Origin of Midas

Do you know why I have that particular photo in the header of my blog? I took this photo when I lived in Zagreb, Croatia from 2002 to 2004. I loved it because of how different it was from the usual statues. Rather than a noble figure on a noble steed with something outthrust (usually a sword or hand or spear), this knight appears weary, slumped, and his horse has its head down.

Ever since I was a teen I had a favorite Dungeons & Dragons character, a paladin named Midas Welby (...he might as well be). Unlike most such knights, who always seem a touch arrogant, my Midas was a truly humble fellow, meant to embody all of the traits that I would ideally like to see in a knight.

In 2006 when I first thought about actually trying to write a book, my mind linked the photo of this statue to Midas, and a scene was born. I imagined him sitting on his horse with a few of his men around him, staring sadly at a scene of devestation that he was well aware meant the end of peace. I loved that you could read everything in his posture. He didn't need to say anything, which was his style anyway. So, I typed out the scene and showed it to a buddy. He liked it, and that encouraged me to continue, slowly but surely.

I am happy with the book. It came out pretty much the way I meant it to. I am a little sad that it isn't a page-burning, can't-put-it-down scorcher. Several readers have said they liked it, but no one has loved it, except for my youngest son (he keeps re-reading it again and again), and he doesn't count as objective. **sigh** I hope someday I can do justice to a story that I love.