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eVA
KERINS
2021 / interview series / POETS & THE PANDEMIC
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WHAT YOU WRITE?
I write poetry, op-eds, articles, and short stories.
WHERE DO YOU CALL HOME?
Sunny (smoky, as of late) California!
WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU DID TODAY?
I took my puppies for a walk!
WHAT CREATIVE WORK WERE YOU DOING THIS TIME LAST YEAR?
I had just started submitting poetry to publications, and I was exploring oil pastels and op-ed writing.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PART OF THIS YEAR REGARDING YOUR CREATIVE WORK?
It was difficult finding the energy for it all! I had plenty of time, but this past year took a lot out of me.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR CREATIVE WORK THIS TIME NEXT YEAR?
I’m hoping I’ll have an article published somewhere!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST STARTLING THING YOU'VE LEARNED OR EXPERIENCED SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN?
How skewed our perspectives have been. It was shocking to see how quickly we could jump on one bandwagon only to abandon it when it was no longer trending. It definitely opened my eyes to how I’ve been participating in a national/global mindset.
HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR ABILITY TO CREATE? HOW SO?
Absolutely! At first, I was thankful for all the time to be able to slow down and focus on writing, but so much of my inspiration comes from the people around me. Stuck in isolation, I found it pretty difficult to find the words for how I was feeling, and what I wanted my messages to be. With everything that has been happening this past year, I didn’t know how to continue writing the way I had before. I had changed, we all had changed, and I felt my writing should reflect that. It took me a while to get back on my feet, and find the words I needed.
HAS COVID-19 CHANGED HOW YOU VIEW AND/OR NAVIGATE THE WORLD? HOW SO?
COVID has changed everyone, I think. I am often struck by the importance of our local communities, the people around us, and how we take responsibility for our global community. Being a more introverted, socially anxious writer, I often thought of myself in isolation, as a solitary being without the need for a larger community. In quarantine, I have been struck by how wrong I was. We need each other. We’re all we’ve got.
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WHAT DO YOU THINK THE POST-PANDEMIC WORLD WILL LOOK LIKE 5 YEARS FROM NOW? 10 YEARS FROM NOW? HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WILL AFFECT CREATIVE FIELDS SUCH AS WRITERS, ARTISTS, ETC.
I definitely think the world is making room for alternative ways of living and working. I hope in the next few years we see a trend toward mindful participation, independent professions, and other adaptive changes that we’ve been forced to make.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART OF THIS YEAR?
I think being able to explore my writing within the past year has been awesome. I have had the privilege of having a relatively stable home life, even during the pandemic, and was able to focus on working and adapting to the world around me without the stress and sorrow many have experienced.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF / YOUR WORK IN 5 YEARS?
I hope to be working as an op-ed writer for a major publication within the next five years! It’s a big dream, one that will take a lot of hard work, but I am willing and ready to look to the future.
WHAT NEW SELF-CARE HABITS OR PRACTICE HAVE YOU PICKED UP SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC?
I have begun really thinking about the way I consume media, especially from an online format. Mindful practices for learning new information has become really important to me, as well as pursuing hobbies that bring me joy! I’ve been baking quite a bit, spending time with my family and dogs, and focusing on exploring new avenues of creation, which have all really helped my mental health and emotional stability.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO UNPLUG: BOOK: MOVIE: ETC.
I’m a big fan of contemporary fiction novels and comedic TV shows when I want to relax. As for books, I usually reach for something that has a lighter plot with a really interesting hook (Jonas Jonasson’s The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared and Ross Gay’s Book of Delights have been some recent favorites). As for TV, I have a few staples that I prefer to rewatch over and over to the point of memorization, namely Psych and Community.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR MOST RECENT WORK AND WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND IT..
I have recently self-published a short essay on embracing little occurrences of delight and joy through connection, called “Response to Joy” on Medium.