Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Elder.
Melissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At a young age, I would write poems for cards, notes and encouragement. It seemed to be the cheaper option rather than buying something. Poetry has always felt more like a doodle, rather than something I could take seriously and do as a career. But as always, it takes one person to believe in your work to help you believe in yourself, and to pursue it. As an adult, I found an editor that believed in me, and from there my two collections of poetry, The Mundane and Nostalgia were born. My third book, In the Quiet, is in the making. I’m still blown away any time someone buys my books or a bookstore holds it on their shelves. It’s an honor of a lifetime, and I never take it for granted.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
“Struggle” should be the staple word for the writing industry. This industry is quite the jagged road. Rejections are a daily occurrence. But when you get that one “yes,” it’s life giving. You just need one person to say “yes” to make all the “no’s” worth it. And there have been a lot of “no’s.” We often joke that the ones who make it in this industry, are simply the ones who know how to take the most punches. It’s not because they’re the most talented.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Writing Poetry is my niche. My writing process looks like abrupt turns off the road to write down a line. Long nights trying to capture a feeling. Listening intensely in conversation to understand the heart, and finding the moments within the mundane that make life worth relishing. I’m most proud of finding something that feels like home to me. Reading and writing Poetry feels like home. Something that sets me apart from other poets (for negative) would have to be my lack of education. I dropped out of college and I fear it shows in my writing. Writers have argued this, but it’s my personal Achilles heel, my insecurity. Something that sets me apart (for positive) is my ability to photograph moments that look like poetry to me. I love shooting with film, just as much as I love writing. My photography is usually what attracts people to my social media pages, but hopefully the poetry is what keeps them.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m a tad more deep and serious than people might expect. My personality at face value is usually light hearted and humorous. What I write, typically surprises people. I think when they meet me, they’re expecting comedy acts within my words, and get emotionally deep verses instead.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @melissa.elder.writes
- Other: Melissa.elder@live.com
