Inspiration.
Kim has been doing her weekly piece on inspiration and in
keeping with her theme so I decided to take a crack at what inspired/inspires
my writing. Since this isn't going to be a weekly guest piece, I decided to
focus on the things that prompted me to write one book - Purpose since it is my most recent release.
Of course, as with all things there are many things that had
a hand in the finished product: location, character traits, a strong supporting
cast, all add to the flow and enjoyment of a book. To list everything that
inspired the book would be hard thing. So I'll focus on the main character and
through him the majority of the plot.
Purpose came about
in part because of my love of superheroes, fantasy, sci-fi paranormal, whatever
you call it. I remember as a kid really
watching Super Friends, Thundar the Barbarian, Space Ghost [and the other super
hero cartoons that went with that one], but would leave if forced to watch
Scooby Doo.
My favorite super heroes were those at the fringe. I never got into Batman, Superman, or
Spiderman. When I was a kid, Batman always meant Adam West and the campy, ZAM!
POW! series from the late 60's. Sure in
later years DC Comics returned him to his dark knight roots, but even then, I
couldn't shake those 'groovy' moves of Batman dancing with the
beatniks or surfing against Caesar Romeo's Joker wearing
board shorts over his costume.
I had no interest in the big blue boy scouts – Superman – or
Captain Americas. No, my favorites were a bit darker, a bit less noble.
Wolverine, Ghost Rider, and Magneto [technically not a hero, but he did have
his moments of heroism] these were the ones with not only cool powers, but they
didn't always use them for the good of others.
When the Watchmen
graphic novel came out, that was right up my alley. If you've never read it or seen the movie –
the graphic novel was better IMHO - the plot line starts with Rorschach talking
about how one of their own was murdered. Rorschach had an absolute view of
things, either it was right or wrong. Never mind that his methods in the name
of 'right' bore a strong resemblance to what the actions he saw as 'wrong.' His
ethics didn’t extend to himself if someone broke the rules first. Once that
happened, justice, vengeance, punishment by any means necessary was required.
Rorschach's influence is strong in the character of Gar, but
have no bearing on Will. Confused? Read the book. The Purpose, the ancient spirit that took
Will as its host, operated with a similar set of 'rules.' If someone killed an
innocent, the host needed to seek vengeance on the guilty. Circumstances didn't
matter; there weren't any gray areas. At least not once it made the decision that
the victim was innocent.
The last influence on Purpose
was the Highlander
series. For me Will is Connor
Macleod. Not an immortal fighting to
be the last man standing, but that is what he looks like, how he keeps to the
shadows, and how he is resigned to his fate. Duncan wasn't one to enjoy the
killing, but it was a part of who he was, who he had to be.
The same was true for Will. The Purpose made him seek
vengeance, but he didn't enjoy what he was forced to do. It was part of who
he'd become, not what he wanted for his life.
Of course inspiration is not imitation and Gar/Will is
really nothing like any of the characters who influenced his creation. But in
writing this, I realized for the first time how similar the two characters are
that gave me the spark of the idea for Purpose.
Funny how that worked out.
Thanks for having me Kim, As always, I appreciate the chance to come visit.
ReplyDeleteAndy
Thanks for visiting! Always lovely to have you over.
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