Happy Halloween!
In this latest Raptor Squad update we are featuring Episode 10 Book 2, which (obviously) continues the events set in motion in Book 1. In this installment we see the introduction of several seminal Raptor Squad personalities, the most prolific of which is the Tapani Nobleman Xander Paddox. Also introduced is New Republic Liaison Jonus Kable who starts to mix things up right out of the gate.
Both are wonderful characters I had a lot of fun writing and you’ll hopefully enjoy in this fiction. Sometimes I struggle with how to portray certain characters in our fiction, but I feel the best way is to show them with all of their flaws intact. Basing them on the characters played around the table by real people is integral, because as the players we all had our own characters flaws and imperfections that invariably made their way into our characters.
It’s these flaws that really flesh out and make Raptor squad not only believable but easier to relate to. Vic is stubborn and had trouble with women; Klux has a lack of confidence and direction; Koort has questionable interpersonal skills and far overestimates his abilities- and the list goes on.
As most know, in fan fiction there are always tendencies by inexperienced writers to fall into the “Mary Sue” trap- portraying the heroes of the fiction as more important/heroic than those that originally appeared in the canon work. I take pride in saying that I feel you won’t find that in our fiction, as Raptor Squad has problems. Real problems. The heroes aren’t always heroic, the things they do don’t always work out and in the end the characters have significant flaws that makes them living breathing subjects rather than some writers “hero fantasy” where everyone is perfect and can do no wrong.
Nope. In this fiction you get blemishes and all. But being heroic isn’t about how many stormtroopers you can kill or how many planets you save- it’s about the sacrifices you make and how you live with those decisions and consequences that define a hero.
So! Enjoy the fiction! I worked hard on it, and owe a great deal of thanks to my wife Tracy (as always) who is not only my muse but my best friend and proofreader and without whom this fiction would never even see the light of day. As always, we encourage feedback! Tell us what you like, didn’t like or what (or who) you would like to see more of!
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6 comments:
HOLY CRAP!?!? Bob, I have no idea where to start with Book Two. When I saw that it weighed in a little more than 170 pages, I told myself that I was going to pace myself when reading this new installment of fiction… but let me tell you, I read the entire fiction in one sitting (early Friday morning after getting home from work). I read it straight through and finished a little after 9AM. I could not stop reading it! I kept telling myself that I was going to stop after a certain point, but I couldn’t!
I absolutely love this piece of fiction, and I will admit that it is hands-down, my favorite piece of fiction. And I am not just saying that because it debuts my character, Xander Paddox. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I loved all the rest of the fiction, but this one really hit me hard. I really found myself caring for these guys… even Jonus Kable!
SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ IT YET!!
I kept waiting for Vic to throw his hands up and say, “You know what? I can’t do this anymore!” But knowing Vic like I know him, he wouldn’t do that. You can really feel his struggle with rebuilding Raptor Squad. I also loved the little mention of Khara Doone in the fiction… can’t way for her formal introduction. Speaking of little mentions, I love hearing from Race and even a little Mitch Vohar was thrown in there! Then, the thing that really threw me was when Jen Zi was mentioned… priceless! I also love the little conversations between Baal and Klux… especially the dream that Klux haves with his confrontation with Baal. I get the feeling that Klux is trying to “prove himself” to Baal, but Baal is having nothing to do with it. I also love when Baal says, “What’s a Koort?” LOL! I cracked up at that one! Speaking of Koort, I love how he is torn between whether or not to join the team. I think that he wants to, but at the same time, he doesn’t. Then there is Jonus Kable! He is someone that you love to hate, but at the same time, can you really fault him because aren’t we simply a product of our upbringing? There were times that I wanted to reach into the fiction and slap Kable right across the face… especially with his confrontation with Jen Zi… bastard! I also liked seeing Cyruce Blaac being introduced… as well as being questioned by Klux and Baal.
Then, I must talk about the introduction of Xander Paddox… without a doubt my favorite Raptor Squad member! LOL! I loved the opening sequence between Xander and Shadra… nice! You can really feel from him and his partial-desire to leave the noble life behind. You can see where he enjoys it, but at the same time, wants nothing to do with it. I also liked his conversations with Jax. I viewed Jax as that “older brother watching the younger brother’s back.” I really felt for Xander as he was thrown into those situations in the prison. He wanted to be left alone and in solitude, but couldn’t. It is going to be interesting to see Xander’s transformation into the warrior and fighter that he becomes over the course of his times with Raptor Squad! I kept waiting for the showdown on Rordak, but darn it Bob, you threw the “To Be Continued…” in there!
