We continue growing and meeting with other writers as our writing journey continues. In this case, we got to know a bit of writer Melissa Morales. She’s currently living in New York working mostly with the Fashion Industry and yet makes up a time to keep writing stories. I got to talk to her for a few hours and I can’t believe of great a soul I got to meet. I enjoyed talking to her and for now, I’ll leave you with the interview that was done for her.
Q- Melissa Tell us a bit about you. Where you studied? What major?
A- I am a born and raised Puerto Rican then I moved to NY almost 10 years ago. I studied Industrial Engineering back in PR. Recently, completed a Psychology of Leadership certification from Cornell University.
Q- What projects have you worked on?
I’ve worked on different projects, from collaborations to individual projects. For collaborations, I have served as a collaborator for El Diario (NY), La Opinión (LA) & Para Tí Mujer (US). In addition, styled & wrote a few articles for different magazines: Versus (Puerto Rico) & the EGO magazine (Dubai). For individual projects, 2 books: A Gracious Hot Mess & The Meta Gamers. Most recently, created a script based on my first book, which was selected to represent the East coast Latinx writers in the New Normal Reading Series in Atlanta.
Q- How was your writing process with your first book and the second?
A- The writing process is very consuming but at the same time very liberating. It all starts with an idea, a spark, and inspiration. At that point, a draft is created and the research of the topics that will be covered starts. However, it’s not until there has been a major struggle in my personal life that the book is mostly written. In the first book, I had a few short stories but they were not written to make the book. However, it was not until my dad’s passing that I wrote the whole book. For my second book, I was laying in bed for a month’s recovery after surgery. That’s when most of the second book was written.
Q- One of your books brought you to the HBO studios. Tell us a bit about it. How was it? What was your experience?
A- It was one of the most special days in my life and it was truly a blessing. Not only the event was filled with good energy but also, the people that made this happen and assisted. It was an honor that their book club presented A Gracious Hot Mess. It felt like a recognition that the book was legit.
Q- What is it about writing that keeps you motivated?
A- Writing is such an amazing thing. You can escape and create a different reality. It’s a space of mind, a powerful one, full of emotions and characters that are exciting and different. As a writer, it’s like having an adventure that you challenge and push to keep discovering. That feeling is one of the things that motivates me the most. Plus, I find it extremely powerful creating something positive out of a negative situation. That’s a win already so anything that comes after is just icing on the cake.
Q- Do you have writing heroes or a favorite book or favorite character? And why?
A- My favorite character is a cartoon character. Her name is Princess Caroline from BoJack Horseman. She always tries to keep a positive outlook and helps people around her but she is flawed and has sarcastic humor, which I love. She always keeps moving even under adversity.
Q- You said that you added numerology and religion to your stories. How does that resonate in your stories and/or characters?
A- This is a theme that I wanted to explore in the second book (very different from the 1st book). Since it’s a fiction book about gamers, I wanted to bring the same feeling of game to the book and for me, one of the best ways to reach this was using symbolism. We all have different beliefs and wanted to make a book that the reader (player) could re-discover the story and characters by looking at the meaning. However, the meaning depends on solely the reader. If the reader just reads the book as is, it’s just a short story. If the reader looks at the meaning in the different styles, then, will find more. Example: Liliana is #5 and the main character. If you look at the #5 in the Bible, it represents the 5 stones that David uses to kill Goliath. This will be represented in the story by Liliana is always the underdog (in the game and in the corporate world). She is going to be fighting/confronting things that are larger and more powerful than her. If you look at the #5 in angel numbers and numerology, this has to do with her personality and even the symbol she carries. But again, the reader will find more about the characters and the story as they look for the meaning they want in the story.
Q- How do you prepare for a project?
A- Research, a lot of it. Even if it fiction books, I like to read a lot of the subjects I am going to talk about in order to be able to scratch the surface of those complex topics.
Q- How do you see yourself in a future? Goals?
A- I always have said it since book one, I want one of my books to become a series or movie on HBO or Netflix. It’s one of my main goals.
Q- You are living in New York at the moment. Is there something that you miss from your home town? The food you wish you can eat right now?
A- Yes! I miss the food and my family. Regarding the food, I miss my mom’s bacalao con viandas and a piece of avocado from Puerto Rico. Another thing that I miss is waking up and having queso de bola with coffee while speaking with my mom. Spending time with my family. Last but not least, it’s going to the beach in PR. Those days are beautiful and fun.
Q- You like to do short stories, what suggestion you can give to aspiring writers?
A- Start writing, just start. Don’t think about it too much. If you want, just do it. Even if you are not convinced at the beginning, keep practicing and drafting, something will stick.
Q- What is the next writing project for Melissa?
A- A Gracious Hot Mess 2. I am in process of writing it so looking forward to completing it.
Q- So people know about your day job. How does your job in the fashion industry differ from the writing world?
A- Fashion is a very creative world but in my case, it’s a very business based too. Writing is something that I can do at any pace and even though, deadlines exist, it’s something that I can do at any pace. If a chapter doesn’t pour, I leave it alone until comes out. Unlike fashion, which is very fast-paced and go, go, go…
Q- Seeing the Metagamers in Times Square, how did it felt to see your book in one of the most seeing places in NY?
A- This was another highlight in my life. The emotions were high, especially because this happened during Covid-19 times. Watching that board with my book on it, next to the billboards of big companies and brands brought me a feeling that was priceless.
Q- Anything you want to add up?
A- Thank you. A lot is happening out there but there’s always hope. Even when things look dark and hopeless, things and situations can turn around in a minute. However, it’s up to us to give the first push.
I thank you Melissa for her time. Again Sweet person to talk to, determined and gracious. If you would like to know more about Melissa I’ll list below her social media accounts and where to find her books. Hope you enjoy it guys, and remember to keep writing mis amigos.