Today is to throw out your acid jazz albums.
A few years ago a film critic friend of mine took me to see the movie "Big Fish." I rarely cry at movies but towards the end of the movie I shamefacedly hid my face from my friend to hide my tears. I shouldn't have worried because at the end the lights came up and everyone was crying--and this was the critics' screening. Today I speak with the author of the book the film was based on.He has also published two other novels, Ray in Reverse and The Watermelon King and has published his illustrations in places like the L.A. Times and Italian Vanity Fair.
The Daniel Wallace Interview: Just Under Twenty Questions
You say on your website you have no intention of publishing the five books you wrote before your first was published. But does it bother you that they’re languishing? Will you try to resurrect them or reincarnate them in some way?
I’ve tried. I used to leaf through them, hoping that there was something I missed, something everybody missed, and that somehow there was a real merit hidden somewhere within. There wasn’t; there isn’t. They languish happily and luckily I’ve gone on to write other books.
What’s the hardest part about writing a children’s book?
Apparently, writing a good one, since no one has published mine.
Who are some of your favorite children’s book illustrators?
Sendak? It’s not a genre I really follow, so I can’t say for sure.
What books entertained you the most when you were a kid?
By far the most entertaining and influential book I read as a kid was Gulliver’s Travels.
What are you working on now?
Just finished a novel – Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician. Now I’m writing short stories and travel pieces – llittle things.
Have you ever gone to the Ave Maria Grotto outside Birmingham? What’s up with that place?
I’ve gone there a lot because my grandparents lived nearby. It’s wild. Include a link so everyone can see.
How much input did you have on the film version of Big Fish?
None. Zero. Exactly as much as I wanted and as much as any author needs. I don’t make movies; I write books. How could I possibly have helped them?
How did you feel about the casting? Which actor came closest to personifying the character you had in your head?
Thrilled with the casting. But I was just plain thrilled with the whole thing; I was real kid throughout it all. Anything was okay with me. They went through a lot of ideas about who to cast – Tommy Lee Jones, Michael Caine – and every time they ran a name past me I said, “Great!”
Have you ever tried working on your own screenplay?
I’ve written three, sold one. It was never produced.
When you were writing the book, did it ever occur to you how it would look as a film, or you didn’t think about that until it got picked up?
Never never never.
Where are/were some of your favorite myths—Greek, American or otherwise?
I included a lot of my favorites in the book. I’m fond of the general idea that the gods play an active role in our lives, and actually have favorites. I’d like to be some god’s favorite.
The myths fathers tell their kids plays a large role in Big Fish—are there any that you’ve made up or passed down for your own kid?
I make stuff up all the time and he rolls his eyes. “Big Fish,” he says, meaning he knows I’m full of crap.
In terms of your standard of living, how big a change was it when you changed from business to writing?
Severe. But I was young and it didn’t matter.
What are your thoughts on this Daniel Wallace? Friend or foe?
Friend! I met him in London and he’s a great guy.
What’s been the last thing you’ve read that’s really engrossed you?
Atonement.
How does it feel to be the 152nd person interviewed for Zulkey.com?
Great! 152 is my lucky number!