Ladies and gentlemen, Crystal Maldonado’s debut novel is out. Fat Chance Charlie Vega is a story about a Latina in high school. Charlie is dealing with body issues, family loss, and numerous insecurities that come from her high school years. We were able to sit down with Crystal Maldonado to learn more about her first novel and her writing process. 

Epifania Magazine: Writing is an art form that takes a hold of us and doesn’t let go until we write. When did the writing bug grab your attention? 

Crystal Maldonado: I feel like I got bit by the writing bug early! I have such a vivid memory of being in the third grade and having to practice writing essays for standardized tests. We got prompts and I loved writing it so much, I ended up needing more paper! I was hooked after that. I started writing stories for fun and, during middle school, I wrote boy band fanfiction with my friends, (Team Backstreet Boys all the way). As I got older, I started to think of ways to turn writing into a career, so explored journalism and marketing, but I kept coming back to writing fictional stories. I’m so happy I did because now here we are! 

EM: You wrote this novel while working a full-time job and living with your family. What were your writing process and schedule like? 

CM: Most of this novel was written between 2016-18, so my daughter wasn’t born yet and it was just me, my husband, and my dog. That meant my writing process was delightfully leisurely! I picked up the story whenever I felt like it, including on lunch breaks, and could dedicate weekend mornings or afternoons to writing whenever the urge struck. It was nice and provided a great reprieve from the real world. Now, I feel like my writing process is so much more structured! Between the pandemic, an adventurous toddler, and my day job, I have to schedule a time to write. Thankfully, I have a wonderful group of author friends who help cheer me on. 

EM: Why this story? Why Charlie?

CM: As someone who has always enjoyed love stories, I really wanted to create a YA romcom that featured a fat, Puerto Rican girl as the heroine. I wanted to fill what I viewed as a void and make a story that celebrated body positivity, female friendships, first love, and our own personal journeys to appreciate ourselves. I also wanted to touch on family relationships and the complicated dynamics of mother-daughter relationships. To me, Charlie’s mom represents a stand-in for a lot of the external pressures that are applied to women, and fat women especially. Through Charlie and her journey, I hope people are more willing to think about the ways we treat fat folks, and also extend more empathy and kindness to themselves. If this book helps even one person feel validated in their experiences, then I feel like I’ll have accomplished something wonderful. 

EM: The name Charlie has traditionally been a masculine name. Did you intend to give your character a name that wasn’t traditionally feminine? 

CM: It wasn’t so much as a conscious choice as simply a name and nickname I really loved. I never had a nickname, so I’ve always been fascinated by them. In Charlie’s case, I do like that the nickname happens to be gender-neutral; the more intentional we can be in our language, and in asking people’s pronouns, the better!

EM: Charlie and Amelia are seen as different people. Do you think they are as different as they may seem?

CM: Charlie and Amelia may have a lot of differences on the surface, but I think so much of their hearts are the same. The two of them are full of empathy, compassion, and kindness, and they really would do anything for one another. Though Charlie often feels like she’s living in Amelia’s shadow, I do think she ends up realizing they have much more in common than Charlie initially believes. Like Charlie, Amelia also sometimes feels weighed down by the pressures of the world around her; she is navigating relationships with her own family, friends, and love interests; and she’s also just trying to live her best life. Their similarities help them relate to one another on a profound level, and they draw strength from one another, which I think is great in any friendship. 

EM: First loves, stick with us. How was it writing about Brian and Charlie? 

CM: I adored writing about Charlie and Brian and the slow build of their relationship from acquaintances to friends to partners. Their relationship was inspired by my own relationship with my husband, who I met when I was in high school. It was nice to pay tribute to how we met and fell in love. I also loved writing all of the sweet moments between them! There’s nothing better than the thrill of first crushes and first kisses. 

EM: A lot of parents believe that their child’s life will be easier/better/safer if they were thin. How do you want the readers to view Charlie’s mom? As the villain or flawed human?

CM: Charlie’s mom is complicated, and I do hope people see her as human more than as a villain. I don’t think the way she treats Charlie is right and I believe Charlie deserves better, but I also think there is strength in how Charlie deals with that. Familial relationships can be complex and tense so, while it would be nice if Charlie’s mom went to therapy or was committed to understanding who her daughter is, there is a real possibility that Charlie may never get that resolution. I think that’s true to life, so I hope people who may have similar familial experiences are empowered by the ways in which Charlie draws boundaries and learns to appreciate herself — exactly as she is. 

EM: What did you learn about yourself as you were writing this novel?   

CM: Through writing this book, I learned that I’m capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. I started this novel unsure if I’d ever finish it, but I am so proud that I was able to persevere. Now, the book has made its way out into the world, and I hope anyone who needs this story — whether they’re a teen, whether they’re fat, whether they’re Puerto Rican, whether they just need to hear that they’re doing just fine as they are — can find it. 

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega is a story that spoke to my heart. Because we all remember a time when we felt like we didn’t belong. We have all been Charlie Vega at least once in our lives.