I am Melissa. I am…
A writer and lover of books
I was born in San Antonio, Texas to a Latina teen and adopted when I was six days old. I graduated with a BA in Anthropology from the University of Texas in Austin. The next twenty years I spent working a variety of jobs and moving with my then-husband. In 2015 I earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Bennington College, along with an undiagnosed case of Lyme disease. Now I live with my 95-year-old dad in Tucson so he can age in place and I can continue to regain my health.
In my free time, I hike with my dog Rocky, read, go to movies, swim, and cook. Although I am in Tucson, my heart is in Colorado. When this phase of my life is over I plan to go explore Spain for a while. I didn’t spend the last four years learning Spanish for no reason!
A caregiver to one fabulous father
I write a blog about my experiences living with a chronic illness and being a caregiver. I have had short stories published in literary journals. “Accidental Texans,” a collection of short stories set in 70s boomtown Houston is looking for a home. I am currently working on “Musical Magpie,” a book of essays about my musical tastes and experiences.