After relating with Lin-Manuel Miranda's simple question from the musical, Hamilton, my new favourite sentence became, how do you write like you're running out of time?
Well, I'll tell you.
How I Started Writing
Years ago, I remember stapling pieces of paper together and drawing simple caricatures strung along with four word sentences to make a story (like many did at this age). I didn't know it at the time that something so simple could ignite a fire in me that has yet to be extinguished.
After noticing early that sports, math and science (things I thought I was supposed to be good at, for no good reason) weren't my thing, I quickly became friends with every school librarian that I'd get the pleasure of knowing. They'd recommend books that they thought I'd like, they'd let me stay in the library rather than playing soccer in the field at recess and I would be lost in whatever book caught my eye at the time. Particularly, the Selection series by Kiera Cass enticed me when I was in middle school, and to this day I still re-read the series at least once a year. Princes, paupers, guards, high adventure and romance were (and are still) all page turning qualities to me.
My mom used to buy me a notebook (coiled hardcover with cream paper were and still are my favourite) for my birthday, for Christmas, and even sometimes when we just went out together to the store and I saw a notebook I couldn't resist. About a week after she'd given me said notebook, it would be filled with my most wild ideas, inspirations and creativity, and I'd need another. She'd continue buying me notebooks, encouraging me to continue to write these stories, even when at eight years old I was certain they weren't good. Even so, at that time, I wasn't concerned about the stories flowing or being the next best seller, but instead, I was more focused on the thrilling feeling that I was given when creating characters, plots and fictional worlds.
I particularly remember one year I'd written by hand, a complete story in a 185 page notebook that I'd been gifted for Christmas; nothing else was held in that book, just the beginning, middle and end of an extremely dramatically charged novella. I've never shared that story, nor will I, but it's important to note that whatever was in that notebook helped exercise all of my worst ideas so that the best would be saved for my publications.
So You Wrote A Novella...Now What?
In the winter of 2023, I sat back in my desk chair and stared blankly at a lengthy document on my computer.
I'd written a complete romance novella, and I had no idea what to do with it.
Now, my hesitation to publish wasn't because I didn't like the novella; I actually loved it, and I was proud of it. I was just terrified to release it and let people that knew me personally read it, thus exposing a different part of myself to said people; an emotional part of myself. The people in my life that would have, and ultimately did, read my first novella entitled Courtesy Of, had nothing but words of encouragement and enthusiasm to share with me. I was worried, not because of what they'd say, but what I'd already assumed they'd said.
Through my hesitation, I got the ball rolling and started formatting my novella, designing my cover and everything else that goes into independently releasing a novella...well, everything except an audience.
I officially released my first novella on March 6, 2023 while I sat on my couch across from my parents as we watched Jeopardy. I clicked the final button that would send the book into the world, and closed my computer with a sigh.
"I just published a book" I announced. They stared at me in disbelief. As Jane The Virgin once said, "I'm a published freaking author." I couldn't believe it, and I still can't.
As proud as I was of Courtesy Of, I knew I made mistakes; the biggest being that I thought I could do it and still hide it from everyone that knew me. I didn't have social media channels dedicated to being an author and showing my work, I didn't have advanced readers to give feedback and reviews on Goodreads or Amazon before an official release. All this to say I didn't have the support that any independent author needs, because I didn't ask for it. When it came to my second novella, Sugar Plum and the Right Winger (the first installment of the Toronto Blues series) I commissioned a local artist that I went to high school with to design the cover, and sent the book to two trusted friends who would be honest with me about the book. I'm ready for my third novella, and I can honestly say that without these people, my publishing venture would have certainly ceased on March 6th.
With the release of my first novella, I realised that as long as I had the passion for writing and I would dedicate time to it, it could actually be a career (or at least an addition to my day job). But that still doesn't answer Mr. Miranda's million dollar question.
Why Do You Write Like You're Running Out Of Time? - Lin-Manuel Miranda
Since I was able to hold a pen, up until the release of my first novella, the passion kept flowing and so did the stories. The most simple way I could answer the reflective question of why do you write like you're running out of time, would have to be; because I am.
At this stage of my life, I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to write when I feel the inspiration. I have about a dozen started novellas (and even novels) in my files, either on paper or computer, and I pray that I'll be fortunate enough to have the time to complete them all, and then some.
With the risk of sounding too philosophical for what was intended to be a light-hearted blog post, I know I'm running out of time; we all are. Yet another theme in the musical, Hamilton, legacy has a huge influence in my writing.
“Legacy? What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” - Lin-Manuel Miranda
My goal is this; to have at least one person read my work and get to escape whatever is going on in their life at the moment. If that can continue happening even after the Lord has taken me, then I believe that is my legacy.
What Comes Next?
Shortly, my advanced readers will finish reading my next novella, the second installment in the Toronto Blues series. Once that happens, it will be ready to be officially published.
That's not to say my heart doesn't fall to my toes every time I hit that publish button, because it does.
Every. Single. Time.
But that simple reminder of why I write so much, with such vigour is enough to make it all worth it. That, and when people send me messages telling me how much they liked my books or seeing a positive review on Goodreads. Or seeing my Nonno and Nonna reading my books, even though English isn't their first language. It's the small things that bring me the biggest joy, truly.
I've yet to see that metaphorical garden, nor will I ever, but I'll continue writing like I'm running out of time in order to plant these seeds that will - hopefully - lead to a beautiful and long standing legacy.
Keep an eye out for my next novella, the second installment of the Toronto Blues series, Wedding Dates and Hockey Skates. The release will be this spring/summer, and I genuinely can't wait for you all to read it.
Let's keep in touch!
Goodreads: Melissa Diaferia
Instagram & Threads: @authormelissa_dia
TikTok: @melissa.diaferia
YouTube: @MelissaDiaferia
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