Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melinda Combs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melinda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I am happier as a creative writer, definitely. However, just recently, I did a random job search and I sometimes fantasize about being a barista or working at Costco because I find it diffficult and challenging to have a job that truly never ends. I have many writing projects I’m working on and intend to finish, but it’s difficult to have those looming over my head — constantly. Which is why a job that has specific hours and that I can leave behind when my hours are up does sound dreamy at times; however, I know my soul wouldn’t be happy and I would get the urge to write, inevitably.

Melinda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I really started writing while in graduate school for my M.F.A. in Creative Writing although I had been writing stories and keeping intensive journals my entire life. After graduating, I had three essays published in fairly promient anthologies, then I was asked to ghost write a memoir with a former Disney executive, who had worked at the park for almost 40 years. That project took 5 years to complete, but it was well worth the time and effort. “In Service to the Mouse” by Jack Lindquist with Melinda J. Combs came out in December of 2010, and in the process of writing the book, Jack and I became dear friends. During that time, I continued to work on my writing, even writing a draft of my own memoir, and writing short stories and essays as well. I also helped another business owner write an inspiring book of entrepreneurial success stories. My writing took a backseat for many years due to personal reasons; however, I’ve been back at it and just had a piece published in L.A Affairs section of The Los Angeles Times. The funny part about that piece is that I wrote the first draft many, many years ago, and kept revising it until I got it where I wanted to be content wise, and, luckily, it landed at my dream publication.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had to pivot after teaching burnout to work on my writing because it had taken such a backseat. However, when I focused on my writing, I ended up getting a brain injury, which took four months to recover from. After that, I decided I needed to get out of my house and diversify my life, so I started to volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center, which was truly a dream come true, even if only for four hours a week. I continued to work on my writing at that time, but, due to a need at the center, I ended up becoming an intern, then a wildlife technician — talk about a switch from teaching creative writing to helping save animals! I absolutely loved that job, but unfortunately, management changed, and I had to leave due to their poor practices. Very soon after I left, I had to have major surgery and, all the while, my former boss from where I taught would email me every year and ask when I was going to return to teaching. After five years away, I returned to the classroom, but now have the personal policy that if I’m on a writing deadline, writing comes first.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My maternal grandmother was a poet and writer; my paternal grandfather was a skilled storyteller. Both of them motivate me all the time.

Contact Info:

• Website: (under construction)
• Instagram: @littlemighty
• Facebook: Melinda Combs
• Twitter: @LittleMighty
• Other: Bluesky: littlemighty.bsky.social

Image Credits

Melinda J. Combs; I took all the photos.