Today’s subject: the amazing graphic novelist/horror writer JOE HILL. He’s currently on tour, hawking HORNS, by the way, so you just may be able to catch him at a local bookstore near you! (I have HORNS sitting at my elbow, just begging to be read; I’ll start it tonight, promise!) When Joe sent me his answer for this game, he basically did my work for me:
“shoes: My shitkickin motorcycle boots. songs: “It’s A Long Way To The Top”-AC/DC. “Dirty Deeds”-AC/DC. “Back in Black”-AC/DC Catch a theme?”
Hmmm… what do these two items reveal about Joe? One hard-assed, hard-rockin’ mofo, right? Or, at least that’s the image he wants to portray of himself. And, you know what? I’m totally cool with that; that’s just how I prefer to think of the author of Heart-Shaped Box, 20th Century Ghosts, and Locke & Key. (Though, I’m sure he’s much deeper than this in reality.)
If I were to use these shoe and tune choices in a character sketch, I’d probably construct a fairly typical villain. No — wait — I’d give the character some kind of other twist, like a disability or disfigurement or something. It would come out like some bizarre David Lynchian thing where the motorcycle gang dude has a pet log or huffs Chanel perfume or something. Motorcycle boots and AC/DC make a good base for one tough guy, though, don’t they?
What do you think?
Thanks, Joe, for playing along! Have fun on the tour!
I completely agree with you on this. I would think the same, but I’d probably add in a soft spot somewhere and I doubt I’d make him the bad guy. My character would more than likely be the bad @$$ for most of the book and then turn around and surprise everyone by saving the day. But then again, I have a soft spot for bad boys. : )
Ah, yes, I left the “bad boy” image out, didn’t I? Yes, soft-hearted “bad boy,” indeed. Thanks, Jessica — good call!