☝️This photo above pretty much sums up who I am, what I care about, and what kind of writer I am. Like my bio says, I’m a mommy who writes on the side.

That description might sound boring. There’s nothing particularly special about being a mom, right? But, after years of infertility, the death of my daughter, and managing a mental illness, being a mommy represents an identity I long ago thought I would never have.

Writing had always been my primary focus before that. It helped me through life’s challenges. It was a crucial part of my identity. Writing still is important to me, but it is no longer what drives me to wake up in the morning. It’s more like the icing on the cake than anything else.

So, what does that mean for my writing? The most obvious answer is that it informs my writing in many, many ways. I write a lot about family. But, I also connect that interest to others, like pop culture, mental health, social issues, and more. Being a mother has helped me grow as a person—and as a writer.

But, being a mom doesn’t mean I only focus on family. You will find stories by me on Medium on various subjects such as television, feminism, politics, and more.

(I am also the editor of Pop Off. It is a labor of love—a place where people can share their stories on pop culture.)

☝️(Me with my family)

Stay in touch with my newsletter Briefly by Melissa or for collabs email melissaonmedium@gmail.com.