All in all, a tremendous piece of fiction, and I will say, I NEED THE NEXT INSTALLMENT RIGHT… FREAKING… NOW! I think you should quit your day job and write fiction. With your consent, I want to take all three of these books and have them published. I must have this in paperback! I am having my buddy read it this week… because everyone should read it!
Sorry I have not been around as much. ya know priorites and all.
Just for your info a small bit of progress on the home front but still in the same boat I told you about in September.
I am excited book 2 is up and will be reading it very soon.
Let me know if you need any coding help for anything coming up.
Wow!
Thanks Big Al!
Sorry I didn’t post your comment earlier, but as the Brits say “I was on holiday” all last week. Just getting back into my groove ya know.
I’m ecstatic that you dig the fiction! Your opinion really means a lot to me, especially since it was your character I was writing. Its important that I get a feel from you guys if you think I’m going down the right path, and I’m happy you think I am!
Xander is great fun character to write, and yeah, I kinda threw ya for a loop when I ended the fiction where I did…but don’t worry, I think there is going to be a nice payoff in Book 3 (which is 2/3 of the way done).
I’m glad you dug the additions of the new characters….I was thinking of folks to put in to the Raptor Squad mythology that would make sense, and Jen Zi, and Mitch just seemed like natural fits into VP to me….given their skills and such. Don’t worry, I’m thinking there will be another stand alone Vornskr Pack fiction in the future, so you will get to see more of these folks.
Anyway! I’m writing book 3 as we speak, so hopefully I’ll be able to roll it out in a few months…I know the wait is rough (Tracy is already asking me how much more I got to go) but I like to think taking my time and really putting some heart into it pays off in the long run…so! Hopefully you guys will think it’s worth it too. And of course I’ll give you updates on how its progressing.
Mike- Thanks for offering to help! Actually I don’t do a lot of coding anymore…a lot of copying/pasting these days but I’ll let ya know if that changes! I’m glad to hear things are getting better…just slow and steady brother, family is the most important thing next to friends in this world…I hope your situation continues to improve! If you need to talk or anything never hesitate to pick up the phone and call!
I look forward to hearing your feedback on Book 2 when you get around to reading it! Klux gets some face time and I would like to hear what ya think!
Thanks for the input guys! You make it well worth the effort!!!!
Oh, and Big Al...
As far as publishing the fiction? You are more than welcome to get it printed if you like, I'm flattered! In fact, once Book 3 is done I'm planning on getting them all put into a single volume and getting them published as well..I was planning on letting you guys know when so I could order you copies if you like.
I'll let you know when that happens and you can let me know if you would like a copy!
:-)
A lot of people are getting introduced in this installment of the fiction, including some no one ever would have guessed, like Jen Zi and Mitch Vohar. Like Race, these are good characters, and if we stuck with the timeline of their actual arrival in the story, we'd never see them!
I also liked the parts with Darth Necros. He's a total ass! Yes, I know, he's a Darksider! But I like how Bob goes no-holds-barred when it comes to portraying them. And you get to see his origins as a Sith apprentice, something not done before in the fiction.
And like Alex, I was waiting for Vic to throw his hands up at some point and say, "Screw all this!". But he sticks in there and is committed to making the team work even if they cannot all get along.
I'm looking forward to seeing the dynamic of the two teams working together. Vornskr Pack and Raptor Squad both have new members and it will be fun to see them all in action as they tackle the Rordak mission!
Yeah, Rordak will definitely be interesting....I'm already about 120 pages into the fiction and still have a bit to go...but whereas Book 2 was (in my opinion) heavy on character development and light on action, Book 3 more than makes up for it....and not to throw out spoilers, but in Book 3 a few important characters DIE! Thats right! This Book will see death, destruction and sucking chest wounds....in fact it's safe to say that a lot of people get royally messed up in Book 3.
So, something to keep your eyes open for!
:-)
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