THE HANDSOME DOLL

NOTES

For someone who start from scratch, finishing this forty chapter novel is indeed an accomplishment. So the question is how did I end up writing this craft? Well, the idea came knocking on me one cold midnight, it just pop out of my mind and I swear, it did not let me sleep until I gain the courage to grab a pen and paper so I can write the first chapter.

I'm a total bookworm and if you will take a look at the genres on my bookshelf, you can conclude that I'm not someone who's into romantic stuff. Its because I'm a sucker for suspense thriller novels and it really surprise me when I'd been able to write The Handsome Doll.

And since I don't start any work without knowing first how will it ends, I take some time to research regarding mafia crime family. I read everything I can get about the Sicylian Mafia or the Cosa Nostra and study the fascinating biographies of Guiseppe Genco Rusco (1893-1976, an italian mafioso, boss of Mussomeli in the province of Caltanissetta, Sicily) and Calegero Vizzini (1877-1954, a historical mafia boss of Villalba in the province of Caltanisseta, Sicily). Both of them establish the first phase of their position using violence but thereafter resort to limiting such and turning primarily in legal resources of gain in which they can exercise their power in an open and legitimate fashion thus earning the titles "Man of Honour" and "Man of Order" (*) They are my inspiration in creating Mr. Gregory Hendrick.

As of Blythe Chavillon, it has always been my dream to write about a tough, independent girl contrary to the most portrayal of feminine protagonist these days. But, the problem of creating her is the fact that she will need a man that can dominate her no matter how thickheaded she is, thus I come up with Cheston La Fontant.

I know I depict the mafia crime family here in a lesser way. Believe me, I sometimes dwell in the idea of mixing drugs, assassination and prostitution in some chapters but I cannot bring myself to write more violent scenes than I already did. (The violence you read every now and then requires great struggles on my part). I hope the rival clan wars justify some parts of reality.

The most unforgettable part of spending time writing this is the days of constant wondering. There are moments when I'm cooking or taking a bath and I will come up with an idea but there's no pen and paper nearby so I will recite it loud until I can type it on my laptop. There are times when I'm outside, tending the plants or shopping with my sister and I will suddenly find myself wondering what will Blythe feel if she was real, doing the stuff I'm doing.

Man, I really enjoy the three weeks writing experience it gave me and I hope you did too. Because there's nothing more enjoyable than hearing from someone who read your work that at least, you didn't waste their time.

*wikipedia.com