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 Gary Beck

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!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with J.D. Bell

No matter what the world decides to throw at us, writing remains a way to escape through our own creation. J.D. Bell 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?

Our positivity rate is currently on the rise. People are trying to maintain some semblance of normality while adhering to social distancing and wearing face coverings. Schools are on a hybrid model of onsite and remote learning. Since our town is a major commuter hub into New York City, it is a challenge to maintain isolation from people connecting from other towns on the rail line into Manhattan.

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

I've recently read Ibsen's play Enemy of the State and Shakespeare's King Lear, which seem to have some relevance to the times. I've reread John Barry's The Great Pandemic which shows that we've learned very little since 1918. It all sounds depressing, but I'm really a fun guy at heart.

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

My biggest reading challenge for the future (probably very distant future) is to get through Proust. My wife has already achieved that feat.

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

Like many people sheltering in place, we are bing watching more than we should, but it helps. “The Crown,” “The Queen's Gambit,” “West Wing,” “Line of Separation,” and many others have been our loyal companions in isolation.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I belong to a writing group where we would meet once a month to review one another's work. When our state shut down in March, we no longer met and I lost much of my inspiration to write. We've recently started to meet again in the outdoors and my inspiration has returned.

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?

I relish the challenge of a call for submission to different anthologies in various genres. I worked for many years in advertising and the exercise of developing a short story seems to come naturally to me. I have a longer piece in development that I hope to pick up again soon. It's about advertising and aliens and a bit unusual I'd say.

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 been a major distraction for everyone. No one has escaped it. Writing has taught me that even though it can be very difficult at times, it forces you to immerse yourself in another world. When the creative juices are flowing, your imaginary world blocks out reality for a short period of time. It can be very therapeutic.

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

Yes, the fellow writers in my local writing group and members of the Inner Circle Writers' Group online community. I've also met some wonderful writers on Twitter. They all have provided regular inspiration.

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

I'm a pantser. I enjoy the journey of starting a story and seeing where the characters take my writing. I enjoy the surprises that can pop up along the way.

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

I ordinarily write in a converted office space in our home. It has a lovely view of our yard where I can day dream watching bids and squirrels. Alas, since the pandemic my desk is a mess. Fortunately, I can write almost anywhere so sitting in bed, out on the deck, or next to the fireplace are welcome locations to ponder a story. I even jotted down thoughts on my phone for the story I submitted here while sitting under some trees.

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

Remember your experiences during this time, the good and the bad. Remember how life has been altered and the effect it has had on those around you. Listen to others and how they describe what they are going through. I recall watching a show on the pandemic of 1918 and a commentator said he was astonished how quickly people seemed to want to forget the impact it had on their lives. There are stories that need to be told about our current experiences. Young writers will be the ones creating their stories of today and carrying them far into the future.

ABOUT j.d. bell

J.D. Bell is an award-winning, internationally published, author of flash fiction and short stories. He writes in the genres of science fiction, horror, mystery, and humor. His works have appeared in anthologies published by Black Hare Press, Pure Slush, Clarendon House, Blood Song Books, and numerous online publications.

To learn more, follow J.D and his writing journey on Twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for chatting, JD!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!