Pages Penned in Pandemic with Petina Strohmer

Every story must find its own time to emerge into the world. Petina Strohmer discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

I live in a rural area so it is less densely populated. However, it relies heavily on tourism and hospitality, both of which have been hit VERY hard.

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

Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay, Unnatural Causes by Dr Richard Shepherd, When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman, re-reading A Whispered Name by William Brodrick and LOTS of stories on Scribophile.

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

Nanteos: The Dipping Pool, the third novel by my good friend Jane Blank, published by Y Lolfa earlier this year.

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

I'm afraid that crappy horror films are my guilty pleasure! I have also enjoyed "The Queen's Gambit", "Parasite" (films), "Fake or Fortune", "The Repair Shop" (TV shows) plus, of course, "The Great British Bake Off" (I have somewhat eclectic taste.)

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It's given me more time to write.

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 am lucky enough to be a traditionally-published author with two titles under my belt. The next novel to do the rounds will be "The One", a dystopian fable set in the very near future. Given the current pandemic, I think this is a story whose time has come.

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

A collection of short stories, in a range of genres, called "Carlton Court", linked by the fact that they all take place at the same hotel.

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

To apply myself fully and become immersed in my own stories and those of others.

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

I discovered the writing site, "Scribophile" earlier this year. Since then, I have critiqued two novels and had a circle of six writers critique mine. Also, my daughter is a Key Worker who has not yet passed her driving test so complete isolation hasn't really been an issue.

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

There are more people reading online.

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

Given the above, I think the days of actual paperbacks may be numbered (you can't sniff a Kindle!)

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

Definitely a pantser. Always. Often my characters do whatever the hell they like - but I have learned to trust them.

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

I can write anywhere (which is just as well as my husband has stolen the study to work from home.)

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

I don't listen to music when I write.

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

Can I have two? A ghost story called "The Water Babies" and a piece of flash fiction called "Come Away", both of which won writing competitions (toot toot - that's me blowing my own trumpet) ;)

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

Christmas. I LOVE Christmas.

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

"If you're going through hell, keep going" (courtesy of Winston Churchill.)

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Stay strong, everyone. This, too, shall pass.

ABOUT Petina Strohmer

Originally from London, I am a writer now living in the beautiful Brecon Beacons of South Wales, U.K. My first novel, Truly Blue; A Rock & Roll Parable, was published by Leaf Books in March 2009. My second novel, Entertaining Angels, was published by Cinnamon Press in May 2016. I also write short stories (many of which have won/been placed in competition) plays, magazine articles, educational resources and the occasional biography.

To learn more, follow Petina and her writing journey at her website.

Thanks for chatting, Petina!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with M. R. Dimond

Judgement attempts to find its way onto the page, but learning to write no matter what may be the greatest lesson for any writer to learn. M.R Dimond discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

We're a yellow zone surrounded by deep red, but hospitals are almost full and case count is climbing. Though I have family members nearby, the number of people with underlying conditions means that we don't meet except 6 ft apart, outdoors, masked. We had separate Thanksgivings and expect the same for Christmas. I've worked from home for more than 10 years, so that's not new for me, but I've had to become accustomed to staying in the house basically all the time. Sometimes we go out and pick up food to eat either in the car or in a park. I'm grateful to be living with a partner so that I'm not totally alone.

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

I haven't been able to read post-apocalyptic or disaster-based fiction—I can always read the news for that—I've reread old friends like Jane Austen, Terry Pratchett, Rex Stout. Mysteries, with their underlying message of "Justice will be done," are a favorite. Sarah Paretsky had a new VI Warshawski novel out earlier this year, always a treat. YA series like Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes and my childhood friend Trixie Belden have been a comfort.

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

Barbara Hambly has a new book in her Benjamin January series coming out in December.

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

Rural Texas doesn't lend itself to streaming shows. I did manage to rewatch Good Omens, which I love.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I'm sure it's affected. Probably I'm writing slower and working on shorter pieces than I'd normally prefer, but my attitude toward writing is "Chop wood, carry water." Good day? Write. Bad day? Write. And stop judging! I've worked to develop a practice where I keep writing no matter what, no matter what the quality. It's more important to keep going than to write deathless prose.

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 started working on a new mystery series this year, Black Orchid Enterprises, and I can't wait to see where they lead me next.

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

There will always be an excuse not to write. And, to quote Buckaroo Banzai, "Wherever you go, there you are." During these months there's been so much time to look directly in the mirror.

