“I saw her standing on a balcony,” Cleeton says.
After I finished the chapter, it was so hard for me to set it aside."
How didWhen We Left Cubacome to be?
Credit: Chris Malpass; Berkley
CHANEL CLEETON:I did envision it just as the one book.
What was it about Beatriz that took hold of you and wouldn’t let you go?
She was both mysterious and also very familiar.
I definitely have a lot of examples of strong Cuban women in my life.
It was probably a combination of the two.
For you, are the two inextricably linked?
Did you always intend for Beatriz’s primary love interest to be a politician?
Did you ever consider making it a real historical figure?
I didn’t really ever consider making it a real-life person.
I definitely looked at that prototype when I created Nick’s character.
There are so many conspiracies about the Kennedy assassination and this period of history in the CIA.
I was very familiar with Cuba my grandparents made it a part of our lives.
But I didn’t have a full appreciation for just how violent and terrifying that time period was.
It was interesting to hear my grandfather’s perspective on the Cuban Missile Crisis.
They didn’t see any resolution to this that didn’t end with their destruction…. Was one of them more difficult or painful to write in that regard?
It’s different for every generation.
My father and my grandparents lived through these things.
They had their property seized, and it’s a very personal connection for them.
With me being born in the U.S., there’s a little bit of a distance.
What do you think is the most misunderstood thing about Cuba and this period of history?
I would have well-meaning friends ask me, “Why are Cubans so angry?”
or, “I thought the revolution was a good thing.”
One thing I adore about these novels is how exquisitely you describe Beatriz and Elisa’s clothes.
Can you tell me more about what inspired them and how you write about fashion in your work?
My grandmother used to have photos of herself all over the house.
There was a very romantic sense about that time period for me.
Media is a huge part of my writing process.
You originally planned one book, then it became two.
Is this the end?
Or will we get Maria’s story?
More of Marisol’s?
Right now my next few books are basically featuring ancestors of the family.
I’m moving into different time periods just because I felt it was time for a change.
