How did “Entanglement, or How I Failed to Knit a Sweater for My Boyfriend” originate? What inspirations did you draw on?

I’m a knitter. I’m not a great knitter, I’ve never knitted a full-on sweater. But I like knitting, and I love the idea of knitting as code. That there’s something cosmic about it if you can really tap into that code. I mashed that idea into the angel idea, which was inspired by another piece of fiction I read recently, and spun it all out from there. Oh, I also spin wool. I think we can always use more stories about fiber arts.

What is your writing process like? Did this story fit the pattern?

I hesitate to say much about my writing process right now, because it seems to be changing, and I’m still figuring things out after this last year of chaos. But the process of this story in particular was about my favorite way of writing stories: I got the ideas, let them simmer in the back of my mind for awhile. Just daydreamed and brainstormed, and when I finally sat down to write it all came out in just a couple of sessions. It’s nice when it all comes together like that. I had a friend read the first draft, made some fixes, and sent it out.

What led you into writing genre fiction?

I grew up with genre fiction. My parents both read science fiction, so I read what was on their shelves, plus growing up with Star Wars and Star Trek, I just never really considered writing anything else. (Except in that one college creative class where the professor banned genre stories, and after a semester of not writing genre I realized how much I really do love it. Good lesson, there.) I love the “wow” factor in genre, particularly fantasy and science fiction. I love the chance to go big. This is a story about knitting and relationships, but it’s also about some really big cosmic questions. Fantasy can do that.

What are you reading lately? What writers inspire you?

Confession: I’m reading a lot of fanfiction as a pandemic comfort space, and I enjoy seeing what various writers do with the same tropes and characters. I’m also really enjoying (along with lots of others) Martha Wells’s Murderbot series. Those stories have an amazing voice, and I like how they’re expanding their own premise. I’m also just deeply inspired by the career lesson here, of just keep putting stuff out because you never know what will hit.

Other than writing, do you have any other creative pursuits? What do you do to relax?

I mentioned knitting. I like making things, because it gets me out of my own head. I do a bit of cosplay, and I’m also a birdwatcher.

What are you working on lately?

I’m working on a lot of historical fiction lately. Historical fantasy, alternate history. I’ve seen the question, how are science fiction writers tackling the chaos of this current stretch of time, and for me the answer is—I’m not, really. So, lots of historical. On the one hand, history is its own fantasy world in some respects. On another hand, it’s actually comforting to see what all humanity has already been through and survived.