Inevitably, in the process of writing a story like my Fables, you come across some things you wish you could have done differently. I'm pretty lucky in that I've been able to catch most of those things before even posting the entries (which I said a while ago - I've gotten to sort of write the second draft as I'm writing the first), and my helpful readers have pointed out a few of them to me on the spot, which has allowed me to change a phrase or two in an entry here and there within a day. But some of them slip through the cracks. So, for my own benefit, here's a brief list of notes I've got so far if I ever decide to write a true "second draft" for the Fables. In case I ever do anything with it, or something.
1. Add a seventh Set Piece entry, detailing The Library
2. Add an entry fairly early on (before Tiger burns the library) displaying Dog's successful heroism and fighting skills.
3. Add an entry in between the burning of the library and Rooster's Drinking Game wherein Rooster interacts with some of the "mundanes."
4. Edit Tiger and Dog's battle at the Dam and the next appearance of Tiger thereafter (Rooster's return) to show a more injured Tiger.
5. Add one entry, possibly two, with Fox, wherein Fox is more of a menace, and more directly, than previously demonstrated.
6. Add one entry, early on, demonstrating Sheep's utility - what she does for the community.
7. Liven up Sheep's search in some way; rewrite the series of "advice coupon" collecting entries.
8. Have Rat find Rooster's old lighter during the salvage of the library.
9. Note in Chapter 60 that Rooster's using a new lighter.
10. Make it overt, in Chapters 70 & 72, that Tiger is not an active participant in what happens to Rabbit.
11. Mention Dragon's pearl in Chapter 15 (Set Piece: The Tower).
12. Make Dragon's bond with the Tower more explicit in Chapter 15.
13. Move the Cloudeater Tank Schematic to earlier in the story (Maybe? Possibly after Rat's Happy Home?)
14. Add an eighth Set Piece, detailing the River.
15. Divide Chapter 118 (Monkey and Snake Each Ask a Question) into 2 chapters - one for Monkey and the second for Snake.
16. Add an entry, prior to Chapter 70, where Dog does something heroic; this to make him seem like he might win his fight with Tiger.
17. Move "Rooster's Old Argument" to after "The Price of Tiger's Peace." (?)
18. Make the reasons for Pig's war on Tiger, and why now is a good time for it, more explicit in "Snake's Awkward Moment;" Rooster reveals to Pig that Tiger is the one who unleashed the Beast. (Rooster has to learn that, himself.)
Others will follow, as I think of them.
Comments (5)
Hey Jason... if you ever want to adapt your Fables into an Academy Award winning screenplay... you know who to email... Charlie Kaufman! har har!
Anyway, I'm ashamed I havent been keeping with your fables. I need some more of that stuff. what's it called? Oh, yeah... time.
Posted by Steeve | February 28, 2005 8:38 PM
Posted on February 28, 2005 20:38
You should totally be ashamed, Steve. But mostly because you don't update Chez Bossous more often. I laugh whenever I read it. So ha! Consider it a challenge, or something.
But yeah, time. It's my most hated foe.
Posted by Jason | February 28, 2005 10:01 PM
Posted on February 28, 2005 22:01
yeah... i have a lot to be ashamed of....
but stay tuned for Chez Bossous' special Academy Awards recap.
Posted by Steeve | March 1, 2005 6:39 PM
Posted on March 1, 2005 18:39
Ooooh! Great idea, Jason. In fact, it's so great that why don't you start posting those extra Fables now? I doubt we'd complain. :-D
Posted by Jacquee | March 3, 2005 9:04 PM
Posted on March 3, 2005 21:04
Heh. Thanks for the encouragement, Jacquee, but there are only so many hours in the day and a lot of things to do with them. As fun as the Fables are, and as much as I really need to be doing them right now, the dead-tree form of publishing, wherein someone edits what I write and I get a (very small) amount of money, and that weird Master's degree I'm getting are both ultimately more important.
A second draft of the Fables is going to have to wait for a while. I'll just keep these oh-so tantalizing notes going, in the meanwhile.
Posted by Jason | March 3, 2005 9:26 PM
Posted on March 3, 2005 21:26