To whom it may concern, and by that I mean Lin-Manuel Miranda,

I just finished watching your interview with 60 Minutes for about the 20th time and I immediately started crying, again. I began to explain to my mother who is currently recovering from a second back surgery how much it means to me to know that there are others out there in the world that care so much about their writing. I don’t mean to bring up my mother for sympathy I’m just telling you my story.

In the interview, you talk to Charlie Rose about how, when you write, you take every ounce of yourself with the characters. I’d just like to say I tend to do the same. I’ve been writing my whole life and my family can attest to what I say next is true: my writing has grown as I have. I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety my whole life and that’s mainly what I used to write about, and at times I still do. I think most of my writing has a tread of mental illness troubles in it. I, myself, have recently been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. I’ve been writing about it constantly. How it’s changed my life, really for the better, because now, I have the answers to most of my stress for once in my life. And again, I don’t mean to bring this up for pity, I’m just telling you my story.

I’ve recently come to the back end of working on my own book; one of poetry, short stories, and a one act play. None of them I think are perfect, but they’re mine and I care for them. And that’s what I see in you. As Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote, “A kindred spirit”. Someone who really cares about the characters they write about and take great pains to love them with every bit of their being.

I really hope this gets to you, because I admire you so much. Every time I hear your name, I flinch. Every time I see that you’re going to be on T.V., I try my absolute best not to miss it or to at the very least watch it later online somewhere. I haven’t had the honor of seeing Hamilton or In The Heights, yet, but I do remember you winning those Tony's, and winning those Grammy's, and screaming louder than my dorm would let me. But, I didn’t care because someone that deserved a win, won. I can’t help but say that you truly do mean the world to me, and I’m sorry if that sounds odd, or off putting. But you really do, mean the world to me. As a person, as an artist, as a human being who also cares about human rights and the fight for all people to have freedom.

So again, if this does get to you. Thank you, for caring about your craft as much as I do about mine. I see myself a lot in you. The odd ball who had to find a way through the clouds and crowds of people smarter than them, and the lover of hip-hop and music in general. I’m also a huge theater nerd, musicals are my favorites. I can’t wait to see what life has for you, I’ll be watching always.

Sincerely,

Maya Jeanne “Clover” Rothman, a kindred soul