[INTERLUDE 1] - Interview with Jordan Hirsch

Alex Zubin· Host0:00

Hi, this is Alex Zuben, and you're listening to Biome. [upbeat music] We've had a whole season of amazing stories that took us across the universe and into the minds of a diverse cast of characters. I often find that the stories behind the stories can be just as interesting as the fiction the authors have created. We are lucky that every author with a story from season one was kind enough to grant me an interview and tell me those stories. In today's episode, I interview Jordan Hirsch, author of Writing on the Wall from season one, episode one. Jordan Hirsch writes speculative fiction and poetry in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her debut poetry chapbook, Both Worlds, is available with Bottle Cap Press, and Four Women of St. Paul, a collection of short fiction, is out with Red Bird Chapbooks. Jordan, thank you again for joining us.

Jordan Hirsch· Guest0:59

Yeah, thanks for having me.

Alex Zubin· Host1:01

The first question I have, just to kick it off with, is the image that started this story. Is there any character, is there any image, is there any idea that generated, that sparked the story behind Writing on the Wall?

Jordan Hirsch· Guest1:15

Yeah. Um, that's a great question. I'm trying to remember back [laughs] [laughs] Of course ... so far. Um, a few years ago, there was a drought here in Minnesota. I mean, I feel like the past few summers we've had drought,