I am often inspired by the world around
me. An overheard conversation. A couple walking by my house
on a stormy afternoon. Or something I see on television or
while dining out. The smallest detail can have me asking all
sorts of questions in my mind, and before long I have the
basis for a new set of characters and a journey that I must
follow them on.
Several years ago there was a tragic car accident a few
miles from where I live. A young woman was killed in the
crash as well as her unborn child. Her young son and husband
who were also in the car were both injured but survived. It
was such a sad story, and my heart broke for this family
that was left in pieces.
Sometime later I was working on my laptop when I looked up
at the TV and saw footage on the local news of the man who
had accidentally caused the crash. He was in the courtroom
for his hearing and was apologizing to the woman’s family. I
only caught a bit of what he was saying, but the look of
misery and despair on his face was genuine and something
I’ll never forget. He was going to have to live with that
guilt and despair for the rest of his life.
Naturally I felt horrible for the family that had lost so
much, but I also couldn’t get the other man out of my mind.
Would he ever be happy again? Ever smile? Laugh? Love? Ever
be able to forgive himself?
Tragedy can define a single moment and change a life--can
change a person for ever. But maybe it doesn’t have to mean
the end of happiness and joy--the end of really living.
Not long after that night, I had several pages of notes
about Lincoln McCaw and Jacob Miller from Breathe.
I wanted to create two characters who were decent, caring
guys stuck in an impossible situation. I wanted them to
learn to accept that forgiveness and love were powerful
forces and could make a difference in their lives. I wanted
them to learn to love again.
The more I wrote about Jay and Lincoln, the more I had to
follow them to their happy ending.
Ethan Day also
interviewed me about the book including questions about
Jay's bisexuality, the moment in my own life that led me to
the story, and more. Originally posted on April 25, 2012.
Character Inspiration
JAY MILLER
I was excited to see the first one on the
ebook cover. I had shared
it with the cover artist, Valerie Tibbs, as my inspiration
for Jay
LINCOLN MCCAW
While writing Breathe, I
never did find a good image of how I pictured Lincoln. I'll
keep an eye out and share one if I find something that fits.
The cover artist for the ebook came very, very close. This
is definitely Lincoln's posture, expression, and demeanor.
