We love learning more about our contributors, and an interview seemed like a fun way to hear more about the writers and artists we publish, so we gave them a choice of questions to answer. We hope you also enjoy hearing more about the artists and their works. Read on and check out issue 28 for work from Abigail Gray.
What was the inspiration for the piece published in the issue?
I live in a suburban area that is rapidly being overrun with the construction of data centers. This piece was specifically inspired by my commute to work – which used to look a lot greener.
What is your #1 advice for other artists?
All of the best advice I’ve received about writing boils down to the same two things: read and write. Write and read. Read the kinds of pieces you want to write, and the kinds of pieces you don’t want to write, and figure out for yourself what works and what doesn’t. And the only way to improve at doing something is to practice – so write. This is also, unfortunately, the only way you’ll ever finish anything. Don’t worry about that at first, though. Just get words on a page.
What is your creative process? Do you plan pieces out or let them happen as they come?
The poetry is never planned. It just sort of happens, and then I wrestle with it until it feels like a real poem. For fiction, especially longer works, some planning does have to happen, but I’m not very good at that part. I usually prefer to just start writing and then think about structure later, after I’ve already gotten some vague ideas out on the page.
What is your "white whale"?
Trying to figure out how to maintain authentic connections and community in an increasingly disconnected world (as a socially anxious introvert)!
We think of "after happy hour" as the time you can really let loose and be yourself. What is your after happy hour?
The times when I feel like the freest version of myself are often at night, when I’m alone or with people I know well, having meaningful conversations or working on something creative. Or laughing about something really, really stupid.