BY THE EDITORS OF LUNA LUNA
We here at Luna Luna love our contributors. We know how busy they are—running their own magazines, writing books, resisting the darkness in the world, and making all sorts of magic. That they come back to Luna Luna again and again to write and share and create is an honor, and there are no words to express our thanks. They are family to us, so we thought we'd spotlight them so you could learn more about who they are and what they do. Please support them! Read their articles, buy their books, subscribe to their blogs, and send kisses.
Patricia Grisafi
Tell us a little bit about what inspires you as a writer.
I’m always looking for inspiration in things that are disturbing—tragedy, crime, and horror. I’m interested in the connections between objects, places, and psychology as well as how history haunts and inform our daily lives. I like a bit of dark humor, stories about the mundane made absurd. I'm also inspired by complex women. When I was writing my PhD thesis, I spent a lot of time in the Anne Sexton archives, and I found inspiration in everything from her poetry drafts to her daily planners.
What projects/pieces are you working on (especially if it's not LL-related, so we can promote you).
Right now I’m working on a long essay about participating in what is referred to as dark tourism. I’ve always experienced a sense of wonder when visiting cemeteries and other places associated with death. Death tourism can be problematic, but I’m exploring how it can also be a way to reaffirm your sense of self.
Which one of your LL pieces do you recommend people read right now?
"How Horror Movies Help Me Cope With Anxiety" was one of the first pieces I wrote that combined two things I’m passionate about: horror film and mental health care. I was happy that readers could relate. And Teen Vogue quoted it, which was pretty cool.
Vampires, witches, or ghosts—and why?
Ghosts! I don’t really believe they exist, but I like the idea that there are these mostly silent, invisible creatures causing great psychic upheaval, haunting places and people, refusing to rest. There’s something very powerful about their intangibility and rage.
Patricia Grisafi, PhD, is an English instructor and freelance writer. Her work has appeared in Bitch, Bustle, The Gloss, and Rogue Agent. She is passionate about poetry, pitbull rescue, cursed objects, and designer sunglasses.