What are you doing to de-stress during the pandemic? Is there any coping mechanism you’d recommend (or NOT recommend)?
Judith Pratt: As a writer, I can definitely keep busy with all the story ideas that rattle around my head. Also, my husband and I are lucky. We have a house and a yard, and we live in a place where, so far, the virus hasn’t hit hard.
Walking or cycling are my best de-stressors. A couple of miles in the countryside, looking at flowers and cows and interesting houses, opens up the world and helps me sleep better.
I do not recommend reading the news very often. Facebook and Twitter really destroy my attention span as well as depressing me. Tell me that again when I go headfirst into one of them!
Alexis: I know. It’s so hard to stay away from the news, but it feels so overwhelming and necessary to read it too! I’m starting to hate Facebook more the more time I spend on it, to the point where I’m seriously considering deleting the app from my phone.
What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?
Judith Pratt: Because I started out as an actor, teacher of acting, and playwright. I go to the theatre constantly. Now, of course, I check out all the virtual theatre stuff. Live theatre is better!
Recently, I began doing Tai Chi, and still do it in my living room, since classes had to be cancelled.
I like gardening. Flowers, not vegetables. For vegetables, we’d have to create a giant fence to keep out the critters--rabbits, deer, and woodchucks. Since I can barely keep up with the flowers, I decided against that!
Alexis: I like the theater, but as a classical musician, my passion is opera. One of the few good things about Covid 19 is how many opera companies started streaming their shows. It’s bee great to see these incredible performances I’d never be able to see otherwise. I also love gardening, and I have several rabbits that regularly get into my garden. I don’t mind too much though, because they’re so cute and I love watching them!
Tell us about a mystery/urban legend from your hometown (or another place you’ve lived).
Judith Pratt: Great question. I went and looked it up. I didn’t think Massachusetts, or New England, had any. However, I’m working on a story where the Wampanoag creature, the nikommo, appears to a contemporary white woman.
Alexis: Interesting! I often wish that more writers from the Americas would use local myths and legends in their writing. So often, even American writers still seem stuck in Europe, with elves and fairies, instead of looking at the amazing stories all around you.
What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream?
Judith Pratt: My husband and I each have advanced degrees in theatre. But we love Marvel movies, martial arts movies, and movies that are so bad, they are good. Education has its limits!
Alexis: I totally get it. I love opera and enjoy reading great classics, but I’m also a huge fan of Thor movies and comics.
What’s your favorite animal?
Judith Pratt: Ducks. I had pet ducks as a kid. I’ve written a story featuring a magic duck.
Do you have pet(s)? If so, share a picture of your pet!
Judith Pratt: Three cockatiels. Because cats (I love cats!) give me asthma. Here’s a picture of the youngest, Stanley. We didn’t know she was a girl when we named her.
Alexis: She’s so cute!