Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Sheridan.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It was Mrs. McNaughton, my second-grade teacher, who once pulled my mom aside and said, “I think your daughter is going to be a writer someday.” At that time, I was an undiagnosed dyslexic student, struggling to navigate school and often feeling like I was just getting by. Having moved around frequently as a child, I found my connection with pen and paper rather than with people. I began writing poems and songs in elementary school, creating orphan monster characters and crafting bio cards for them, hoping they’d find adoptive homes.
When I reached high school, my confidence shrank. Ideas on paper felt much safer than sharing them with the world because once you put them out there, they’re no longer yours, and people can have their opinions about what they like or don’t like. It felt overwhelming. The confident girl who once didn’t care what others thought began to worry about their judgements. Movies were definitely an escape for me; I often found solace in watching films like “The Sandlot,” “The Secret of NIMH,” “FernGully,” “The NeverEnding Story,” and “Thumbelina.” They helped me navigate my feelings, but I never imagined that I could write a movie myself.
I attended a small university in Kentucky, initially majoring in music business, but that changed due to a professor’s influence. One day, he told me, “You’re a circle trying to fit into a square box. You don’t belong in the music program.” Those words stung but prompted me to seek an environment where I could grow creatively and make mistakes without feeling stunted. I changed my major to Humanities, Arts & Sciences, and in this new setting, my creativity and passion for film and music began to flourish.
In 2010, I married my amazing husband, Andy, and shortly after, I battled a severe infectious disease that took away my ability to walk and even hold a guitar. It was a dark time, but once I regained my health, I picked up the pen again and started creating. I got a job working in ministry with Nashville Youth for Christ, where I found renewed purpose. During a conference, I heard a well-known songwriter for films say, “The stories within you will die within you if you don’t share them.” Those words felt like a gift, urging me to get out of my own way and push forward with writing songs.
The birth of my children reignited my creative spirit. I think, as we become adults, we stop creating from a place of joy an abundance and start creating from a place of scarcity and desperation to impress people; sometimes people we don’t even know. I wanted to write songs because I loved it again, not because I was trying to achieve something or get somewhere. When I stopped focusing on the wrong things, and just started creating, I landed a song placement in Skipstone Pictures’ “FREDI” on Netflix and contributed to other projects like “Max Winslow and The House of Secrets,” (NETFLIX) and many others. I also wrote the soundtrack for Great American Pureflix’s “God’s Country Song.” Music was produced by my husband, Andy and witnessing our work come to life on a big screen was such a cool experience.
As I read scripts for song placements, I began to fall in love with the characters created on paper, which inspired me to write my own script. In 2018, I bought a couple books: “Save the Cat” by Blake Snyder and “That’s Not The Way It Works,” by Bob Saenz. I completed my first script in 2019; a musical with 13 original songs. The songs were promising, but the script needed work, and I had a lot to still learn.
Since then, I’ve immersed myself in becoming a better screenwriter. I’ve written seven feature screenplays and one TV pilot, some with co-writers and some on my own. They have won numerous awards at film festivals like the Nashville Film Festival, ICFF, Austin Revolution and BAFF. One of the projects I’m most proud of was a feature screenplay and finalist at the Nashville Film Festival that I wrote with my 11 year old son. Helping him bring his story to life brought me so much joy. When you’re creating with a child, it’s really hard to let doubt unwrite your story because they have so much passion.
In the coming year, I hope to bring some of these ideas from page to screen, starting with some short films and eventually filming a feature screenplay.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My personal journey has definitely had its bumps along the way. I’ve faced challenges like dealing with dyslexia, overcoming health issues, and wrestling with self-doubt and fear. Balancing a job and kids while pursuing my passion for writing hasn’t been easy, either. I also am a caretaker for my mom, who has lewy body dementia.
From a professional perspective, financing a project or finding a home for bigger budget screenplays is very challenging.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a believer, a wife, a mom and a daughter first and foremost, and those roles shape everything I do. Serving others is a big part of our lives. My family and I spend a lot of time giving back, like volunteering weekly at the Nashville branch food pantry. My kids are passionate about their own initiatives, too; my daughter runs Operation Barbie Girl, sending out over 7,000 Barbie dolls to children around the world, while my son has sent more than 4,000 toy cars to kids in need.
Every December, we take a mission trip to Gatlinburg with Joey Potter Missions, helping families affected by floods and fires, as well as those in need on the reservation, bringing them Christmas joy. I also love serving at my church, Lakeshore, where my husband and I participate almost every week, whether it’s singing or helping with the youth group. This commitment to service is a huge part of who I am and what sets me apart from others in my creative pursuits. My work in storytelling is deeply rooted in my faith and the desire to uplift and inspire through both my writing and my actions.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Nashville is the beautiful change of seasons. Coming from Florida, I really appreciate the vibrant fall when the leaves transform from green to stunning shades of red, orange, and yellow. I also enjoy the creative spaces available here; being a part of the Tennessee Screenwriters Association has been fantastic. It’s a supportive community that meets weekly, helping screenwriters of all ages hone their craft. My son is part of it too.
What I like least about Nashville is probably the lack of resources for schools and teachers, especially considering the immense challenges they navigate in the classroom. In my work with Youth for Christ, we partner closely with schools, and it’s heartbreaking to witness the struggles many educators and students face. Just this past year, one of the schools we work with was involved in a school shooting, which is a tragic reality that shouldn’t exist. Children should never have to worry about their safety when they go to school. It’s a stark reminder of the urgent need for better support and resources to create a safe and nurturing environment for our kids to learn and grow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @melissasheridan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17fvRtkKAz/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasheridanmusic
