When readers ask where the characters in The Heaven Dimension came from, they are often surprised by the answer.
Most of the characters were not invented from scratch. Neither are they direct copies of real people. Instead, many were inspired by qualities I observed in people who influenced my life.
Alex Mercer is perhaps the easiest example. Alex is a composite character. His spiritual struggles are largely my own. His intelligence was inspired by one of the smartest engineers I ever knew. His martial arts abilities came from my great niece, Emma, a Taekwondo Junior World Champion.
John Harley may be the most personal character in the novel. He was inspired by my friend, John Harvey. John is a Catholic deacon, but what impressed me was never his theology. It was his character. He never tells people what they should think. He listens. He asks thoughtful questions. His presence makes you want to become a better person. A couple of years ago, over a cup of coffee on his pool deck, we discussed spirituality, consciousness, and life. Those conversations helped shape both the character and the book.
Coach Pitt is based on my best friend, Ken Pitt. Ken spent his career as a teacher and football coach. He is one of those rare people who always does the right thing, even when there is a cost attached. He never worries about the small stuff because he understands that most things are small stuff. Together, we have spent many hours helping others in need with whatever needs doing. Coach Pitt is not loosely inspired by Ken. Coach Pitt is Ken.
Nia was inspired by a woman I worked with many years ago. She and her husband traveled the country from project to project, living in a travel trailer and taking engineering design assignments wherever they went. She was intelligent, curious, and completely comfortable living in the moment. Nia inherited that same openness to possibilities.
Theo may contain more of me than any other character. His focus, determination, and unwillingness to let go of a problem are traits I recognize in myself. They helped me throughout my engineering career. His sarcasm, however, came from my brother in law Danny, a journalist who lived life at full speed. Danny had little patience for obstacles and even less patience for people who created them. He introduced me to activities I probably never would have attempted on my own, including motorcycle racing, rappelling, and spelunking.
Mrs. Tucker was inspired by my wife. Her love for her daughter, her strength during difficult times, and her ability to provide both support and guidance all came directly from observing the woman I have shared my life with.
Major Gauss has the most unusual origin of all. He was inspired by a military liaison character from a television comedy. What interested me was not the character's personality, but his mindset. Scientists often see discovery. Military leaders see application. That tension became the foundation of Gauss.
Add comment
Comments