Sofia Robleda
Author Interview - Sofia Robleda
Author of Daughter of Fire
Catalina Cerrato is raised by her widowed father, Don Alonso, in 1551 Guatemala, scarcely thirty years since the Spanish invasion. A ruling member of the oppressive Spanish hierarchy, Don Alonso holds sway over the newly relegated lower class of Indigenous communities. Fiercely independent, Catalina struggles to honor both her father and her late mother, a Maya noblewoman to whom Catalina made a vow that only she can preserve the lost sacred text of the Popol Vuh , the treasured and now forbidden history of the K’iche people.
Urged on by her mother’s spirit voice, and possessing the gift of committing the invaluable stories to memory, Catalina embarks on a secret and transcendent quest to rewrite them. Through ancient pyramids, Spanish haciendas, and caves of masked devils, she finds an ally in the captivating Juan de Rojas, a lord whose rule was compromised by the invasion. But as their love and trust unfolds, and Don Alonso’s tyranny escalates, Catalina must confront her conflicted blood heritage—and its secrets—once and for all if she’s to follow her dangerous quest to its historic end.
Author Interview - Sofia Robleda
Author I draw inspiration from:
There are way too many… in general (as in my whole life) I would say Isabel Allende (I swear HOUSE OF SPIRITS lives rent free in my head), Alice Walker (COLOR PURPLE is one of the only physical books I have in my house). Then there’s Philippa Gregory and Hilary Mantel – I’ve devoured anything to do with the Tudors and if all goes well, my dream is to become the Mexican Philippa Gregory but for the Moctezumas and Corteses!
For DAUGHTER OF FIRE in particular I think the most influential authors for me were Madeline Miller (CIRCE) and Silvia Moreno Garcia’s GODS OF JADE AND SHADOW. And of course, the anonymous authors of the POPOL VUH. I really love retellings of ancient Greek myths and I thought, why not showcase some of our homegrown myths? I strongly feel that people should know or have heard of the POPOL VUH just as much as the Odyssey or Iliad.
Author Interview - Sofia Robleda | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Oh gosh, in bed, when it’s raining outside, with a cup of tea and a biscuit on the side. Can’t beat that. I also love reading on plane or train journeys, they make the trip so much faster.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Oh gosh, I've drawn a complete blank here? Wu Zetian from Xiran Jay Zhao's IRON WIDOW? But I might not make it out alive...
Author Interview - Sofia Robleda | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I think after I finished my first manuscript, about 10 years ago. It was such a dream to write it and fall in love with writing a world of my own – then came five years of querying and getting nowhere and nothing but hundreds of rejections. But I’m so stubborn it only made me want it more!
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I read in all formats except audiobooks. I don't know why, I tried it once and it was okay, but I think I like the feeling of holding something physical. I would love to have a library of beautiful hardbacks, but because I live in London and have basically NO space, I mainly buy ebooks and go to the library to borrow whatever type of format they have from the book I want to read in that moment. I also like ebooks to travel with – I can take a whole library and not worry about the space or weight!
The last book I read:
I just finished Naina Kumar’s debut romance novel, SAY YOU BE MINE and loved it. I read it in one day – which is a feat when you have a toddler! But I recently went through a phase of binge watching Indian Matchmaker on Netflix so it was a natural progression!
Next up I'll be reading MASQUERADE by O. O. Sangoyomi - it's also her debut historical fiction novel but set in Timbuktu, and I am super excited to have been asked to read an advanced copy because it sounds AMAZING.
Author Interview - Sofia Robleda | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
When I’m brainstorming I always write on a notebook, and I keep a different notebook for all my different novels. I like to write freehand when I’m trying out a main character’s voice. There are lots of bubbles and diagrams and all sorts of (terrible) sketches and loose words thrown here and there – it’s a total mess, but that’s what works for me. When I’m actually writing the manuscript though, I do it in the computer. I can’t handwrite fast enough for my thoughts. I’m not yet savvy enough to have any of the writing software I’ve heard about from other authors – I do everything on Word still.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I always felt like Jo March from LITTLE WOMEN and I would’ve been great friends. We’re both direct, no-nonsense, we like to write, we have a temper we’d love to a better handle on. I feel great sympathy for Jo, although I would’ve told her to go after Laurie instead of Bhaer. He’s 16 years older!!!
