I recently had the opportunity to talk to Isabel Ibañez, the brilliant author behind the upcoming novel Woven in Moonlight. It’s a story of magic, rebellion, and the Amazon. It’s a story filled with the most scrumptious descriptions of food I’ve ever read, trust me, you’ll be hungry once you’re through with this story. On top of that, add in a masked vigilante, a sprinkle of romance, and moonlit magic…and you’ll soon be immersed in La Ciudad just as much as I was. I highly encourage you pre-order or add it to your wishlist, because you won’t want to miss this book!
You can follow Isabel on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Isabel, could you tell us about how Woven in Moonlight began? Did you start with La Ciudad, or with the characters?
I actually started with the magic. I LOVED the idea of incorporating weaving, which is such an expression of Bolivian culture and art, into the story and I kept thinking how awesome it’d be to bring in a dash of magic into the tapestry. From there, I pushed the idea a bit further, and thought, well, what if there were secret messages woven into the tapestry? It’s that thought that brought everything else forward in my mind: the characters, the story and all set against the current political climate in Bolivia.
Who was your favourite character to write?
Ximena! She is my exact opposite, and honestly her reactions to certain situations sort of terrified of me. I’d make a TERRIBLE decoy and double agent. The absolute worst. But Ximena has this grit to her, and her temper can carry her through alarming situations.
You made me so hungry with all of the food your write about in Woven in Moonlight! If you could have any of those foods right now, which would it be?
Salteñas!! They are my absolute favorite. We eat them around 11AM, and they are the perfect way to start the day.
How did you come to decide on the magic system for Woven in Moonlight?
I wanted the magic to feel organic and natural to the world of Inkasisa, almost an extension of the culture, folk tales and religion. In some ways, I guess I wanted it to feel at once familiar and unique, different but also that sensation of coming home.
Which character or dialogue was your favourite to write into the book? Is there a character that you wrote that didn’t make it into Woven in Moonlight?
One hundred percent—Rumi. I love his character, because I always wondered who he’d be if he wasn’t living in the after effects of war. I guess that’s true of most of the cast, as they’ve had to learn how to cope and survive, taking on characteristics that may not be true of they are at their core.
Yes! Originally, Ana had two daughters, and a son, but in the end only Sofia made the final cut into the story.
Can you describe El Lobo in three words?
Mischievous. Dedicated. Sarcastic.
What power would you have if you were an Illustrian?
I used to think Catalina’s—but the pressure of reading the constellations right would be WAY too much for me. I’d buckle under the weight of responsibility. I’m a weaver and so I think I’d enjoy Ximena’s power the most. The cool factor is just too hard to pass up. 😉
You mentioned on social media that this story was something that you wrote because of events happening in your home country. Can you tell us how those events have impacted your writing?
Currently, Bolivia is going through a tumultuous time, and has been for a few years. While my brother and I were born in Florida, the rest of my family is in Bolivia—grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the political climate has been impacting their day to day lives. When I sat down to write Woven in Moonlight, I expected to write a rather straightforward love story, but instead, Bolivia’s grim history and the current politics found its way onto the pages. In the sixteenth century, the Inca empire living in the Andean region of Bolivia was conquered by Spanish conquistadors, and what followed was a long, terrible season of abuse and oppression that lasted for hundreds of years. In my story, the Llacsans are inspired by the indigenous peoples who were subjected to horrors at the hands of the Spanish conquistadors.
That’s Bolivia’s past.
Today, Bolivia is governed by a politician who can sometimes act more like a dictator than an elected president. The main character in Woven in Moonlight, Ximena Rojas, faces an antagonist not unlike the many dictators who have dominated South American countries, and while I zeroed in on Bolivia’s current politics, you only need to look at the total devastation and collapse of Venezuela to see what she’s up against. Many of the people in positions of power began with good intentions, but along the way they lost themselves, forgot what mattered, and who they were really serving. I wanted to explore this gray area of morality, where grace and redemption can sometimes be found. There is enough corruption, greed, and tyranny to fuel hundreds of stories. In writing Ximena’s journey, I wanted her to stand in for the many unsung heroes fighting for their voices and their vote, for food on the table and a safe place to call home.
What was your publishing process like? Getting to see your own design become the cover of you book?
I couldn’t have asked for a better publishing journey! From start to finish, I have felt super supported by the Page Street team, and I’m incredibly grateful for the level of trust they have in me. When it came down to discussing the cover, my editor had reached out asking me if I knew of any Bolivian artists—and I had to laugh. I am Bolivian. I am also an artist. When I sent in my portfolio and website, I had high hopes. A couple of days later, the answer came: they wanted to hire me for the cover! It was an absolute dream come true!
What is something you are looking forward to when your book is finally out in the world?
I just love the idea that readers will know a little bit more about Bolivia—the culture, food and people. I’m so excited that there might be teens from South America who will be able to see themselves in this story.
What are some reads that really inspired you when you started your writing journey?
I have so many! Juliet Marillier is a favorite of mine, as is UPROOTED by Naomi Novik. Of course, the Harry Potter series for showing the allure of magic.
