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Erin Campagna’s Isolation tied for 3rd place in our One Month of Solitude Writing Competition.

AE: What moved you to write Isolation?

EC: I wrote Isolation because I was inspired by what could potentially happen to someone’s mental state while being isolated on their own. We need regular human interaction to survive and solitary confinement is something that makes people go crazy when you only have yourself for company.

AE: Isolation makes use of vivid imagery throughout its entirety. Did you have any specific inspirations for these images? Are there any other ways in which they came about?

EC: This story actually originated as a short writing prompt from my ENGL 206 class this past semester. My professor had us use an online website that showed us pictures from around the world. I was randomly given a picture from the Italian coast, which inspired the imagery about the sea, mountains and sun.

AE: Has writing impacted you during quarantine? If so, in what way(s)?

EC: Writing has definitely positively impacted me during quarantine and helped as an emotional release because I have a lot of complicated feelings revolving around everything that is going on. I journal every day, just to get my emotions out when I don’t feel like talking. I’ve also been writing creative fiction sporadically, whenever inspiration strikes.

AE: If you had to pick a favorite line from this piece, which would it be and why?

EC: My favorite line is definitely, “You can see your reflection in the sea, warped, but definitely you”. When isolated, I think some people may become a shell of their former selves that are only slightly recognizable. Our personalities come from who we are when interacting with people and the absence of interaction can result in us being unsure of who we actually are.

AE: What have been your favorite reads during quarantine?

EC: I’ve been re-reading all the books on my bookshelf during quarantine and my favorites would have to be A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

AE: What is your major?

EC: I am double majoring in English and Communication Studies with a minor in History.

AE: Is there anything else you’d like to say about Isolation?

EC: I’d like to thank the Arts Everywhere Editorial Team for publishing Isolation! This is my third story that Arts Everywhere has published and I’m very grateful for the opportunities provided for amateur writers to get published on campus.