We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, poet, painter, and the author of the upcoming young adult novel Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything. We got to ask her questions about Sia Martinez, books and authors that have inspired her, writing, and a lot more!
You can find Raquel on Twitter and at her website!
Hello Raquel! Thanks for joining us! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Thank you so much for having me! A little about myself, based on locations: I live in Tennessee where I am awaiting the heirloom tomatoes’ ripening. I grew up in Florida, where I fell in love with lightning storms. But my favorite place in the whole world is Alaska, land of moose and fireweed and poetry.
Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything, your first novel, comes out on August 11. What can readers expect?
Sia’s mother was deported and thought long-dead, until one day, a UFO crashes in the desert—and inside is her very-much-alive mom. Readers can expect Sia Martinez to be a tale intertwining extraterrestrial life, immigration, folklore, family, and first love.
How did you come up with the idea for Sia Martinez and Moonlit Beginning of Everything?
The idea arrived while I was on a walk. The sky seemed as deep as the sea, and maybe that’s why, as I looked up, I thought about a UFO crashing in the desert. Answering the questions of who was inside and what she wanted was the impetus to push the novel along.
What books and authors have inspired your writing?
The poetry of Joy Harjo and Linda Hogan and June Jordan always inspire me. The fiction of Madeline Miller and Lorraine Lopez make me think: wow, I want to be this good one day. And I, too, am inspired by nonfiction— Robin Wall Kimmerer, Craig Childs, and Clarissa Pinkola-Estes are all favorite authors in this genre.
I love the focus on Sia’s various relationships in the story, whether it’s her friendship with Rose or her relationship with her parents. Did your own family dynamics and friendships influence this?
Sia’s parents are almost nothing like mine, but the spirituality of Sia’s mom and grandmother are influenced by my maternal lineage. Sia’s relationship with Rose comes from my high school friendships. When you start a romantic relationship at that age—or any age, really—it can be hard to balance your friendships with it, too.
Without spoiling anything, could you tell us about a particular scene or character that you enjoyed writing the most?
The scene I loved writing the most was the actual UFO crash in the desert. It was the whole idea that started the book, so finally arriving there was so satisfying.
What’s your writing process like?
I’ve found that each book requires a different process, but in general, I longhand write the book first and then take it to a Word doc. I do a revision after which focuses on heightening the language and fixing glaring plot issues. I send it to my agent, and from there we figure out what the book needs next. Often that means another round of revisions—but sometimes, surprisingly not!
What’s next for you?
My next book is a YA rom-com forthcoming from Simon & Schuster and it’s called HOW MOON FUENTEZ FELL IN LOVE WITH THE UNIVERSE. I’m revising my first adult book as well as drafting my first middle grade. I have a brand new draft of a YA sci-fi awaiting transcription to a Word doc, too!
And finally, do you have any book recommendations for us?
Absolutely! As always, poetry: Dark. Sweet. by Linda Hogan, and She Had Some Horses by Joy Harjo, and Things That I Do in the Dark by June Jordan. I usually read about ten books at once, and some I’m really loving right now include The Book of Delights by Ross Gay and If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie. I’m also reading Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine for the first time! It’s delightful! Some of the best books I’ve read this year include Into the Tall, Tall Grass by Loriel Ryon, Circe by Madeline Miller, Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno, and The Moon Within by Aida Salazar.
