Jason Howell asked Cornelia Funke:

Cornelia, Was there ever a time when you worried your work wasn't "literary" or "smart" enough? Or (conversely?) "marketable" or "accessible" enough? Are these necessary concerns for a writer? Or do you find them stifling? When these concepts start closing in, how do you work around or through them? Thanks.

Cornelia Funke I was always more worried that they are too marketable:)))) I consider storytelling an art form and art shouldn't think about marketing and wide appeal first. Creation comes first, to try the very best you can create with the talent you have been granted. Of course we all have to make a living, but I hate it when publishers or authors talk about 'tailoring for the market'. I do imagine a beautifully woven fabric cut into shape by some very rough scissors:) we all know that the most beautiful texts, paintings, music scores do mostly not end up on bestselling lists. So....in short....if you want to make writing the heart of your life and if you want to grow with every text accept that this may not always appeal to the crowds:) if it does hurrah! But don't make it your goal!

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