In a world where women’s rights are being relentlessly challenged, where autonomy is fought for daily and the specter of regression looms large, the gothic genre feels more relevant than ever. For centuries, gothic literature has served as a battleground for themes of power, repression, and resistance—an arena where women, often trapped within crumbling castles and dark estates, struggle to reclaim their voices and destinies. This is precisely why I’ve chosen to write a modern gothic novel now, at this moment, when my rights as a woman are being stripped from me.

The gothic genre has always been uniquely attuned to women’s fears. Whether it’s the literal imprisonment of Jane Eyre in Thornfield Hall or the psychological horror of Rebecca‘s unnamed narrator, these stories have explored how women’s autonomy is stolen, repressed, or held hostage. My novel seeks to honor that tradition while confronting the modern iterations of these fears—the laws and societal norms that aim to box women into roles defined by patriarchy.

An Unwelcome Inheritance
At the heart of my story is Meranda, a woman who returns to her coastal hometown to claim a legacy she never wanted. The old captain’s manor she inherits—Stormhaven—is more than a setting; it’s a symbol of the power structures that seek to control her. The house, with its secrets and dark history, is a stand-in for the systems of patriarchy that loom over women’s lives today. By positioning Meranda as the new mistress of this estate, I aim to explore how women can reclaim power in spaces that were never designed for them to occupy freely.

The Influence of Mexican Culture
Beyond the feminist themes, my love for the Mexican people has deeply influenced this novel. The Cordón brothers, Daniel and Martin, are embodiments of strength, loyalty, and resistance—traits I’ve come to admire in the Mexican community. Through them, I hope to explore themes of legacy, family, and the fight for justice in a world that often seeks to erase marginalized voices. Their stories of migration, of maintaining one’s identity against a tide of erasure, parallel Meranda’s own fight to reclaim her history and her voice.

Estrangement and the Haunting of the Present
Writing this novel is, in many ways, an exorcism of my own ghosts. My current estrangement from my parents—staunch Trump supporters—has left me grappling with the idea of home, legacy, and what it means to inherit beliefs that feel like a curse. The crumbling estate in my novel isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a metaphor for the burden of a poisoned inheritance. Through Meranda, I am exploring what it means to rebuild something beautiful from the ashes of what was, to choose one’s own path even when bloodlines and tradition try to dictate otherwise.

The Feminist Gothic Reclaimed
By weaving themes of resistance, power, and self-reclamation into a gothic framework, I hope to create a story that resonates with women today—those who find themselves in battles they never chose, against forces that feel as ancient and implacable as any curse. The modern gothic isn’t just about haunted houses or family secrets; it’s about the haunting weight of history, of legacies left unfinished, and the courage it takes to rewrite them.

In the end, this story is my way of reclaiming the gothic as a space not just for fear and darkness but for defiance and hope. It’s a reminder that, even in the darkest halls, women have always found ways to carve out light.