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

One person from my writing group and I continue to meet each week to report our progress on writing and life. The others didn't feel like they could continue either writing or critiquing, but I'm grateful to have even one other person. And in spite of conflicting feelings about Facebook, it's helped me keep writing connections from twenty years, very important now.

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

I'm not sure where it's going, and I'm trying to just observe and stay calm.

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

I'm mostly a plotter. Once I have my outline, I go full speed ahead, but at the moment, I'm writing whatever comes to mind at the moment. If I hold true to form, at some point, I'll make an outline so that I can finish something.

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

Coffeeshops? Restaurants? Yes, I'd say it's changed. Now I'm learning to write wherever I am.

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

1.) “Dance Song for the End of the World” by Lizzy and the Triggermen

2.) Anything by Randy Rainbow

3.) “When All is Said and Done” by ABBA

4.) “The Nickel Song” by Melanie

5.) “Hard Times Come Again No More” by Jennifer Warnes or James Taylor

6.) Anything by Leonard Cohen.

No, I don't count well.

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

Being able to have lunch with friends.

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

Write one sentence every day, even if you delete it the next day.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I've realized how much of an introvert I am, how much more relaxed I am when not faced with social anxiety. Certainly, I miss some things from the Before Times, but I don't want to go back to the way things were, and I want it to be better for everyone, so that everyone has a choice in how to live their lives.

ABOUT M. R. Dimond

M. R. Dimond has had fiction published in Strange Horizons, Dancing USA, and several anthologies, most recently in Cat Tails: War Zone and Dreaming the Goddess, as well as nonfiction articles in various publications.

To learn more, follow M. R. and her writing journey at her website and on Twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for chatting, M. R.!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Judy Taylor

The importance of staying connected to those who share similar interests never felt more necessary than during the past year when connections seemed to fray with isolation. Judy Taylor discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

People seem to have adjusted to the new normal. Most people wear masks outdoors as well as indoors at retail establishments. Some streets in the surrounding towns have been closed off so that restaurants can expand into the street. A lot of those have now added overhead covering and heat lamps.

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

“Poldark,” “The Paradise,” and “Emily in Paris.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It hasn't changed it much.

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'm doing more art now—abstract watercoloring.

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

I'm hoping to come up with new ideas for poetry.

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

Keep at it. It helps to be creative during tough times.

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

I took an online poetry class and it was inspiring to exchange poems with fellow poets.

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

Somewhere in between. It hasn't changed.

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

At coffee shops. Was doing it on the outside patios of coffee shops until it got too cold to do so a couple of weeks ago.

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

A poem about what's beyond the material world.

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

Doing more creative work.

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

Keep writing, share your work with others, take online classes.

ABOUT judy taylor

Judy Taylor is a nonfiction author and poet. She has published two books, "Dharma Cats" and "Living Lightly with Lyme." Some of her essays and poems have appeared in recent print and online publications. Judy enjoys life in the San Francisco Bay Area writing, making art, and playing with her cat.

To learn more, follow Judy and her writing journey at her website.

Thanks for chatting, Judy!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Mary Grace Bertulfo

Often it takes life altering moments to pull us out of the monotony of experiencing the every day without truly living it. Mary Grace Bertulfo discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

For many people of color, there's the triple threat of the pandemic hitting across generations in the same household; the threat of aggression aimed at Asian Americans in public places; and, as of this writing, the unstable and capricious targeting of Chinese Americans by the current Administration's rhetoric around the pandemic. So, when the Administration misinforms the public by calling COVID-19 by a racial slur, Asian Americans are targeted. Simultaneously, Filipinx American healthcare workers, like my family, are taking care of COVID patients and dying disproportionately. But it has also been a time of resilience. We gather virtually to meditate and pray. We share stories and poetry by Zoom. Creativity has been a saving grace. City borders feel almost irrelevant during this pandemic.

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

Yaa Giyasi's Homegoing. Marcus Burke's Team Seven. Amy Irvine's Air Mail. Ocean Vuong's On Earth We Are Absolutely Gorgeous. Ross Gay's The Book of Delights.

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

Nature documentaries: “My Octopus Teacher.” Anything with David Attenborough. Anime: Any Hayao Miyazaki (Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service, Spirited Away). “The Great British Baking Show.” Magazines with an online presence: Emergence and Orion. John Krasinski's SOME GOOD NEWS. The table read of Princess Bride with a reunion of the original cast. The “Michelle Obama Podcast.” Yo-yo Ma's weekly music release. “The Queen's Gambit.”