Author Interview - Sofia Robleda | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I’d be a Clinical Psychologist, which is what I am. When I’m not writing or looking after my 3-year-old son, I work for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), supporting people with brain injuries and neurological conditions. I’m passionate about brain injuries, and it’s one of the reasons why there’s brain injury representation in DAUGHTER OF FIRE.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I love the 1920s fashion – I love the headgear and the loose, feathery, glittery dresses, it was all so elegant and sexy at the same time, although I could never pull off those short curls. Mostly though, I like to go for things that are elegant and timeless, and I especially love a good hat!
Place I’d most like to travel:
I am ridiculously privileged in that my father was a commercial pilot and we travelled a lot when I was growing up. There’s no better education really, or a better way to appreciate other cultures, people, and ways of thinking. I’d love to give my son a similar experience, but it’s also difficult in terms of caring for the environment. We have a trip booked in May to go to Amsterdam and we’re travelling on the Eurostar train, which I think will be great fun. I heard it’s quite a nice place for toddlers, but if I get any adult time, I’d love to go see the Anne Frank museum and all the canals. If I ever have the money and better yet, the ability to fly in an electric plane, my top bucket list destinations are Machu Picchu in Peru, the avenue of baobabs in Madagascar, the northern lights (anywhere), Cappadoccia, and Namibia. I’d also love to see the sequoias and the redwoods in the USA too and go to Brazil. And if these countries ever get back on track in terms of their human rights, I’d love to go to Myanmar and Russia. Of course, there’s no way I’ll go there now.
My signature drink:
On the rare special occasions, I love a tequila cocktail (charro negro, charro blanco, paloma) and vermouth on the rocks. But my real signature drink is… soda water. I probably drink like 2 litres a day! And tea with milk and a dash of sugar. I live in the UK, okay! There’s no way to avoid becoming an avid tea drinker! They practically push it on you!
Favorite artist:
First musicians that come to my head are – Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Shakira and Queen. I do think music peaked in the 70s, or maybe my dad just brainwashed me. In terms of other artists - Frida Kahlo. I love her determination and endurance. She is such an icon, and I wish people saw past her face more often. She was also my neighbour in Coyoacan (of course she was dead by the time I was born but her house was close to mine). In truth, I don’t love her paintings that much – they are too raw and painful to look at, although that's the point. I’m really bad at remembering painters’ names, but I love going to museums, it’s one of my favorite things to do.
Number one on my bucket list:
I would love… LOVE… to be able to finish my next manuscript. It’s a YA historical fiction called THE OTHER MOCTEZUMA GIRLS, which is also set in the same era as DAUGHTER OF FIRE. The manuscript weaves the story of Isabel Moctezuma, who was the last empress of Mexico when the Spanish invaded. In real life, she not only survived the conquest, but became one of the wealthiest landowners in New Spain, leaving behind a will, and seven children. In my story, I imagine she also leaves a second account, the true testament of her life, and all the secrets she kept hidden in her life in order to survive. She hides the different chapters around the Valley of Mexico, and her two daughters embark on a quest to find them. But of course, not everyone wants the truth to be known, and they soon discover the lengths that people will go to keep those secrets hidden.
I have had this novel in my head for the last 3 years. Even before my son was born, when I was still editing DAUGHTER OF FIRE. But life has changed so much since becoming a mother, and with the launch coming up, it’s practically impossible to write. I’m halfway through and would be amazed if I can finish it by the end of the year, but it will take a small miracle. I’m so in love with this story though, and I can’t wait to see it out there too!
Anything else you'd like to add:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read! If you're interested in my novel, I have a free sample of my first chapter available on my website https://sofiarobleda.com/about-me
Find more from the author:
Instagram, Threads, & TikTok: @sofiarobleda
Twitter: @sofia_robleda
About Sofia Robleda:
Author Interview - Sofia Robleda
Sofia is a Mexican writer. She spent her childhood and adolescence in Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. She completed her degrees in psychology at the University of Queensland, in Australia.
She currently lives in the UK with her husband and son, and splits her time writing, raising her son, and working as a psychologist, supporting people with brain injuries and neurological conditions.
