In English classes everywhere, writers’ works get interpreted. They will even “find symbolism” that writers never meant. It’s like they have an itch to find some deeper meaning.
I don’t want people interpreting my stories wrong. I’d rather a fan come up to me or email me, asking me about it. I may address some incorrect deeper meanings in public, but it would be impossible to find them all. Another part of me thinks I’ll nod along if their “deeper meaning” is than what I intended.
But once the book is out of my hands, is it really mine anymore? We all have our ideas – our creations – but it’s all up to our audience to read and understand. It’s our audience who takes the creativity and the messages from us. The stories aren’t ours anymore.
They’re doing their jobs by experiencing and learning. Whether it’s good or not is up to them. We have done our part by getting people to think more.
What do you think?