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I caught Corona in August and learned two things: People are boundlessly kind and time is finite. When I experienced how profound a privilege it is to breathe--or to be in the same room where the existence of my spouse was HAPPENING—it made me realize I need to write what counts. Stop wasting time and do the real deed.

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'm excited to continue working on my novel which is about the spiritual hunger of a Filipina American and a 500-year-old ghost who retells Magellan's invasion of the Philippines.

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

Write what matters most to you. And be sure to walk in beauty every day.

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

There are too many to name them all! I've spent most of the pandemic with my spouse, Alan. We laugh a lot and that's important. Dogs are people. I live with two and their rambunctious joy eases the larger suffering of the world. Our son is a kind and creative person and I've loved talking-story with him. My extended family and neighbors have been blessings. At SNHU's MFA, our coterie of environmental writers who've literally lived through wildfires and meandered the desert: especially Julie Gabrielli, Loren Klyne, Sam Keck Scott, Tori-lynn Bell. Amy Irvine by writing, example, and support. Ben Nugent and SNHU faculty for keeping our MFA program strong. Our Lunch Crew: Crystal Gross, Erikka Durdle, and Kosoko Jackson. Banyan: Asian American Writers and our Writing in Community group. I'm especially thankful to fellow writers and teachers Cori Kodama, Karen Su, Isabel Garcia-Gonzales, Jane Hseu, Eduardo Eusebio, Nicole Sumida, Chris Tran, and Mia Manansala.

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

At the highest levels, houses are looking to hire more Black publishers and address the need for books to reflect and include all communities. Within environmental publishing (in magazines, community presses, and online forums), the voices of Indigenous authors and Black authors are coming to the fore. Robin Wall Kimmerer is a gracious and fierce example of this. Her work highlights the values of reciprocity and interconnection--within "nature" and human communities. What if we understand land, water, and air as kin, how would we treat them? We sorely need this kind of wisdom at this moment in time.

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

I worry about a backlash. Inclusion of BIPOC voices and experiences, as with the Obama years, challenges structural racism and white supremacy. Backlash can be swift and violent--and certainly misguided by the disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda that characterizes this pandemic era. As words-people, we're challenged to be vigilant and loving. Words hold meaning and power.

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

LOL. I was mostly a pantser. Now, I actually plot--but it has to be fun and loose. I've started storyboarding my chapters with a home-made template. This helps me focus on an iconic image and leaves room for me to ask what my main character is feeling with each movement.

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

Any place quiet.

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

Yo-yo Ma's Bach Cello Suites. Ruby Ibara anything. DJ Cassidy's Pass The Mic Volume 3. Cécile Corbel's "The Neglected Garden" from the Arrietty Soundtrack. Van Morrison anything.

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

A scene where two potential lovers debate love using 16th century Philippine poetry while on a canoe downriver. Yes, ancestral tattoos and poetry DO go together in some traditions.

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

Seeing our son in person again as vaccines become a reality.

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

Writing isn't the end-product, it's the way. It can keep us afloat. Writing can heal us. Writing can help us cope with our grief and remember what we love. So keep writing. Say what's real and share it.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Thanks for your time and holding space for our stories and voices!

ABOUT Mary Grace Bertulfo

Mary Grace Bertulfo writes at the intersection of nature, culture, and spirituality. She has written for television and children's education in such venues as CBS, Pearson Education Asia, and Schlessinger, and magazines such as Sierra and Chicago Wilderness. Her poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in various anthologies. She's the founder of Banyan: Asian American Writers Collective, an Orion Scholar, and a candidate at SNHU's Mountainview Grand MFA.

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

Thanks for chatting, Mary!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Jenny Maveety

In the darkest of times, there are many of us who seek to become something brighter, unburdened by troubles. Jenny Maveety's short story, "Transition," explores this notion, and is now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Jenny's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

In my rural community, the schools have gone all virtual for the second time since September. Many businesses have changed hours and how many people they allow in at a time. Many other businesses have been forced to close. For the most part, people are adhering to the social distancing and mask requirements.

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

American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennet, Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, 1984 by George Orwell, and Civilwarland In Bad Decline by George Saunders.

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

I am really looking forward to reading House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.

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

Yes! “Schitt's Creek,” the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, “The Office,” “The Good Place,” and “The Walking Dead” to name a few!

