The Writing Process: How Bits of a Writer's Life Come into Play

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Weekly I play on a trivia team so obviously I love information, from the well-known to the obscure.  When developing the character of Jason Hawke, the hero in HER DARK PROTECTOR, I wanted him to have a hobby that would reflect his involvement in a secret justice society as well as reflect his wealth.  I took a look at sports memorabilia and collecting fighting implements, but then Jason ‘told’ me he preferred fighting with his hands.  Then I researched the world of boxing.  There’s quite a world of collectors, from autographed photographs to fight worn gloves championship belts and trophies.

It should come as no surprise that Muhammad Ali’s memorabilia transcends all others. However, as I dug deeper, I came across the name of heavyweight champion Marvin Hart.  Hart held the championship from 1905-06, but was not a favored champion and reportedly signed few autographs.  As a fighter Hart was described as tough, determined, but he followed a very popular champion and held the HW championship only briefly.   Consequently, a simple signed piece of paper from Hart sells for $8,000-$15,000 and is considered one of the rarest signatures to collect.  

[photo from Chicago Daily News}

So here’s how the trivia played out in the scene from HER DARK PROTECTOR:  

The length of at least three bedrooms, the workout room contained the latest state-of-the-art exercise equipment. A punching bag hung from a beam. Rolled mats were stacked along the sides. Another wall fitted with brackets held an assortment of poles, batons and chains that caused her to swallow. Some serious martial arts training could go on here. Jason stood by the bank of windows speaking on his phone. He gave her a brief nod but continued talking.

However, it was the line of glass display cases that drew her attention. She wandered to the nearest one and studied the ragged piece of paper with a faded autograph on a black velvet stand.

Pocketing his phone, Jason approached. “Marvin Hart held the heavyweight boxing championship from 1905 to 1906. However, he wasn’t a very popular champion and consequently his autograph is scarce.”

“You collect boxing memorabilia? With all the martial arts gear, I was expecting swords or other weapons.”

His mouth quirked. “No, but you’ll find one in the third case down that was used by Bruce Lee in a movie.”

He slid his hands into his front pockets. “As I trained with the Alliance, I became fascinated with the history of boxing and other hand-to-hand fighting along with the various philosophies.”

J Carol