by c j bahr
 | Readers often wonder how I come up with ideas or if anything influences my creation of characters. Well, here's the inspiration behind "The Knightmare", aka: Christopher "Kit" Locke, my handsome, roguish, Highwayman from Forged In Fire - book 2 in The Fire Chronicle series. |
I've always loved reading about the "Robin Hood" type of Highwaymen, so when an opportunity afforded itself because I had to send my heroine, Beth into a time travel story, I thought "ah ha!" here's my chance to write my own highwayman!
| My love of highwaymen goes way back. My first introduction to the charming rogues was from Alfred Noyes's story poem opus "The Highwayman". My mother had a leather clad book of a collection of romance poetry which is where I encounter a highwayman for the first time. |  |
When the amazing, talented Irish singer, Loreena McKennitt set Noyes's "The Highwayman" to music on her album Book Of Secrets, I fell in love once more.
Below is a music video created by Erica Elizabeth Ravenwood of McKennitt's "The Highwayman. Take a listen if you've never heard it. Or just enjoy the song if you're already familiar!
| Later in life, I discovered the very talented author, Marsha Canham. If you haven't read her books, you must check them out. I love them all! She is one of my "must read" authors. I'll buy any of her books immediately. But one book in particular grabbed my attention: Pale Moon Rider. Here, I was introduced to Captain Starlight aka Tyrone Hart. He's one of my all time favorite highwaymen! |  |
 | Last but certainly not least, though not a "true" highwayman, there is the duel personality/disguise of The Scarlett Pimpernel. My favorite version is the musical, which I was lucky enough to have seen twice on stage, with the amazing Douglas Sills. If it tours to your neighborhood, check it out, it will be a fabulous night out. Here a link to "The Riddle" one of my favorite songs from the hit show. |
So who are your favorite highwaymen? Did I miss any? I hope "The Knightmare" will become one of yours!
