Watch Out: J.C. Martin – The Evolution of a Hero

Today I have the pleasure to welcome the very talented J.C. Martin to Watch Out. She will be talking to us all about the hero. She has a hot new book called the Oracle that you just can’t miss. So now time for me to give the floor over to my very special guest.

Savannah

The Evolution of a Hero: A Pictorial Casting Call 

When I set out creating my protagonist for Oracle, I knew I wanted someone different from all the divorced, beer-swilling, donut-munching, middle-aged white detectives already saturating crime fiction. I also wanted someone who would reflect the ethnic diversity of modern London. So I created Detective Kurt Lancer, a mixed-race (half-English, half-Nigerian), cornrow-wearing police detective built like a football line-backer.

In order to aid me in my writing (or really to provide some oft-needed distraction), I trawled through photos of various men fitting that description, to try and find the personification of Kurt Lancer.

And because we don’t need an excuse to ogle at some eye candy, here, in pictures, is the evolution of Detective Kurt Lancer:

I started off by picturing an existing mixed-race law enforcement officer on TV. Naturally, Shemar Moore from Criminal Minds came to mind:

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However, Shemar is a bit too clean-cut for Kurt’s character. I needed someone more rugged.

And then I found this guy:

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This model’s skin tone is the perfect match for Lancer’s. But again, I needed someone who looked more rough-and-tumble. And bulkier.

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Marlon Wayans was Kurt’s next incarnation, but I just could not stop thinking: White Chicks. *shudders*

Then I decided that Lancer should have longer hair, hair that he likes to keep in neat braids:

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Footballer David James was a good candidate. He’s mixed-race, wears cornrows, and is well-built, and while I still didn’t feel that he was Kurt Lancer, he did give me the idea to look up mixed-race athletes for a possible match in terms of physique.

Then I found David Haye:

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I was so, so close to settling on the heavyweight boxer. In fact, I still mention in Oracle that Lancer looked like Haye. But I had a lingering doubt: Lancer may be big, but he’s not as big as Haye, and something in my gut told me we’re not quite there yet.

Finally, I found this rugged gem:

Now I don’t know who this guy is, and his picture’s been sitting in my computer for so long I don’t even remember where I found him. But to me, he is Detective Kurt Lancer: rugged, tall, muscular, with a resemblance to David Haye, but more lithely built and with a lighter skin tone. I could easily picture that curly mop of hair braided into neat cornrows. Best of all, this guy is a man on the street, not a famous celebrity, and that suits Kurt to the ground: someone happy with doing his job, without being in the limelight.

And so Kurt Lancer was born. I must say, it was a journey that was easy on the eyes!

Looking at my choice for Kurt Lancer, what can you deduce about his personality? How do YOU create a mental picture of your protagonist?

 

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Comments (16)

Shelley MunroAugust 14th, 2012 at 3:44 am

It’s fascinating seeing how other writers do things. Is there a picture missing right at the end?

[Reply]

J.C. Martin Reply:

Oops, you’re right Shelley, the most important one too! Here he is:

http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z451/Jc_Martin/KurtLancer.jpg

[Reply]

[…] also stop at Savannah Chase’s blog with a pictorial look at the evolution of Detective Kurt Lancer. Eye candy […]

Kathy LewisAugust 14th, 2012 at 5:45 am

That was fascinating how you choose your muse. I myself love Shemar Moore. I don’t the picture of the guy you chose. Thanks.

[Reply]

J.C. Martin Reply:

Kathy, I like Shemar too, but he’s just not Kurt. Sorry for the missing picture, you can find it here:

http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z451/Jc_Martin/KurtLancer.jpg

[Reply]

Savannah ChaseAugust 14th, 2012 at 1:15 pm

Jc, thank you for being my guest. I loved reading about how you created your characters. Shemar Moore is my fave all the way.

[Reply]

J.C. Martin Reply:

Thank YOU Savannah for having me! I so appreciate all the support you have given me all the way! Everyone seems to like Shemar. Maybe I should have used him for Kurt? 😉

[Reply]

krissyAugust 14th, 2012 at 1:36 pm

I love learning about authors writing or creating process .. How they assemble a story, or their characters. How they look or what their personalities are or what their life story is. How they are inspired.

[Reply]

J.C. Martin Reply:

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading, Krissy!

[Reply]

Kimberley CAugust 14th, 2012 at 2:55 pm

Well, I for one would love to see the picture of the one you decided was the perfect embodiment of Kurt Lancer. Thank you for sharing your process with us….it was very interesting!

[Reply]

J.C. Martin Reply:

Thanks for reading Kimberley. Sorry the final picture went missing. Here is my Kurt: http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z451/Jc_Martin/KurtLancer.jpg

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Savannah ChaseAugust 14th, 2012 at 4:44 pm

J.C I added the missing pic to the post..

[Reply]

J.C. Martin Reply:

Wow, you’re quick! Thank you, Savannah!

[Reply]

Savannah Chase Reply:

J.C, you are welcome…

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BrindaAugust 15th, 2012 at 6:02 am

JC. Nice to meet you. So many choices…

Kurt Lancer is a fine looking man. Good pick.

[Reply]

KatAugust 15th, 2012 at 11:59 am

The guy you chose as Kurt Lancer is quite attractive. He looks so familiar to me….now trying remember how I know him. Grrr!

[Reply]

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