Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Okay, Mr. Wet Blanket, Explain this One...

Once, I might concede is a coincidence, but twice...?

So there I was, there I was... at the keyboard, writing a scene in HONEYMOON OF THE DEAD in which Sebastian is explaining to Garnet that he's got this stalker who is convinced he's a member of the Illuminati. I'd written the scene in because I personally think the Illuminati Watchers are a bit kooky and tend to think anyone rich (which Sebastian, in my universe, is rather) is part of an attempt to establish a new world order and, you know, world domination.

But, it occurs to me that my editor will probably want me to put in a brief explanation of what the Illuminati are supposed to be, so I go to Wikipedia, and what do I find?

The historical Illuminati started where?

That's right: Bavaria. Which, if you didn't know (I certainly didn't), at several points in its history mingled with... that's right: AUSTRIA.

Sorry, my friend. This is just magic, plain and simple.

8 comments:

Kelly McCullough said...

Everyone who knows anything at about the Illuminati knows they started in Bavaria. You may not have read it recently, but if you've read anything any detail about the Illuminati that's in your head somewhere. Further, if you've ever looked at a map of Western Europe, a part of your brain also knows about the geographic proximity of Bavaria and modern Austria. Likewise if you took or read any European history, including certain strands of political science, art history, or religious history, those links should be in your head as well. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Bavaria/Austria Illuminati links triggered the idea of putting that into the book as part of Sebastian's backstory.

Making strange connections of the stuff we read and watch is pretty much the bread and butter of writing. Especially in the speculative genres. I'd frankly be much more surprised if your brain didn't make that sort of connections than that it does.

Is the blanket wet enough yet? I could also go on about serendipity and the statistical likelihood of coincidence.

Bill Henry said...

Cranky-puss!

Kelly McCullough said...

You may have something there, Bill.

Bill Henry said...

(Said with affection, to be sure.)

: )

Laura Bradley Rede said...

Tate, pay no attention to the man behind the wet blanket. ;) Magic happens. In the words of the great Danger Ranger, "I have seen things you wouldn't believe and I believe in things you can't see."
If a gal who spends her time writing about vampire alchemists can't cook up a little real magic, who can? Synchronicity means you are doing something right. :)

tate hallaway said...

Thanks, Laura. (I try not to listen to Kelly too much, anyway...:-)

Kelly McCullough said...

There are definitely days when that's a wise choice.

Laura Bradley Rede said...

And days when we hang on your every word, Kelly. Really. We mean it. :)