Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite books? We asked Angela Montoya, author of Carnival Fantástico to share her experience with us. Read on to learn about the inspiration behind her writing.
What was the first romance novel you read?
Honestly, even when I was a little girl, I tried to find romance in every book I read. I could have been reading Goosebumps and still found reasons why the main character should have fallen for their best friend while simultaneously being chased by monsters. I was always searching for the happily-ever-after. The first book that really stands out to me, though, is Pride and Prejudice. I read it when I was nineteen years old, and I never recovered.
What romance are you currently reading?
I’m halfway through The Cowboy Whisperer by Sabrina Sol. I LOVE IT! I also recently read Love at Full Tilt by Jenny L. Howe and adored every moment of it.
What are your favorite tropes?
I love yearning! My favorite trope is when the main love interests both want to be together but are too afraid to tell each other the truth. He knows he loves her, but he believes he’s in the friend zone. She cares for him, but she thinks he doesn’t feel the same way for her. Thus, we readers are forced to spend the entire book watching these two dorks pine for each other with all their hearts. I can’t get enough of whatever that is.
What do you think would be your headlining show or talent for the big top?
I would probably be the ringmaster of the show. Here’s why: I am terrified of heights, so there’s no trapeze for me. I get motion sickness really easily, so I wouldn’t be swinging on anything anyway. I could never be a lion tamer—I’ve watched enough documentaries to know better. I wouldn’t want to be a clown, either, because my skin is sensitive to face paint. However, if it were a magical carnival, I would definitely be a clown, flying high above the crowd on the trapeze with a lion on my shoulders. I’m imaginative like that.
What inspires your writing?
Just about everything! The movies, shows, and books I consume certainly inspire me. I watch a ton of K-dramas and C-dramas in particular because I LOVE the world building and storytelling they bring. Whenever something I watch or read makes me feel a strong emotion—be that joy, sorrow, giddiness, and everything in between—I always think to myself, I want to try to make my readers feel that too. What I see on the news inspires me as well. One of my favorite things about writing fantasy is that I can explore the deep, and sometimes terrible, issues we face in our world, but in the worlds I create, I know the bad guys always lose. I know justice will always be served.
Tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind Carnival Fantástico!
About two years ago, I read an amazing book by Lyssa Mia Smith called Revelle. This YA romantasy follows a family of performers who are part of an enchanted show. As I read, I was swept away by the magic, and when I finished, I wanted more—more worlds where enchantments exist behind the velvety curtains of a mysterious show. That need slowly morphed into the shape of a book idea. I can’t remember when or how I landed on a traveling carnival whose magic is tied to Aztec lore, but I’m so glad I did.
Okay but did someone or something inspire Esteban the ostrich, specifically?
Oh, Esteban. This is a little embarrassing, but I am actually terrified of most birds. Chickens and turkeys I like—but everything else is a no-go for me. So, obviously, I had to face my fears and write a giant ostrich into my story, because the thought of someone being chased by a sequin-loving bird (unless it’s me) is just hilarious. Esteban is loosely named after one of my brothers, who complained about not having any characters named after him in my previous books. There’s also a rascal monkey named Rosco in Carnival Fantástico, and he’s named after my stepdad . . . for reasons.
Sinner’s Isle, A Cruel Thirst, and now Carnival Fantástico! What’s something you’ve learned between writing your first and third novel?
When Sinner’s Isle first came out, I was terrified. It’s a huge, scary thing to put your heart and soul on the page and then send it off into the world. I had hoped the fear would fade as I wrote more books. It hasn’t. The fear remains. But I’ve learned that some fear is okay. It’s normal. More than that, it helps me. It keeps me on my toes and makes me want to write better books. So basically, I’ve learned to embrace all the emotions and trust that, no matter what, I will be okay.
Any advice for burgeoning writers?
Always remember your why. Why do you want to write? For me, it was to create Latine characters that YA readers could relate to and who made them feel seen. I still want that, of course, but my why has expanded over the years. Right now, my why is also to write stories that feel like a comforting hug. I may put my readers and my characters through hell, but I want everyone to trust that I will offer a safe space to land—a bit of comfort in this chaotic world. Those are my whys. We hear so many no’s in this business, but if you remember what you’re doing it all for, and you feel it’s a worthy pursuit, all those no’s become steppingstones toward what’s truly important to you.
Share with us an out of context quote from Carnival Fantástico!
“The world beyond them blurred. He no longer heard the crowds cheering their names or the train wheels bumping on the tracks. There was only Dove. There was only ever Dovie.”
