Website: http://www.silviamoreno-garcia.com

How did the story change as you developed it?

It started with the idea of a male jaguar-warrior during the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan and then it turned into a female protagonist. It became much shorter and compact.

Writing projects are you presently working on?

Lots of short fiction and a novel.

Are you satisfied with traditional labels for genre fiction? Do words like “speculative,” “slipstream,” and, for that matter, “genre” cover it? What would you suggest?

Speculative seems like a good label. When I think about fantasy I pictures elves and unicorns. I differentiate between fantasy, magic realism, etc. You need something to easily shelve a story but fantasy doesn’t quite cut it for me because of the association in my mind with sword and sorcery.

Do you have a specific food or drink that you consider a writing staple?

Wine maybe?

Do you work with a critique or writers group?

I don’t, but my husband reads everything I write and gives me feedback.

Have you ever eaten a crayon? Tell us about it.

I’m sure I did. I know I used to chew pencils in school. I am a compulsive chewer.

Fast food: Yea or Nay?

Yes. There’s nothing like the artificial flavour of chocolate milk.

Is there anything that you would sell your soul for?

A donut.