Meet Melissa Velasco

We recently connected with Melissa Velasco and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

As odd as this is going to sound, I don’t believe it’s time for me to overcome Imposter Syndrome yet. [Laughs]

I view success as a progressive journey. One of my mottos is, “If there’s another step on this journey, then I’m mid-mission.” I’ve adopted a “long-term trajectory” mindset. Imposter Syndrome plays a productive part in my journey.

When I started my book series, The Hollywood High Chronicles, I originally clung to naive “mile markers” for success. I’d say things like, “Once I’ve had a book signing at a big-name bookstore, I’ll know I’ve made it.” That milestone successfully came, but I was still very much mid-journey. I hadn’t “made it” in some finite way because the journey was far from over, and I had to adjust my thinking.

I’ve come to realize that success in the arts is a marathon instead of a sprint. If you’re still creating, you’re succeeding. Many “leading experts” I know feel like imposters in their fields. I’m baffled how any of these experts could feel that way because they’re incredible at what they do. After observation and analysis, I came to understand a bit more about this dreaded “Imposter Syndrome.” I don’t believe Imposter Syndrome is built of a lack of self-esteem. I fondly believe that imposter syndrome is fostered by a need to be a pillar example of commitment, dedication, and exemplary product. Because an expert digs deep and finds a little more grit, there’s always just a bit more to learn and give. That is the very definition of my work ethic. Until I’ve given everything I can, I hope I’ll always have a hint of Imposter Syndrome. It offers a reminder that there’s always something else to learn, improve, strive for, or add. I need that reminder because my journey through this series has a long way to go. It’s been marvelous beyond my wildest dreams thus far. I can’t imagine how grand (and bittersweet) the final step will be. That is when my imposter Syndrome will dissolve. I want to look back and slowly smile, satisfied down to my soul, because I dug deeper and deeper each time that I needed to prove my legitimacy through effort and growth. I don’t want to assume my spot in this grand author game. I want to earn my game piece through such dedication that the game piece I’m assigned is retired because I uniquely forged my spot in the literary world.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Melissa Velasco, author, professor, choreographer, and stage manager. Over the course of my life, I’ve collected skills and experiences that make me an accomplished “gig worker,” as I affectionally coin myself. A free spirit, I don’t succumb to a traditional work grind. I detest repetitive days, so working in many facets of the arts is a splendid fit, offering something new and exciting each day.

While I’m passionate about all areas of my career, there’s nothing I love quite like being an author. I’ve been both lost, and found, writing my book series, the Hollywood High Chronicles. I’ve had the opportunity to craft a world full of fear and hope, danger and love, all from the safety of my office. Book five of the HHC series, Aftershock, just published. Signed copies are available on my website. The series can also be found at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

A home body at heart, my greatest loves are my art, friends, family, and a thorough ironic laugh.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three areas that have been most impactful on my journey are a sense of humor, gratitude, and collaboration. Collaboration is the area I’ve worked tirelessly in, because humor and gratitude are habitually ingrained in me at this phase of my life.

First and foremost, regarding collaboration, I believe that seeking expert assistance is key to my success. I can’t do it all, but even if I could, I shouldn’t. There’s power in collaborating and learning.

I’m a firm believer in collaboration when I find myself in unsure waters. Two excellent examples with relation to my series, the Hollywood High Chronicles, are my editor and marketing manager.

My editor, Kyle Fager, was my first collaborative hire on my indie writing journey. I needed help because punctuation, continuity, and story development are a LOT harder than people realize. I came to realize this when I experienced extreme anxiety with sequential read after read of the early draft of the HHC book one, Intuition. Nagging feelings of discontent rumbled in my gut. I was certain I was missing something, but unsure what. That feeling was my sign that I needed expert collaboration.

The same can be said of hiring my marketing manager, Stephen Knezovich. The thought of tackling marketing made my heart race so severely that I wanted to quit in lieu of facing the monumentally mysterious process. I had zero clue where to start, but he did, and that starting point wasn’t anything close to the plans I’d come up with on my own.

As I’ve deep dived into my choreography, teaching, and writing careers, I’ve dedicated to the truest growth I can manage. I’ve become an expert, but the reality is that no one knows it all. What greater gift than approaching another expert who compliments your project and offering the opportunity to combine forces to reach a new echelon? There’s greatness in trust and the collective hivemind.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

I face a very common challenge- the concept of time. Most businesses, and long trajectory arts projects, face this obstacle. Success is generally a slow climb up a steep hill, but frustration of the slog often brings stagnation and discontent. As my stepfather, Rich, regularly coached, “There’s nothing interesting about flipping the millionth burger at a fast-food chain. Success is a process. Pace yourself through the long haul and do the work.” Success takes time and I choose to be bolstered by progressive steps on the path, instead of dejected. I watch so many artists give up, even while I witness progress in their journey. Impatience is artistic kryptonite. We must dig deep, breathe deep, and settle into process. In the author world, speed isn’t a mark of extreme success, patience is.

Instead of believing that there’s a “time limit” on some obscure stopwatch, I view my progress as its own entity, without comparison to another’s’ journey. This is a philosophy I also use in teaching dance. I don’t compare one students’ progress to another’s. I gauge a student’s progress off their own growth. My book series deserves the same care and compassion. Wouldn’t it be a tragedy if I spent ten years working passionately on my book series, hoping for international success, only to quit because I’d set a ten-year deadline for myself?

I encourage artists to gauge progress by small wins. “Is there forward progress, even slightly?” If so, then hang on tight. You aren’t done yet. You’ll know when it’s done, because the project will be fully realized and explored. When frustration of the process overwhelms, I encourage, “Take a break, not a conclusion.”

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Headshot: Photographer: Tino Duvick of Broken Chain Photography

Sitting photo: Photographer: Tino Duvick of Broken Chain Photography

Wardrobe photograph: Melissa Velasco and Maddie Dawn Cordero; Photographer: Tino Duvick of Broken Chain Photography

Solo full body standing picture: Photographer: Tino Duvick of Broken Chain Photography

Falling books ad: Hollywood High Chronicles Book Series, Books One-Four; Photographer/Designer: Tino Duvick of Broken Chain Photography

Hollywood High chronicles Book Five Ad: Photographer/Designer: Tino Duvick of Broken Chain Photography

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