This has probably been answered, but I was curious where the idea behind Repairman Jack came from. Granted, its sort of like the series that starred that British guy (who helped people who could not go to the police), but not exactly. Sure, Jack is the Heir, but Jack was not originally the star of a horror series - he was just the fix-it guy who took your troubles and made them better - he kicked ass against the guys playing three-card-monty in Central Park - and where did he get that name? Yes, I know what the name represents and what it can be confused for, but where did FPW originally think it up?
If this has been answered before, I forgot. I forget a lot.
If this has been answered before, I forgot. I forget a lot.
TerrLight.com, is where I can spout off about anything. Visit. Link.
Auskar Wrote:This has probably been answered, but I was curious where the idea behind Repairman Jack came from. Granted, its sort of like the series that starred that British guy (who helped people who could not go to the police), but not exactly.
The Equalizer?
Attached Files
I accidentally dropped a load of worthless change in the street. I was going to just leave it there but a burly policeman lumbered towards me and said, "You'd better pick that up, son."
I hate coppers.
I hate coppers.
![[Image: smile-test.gif]](http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/B0NESWEEPTEDIUM/smile-test.gif)
"DEMOCRACY IS TWO WOLVES AND A LAMB VOTING ON WHAT TO HAVE FOR LUNCH. LIBERTY IS A WELL-ARMED LAMB CONTESTING THE VOTE."
Didn't he steal him from the TV show Vengeance Unlimited. No wait, it was the other way around. I think the character is singular. Sort of a cross between the Magnificent 7 and the Wild Bunch.
Auskar Wrote:This has probably been answered, but I was curious where the idea behind Repairman Jack came from. Granted, its sort of like the series that starred that British guy (who helped people who could not go to the police), but not exactly. Sure, Jack is the Heir, but Jack was not originally the star of a horror series - he was just the fix-it guy who took your troubles and made them better - he kicked ass against the guys playing three-card-monty in Central Park - and where did he get that name? Yes, I know what the name represents and what it can be confused for, but where did FPW originally think it up?
If this has been answered before, I forgot. I forget a lot.
If I remember correctly, Jack started as a nightmare FPW had about trying to kill an unstoppable monster on the roof of a building. He used that to build the story both forward and backwards to create "The Tomb".
If I recall correctly, Paul was talking about RJ at the signing here in Scottsdale, and said he was trying to develop an "anti-Jason Bourne" character.
One who lived by his own wits, and did not have a large cast of thousands to back him up or provide him with training and support.
I think he's succeeded masterfully. RJ is one of my top five favorite fictional characters.
One who lived by his own wits, and did not have a large cast of thousands to back him up or provide him with training and support.
I think he's succeeded masterfully. RJ is one of my top five favorite fictional characters.
"You have the right to remain silent. If you choose to waive this right, I may have to kill you in self-defense because you're boring me to death."
KRW Wrote:If I remember correctly, Jack started as a nightmare FPW had about trying to kill an unstoppable monster on the roof of a building. He used that to build the story both forward and backwards to create "The Tomb".That's how I remember it as well -- RJ started with what became the Mother Rakosh.
Ken V.
You longtimers have good memories. He came from a dream. The scene on the roof in The Tomb was the dream, then I worked backward and forward to create a character who could survive that situation. I’ve been a libertarian forever, so I figured I’d act out my libertarian dreams, you know, make this guy an anarchist with no identity. I decided on an anti-Jason Bourne - with no black-ops, SEAL, or Special Forces training, no CIA or police background, no connection to officialdom. In other words, no safety net. No one in the government he could call on. He has to rely on his own wits and his own network.
I intended him to be a one-shot, which is kind of obvious at the end of book. As I finished The Tomb, I thought, “Well, this character is great—so I gotta make it look like guy is dead or they’ll want more.” I had books planned out and didn’t want to get locked into a series. Then, later on, Jack became a way out of a trap I got myself into with a medical thriller contract. I’d gotten bored with writing them after doing three and I was contracted to do a fourth… but thought, Hey, why don’t I rework this and use Jack again? It’d be great for him. I made his client a doctor and that was that. And the publisher was happy that I was bringing back a character that my readers wanted to see again.
Oh, and BTW - The Tomb hit the bestseller lists in 1984. "The Equalizer" started its run in 1985. Coincidence? I don't think so.
I intended him to be a one-shot, which is kind of obvious at the end of book. As I finished The Tomb, I thought, “Well, this character is great—so I gotta make it look like guy is dead or they’ll want more.” I had books planned out and didn’t want to get locked into a series. Then, later on, Jack became a way out of a trap I got myself into with a medical thriller contract. I’d gotten bored with writing them after doing three and I was contracted to do a fourth… but thought, Hey, why don’t I rework this and use Jack again? It’d be great for him. I made his client a doctor and that was that. And the publisher was happy that I was bringing back a character that my readers wanted to see again.
Oh, and BTW - The Tomb hit the bestseller lists in 1984. "The Equalizer" started its run in 1985. Coincidence? I don't think so.
This post was last modified: 12-31-2009, 11:02 AM by fpw.
FPW
FAQ
"It means 'Ask the next question.' Ask the next question, and the one that follows that, and the one that follows that. It's the symbol of everything humanity has ever created." Theodore Sturgeon.
RJ came first, but I think FPW lifted the Equalizer's theme song.
They passed an old woman who was just opening the door of a brown Cadillac. An old man was already sitting in the passenger seat. The car had a personalized plate with the letters “J-U-S-P-R-A-Y”.
“That stuff work?” Israel said to her.
“‘Scuse me?” the little old woman said, clutching her keys.
“The spray. Does it keep them away?”
“Keep who away?” She looked confused.
“I gotcha.” Israel gave her a conspiratorial wink.
www.feelmyghost.webs.com
fpw Wrote:Jack became a way out of a trap I got myself into with a medical thriller contract. I’d gotten bored with writing them after doing three and I was contracted to do a fourth… but thought, Hey, why don’t I rework this and use Jack again? It’d be great for him. I made his client a doctor and that was that. And the publisher was happy that I was bringing back a character that my readers wanted to see again.You don't know how glad I was to see Jack again.
When I saw Legacies I couldn't get home fast enough to start reading it.
So thank goodness you got bored with the medical thrillers.
Quote:Oh, and BTW - The Tomb hit the bestseller lists in 1984. "The Equalizer" started its run in 1985. Coincidence? I don't think so.They say that immitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but DAMMIT they should also "give credit where credit is due."
Ken V.