses" by Chumbawamba (for energy)
5.) "FU" by Magen Melancholy (for groove)
Without too many spoilers, what is your favorite scene / poem you've written since the pandemic began?
A conversation between one of the protagonists of my current WIP and three old women who have come to hire him to investigate some missing money. The three have very meaningful names and it was fun making them fit into those concepts.
While the future is just as unknowable as ever, what is something you are most looking forward to this year?
Christmas. I love the joy and festivity of the holiday. I know it will be different this year, but the tree will be the same, the ornaments and decorations will be the same, and my two favorite people will be here to celebrate it with me. Good stuff.
Is there any advice you would give to young writers during this time?
You are living through something unprecedented. If we've learned anything, it's that every day can bring new challenges and it's up to us to persevere and get through it all in one piece. Tackle your writing with that same dedication.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I am overly fond of cake.
ABOUT wm. brett hill
Wm. Brett Hill grew up outside Athens, Georgia but now makes his home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland where he spends time with his wife and daughter, works in IT, and writes stories. His short fiction has appeared in Literally Stories, Firewords, Dime Show Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, Digging Through the Fat, and many more.
Don’t forget to check out Wm. Brett Hill’s short story, “Peter,” published by Literally Stories! To learn more, follow Wm. Brett and his writing journey on his website, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thanks for chatting, Wm. Brett!
