Wednesday, April 13, 2011

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.

19 comments:

  1. 'Midas Welby (...he might as well be)': Groan (lets it sink in)...LOL.

    Your son may be onto a good thing. Show it to his peers and see what they think.

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  2. It's funny, Martin, because the book is clearly not YA. My son first read it at age 8 and has read it four times now.

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  3. I hadn't realized the statue was your vision for Midas, and I love that. And I think you have a great story--I really do. You will find a market for it.

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  4. Hart, I appreciate that. I have had many people say they like it, and that is really a nice feeling. Honestly, I don't think my style lends itself to pageburners, so it doesn't eat at me, but I have noticed that no one finishes my book in one or two days and says, "Gosh, I just couldn't put it down!" I think secretly, or perhaps not so secretly, we all wish we could come up with that kind of book.

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  5. Yeah, I think that's true, but I think it's really hard to do. I've never had anyone say that either... still working on it!

    Say, I just ran across something i thought you'd like. One of my new blog friends, Siv, is Norwegian and has been posting on Norse Mythology for the A to Z and today she posted enough stuff that my jaw dropped--I hadn't realized how much Tolkein borrowed from Norse Mythology for his world building. Her blog is: http://sivmaria.blogspot.com/2011/04/kvasir-and-beet-juice.html

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  6. very cool ted! true humility is a very rare trait! what a cool idea to base midas on! and seriously, the book i'm reading now; THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS. is not a page burner for me. it's too delicious for that. the language is so unbelievably gorgeous, there are so many unique details and creativity. i DON'T WANT to read it fast. it's the kind of book that must be savored- every single word. maybe yours is like that?

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  7. I wish, Victoria. I don't write gorgeous prose. My style is simple and sparse, with perhaps too little description, if anything.

    Hart, I was aware of the Nordic roots of Tolkien's work (probably because I read too many biographies), but it's always good to have a new blogger pointed out!

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  8. That is a cool statue and great story of how you were inspired. I say it is a success if your son likes it. He is the most important critic anyway.

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  9. That's true to a degree, Budd. I do have my aspirations to deal with, though!

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  10. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have the Midas touch for just one day. Great mythology can often lead us to great characters and they don't always have to be action , full force ahead. We need to have those things that can take us on a delicious journey. Who wants to just gulp down a beautiful glass of red wine anyway? I liked reading this and I am off to snoop some more.

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  11. Interesting name, Siv, and welcome! I have had a good number of readers tell me they think I should change Midas's name because of the famous Midas. I don't want to change it, though. I don't see why it can't be rehabilitated.

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  12. My imagination sparked when I learned there are rules to how a statue is designed. A horse with one foreleg up means that the soldier was wounded in battle. Both forelegs up mean that the soldier died in battle. It's a statue that tells you a story just at the sight of it. How cool!

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  13. You can't have paladins in D&D Ted, you must be thinking of AD&D.

    Just kidding. I know I haven't read it all yet, but I've told you I like The Shard a lot. Sure there are things that can be improved, but I would buy it.

    Ahh the Kalevala, gotta love it.

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  14. Yeah, I don't remember all those rules, but I recall reading about them once. I don't think they followed the rules with this statue.

    Matt, what's the Kalevala?

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  15. I had heard some things like the horse posture were symbols in statues. I really like the one in your header, Ted, and how you used it to inspire a scene in your novel.
    Glad to meet a fellow fantasy author.

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  16. I think it's the Asgard/Olympus of Finnish mythology

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  17. Fellow Dungeons and Dragons nerd reporting in because we gots to stick togetha. Great blog...I think you are the first diplomat I've met :)

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  18. Welcome to all the new folks! Michael, I wrote my book specifically for D&D lovers!

    siebendach, the statue is actually St. George after slaying the dragon. There is a dragon wrapped around the base.

    Susan, it's interesting to see someone doing two genres. Did you commission the cover art for your fantasies? They are pretty nice compared to most such covers these days.

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  19. I've been following your blog for awhile, Ted, but never actually posted until now.

    I really love the knight vision, and as it happens, it's a parallel I draw in my contemporary fantasy "Lich". Originally the protagonist was inspired by a supporting character from a Russian classic: Bulgakov's "Master and Margarita". He is one of the devil's aids, a mischievous, comical bastard all through the book, but in the end, his true form is revealed to be a sad knight. When I first read the book 15 years ago, this character really stuck with me!

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