Having adventures provides important material for authors to write about. For example, Hemmingway was known for big game hunting and fishing, and for his fascination of watching bullfights. My character’s adventures come out of some of my own experiences such as backpacking in the Rockies, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, exploring caves, and skydiving.
When writing the Star Rider series I drew on these skills. Originally the title of the first book in the series didn’t include the words Star Rider. Its title was On the Razor’s Edge.
Before it was published, I was walking along the street when I saw a movie Marquee displaying a new movie On the Razor’s Edge. I stood there amazed that there was a movie with my book’s title. With a little research, I discovered the movie was based on a novel by Somerset Maugham Titles aren’t copyrighted, but I didn’t want my book to have the same title as an already-published, well-known novel.
Grateful for my discovery, I changed the name of my book to Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge.In my story, the heroine, code name Star Rider, walks the razor’s edge in pursuit of high ideals such as integrity, honesty, courage, and truthfulness.
Maugham’s book is about the search for meaning in life and the clash between materialism and spirituality.
Maugham was the most popular author of his era. He was known mainly for his short stories. The most famous one is Rain. Itis the story of a missionary trying to save the soul of a prostitute in Pago Pago. The name Rain is partly based on the fact the Pago Pago harbor has the highest annual rainfall in the world.
In the story, the missionary is a tyrant, unwilling to learn about the native people and their culture. He feels justified in forcing Christianity on them. What makes Rain interesting is that the ending can be interpreted in two different ways. It leaves the reader pondering the ending.
Here is a link to an audio version of the story
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