When Joe Courtemanche came up with the idea to write a story a week with just me, him, and Jamie Greening, we planned to write for two or three weeks and call it quits. That’s how long this pandemic thing was going to last, after all. Right?
Those were simpler times.
When it seemed like things might last longer, we decided to add a few friends. Kathy Kexel was the first of those friends. I remember telling her, at one point, she reminded me of my mom. So here is, from my perspective at least, the mother of the Fondue Writers Club (And Bar & Grille and Laundromat).
How was your experience writing your stories for the Covid Quarantine Cantina?
I was an interloper, in a sense. I saw Joseph Courtemanche’s plan for writing COVID related flash fiction. I asked if he was interested in a story from me and sent him a sample. He accepted.
I expected to write just one piece and was a bit overwhelmed by the challenge of one story a week. I couldn’t begin to imagine multiple, very different stories on the same topic, but the challenge provided sufficient motivation.
Of all the stories you wrote, which was your favorite?
That’s a hard one. I rather like Side Effects, but then I think it would be cool to be an elf maiden.
What is your favorite story from each of the other authors?
Joseph Courtemanche: Lavinia Did It. (I was never a Downton Abbey fan until the last two seasons)
Rob Cely: In Memoriam. The simple reminder that gathering together with other believers is a necessity, no matter what the risk.
Derek Elkins: Them Ole Pandemic Apocalypse Blues. That story is just plain fun. Besides, the Weinermobile has its origins in Wisconsin.
Jamie Greening: Academia. Having worked in academia at bot state and private universities, I can only testify to the truth of it.
Paul Bennett: Song in October. It’s hard to choose just one of Paul’s because they all are suffused with hope and light.
Joe Shaw: Special Deliveries. Proof that Shaw does have a heart. (Shaw sez: All lies and false propaganda!)
What are you working on now?
Janelle is about to meet motorcycle repairman who is also a lapsed preacher going by the moniker of Biker Rev. Then there’s that group of medical students on a medical mission trip in a fictional “Stan” country that get trapped when Islamic fundamentalists overrun the capital city and the only airport. Besides that, I have sporadic entries on my blog. And now that my sewing machine is out of the shop, I have a quilt for my grand-nephew to finish and a curriculum for children’s church to write.
Where can readers reach you if they want to read more of your stuff?
Woolgatherings on Facebook
See more of Kathy’s work, as well as each of the Fondue Writers, in our now-almost-a-year-in-publication book, The Covid Quarantine Cantina: