Inspiration: Favorites (1)

When I wrote a Chris Hemsworth vs. Liam Hemsworth story for Bard's Producer's Ring group (which will be posted on The Cave on 7/2), one of his comments to me was that it fit so well with the existing stories, he thought he'd written it.

I do recognize and acknowledge that my stories are inspired by other stories out there. From simple things, like the generous use of sound effects to big things like the themes, my stories are a product of what I've seen, read and liked.

I don't think I've ever plagiarized anyone. Certainly not intentionally. I think inspiration in technique and theme is unavoidable and a positive thing. So I thought it would be fun to share some of the stories I enjoy and one thing I admire about them. I've read all of these multiple times. And, as my posting of stories slows to a more modest pace of two new stories a month, this will give some of you more passionate fans something to read.

Hercules Bound - Lucky Stallion

Obviously I'm a fan of every story Lucky Stallion has written. I love the art and writing. I've bought all the PDFs. It's all exceptional, but I chose this story in particular for one specific scene. It was in part three, although I've linked you to the re-mastered version which is all one story.

It's a scene that I've read many times. I don't want to spoil it, because there is a build up and when it happens, I literally feel it. I love moments like that. I think you can feel the impact of this story in a story like Encounters: Abuse of Power.

Image from Lucky Stallion's awesome story

Until You Beg - Jay Grappler

This is just an intro, but honestly, it's all I needed. I thought I wanted more, but really you know everything from this point on.

I admire how fast it is while still communicating enough to get me excited about two characters, their situation and the conflict. It is about a page long, but so much happens. By comparison, I have intros that are three times as long and I've almost spent longer describing what guys are wearing. And yet, this got a powerful response from me and I've re-read it many times. So I admire the brevity, the clarity and the setup a lot.

Squash Job - Anonymous

Sadly, the author is listed as anonymous, because I'd love to read more from this writer. The first-person narration is spectacular. Descriptive and emotional. The story has so much drama from beginning to end. The characters are interesting. The scene is clear. The action is palpable and the ending is great. I read a version on a Yahoo! group where they'd switched the roles between the wrestlers and it made no sense to me. I thought it lost all the drama.

I won't say this story is the reason for my love of first-person narratives, but it definitely supports it. There are elements throughout this story that have influenced many of my own. On his 4/4/15 entry on his blog, Cage Thunder said, "since [Golden Rod] hadn't fought back hardly at all, he didn't deserve my cock." I immediately thought back to this story. 

Beginnings – A Batfan60 Blog

A serialized re-imagining of Batman and Robin, it’s almost cheapening it to call it a story. It’s a multi-year adventure that is different from anything I’ve ever read.

You have to go all the way back to the June 2004 posts for the start of this. I love the use of the diary format. The author uses it perfectly, as he created a daily journal for his characters, so you live their adventures with them. You're as confused and disturbed as they are. You experience the revelations as they do. It'd be a great format for psychological horror, but in this case, it's a superhero tale.

Beginnings is a major accomplishment, that’s for sure. I really, really, really want to do something similar, with one character telling his tale. I’ve started an outline for a superhero, but I recognize the commitment it will require and need for planning. There are long gaps in Batfan60’s stories and some unfinished aspects to his blog that I’d want to avoid, so if I do it, I'll have an ending in place for sure.

So there it is, a few of my faves. If you read or have read any of these, please let me know what you think in the comments!

Alex