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

It has been EXTREMELY difficult to write during the pandemic. I struggle with a variety of mental health issues, plus I've had my six year old here most of the time. It has been exhausting. I am happy to have a job to go to, but writing and reading are often put on the back-burner. I feel that during the pandemic I have produced some quality work, but it is no where near the amount I hoped I would write.

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 am currently working on a novel that is set just 15 years in the future. Things are very dark, but women are the light that shine throughout the story. I am playing with POV and different ages for the narrators, which has been really fun!

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

I am hoping that once I wrap up this novel, I can start a new project. I LOVE starting new things (it's just the finishing of them that I sometimes struggle with)!

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

Writing is my beacon of light and hope in the darkness. It is an escape and also a passion that I should not take for granted. I think these last few months have also taught me resilience and how multifaceted life is in the face of uncertainty and tragedy.

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

Yes! My good friend Tristan Donovan has been a constant companion in our writing journey's. We are in the same semester at SNHU and met at the January 2020 residency. I also have had the privilege of having both Ben Nugent and Katie Towler as mentors this year. They have helped me grow as a writer exponentially! My family has also been incredibly supportive of me, even though they live about five hours away and seeing them throughout this year has been sparse.

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

For most of my life I have been a pantser, but the last few years have shown me that this method does not always serve me very well. I am somewhere in the middle now. I usually have a rough outline or plan of what I want to write and this includes details for some characters, but the rest I find out along the way! I think the pandemic has absolutely shown me that I need structure to flourish.

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

In my town we have only one coffee shop and it is a beautiful little place right off main street. I particularly enjoy going there because writing at home usually provides more distractions and less creativity or inspiration for me. However, I have had to write at home 100% of the time since the pandemic started.

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

While I feel that 2020 is just about ended, I am really looking forward to (hopefully) traveling to Ireland next year!

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

It's okay to rest. Let me repeat that: IT IS OKAY TO REST. You do not need to be creative every waking moment of your life and if you haven't "produced" something, that does not mean you are unworthy or a bad writer. We are in the middle of one of the most unprecedented and surreal times in history. Breathe. Give yourself a break. This time will pass!

ABOUT jenny maveety

Jenny Maveety is a third grade teacher and mother to a fiercely independent and bright 6-year-old. She has been telling stories since before she could read and has written poetry, short stories, and a novel over the last several years. Jenny is currently working through SNHU's MFA program in fiction writing. Some of her favorite authors include Ray Bradbury, Margaret Atwood, and Anthony Doerr.

To learn more, follow Jenny and her writing journey on Instagram.

Thanks for chatting, Jenny!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

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 Robin Reynolds

For many, the focus of writing is always on the end result, however, the process along the way is where the magic truly happens. Robin Reynolds discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Strict lockdowns from the governor. Businesses have closed. Cases are rising.

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

Erosion by Terry Tempest Williams and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

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

My to-be read list is irrational and embarrassing. I will never finish.'

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

“Anne with an E.” It was beautifully done.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

In a good way—I have gone deeper with all of my creative work.

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 used fragments of my written work to create visual journals. I'm excited about how this will evolve over time!

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

To view writing as a process, not an end result. To just get the words on paper, regardless of whether they are perfect or complete. They will work themselves out later and seed other pieces or projects. The writing is the healing.

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

Not really. I try to just roll with change.

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

Not really. I try to just roll with change.

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

Pantsers forever!

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

Outdoors. I've done a little less of this but still manage to fit it in.

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

It would be a playlist of Ludovico Einaudi songs.

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

I wrote one about breaking up with my boyfriend of three years in the middle of the pandemic (not submitted here) that I really love. More than the poem itself, I'm grateful for the revelation that mediocre relationships (or anything else, fill-in-the-blank) are not what I want to settle for. Of course we all know this concept and nod in agreement with the memes that say it but this was a deep down, true to the soul epiphany. It will stick with me.

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

Well, I'd like to get back to dating at some point!

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

Write regularly. Don't give yourself excuses or judge too harshly. Just practice the process and great things will happen - both in your writing and your life.

ABOUT Robin Reynolds

Robin Reynolds is an artist and writer. She wanders the mountains of New Mexico with a traveling art kit and wildlife reference books in her backpack. Her favorite sound is the silence of twinkling stars.

To learn more, follow Robin and her writing journey at her website and on Instagram.

Thanks for chatting, Robin!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Suellen Wedmore

While there is no underestimating how difficult days can affect our ability to put words on he page, often writing allows us to carry on despite that darkness. Suellen Wedmore discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

We presently have 7 active cases. Everyone wears a mask.

