DILIM Press is proud to present TETHERED, by J.J. de Melo, in a newly-revised format for the inaugural issue of Galleon Dreaming.
From J. J. in his own words:
My name is J.J. de Melo and I’m a queer, Filipino-American, and Portuguese writer based in San Francisco, CA. My identities inspire a lot of my work and that’s part of why I am so, so excited to be part of the DILIM Anthology inaugural issue. My little sister and I have always shared this really strong mutual interest in mythology and folklore from the Philippines. Growing up, I especially recall us laughing together about the legend of Pina, the lazy girl who turned into a pineapple. My sister is a bit of an artist and she’s crafted some really cool ceramics and paintings inspired by Filipino legends. For me, the creative outlet has always been writing and it’s so fun to blend these legends with my own flavor of stories as well as bring more Filipino protagonists to the page. And as a mixed-race Filipino who sometimes feels a little unsure about where I belong in the world of multicultural identities, it’s just so special to be part of this project with DILIM Press!
DILIM asked J. J. to tell us more about his process.
DILIM: What are your earliest memories of writing or creating?
J.J. d M: I actually have this very distinct memory from third grade when my elementary school hosted a “book fair” where all the books were really just tiny booklets of stories us kids wrote. They were all pretty short but I distinctly remember begging my teacher to let me staple more pages to my booklet so that I could keep adding more to my story. I was totally hyperfixated on developing some plot about a bunch of kids in a neighborhood solving a mystery. In hindsight, that was my first moment of writer’s tunnel vision. Finishing that story was all I wanted to do for days! I wish I could find a copy of it somewhere. I’m sure the story was nonsensical but it would be fun to dig up.
DILIM: Do you have a favorite place to feel productive?
J.J. d M: I’m a bit of a night owl (as much as I try not to be) so I often find I am most productive late at night, at my desk in the guest bedroom, when my partner is already asleep! I think this bad habit was probably borne out of my time living in San Diego where Lestat’s on Park was open 24/7 and I was often there working at all odd hours of the night. Unfortunately, San Francisco really doesn’t have a place quite like it, but I’m no stranger to writing in cafes on the weekends or a day off when the sun is still out.
My favorite place to write in San Francisco is probably Java on Ocean in Ingleside! I also fantasize about writing outside all the time but I find I’m easily distracted that way, ha!
DILIM: Which advice would you give to yourself from five years ago?
J.J. d M: 1. Have patience. 2. Learn the craft.
I first started getting into creative writing in grad school. I was studying epidemiology and I was desperate for some sort of creative outlet. I don’t know where I found the time, but I had a couple stories I felt really compelled to write out. But I had two problems: First, I wanted to rush my stories out into the world before they were really ready for that and, second, I hadn’t taken a creative writing class since high school. A couple years after grad school, I decided on a whim to take a fiction writing class at the City College of San Francisco and wow did I learn what I was missing.
I have learned so much over the past couple years about the craft of writing through the CCSF writing program and the community that came with it. Stuff you just don’t learn by yourself, even if you love reading and have the discipline to write and revise on your own.
I found myself wanting to clawback some stories I’d shared too early and I was really humbled by how much I had to learn. Anyway, I probably started taking night classes two or three years ago? And I’ve met some really great writing mentors and peers through it. It wouldn’t have hurt to start all this five years ago instead!
DILIM: What would you want the reader to remember, long after they’ve left the page?
J.J. d M: Oof. This is a tough one! But I think what I want most is for my readers to walk away remembering the experience or the feeling my stories inspired in them. For every story I write, I am writing with an intended emotion or vibe. Whether that intended feeling is humor or dread or feeling creeped out, that’s always #1 as far as the impact I want to have. Sometimes I am writing with an intended message or plot twist that I want readers to enjoy too, but those come secondary to whatever general experience I’m trying to offer my readers.
DILIM: Finally, what’s next for you in your creative process?
J.J. d M: Glad you asked! As of right now, I am wrapping up my last semester in the City College of San Francisco’s creative writing program before I earn my Associate of Arts and Certificate of Accomplishment in Creative Writing. The program and its professors and my peers have taught me so much and while I intend to take courses again in the future, I also want to take a little hiatus from the night class hustle and try to fully dedicate that time to my own projects.
I’ve been focused on short fiction during the program, but I think it’s time to revisit a couple novel ideas I’ve had shelved for a while. Wish me luck in finishing one!
Where to find J. J. de Melo: I try to keep my author page up to date on https://jjdemelo.wordpress.com/ but you can also find me on Instagram (@j.j.demelo) and X (@jjdemelo.writing)!