Josie Teed
This is a geranium plant that my mom brought me from my grandparent’s house in Nova Scotia. My grandparents grow rows of geraniums on stands in their very beautiful sunroom overlooking the ocean. They smell earthy and delicious, and they flower without needing much from you. My roommate takes better care of the plants in our apartment than I do, and they recently repotted this one because it had grown so big and long that it kept tipping over. I appreciate that my roommate cares for my plant in a way that feels joyful and unresentful. Simply put, I love this plant and all it represents.
What do you feel is your best piece of work?
I don’t know! I think the first few chapters of my book are very good, but when I am writing the thing that keeps me going is the idea that my best writing is ahead of me.
What music have you been listening to lately?
I listened to Feist’s new songs today, and “Wedding Bell Blues” which I learned about from Gilmore Girls recently. I like all of these songs.
What’s in your fridge right now?
My cat’s wet food, and old brussels sprouts that I was too cowardly to roast.
Who is the last character you related to and why?
Alice from The Last Days of Disco.
Have you ever failed at something you care about?
I failed socially a lot as a kid when it mattered to me most. I still do all the time, but the stakes are lower because I’m 29.
Last gift you received?
My dad came to Montreal and brought me a bag full of assorted treats for my birthday. It was full of little soaps and socks from Joe Fresh. Thanks, Dad!
Favourite photo?
This one of my sister and my mom’s dog, Roxy.
Best season?
Falltime. Weird that the “death and decay” season of the year is so much more pleasant than the “rebirth” season. I guess growth can be very ugly (teenagers, larvae, when you start having breakthroughs in therapy, birds regrowing feathers), and it IS nice to have a positive representation of dying in nature. I bet the YouTuber “Ask a Mortician” loves falltime for this very reason.
Least favourite household chore?
Taking the garbage down the stairs on a winter’s night and then carrying it back up the next evening.
Do you like to write in the morning or at night?
Morning, because I can experience the delicious afterbuzz of having Gotten Some Writing Done without it disrupting my sleep schedule. I’m also more coherent in the morning.
What do you consider to be your first rejection?
One of my earliest memories is reaching out and touching my dog’s butthole when I was 3 years old. My mom was very upset about it and told me never to do it again.
Latest book you’ve read or favourite book ever?
I just finished The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald. It was incredible!
Anything you’d like to promote?
Yes, actually! My book, British Columbiana, is coming out on March 28th! Please pre-order it. I think you’ll all really like it: https://linktr.ee/britishcolumbiana
Josie Teed lives in Montreal and grew up in Ontario’s Niagara Region. She has degrees from McGill and the University of York. Her work has been published in Graphite Magazine and Bad Nudes and performed by Tuesday Night Cafe Theatre. Her first book, British Columbiana, is an auto-fictional account of her year spent living in Wells, BC, a remote town in the mountains and former gold rush town, and working at the nearby heritage site Barkerville.
