P.T. Denys's Blog
May 18, 2017
Interview with Kevin Vincent
Almost 2 years ago I did a blog tour – since those entries have faded into history on sites with lots and lots of posts, I thought I would bring them back to life and post them for posterity on Goodreads. Over the next several weeks – through the release of The Cycle, I will be sharing the original blog tour posts here. Enjoy!
*****
Character Interview with Kevin Vincent
Can you tell us a little about yourself
Why the hell would I do that?
What is your role in Violence Begets...?
The fucking hero. Would you expect anything less?
What is your favorite hobby?
Fucking. Does that count?
What is the challenge you’re trying to overcome during the story?
To make people mind their own business and stay out of my shit.
If you could make one wish, what would it be?
For this fucking interview to be over.
Note from PT:
Okay, as you know, Kevin is a man of few words and he doesn’t like to talk about himself. I took him aside and assured him that you guys asked to hear from him and that he could trust you. Begrudgingly, he said he’d try again. Sorry about that.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Fine. Fine. I guess I’m kind of an ass hole. Okay, not really kind of. I am an ass hole. But there’s a good reason for that. See, if you knew my father, you’d understand. He’s hasn’t made my life easy. In short, I do what I have to to survive. No more, no less. I don’t let anyone get close because it’s simply not safe to do so. That doesn’t stop me from fucking, though. I do a lot of that and I do it well!
What is your role in the story?
Depends on the scenario. At home, I’m the obedient son. My father rules with an iron fist so you better bet your ass I tow the line. At school, I’m popular but a total ass. At the club - have you seen me? And with Rick, well, let’s just say I don’t deserve him but I’ll do anything I have to to be with him.
What is your favorite hobby?
I will deny this fucking shit if anyone ever asks me again but nothing makes me happier than making Rick smile. I never thought I’d want to do any sort of romantic shit for anyone. But, I’d dress up in drag and sing him show tunes in the middle of a shopping mall if that’s what he wanted. When it comes to Rick, I’m shameless.
And, I might like snowstorms.
What is the challenge you’re trying to overcome during the story?
You’ve got to be kidding. Isn’t that all life is? One set of challenges after another?
Fine, I guess the biggest challenge is myself. My father is a fucker and yeah, the challenge of dealing with the shit he hands out is real. But, Rick is everything that is good in my life and the biggest challenge I have is figuring out how not to fuck everything up and hurt him.
If you could make one wish, what would it be?
For us to make it out alive.
*****
Character Interview with Kevin Vincent
Can you tell us a little about yourself
Why the hell would I do that?
What is your role in Violence Begets...?
The fucking hero. Would you expect anything less?
What is your favorite hobby?
Fucking. Does that count?
What is the challenge you’re trying to overcome during the story?
To make people mind their own business and stay out of my shit.
If you could make one wish, what would it be?
For this fucking interview to be over.
Note from PT:
Okay, as you know, Kevin is a man of few words and he doesn’t like to talk about himself. I took him aside and assured him that you guys asked to hear from him and that he could trust you. Begrudgingly, he said he’d try again. Sorry about that.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Fine. Fine. I guess I’m kind of an ass hole. Okay, not really kind of. I am an ass hole. But there’s a good reason for that. See, if you knew my father, you’d understand. He’s hasn’t made my life easy. In short, I do what I have to to survive. No more, no less. I don’t let anyone get close because it’s simply not safe to do so. That doesn’t stop me from fucking, though. I do a lot of that and I do it well!
What is your role in the story?
Depends on the scenario. At home, I’m the obedient son. My father rules with an iron fist so you better bet your ass I tow the line. At school, I’m popular but a total ass. At the club - have you seen me? And with Rick, well, let’s just say I don’t deserve him but I’ll do anything I have to to be with him.
What is your favorite hobby?
I will deny this fucking shit if anyone ever asks me again but nothing makes me happier than making Rick smile. I never thought I’d want to do any sort of romantic shit for anyone. But, I’d dress up in drag and sing him show tunes in the middle of a shopping mall if that’s what he wanted. When it comes to Rick, I’m shameless.
And, I might like snowstorms.
What is the challenge you’re trying to overcome during the story?
You’ve got to be kidding. Isn’t that all life is? One set of challenges after another?
Fine, I guess the biggest challenge is myself. My father is a fucker and yeah, the challenge of dealing with the shit he hands out is real. But, Rick is everything that is good in my life and the biggest challenge I have is figuring out how not to fuck everything up and hurt him.
If you could make one wish, what would it be?
For us to make it out alive.
