Volunteer Spotlight: Casey C.
The Mighty Pens would be nothing without our volunteers. We wanted to make sure everyone got the recognition they deserve. Each week, we’ll be spotlighting one or more of our volunteers and they can tell you in their own words a little bit about them and why they are a part of the Mighty Pens team.
Today we’re celebrating Casey C. (she/hers) who is absolutely killing it over in Mighty Pens HQ. You can connect with her on Twitter.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I am librarian north of Boston, MA. I’m the Head of Youth Services with a focus on the Young Adults. I’m originally from upstate New York and relocated for work almost 6 years ago. I live with two amazing roommates (both of whom I originally met online back in high school). My two pandemic Things have been buying a button maker and learning to use it and learning to make hard cider from scratch (aka starting with boiling apples down). I was already a great banana bread maker 😉
Q: Tell us about your pets! Or dream pet, if you don’t have one.
A: I don’t technically have pets but there are two pets in the house that I get to enjoy and hang with! (They’re my roommates). One is a 13 year old 8 lb pekingese/shih-tzu mix who both a royal pain in the butt and also an awesome little fluff who enjoys cuddles with her humans and the fact she has a fenced in yard. The second is a green-cheeked conure named Aphra (after a Star Wars character) who is 2.5 years old and fiesty. She knows a bunch of words, including some I’ve taught her, and she loves to sass her humans and also really likes when I talk to my computer.
Q: What are you currently reading/watching? What was your last 5 star read?
A: I’m currently reading A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano and I’m currently watching Gravity Falls and D&D Oxventures by Outside xbox/xtra on YouTube. My last five star reads were: Three Keys by Kelly Yang and Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia.
Q: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A: If I’m drafting something new, I’m mostly a pantser. I have a general idea of characters and plot and just go for it and let the story take me where it wants. If I’m at the tail end of a project or editing, I’m trying to be a good plotter and have an outline of some sort.
Q: What’s your favorite writing snack or beverage?
A: Tea! Mostly because I do most of my writing these days in November when it gets cold.
Q: What’s in your ears while you write?
A: Depends on the project, but usually movie soundtracks for writing. Lyrics, unless I already know them really well, can be distracting.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about writing? Least favorite?
A: Favorite thing about writing is the feeling of accomplishment from getting words down and seeing friends I share with get invested in my characters and plots. Least favorite is honestly being finished. I always miss my characters.
Q: Have you participated in NaNoWriMo before? Have you won? Are you participating this year?
A: I’ve participated in NaNo every year since 2003 except one and I’ve won all but two (if I remember correctly). I am participating this year but I have no real aspirations of winning. I know how my brain’s been doing the pandemic and I’d like my word count to be more than zero on Nov. 30.
Q: What do you write? And if you can, tell us what you are working on now or will be working on for NaNo.
A: I mostly write low fantasy (very little magic/magical creatures but different world and time period) with the occasional foray into more magical fantasy. I’m going to be working on editing/reworking a few WIPs for NaNo.
Q: Any advice for someone who is joining the Mighty Pens or NaNoWriMo for the first time this year?
A: For the Mighty Pens, asking for money can be HARD. I like to give people I ask directly an out in case they can’t financially do it and ask them to share my request on their own social media networks so they can still feel like they’re helping. For NaNoWriMo, it’s find yourself a group (whether it’s the Mighty Pens or your regional group or another) of people doing it who can help motivate you and be support.
Q: Are you a Mighty Pens vet or a newcomer? Why did you decide to become a volunteer?
A: I am a Mighty Pens vet. I mentored for 2018 and enjoyed it. I volunteered this year because I wanted a way to stay connected with NaNo in a year that my ability to write is very low while also raising money for the great cause of Every Mother Counts.
Q: What’s your favorite part about the Mighty Pens?
A: The camaraderie and enthusiasm of the members!
Q: Do you have a special connection to Every Mother Counts? Or just like raising money for a good cause?
A: I don’t have any special connection (had not heard of them before Sooz talked about them), but my mom almost died being pregnant with me due to basically really bad pregnancy side effects. Luckily, her doctors were on top of it and I was safely delivered via C-section with no further complications (And her side effects immediately disappeared). Still, I’ve always known that pregnancy can be incredibly dangerous!
