SMALL BITES is about creative space, and the danger of self-erasure, and letting yourself get too hungry. So, this is the start of a micro-series where I ask some of the writers pushing the limits of genre what creative space means for them, and what they do to hold it. This month’s guest is Ivy Grimes, whose latest novella, THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR is crisp and atmospheric, surreal and mind-stretching, and thoroughly reccomended. Read it.

What's Eating Ivy Grimes?

1. Warm ups first! Writerly this or that. Would you rather: 

a. [ ] write to music, or [X] write in silence

b. [X] share early drafts for feedback, or [ ] work in the cloister of your mind

c. [ ] snack while writing, or [X] no crumbs on your fancy keyboard (except mine is cheap)

d. [ ] perfect that paragraph now, or [X] highlight it for later, and carry on

e. [ ] eat a fly's leg, or [X] write a 150-word summary of a 100k novel 

After reading your description of eating a fly's leg, I would do a lot of unpleasant things to avoid it!

2. Tell us about your writing rituals and/or anything you absolutely must do/have to get writing. Or lack thereof, you rare, strong, individual. 

I usually have to be in a lazy, lounging posture on my couch or chair. Anything that feels like work (sitting at a real desk, sharpening a pencil, wearing business casual) will usually staunch the writing flow. Ideally, I put myself in the mind of playing a game.  

3. What does creative space mean to you, and how do you get to it? 

For me, it means detaching from everyone else's expectations. I don't have kids or any similar distractions, so it's not practically difficult. To get there, I really have to say "eff 'em all" and remind myself that I'm not writing for anyone else. If they want to read something they like, they should write it themselves. When I can lope off by myself mentally and emotionally, there's a chance I can tap into my dream mind and have a sublime hour or two. 

4. What is your biggest personal (not structural) hurdle/challenge in your writing life, and how do you try to resolve it? 

Since I don't have a lot of practical obstacles, I'd say my challenges come from being at odds with myself. By nature, I'm half recluse, half people-pleaser. That's a tricky combination. I'm a stubborn bitch in some ways, but part of me would rather die than get in trouble or offend anyone. I actually think I'm happiest when I can embrace both sides of myself, which helps me tap into the real absurdity and despair and stupidity of being a human being. 

5. What type of spider are you?  

I'm not going to lie, I'm not a fan of spiders. But I took this "What Spider Are You?" quiz (https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=mtkzndc2ng8vnl), and my result was a golden orb weaver. Probably because the only part of being a spider that does appeal to me is web-making. 

6. Tell us about one of your comfort foods, and what it does for you.

Frosting, whether on a donut, a cupcake, or inside birthday cake ice cream. That kind of sugar rush makes you feel that all is right with the world for about half an hour. 

7.  "Click, click, click, go the spider's mouth parts as she approaches. And then she stops. <Humans prefer to chew?>  

Not me! I eat like a duck, not a pig. Pigs also tend to chew. (This is a Simpson's reference, I apologize.)

8. And you're free to leave the web, but only after you pimp your work. Our TBR list demands it. 

Please visit my website (and I do mean web) at www.ivyivyivyivy.com so you can get stuck reading various online stories and adding my weird books to your TBR.  

That’s it for this month. While you’re here, look while came in the post over the weekend.

SMALL BITES proofs! They look smashing in print. The blue light on a rainy morning isn’t doing justice to the fantastic Drew Huff artwork. You’ll just have to get a copy to believe it. Preorder links up in late June or early July, from Space Cowboy Books.