TSR:
What
does the word "story"
mean to you?
BSJ:
In Spanish, the word "oleaje" means surge, a rush of waves. Ideas for
short stories come to me all at once like a head rush. It's
overwhelming and I constantly re-read and re-think everything I write.
To me a story has to have "un oleaje" that stands out from ordinary
experiences.
TSR:
Do you have a reader in mind when you write stories?
BSJ: I
like to write for an adult audience because I sprinkle in words of
wisdom. However, my writing is easy reading and young adults could read
and comprehend my stories, as well.
TSR: Is
there
anything you'd like to ask someone who has read your collection,
anything at all?
BSJ: I always like to know if they have a favorite story, and if so, what was it they liked about the story.
TSR: How does
it feel knowing that people are buying your book?
BSJ: I still can't believe it. I now feel I have to write even better so that I don't disappoint anyone.
TSR:
What are you working on now?
BSJ: I'm
currently working on a series of Latin American folktales, the type of
stories people used to sit around in their "barrios" and tell the
townsfolk before there was radio and television. The exciting piece of
this project is that I'm weaving magical realism into the stories,
which is something I've not done before. For me, this type of writing
is a bit more challenging, but the creativity has no limits.
