From the author of The Girls with No Names, Serena Burdick’s new historical fiction novel, Find Me In Havana, is based on the true unsolved murder of Cuban-born Hollywood actress Estelita Rodriguez.
We had the pleasure of chatting with Serena about her new novel, writing, book recommendations, and so much more!
2020 was an incredibly bizarre year, and it’s rolling on into 2021. Have you set any resolutions for the year?
This was definitely a year for self-help books, which I’ve done a lot of. My take away, and my resolution this year, is to simply find a way to stay happy, even when things look dismal. To keep focused on what excites me, and what feels fun. Essentially writing and spending intentional time with my family.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I was an avid reader as a child, and my love for story spilled over into creating fantasy worlds of my own through writing. I also went to a unique elementary school where creative writing and poetry was part of the curriculum, which made it a natural part of my academics that I carried through into college.
Your new novel, Find Me In Havana, is out January 12th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A Hollywood star’s heartbreaking, true story.
Now tell us a little more! What can readers expect?
Find Me in Havana is a deeply moving, tragic story, of the Cuban Hollywood actress, Estelita Rodriguez whose life was cut short at the age of thirty-seven. Her daughter Nina, tells her side of the story alongside her mother as they escape a kidnapping in Mexico City, survive house arrest in Cuba during the Castro revolution, and navigate the fickle world of Hollywood and the film industry.
What was the inspiration behind this novel?
Twenty years ago, I met Estelita’s daughter, Nina Lopez, and she told me her mother’s sensational story. At the time, I was pursing an acting career, which led me to write the story as a screenplay. I never ended up doing anything with it, but the story was always in the back of my mind as one I wanted to turn into a novel one day.
Find Me In Havana is set in 1930s Cuba. What was the research process like?
I did recorded interviews with Estelita’s daughter, Nina, gathering what details I could from her memory of Cuba in 1959 when she was there with her mother. I read history books of Castro’s Cuban Revolution as well as the Cuban Revolution of 1933, but the most important thing I did was travel to Cuba where I spent time in Havana, as well as the small town of Guanajay—where Estelita grew up—writing and soaked up as much of the culture as I could.
What challenges did you face while writing and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge with this book was translating real life events into a cohesive story with a realistic timeline and a plot that would keep readers engaged. To write the book successfully, I had to free myself from thinking it was a true story and give myself the freedom to create fictional timelines where necessary, as well as take the liberty to imagine these real people as characters I could mould and shape as my own.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Disregard industry trends and write whatever brings you the most joy. Your work will be powerful as long as it comes from a place of passion and excitement. And do the work. Finish it even if you’re filled with doubt. Completing something will give you a sense of accomplishment even if you end up scrapping it and starting over. It’s all part of the process.
What’s next for you?
I am finishing up a novel that will be out summer 2022! A title is still in the works, but it’s a story about the wife of a famous Victorian novelist who disappears from their British estate. She leaves a trail of secrets that leads all the way to 2005 where her great granddaughter begins unearthing the truth as she searches for the father she never knew. It is told with dual timelines, a Victorian-era literary scandal alongside a contemporary woman’s desperate search for family.
Lastly, what are you currently reading and what 2021 book recommendations do you have for our readers?
I am currently reading Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson, which is a must read for everyone, especially in the current political climate we find ourselves.
My recommended reads:
- Valentine, by Elizabeth Wetmore
- The Other Black Girl, Zakiya Dalila Harris (out June 2021)
- Normal People, Sally Rooney
