Ariana:

Do you feel you achieved your goal in writing We Love in Small Moments? 

Melissa:

My goal with writing is always to tell the hidden stories, the ones that we might see in our real life but don’t always read about, and the ones that make readers feel like their story (and their love) is valuable. For me, We Love in Small Moments did that. I’ve long wanted to be published and if this is the only physical book I ever have, then I will have satisfied that desire (though I hope it’s just the first!).

Ariana:

What is your favorite adjective? Why?

Melissa:

Ludicrous. I find it to be such a powerful word, and I also appreciate that I have to look it up any time I want to use it because I want to spell it Ludacris. (Luda!)

Ariana:

What is your favorite character in We Love in Small Moments? How does this character compare to the other characters in We Love in Small Moments? 

Melissa:

Sanos from “Saint Petersburg” is my favorite, I think. When I originally wrote “Saint Petersburg” it was much longer (and that story could still come together), and I was in a deep unrequited love with a friend of mine that inspired Sanos. That man and I are good friends now, and I know a romantic relationship was never in the cards, but Sanos remains a reminder of that time and who I have always known that friend to be. Most of the characters telling stories in We Love in Small Moments come from a little bit of a broken place and are hesitant about love or what comes next. Sanos is different – not that he’s not flawed like any other human, but he loves with all of himself in a way most of the other characters are not yet capable. Sanos holds people in his heart so carefully.

Ariana:

Singing in the rain or dancing in the streets? Either way, what’s the theme song?

Melissa:

I think whether it’s me or the characters in We Love in Small Moments, we’re more likely to be singing in the rain (or maybe even dancing in the rain). For me, the theme song changes (too much) and right now it’s “93 Days” by Grace Gaustad. For the characters in We Love in Small Moments, it’s “Let My Love Open the Door” – either the original from Pete Townsend or the cover by Luminate.

Ariana:

If all the stories combined in We Love in Small Moments were a crime show, which character would play the leading role?

Melissa:

Ana from “Wishing”. Honestly, whether the leading role in that show is a criminal or a badass detective (à la my fave, Olivia Benson), it would be Ana.

Ariana:

Describe your style of writing as a weather forecast.

Melissa:

On Thursday there’s a high of 75, with a slight chance of humidity that will either make you feel warm and comforted or suffocate you a little. Could rain at any time with no warning. The wind will probably make you cry.

Ariana:

What is the hardest story in We Love in Small Moments you wrote?

Melissa:

“Strawberry Kiss” was probably the most difficult. I’m not someone who wants children myself, but I appreciate that motherhood is something that comes naturally to some women. It’s also such a difficult thing to consider, that you might not be around for someone who needs you.

What is the one subject you’d never write about? Why?

I don’t know that I’d ever rule anything out completely, but horror and fantasy don’t come very easily to me. It’s the world building – people who can do that are so impressive. I get part way through building out a family bloodline for a short story and lose interest, I don’t know how people do it.

Ariana:

Why do you feel you needed to tell the thematic story of We Love in Small Moments?

Melissa:

I think sometimes we forget about love. Not in the big sense, but in those everyday moments. When your loved one does something nice for you or says something you needed to hear, or you find a way to show that you love someone. I think we can take those moments for granted. I want my writing to remind people about the ways we can love each other that aren’t always seen, because we need more of those moments.

Ariana:

Every writer seems to have a dream journal. Do you have a dream journal. If so, what do you love about it?

Melissa:

I think I may actually be one of the only writers who doesn’t have a dream journal – I don’t dream very often and I’ve only ever remembered a couple of them after I’ve woken up!