The Never Ending Interview: Day Three

One question a day will be addressed, for as long as it remains interesting to me, and the questions keep coming.

Today’s question was asked by Zalka Csenge Virág, aka @TarkabarkaHolgy.

Zalka: Do you think it’s important for the reader to know the original story to appreciate the re-imagined version?

Bill: Important yes, but vital, or even necessary, no. I’m terribly biased in the favor of stories, at least the good ones, so of course I find it important to know as many good stories as one can. But important is all too often conflated with necessary.

Let me try to illustrate the difference: It’s important to clean your firearms. However, if the enraged bear is coming through the cabin wall right now and all you have available is a dirty, dirty rifle, I’d go out on a limb here and say it’s necessary to take up said arms and give it a shot.

So, let me take your question as if you’d said ‘necessary’ instead. Not at all. In my first encounter with the wonderful movie The Forbidden Planet, I had no idea it was based on a play by Shakespeare. I was able to enjoy it, be drawn into it, and even be moved by it, without the extra understanding. Later, when I knew the connection and had become well acquainted with The Tempest, I was able to appreciate the film on an additional level.

I’d love it if readers knew all of the historical and legendary background of every character and story which finds its way into Fables. I’d love it just as much if readers didn’t know that stuff, but were inspired by Fables to seek out and explore the original material. I’d love it just as much if readers didn’t know that stuff, weren’t moved to learn more of its origins, but still thought Fables was just fine, all on its own. I don’t think any of those are contradictions.