Josie Marie Meléndez is one of those people whose positive energy makes you want to gravitate toward her, whether it’s with the enthusiasm with which she talks about her favorite movies and TV shows, or when she’s explaining a new story idea. I met her through Twitter and I’ve had the honor witnessing her rise as she was chosen to be a part of the Madrinas & Hermanas mentorship program. I wanted to know about her experiences writing, what community means to her, and how much she loves me (no, seriously), and thus the interview here was the product.
You write both screenplays and prose fiction, are there advantages or disadvantages to each storytelling medium?
I think of this often whenever people tell me that they believe if you master one, you can write both. They're very different! Screenplays are beautiful for a visual story. Whatever it is you want someone to know, you have to make sure it can mostly be told through what they see. Dialogue is always good, especially when it speaks to people, but if you can make them feel everything you want to say without a word, you've done your job well.
As for prose fiction, the possibilities are limitless. However, with that freedom, sometimes people tend to overuse it. Maybe not enough descriptions or too much of it, for example. I've struggled with that many times. However, prose fiction will always be my first love. There's nothing more intimate than letting someone look into the thoughts of your character and be able to know everything or as much as you want them to.
Seeing as you're now being mentored by Laura Pohl thanks to the Madrinas & Hermanas mentorship program from Las Musas, how important is community and mentorship in the writing community, especially as a marginalized creator?
There are not enough words in my vocabulary to describe how essential it is. Diverse writers create to hold a mirror up for people that want to see themselves as heroes. To have a sense of community between diverse creators that are constantly boosting each other up and helping each other out is more than necessary, it's necessary for creative growth. There are many reasons I can think of that would lead me to say that I wouldn't be at certain aspects of my life if it weren't for the people I have met and helped and those that have helped me. Without kindness and support, nobody would really get anywhere, but to receive that from not only someone, anyone that took a chance on you, but a person that shares the same characteristics you thought weren't valued because nobody ever told you they were important... that means so much.
How do you decide which ideas are worth pursuing when writing and which ones to keep in the backburner?
The more I think about it, I've never looked at my ideas as some being more important than others. I have a problem where I'm always hatching ideas... I have too many private Pinterest boards. Some just draw me towards them more, like a gravity pull, and I know there's a story there. Most of the time, if I'm being honest, if there's an idea I stopped pursuing, it's because I gave up. Eventually, I do go back, and I end up seeing how good they were. I'm sure eventually, maybe, the ones kept in the backburner will see the light, but for now, I'll continue to nurture those that I can't shake.
You have free reins to collab with another Latinx creative and they’re free and onboard as well, who are you picking and what are you making?
This is so difficult! My gosh! Okay. Elizabeth Acevedo! Elizabeth or Nina Moreno! I'd love to write romcoms that pack a punch. Preferably something with magical realism and lots of food.
How does your identity affect your writing?
It's in everything. I can't separate the two. I live and breathe my identity, and that transfers into my work. The reason people cry when they're watching a movie or a TV show, more often than not, it's because there's something happening that they can relate to, and that triggers an emotional response. I hope that by bringing in the experiences I've had because of my identity that maybe that can help someone feel seen and understood.
Who do you write for?
That young girl growing up that would get excited whenever she'd be watching her favorite TV show and someone would briefly mention Puerto Rico. She thought nobody knew about that little island in the Caribbean. For a moment there, she felt powerful. I write so those growing up don't have to feel powerful for only a brief moment.
Is there a piece of media (book, TV, movie, etc) created by a Latinx that has helped shape your creativity?
Without a doubt, One Day at a Time. It showed me how to balance seriousness with humor and how to portray culture respectively. Focus on the people you're writing for and the rest will follow.
Shoutout a Latinx writer or creator whom you admire!
Honestly, you, Adriana. You've created all of this on your own, and you've made a name for yourself. You've gained respect for your craft, and you've done it all while hyping others and spreading the support. That's worth recognizing.
Anything you can share about your upcoming projects?
Most of my projects are part of my graduate degree, but they're unapologetically Latinx! I'm working on a magical realism play inspired by hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and how home can't be given the same definition twice. I'm currently working on a round of edits on a film I wrote in the Spring about police brutality and gender violence in Puerto Rico. Other than that, book-wise, I've been collaborating with my mentor Laura Pohl, as you mentioned, on my Little Mermaid retelling mixed in with Vodou and Caribbean folklore.
Make sure you follow Josie on Twitter (@thejosiemarie) and Instagram (@thelatinxbookcorner)!
She also uploads reviews over on her shared blog.
Josie Marie Meléndez
Josie Marie Meléndez is a writer, aspiring to become a published Young Adult author. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras with a Bachelors of Art in English Literature. She is currently studying at the Savannah College of Art and Design in their Dramatic Writing graduate program. When classes are not in session or she is not working as a bookseller, she is raving about poetic cinema, watching cute sloth videos, gushing about diverse reads, and facetiming her dog Eleven.