Anita Mumm is a writer and developmental editor based in central Colorado. She also teaches English and creative writing to incarcerated writers as an adjunct professor in Adams State University’s Prison Education Program and for the nonprofit organization Unbound Authors. She has an MFA in creative writing from Western Colorado University. https://anitamumm.com
SunLit: Tell us this book’s backstory – how did you come to be a contributor?
Anita Mumm: In 2023, while completing my MFA, I had the good fortune of being the inaugural SunLit Writer-in-Residence on the Eastern Plains, co-sponsored by the Colorado Sun and Prairie Sea Projects. I spent a week in July writing and teaching in the community of Joes, Colorado, and was then invited to share a piece for the organization’s anthology of writers/artists-in-residence published by Daisy Dog Press. What an honor to be included, and I’m grateful for the entire experience.
SunLit: Place the excerpt in context. How does it fit into the book as a whole?
UNDERWRITTEN BY
Each week, The Colorado Sun and Colorado Humanities & Center For The Book feature an excerpt from a Colorado book and an interview with the author. Explore the SunLit archives at coloradosun.com/sunlit.
Mumm: The anthology is a multi-media and multi-genre collection of place-based works set on the plains of eastern Colorado. Together, the collection of forms and voices create a mosaic of an underrepresented landscape. I grew up in this area (western Kansas) so it was a joy to see it featured in this collection, and to be a part of that. My piece is a series of flash fiction vignettes about some of the nonhuman inhabitants of this setting.
SunLit: What influences and/or experiences at the residency informed your work before you sat down to write?
Mumm: During my time at the residency, I went for walks at different times of day and observed a variety of species: a Monarch butterfly, a sunflower rooted in a crack of the broken sidewalk, a trio of horses, a family of raccoons, and others, which I then used as point-of-view characters. My goal was to craft a portrait of the rich and diverse communities and ecosystems—both human and nonhuman—that exist in a place considered off the beaten path. Eastern Colorado is sparsely populated and prone to drought, but it’s far from desolate.
SunLit: What do you want readers to take from your piece?
Mumm: While my stories are lighthearted, I hope readers will sense an underlying theme of humans and other species coexisting as part of the same biodiverse community.
SunLit: Did the remote, isolated location of the residency pose any challenges?
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Mumm: Actually, this was one of the most valuable gifts of the experience. The lack of distractions was ideal, allowing me to immerse in my creative projects. I came prepared with essentials since I knew I couldn’t pop down the street for groceries (the only businesses in Joes are a post office and liquor store). It did take me some time to clear my mind of the “busyness hangover” I’d brought with me from everyday life. Once I let go of that, I was able to settle in and connect with the peace and unique beauty of that setting, surrounded by fields and pastureland and the on-site Prairie Gardens, a collection of plots with native plants. I’m primarily a nature writer, so this was ideal.
That said, there was no lack of interesting people and community activities. I enjoyed getting to know my hosts, artists Maureen Hearty and Kirsten Stoltz and author Gregory Hill, and attending a community arts event sponsored by Prairie Sea Projects. I also met local creatives through a writing workshop I taught at the end of the residency.
SunLit: Tell us about your next project.
Mumm: I’m currently working on a children’s novel that features a variety of animal characters. Another upcoming project is a series of essays about my work with incarcerated writers through a nonprofit program called Unbound Authors, and as an adjunct professor for a college Prison Education Program. I’m a passionate advocate for access to education in the correctional system.
A few more quick items:
Currently on your nightstand for recreational reading: I’ve recently been to the wonderful Mountain Words Literary Festival in Crested Butte, where I picked up “Whiskey Tender: A Memoir” by Deborah Jackson Taffa; “Our Moon: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are” by Rebecca Boyle; and “Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter” by Ben Goldfarb.
First book you remember really making an impression on you as a kid: “Watership Down” by Richard Adams. The interweaving of the main narrative and a series of fables brings to life a fantasy world in a way that feels as real as our own. That’s magic.
Best writing advice you’ve ever received: The best writing advice I received came from a dear friend, the late author Robert Day, after I shared a short story set in my native western Kansas. He told me it sounded like I was writing what I imagined he wanted to read. “You know this place by heart,” he said. “You don’t need to emulate or chase reader expectations. That will always sound false. Share your unique perspective and experience with readers—that voice can’t be manufactured or replicated.”
Favorite fictional literary character: I’m currently immersed in children’s literature to inspire the middle grade novel I’m working on. I like the title character from “Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH” by Robert C. O’Brien. I like the way this diminutive heroine (a widow mouse fighting to save her family) models a quiet, patient courage that seems undervalued today.
Literary guilty pleasure (title or genre): Cookbooks! I don’t feel guilty about this. I love exploring new recipes and ways of bringing sensory adventures to my kitchen, and to my loved ones’ plates.
Digital, print or audio – favorite medium to consume literature: Print. I like the sensory experience: the texture of the cover, the smell of the paper and ink, the flutter of the pages. I love audiobooks, too, especially when they’re read by the author. What a treat to hear a story in the voice of its creator.
One book you’ve read multiple times: The aforementioned “Watership Down.” It’s equally captivating to read as an adult.
Other than writing utensils, one thing you must have within reach when you write: An object or image connected to the project I’m working on. I find that tangibility and the associated energy useful for settling back in quickly. It’s an anchor or a doorway.
Best antidote for writer’s block: Go for a walk. Read a few pages from an author who inspired you when you first dreamed of being a writer.
Most valuable beta reader: I’m lucky enough to have several trusted writer friends from my MFA program and editing/publishing work over the years. They keep me on the path with faith and encouragement.