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

Ellen Bass's Indigo.

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

I just ordered a book of poems written by Native Americans before 1930.

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

My husband and I watch the news in desperation!!!

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I have actually been taking classes online and am writing (and painting) more. My poetry writing group continues to meet on Zoom.

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 am re-writing a chapbook on the theme "time."

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

No matter the difficulty of the time, you can always write! In fact, it helps to write!

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

My writing group has continued to meet every two weeks, and I have re-connected with a teacher and a friend from my graduate school days.

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

The ability of the publishing world to adapt!

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

Are the journals going to be able to survive?

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

I am somewhere in between...and during the pandemic I have learned to be more patient with revision.

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

In a comfortable chair in my sunroom or in the quiet of my office.

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

1.) “Time has made a change...” by Daisy Nell, a local singer

2.)”I Walk the Line”

3.) ”All Shook Up”

4.) “Don't Be Cruel”

5.) “Ain't that a Shame”

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

Honey, They Shrunk Our World!

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

Traveling.

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

Take advantage of Zoom offerings to keep on writing.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Thank you for putting together this anthology!!

ABOUT Suellen Wedmore

Suellen Wedmore, poet Laureate emerita for the small seaside town of Rockport, MA, has been widely published. She has published three poetry chapbooks, Deplyed, On Marraige and Other Parallel Universes, and Mind the Light. She has been nominated for three Pushcart prizes and has won both the Writer's Digest Rhyming and Non-Rhyming Poem Contest.

Thanks for chatting, Suellen!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Shannon Frost Greenstein

For many, thoughts can seem overwhelming, weighing on the day-to-day. Shannon Frost Greenstein's essay, "Faith," explores this notion, and is now available to read in the print collective! Until then, I'm excited to chat about Shannon's pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

Philadelphia is purportedly the best city in the country in terms of mask-wearing. That being said, it is quite easy to venture outside and notice the lack of precaution, particularly in the trendy or older sections of the city. The restaurant industry has also been hit quite significantly. Philly is very much a foodie town, and restaurant closures have skyrocketed. Consequently, an entire subset of people who work in the restaurant industry to fund their artistic pursuits are now stranded, unable to move forward. There is a large homeless population in this city, individuals who probably fly under the radar of contact tracing and mortality rates, so I feel certain this is also disproportionately impacting those without a voice.

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

Hanya Yanagihara's The People in the Trees, Stephen King's If It Bleeds, Jon Krakauer's Missoula.

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

Michelle McNamara's I'll Be Gone in the Dark and Haruki Murakami's After the Quake.

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

Lovecraft Country; I, Tonya; I'll Be Gone in the Dark HBO miniseries; The Mandalorian; Hamilton; Handmaid's Tale; Wrinkles the Clown. (Seriously, Google that last one; it's a Hulu documentary about a clown-for-hire who frightens children into behaving for a nominal fee. It is unexpectedly hilarious.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

After being laid off in April due to Covid, I have had far more time to write creatively than ever before. It has actually been a pretty prolific time for me. Complicating things, however, was my husband's cancer diagnosis in May. The necessary treatment rendered him seriously immunocompromised, and the entire family was forced to strictly quarantine for months. Further complicating things, but much more exciting, is the progress my nonverbal son has been making since the onset of the pandemic. He is five years old and on the autism spectrum; he has had a sudden language explosion over the past few months. I feel we are morally obligated, then, to provide him with as many resources and as much speech therapy as possible. This logically cuts into my writing time, as does the mom-guilt when I am torn between writing or playing word games with my brilliant child.

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 am currently editing my first full-length book. It is a memoir about my time in residential treatment for Anorexia; it portrays the illness and the effects of treatment in real time. I hope to have it serve as a layman's guide for how friends, family, and loved ones can support those in their lives with eating disorders.

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

I someday hope to flesh out a novel from the concept of lucid dreaming and its philosophical implications. It will explore the life of a chronically suicidal woman who gains the ability to dream lucidly. It will question quality of life, the value of lived experience, and how reality is perceived.

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

Discipline is the most important tool a writer has in their arsenal to achieve further growth; one's voice should never be compromised even if it is usually misunderstood; writing is a form of privilege, and is not possible without basic necessities, health, or peace; and the best is yet to come.

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

Fellow writers have been a lifeline and a source of inspiration during this time. I have been sharing and swapping work with a growing digital circle of writers. I am reading new authors whom I am also lucky to be getting to know. I am buying from local indie bookstores and shops; I am exploring local writers and genres I would have never before considered.

