One of my key motives for writing the Vyctor series of novels was exploring a different kind of hero. Our culture seems chock full of superheroes with incredible powers they were either born with or acquired by accidental, or intentional means. Largely, their first tool for solving problems is a liberal application of knuckles. Fun to read and watch, but narrow in terms of showing us other exciting possibilities that may be in the vast and varied human toolkit.
I’ve always been drawn to heroes who never really wanted power but somehow end up in possession of it. These characters approach problems differently, even when the dire challenges they somehow inherit, are vastly larger than what they feel capable of facing.
Stories that tell the truth about the effects of power, unpack for us the darker side of great strength and influence. All ideologies seek power, yet, if they successfully come to possess it, that power has a corrupting effect on the ideology, and those who work within it. No system escapes the slow creep of corruption caused by that power. It calls to those who need it to achieve their goals. Some of those goals are good, but some are most assuredly not. All must compromise to access that power. This is recognized throughout world systems of government. It’s why they are characterized as early stage, mature, and late stage. Late stage is when the governmental ideology has become inflexible and corrupted elements within the government have consolidated their power and cannot be removed by any lawful means within the system. Once a government has achieved late stage, the fix usually comes in some form of jarring reset; Revolution, dissolution, or failed state.
So back to Vyctor. He is a young man borne of the slums. He’s seen a very hard life up to the age of eight, when he was adopted by the underdean of L’institute Technologie. Vyctor is brilliant. A mind that comes along once in a millennium. He is also introverted and fundamentally empathic to others he associates with. Just getting through the day feels awkward and challenging to him.
Because of whom he is and what he is capable of, Vyctor fundamentally believes that there is no problem the world has to offer, that cannot be solved by an act of invention or creation. He is not a political animal. He trusts in others ability to see the benefit in what he creates and therefore he is driven to constantly invent. Is this naïve? Assuredly so, yet his unshakable belief in finding a solution is like a magnet for other’s trust and belief.
I’m sure you have heard the adage: “write what you know.” I am a writer who is also an inventor, designer, and artist. I have many patents to my name, and I must confess, there is some of me in Vyctor.
I think most of us in this world do not see ourselves as movers and shakers in the halls of power, and don’t imagine that we will enter the world of politics. That is why Vyctor, with talents and beliefs that are shaped by the flawed and kind person he is, can become a hero with a different toolkit to use on the terrible problems, and grand adventures in the story. He is not a clobber-first character. I can’t post spoilers for the soon-to-be-released novel, but I can say that there is extreme action that Vyctor engages in that is driven by his belief in inventing. This remarkable young man will be pulled into shocking and dangerous events that will require him and his equally creative friends, to do things they aren’t built for. Things they must find the will to commit to. It’s a lot more like most of us in that we’re capable of rising to terrible challenges but we will do so from the center of who we are, not some impossible pattern defined by superheroes.
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