What was the genesis of the story—what was the inspiration for it, or what prompted you to write it?

I love night markets, and I love magical market stories. So of course I wanted one day to write one myself! I was also thinking about parenthood, about the baggage that we bring to it, about learning to be open and present even when that’s really hard. About vulnerability and defensiveness in general. And about the inevitable calluses that we acquire through life, the armor that we don to survive. That all came together in an image that I had of a magical market vendor taking pieces of sellers’ hearts.

Was this story a particularly challenging one to write? If so, how?

The central idea came to me in a flash, but then I sat on it for about two years. When I did finally write it, it came together very quickly.

Most authors say all their stories are personal. If that’s true for you, in what way was this story personal to you?

It is very personal, although in an oblique way. As I alluded to in my answer to your first question, it’s about some of my thoughts (and experiences) of motherhood and relationships, of growing and changing.

What kind of research did you have to do for the story?

I did some research on different methods of recording stories—from writing on bamboo slats and palm leaves to modern methods. I think it’s just a single line, but that was fun! Also just brainstorming marvelous wares for a magical night market.

What are you reading lately? What writers inspire you?

I recently finished Sofia Samatar’s latest novella, The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain, which is beautiful and amazing, like everything that she writes. I also recently read Orwell’s 1984 for the first time, which is justly celebrated as a classic—it’s still so chillingly timely, and even apart from its prescience and political insight, it’s just an amazingly compelling, immersive, and terrifying story. I’m also working on Theodora Goss’ collection, The Collected Enchantments, which is gorgeous and enchanting. All these writers are inspirations for me. More inspirations: Carmen Maria Machado, Ken Liu, Kelly Link, Yukimi Ogawa, Vajra Chandrasekera, and so many more.

What are you working on lately? Where else can fans look for your work?

I’m trying to work on a mythic fairy-tale thing and keep going back to Theodora Goss’ short story “Singing of Mount Abora” for inspiration, as well as her other works. My debut collection, The House of Illusionists and Other Stories, is forthcoming from Interstellar Flight Press. And for a complete list of my work to date, readers can check out my website at vanessafogg.com.