Interview with Writer Pamela Juarez
Pamela Juarez is a debut novelist whose upcoming book Delicate is a blend of romance and raw, real-life struggles, based in New York City. Drawing inspiration from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Euphoria, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Pamela delves into themes like trauma, addiction, and identity. As a first-generation writer, Pamela is determined to break stereotypes in her portrayal of Latino characters, offering stories of depth and authenticity. In this interview, she reflects on her creative process, the challenges of self-doubt, and her journey as an emerging voice in literature.
Your upcoming debut novel draws inspiration from Euphoria, How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower — each so different in tone and genre. What drew you to blend inspiration and elements from these particular films and shows into your story?
My debut novel Delicate is based in New York City. You’ll see those romantic and scenic elements from How To Lose Guy in 10 Days—the 2000s communication girls running around the city, and the brooding love interest who finds himself caring for the girl when he hadn’t initially intended to. The back and forth banter I personally love to read and watch in a film! It’s a romance story at the root of the book. With that being said, Delicate will be covering strong themes such as; substance abuse after enduring physical and emotional trauma, the effects of addiction and how it impacts those around you, and the psychological effects on the brain after experiencing said trauma, themes as seen in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Euphoria. Finding a balance to weave all that together has been a challenge, but the story has also taken on a life of its own—I believe it now stands independently. While it’s inspired by the above films, I also believe my book has the strength to shine on its own.
Do you find yourself writing more from observation or personal experience? Are there any parts of your own life that have made their own way into the characters or dynamics you’re creating in your novel?
For this project I’ve been grappling with both observational and personal experience. There’s certain aspects and situations Layla Santiago, the protagonist, is going through and dwelling on that I can relate to. Borrowing some of my turmoil and implementing it into the protagonist's life—while this is not an autobiography by any means, nor do I see myself as Layla—I believe every author or writer will see a little bit of themselves in each of their characters. In observing the current state of the world, I’ve witnessed certain realities unfold—particularly the politics surrounding women and the injustice we’ve faced in just the past few years in the US. These are issues that weigh heavily on my heart, and I’m grateful to have been able to add them into this story. Books are political, a story does not exist without politics.
Can you recall a pivotal moment in your writing journey where you overcame self-doubt or a creative block, and what inspired you to move forward?
The self-doubt never leaves you, no matter how short or long your journey has been. I have moments of doubts every single day, some days it’s louder than others, I get to a point where I want to delete my manuscript and throw my laptop out the window. Kidding! Well…but I believe in this story, now more than ever deep in the editing process, and it’s truly what keeps me moving forward. Being on social media has definitely made its impact, so it’s also important for me to unplug. Comparison is the thief of joy and I’ve found myself doing it alot, so I try not to look at anyone’s journey, or overtly analyze it. I keep to myself, do my thing. I can only be myself and hope people feel engaged with my message and overall content.
How do aesthetics or mood boards — or even specific songs, scents, or places, play into your creative process when writing?
It’s part of the process. You cannot ride a bicycle without its wheels, the same way you cannot write a story without the five senses of sensory language. Every place, and every moment in time plays an important part in your writing journey. I took a trip to New York City in Spring of 2023—fully immersed by the places I saw, the ambient sounds carrying from morning to night, and the foods I ate, etc.—inspiring the outline of Delicate. And most recently, at the beginning of this year, I took another trip to New York, specifically the neighborhood in which my book is set, and my book took a new meaning. I’m hopeful my experiences in the city translate well in my story, because being surrounded by all things sound, scents, and places takes your story to the next level.
You’ve mentioned feeling hesitant to approach professors during college about your written work, even after receiving encouraging feedback. How has that experience shaped how you handle critique now, especially with a bigger audience watching your process?
At the time, I was undergoing a series of grief, sorrow, and overall a vulnerable point in my life with the loss of my brother, as well dealing with the pandemic as everyone in the world was. I believe your state of mind has a lot to do with processing certain situations, and in this instance, receiving feedback and the fear of being perceived. I could not fathom any critique at the time, good or bad. I was insecure about my craft, unhappy with myself, and did not feel good enough to the point I almost gave up writing. I’m definitely in a better place now, healed more so than not, and I’m excited to share my works, inviting critique. I found a genuine community on TikTok, and I know the right audience will resonate with my work and it’s what keeps me going at the end of the day.
What do you hope to get out of the experience of writing your debut novel — on a personal level, beyond just finishing a book? Is there something you’re hoping to understand more deeply about yourself or your world through this story?
On the surface level, I’m sure I’ve made my aspirations clear, to be a successful published author represented by one of the big five, and hopefully one day becoming a New York Times Best Seller. Though, it’s always been deeper than that. As a first-gen, coming from a background of hard-working Mexican parents, representing my community has always been at the forefront. Not to discredit any authors, but the romance books you see today representing the Latino community seem stereotypical, and deaf tone. I don’t want to see that anymore. I’m tired of the ‘spicy fmc’ trope, the ‘quirky taco-loving’ character, the storyline in which they were only made out to be service workers and telenovela enthusiasts. There’s more to our story, layers of depth, and substance I want to be able to communicate in my work. To share genuine, authentic stories of undergoing realistic challenges and overcoming them in the end.
Finally, what advice would you offer to aspiring writers who are just starting out — especially those who feel unsure about their direction as a writer, or going through creative uncertainty?
Do it because you love it. Because it’s your passion. Because it’s the thing that keeps you going. If you’re seeking alternative outcomes, specifically monetary and notoriety, people are going to see right through it. It’ll show in your work and devalue it. Do it because those before you never got the opportunity to follow their dreams, or didn’t have the resources and support to pursue their creative endeavors. It’ll be a long and tiring journey, because one cannot rush art, but the gratification of getting to the finish line, and breaking generational curses, will relieve you, alleviate the weight in your chest. Do it because nobody else will do it for you.