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

Accessibility, accessibility, accessibility. Smash the patriarchy. Black Lives Matter.

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

I feel, as always, that underrepresented voices will continue to fall by the wayside. As a disabled writer illness, I have found my work is often judged because of my mental illness and its prevalence in my work. While I do not pretend to know the struggles of the BIPOC or LGBTQIA communities, I do believe that everyone deserves to be heard; I do believe everyone is entitled to basic decency.

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

I am very much a pantser. The pandemic has not changed this tendency; the pandemic will not change this tendency. I doubt the apocalypse would change this tendency.

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

My favorite place to write is sitting on the living room floor next to my children, occasionally getting kicked in the kidneys or kneed in the face.

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

1.) "This Year" by the Mountain Goats

2.) "Sinnerman" by Nina Simone

3.) "Midnight Radio" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch

4.) "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven

5.) "My Shot" from Hamilton

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

My favorite poem is entitled, "The Fall of Aleppo," and is surprisingly uplifting, given the title. It is actually a statement of gratitude and joy for life, and I am attempting to place it as an audio poem for a multi-media publication.

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

Nothing is more exciting to me than my son beginning to talk when no one thought he would; therefore, I look forward to every day and each new word. Also, CHRISTMAS.

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

See comment about discipline above.

ABOUT Shannon Frost Greenstein

Shannon Frost Greenstein (she/her) resides in Philadelphia with her children, soulmate, and cats. She is the author of Pray for Us Sinners, a collection of fiction from Alien Buddha Press, and More, a poetry collection by Wild Pressed Books. Shannon is a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominee, a Contributing Editor for Barren Magazine, and a former Ph.D. candidate in Continental Philosophy. Her work has appeared, or is forthcoming, in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Pithead Chapel, X-R-A-Y Lit Mag, Cabinet of Heed, Rathalla Review, and elsewhere.

To learn more, follow Shannon and her writing journey at her website and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Thanks for chatting, Shannon!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!

Pages Penned in Pandemic with Rose Menyon Heflin

Inspiration often strikes at the strangest of times, and as writers, we need to take advantage when we can. Rose Menyon Heflin discusses just this and more in today's chat about her pages penned in pandemic.

What does the pandemic currently look like in your city?

It looks bleak and quiet, with the occasional distant laughter echoing from neighbors standing six feet apart at the corner bus stop.

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

I've been doing more writing and typing than reading.

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

All of the books chosen by my travel club to be read as book club books that I haven't gotten around to reading: Dear Bob and Sue, The Year of Living Danishly, The Road to Little Dribbling. I would also like to reread the first two Woodswoman books and continue the series. Similarly, I'd like to expand my repertoire of nature writing books by reading more Leopold, McPhee, Carson, Abbey, Thoreau, etc.

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

Comedies and foreign mysteries.

How has the pandemic affected your writing?

I have been writing much more without the constant hustle and bustle of running about like a headless chicken.

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 finally started a book! Will it ever get finished? Who knows! The point is I started it, and the person on whom it is based is super excited about it, which makes me happy.

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

In addition to my writing, I've been working on photography.

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

From a strictly practical standpoint, I think it is that I need to be careful not to get behind on my typing. (I write by hand.) More generally, it has taught me that I can really make progress when I make time in my day to write, and it showed me just how much I was letting the day-to-day get in the way of that pre-pandemic.

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

I've recently started taking a monthly workshop via Zoom at a local arts incubator, the Arts and Literature Laboratory, and it has been helpful in that it has given me exposure to other writers and their work.

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

I'm definitely a plotter, but I also get a lot of random inspiration, especially for poetry.

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

It is now in bed or on the couch. It used to be in bed or during cab rides while out and about, since I don't drive.

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

I am terribly indecisive and have been quite prolific, so this is an incredibly difficult question!

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

The end of 2020 . . . and the accompanying pecan pie of the holidays.

ABOUT Rose Menyon Heflin

Rose Menyon Heflin is a new poet from Wisconsin. Her work has appeared in Argot Magazine, the Aurorean, Bramble, Haiku Journal, Haikuniverse, One Sentence Poems, Three Line Poetry, Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets’ Calendar, and The Writers Club, and she has work forthcoming in Plum Tree Tavern. She enjoys the outdoors and strongly prefers trees to people.

Thanks for chatting, Rose!

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAGES PENNED IN PANDEMIC!