November 17, 2015
What Inspired Me Along the Way
As writers, we draw inspiration from our own lives. For me, I draw a lot of inspiration from other art forms. Violence Begets… is a collage of beautiful art I’ve experienced along the way. For this blog post, I thought I’d let you in on just a few of the items that I drew from when writing different scenes. Also, you may see a trend here – I am somewhat of a theater junkie.
There are many spoilers here, so if you haven’t read the book – beware.
On a side note, I worry about sharing these things with you because I want you to feel and know Kevin and Rick as you do and not the back story of the crazy writer who introduced you to them. But, I enjoy finding “Easter eggs” in art work I love – maybe you do as well.
Here you go -
Scene:
Kevin and Rick sitting on Kevin’s couch looking at the snow storm and talking about leaving.
Inspiration:
"The Word of Your Body (Reprise)" from the musical Spring Awakening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1_vA...)
Years ago I attended a local theater production that featured readings and scenes from works of art that had been banned. The scene/song “The Word of Your Body (Reprise)” was featured. I hadn’t seen the show yet and later realized that the scene is actually used for a bit of comedic relief in the show. However, at the time, I found the scene about two young boys fighting a repressive environment and preconceived expectations to be very touching. The talk of future (and probably not possible) plans carried a note of melancholy foreboding.
Scene:
The fight scene between Rick and Kevin at Zarahemla towards the end where Rick breaks things off.
Inspiration:
So You Think You Can Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YbEt...)
God, this dance still kills me. I remember, at the time, it being billed as a friendship that ends. But man, with the choreography by Travis Wall and the way Kent and Neil pull it off, there is no question about the heartache and betrayal that these lovers felt. It is still my all-time favorite number and brings me to tears to this day. When Neil stabs Kent in the back – OMG! Hence the reason for Rick approaching and kicking Kevin from behind.
On a side note, Blue October’s song “The End” influenced Kevin’s emotions and sense of betrayal in this scene. God, this is a dark song. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8omhW...)
Scene:
The end. Kevin choosing Rick by kissing him and how that kiss eventually leads to his belief that Rick died. Also, his confrontation of his father and Kevin’s decision to take the pills.
Inspiration:
The musical Jesus Christ Superstar-
The kiss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBs-v...)
The confrontation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQtnC...)
I am not a religious person but I am a theater person and I was obsessed with this musical for years. I’ve seen many productions of this show but the 2000 movie version definitely tapped into the possible romantic overtones of the relationship between Judas and Jesus. This makes the scene where Judas betrays him and the subsequent guilt he feels, which leads him to take his life, so incredibly heartbreaking.
In the show, Judas kisses Jesus and the ultimate destruction of both characters is set in motion. Sound familiar?
While we are on the subject - Judas is played by an actor named Jerome Pradon. While the name PT Denys represents a lot of things, the P may be a bit of nod towards Pradon.
And yes, of course, being the theater geek that I am, the ending being reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet is absolutely an intended tip of the hat to the greatest playwright ever – Mr. Shakespeare.
And there you have it. I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into the way my mind works and what kinds of things impacted Kevin and Rick’s journey.
Pick up your copy!
Autographed Copy | Audio | Paperback | eBook
Connect
Friend me on Facebook, like my Page on Facebook or Follow my Twitter Feed
There are many spoilers here, so if you haven’t read the book – beware.
On a side note, I worry about sharing these things with you because I want you to feel and know Kevin and Rick as you do and not the back story of the crazy writer who introduced you to them. But, I enjoy finding “Easter eggs” in art work I love – maybe you do as well.
Here you go -
Scene:
Kevin and Rick sitting on Kevin’s couch looking at the snow storm and talking about leaving.
Inspiration:
"The Word of Your Body (Reprise)" from the musical Spring Awakening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1_vA...)
Years ago I attended a local theater production that featured readings and scenes from works of art that had been banned. The scene/song “The Word of Your Body (Reprise)” was featured. I hadn’t seen the show yet and later realized that the scene is actually used for a bit of comedic relief in the show. However, at the time, I found the scene about two young boys fighting a repressive environment and preconceived expectations to be very touching. The talk of future (and probably not possible) plans carried a note of melancholy foreboding.
Scene:
The fight scene between Rick and Kevin at Zarahemla towards the end where Rick breaks things off.
Inspiration:
So You Think You Can Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YbEt...)
God, this dance still kills me. I remember, at the time, it being billed as a friendship that ends. But man, with the choreography by Travis Wall and the way Kent and Neil pull it off, there is no question about the heartache and betrayal that these lovers felt. It is still my all-time favorite number and brings me to tears to this day. When Neil stabs Kent in the back – OMG! Hence the reason for Rick approaching and kicking Kevin from behind.
On a side note, Blue October’s song “The End” influenced Kevin’s emotions and sense of betrayal in this scene. God, this is a dark song. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8omhW...)
Scene:
The end. Kevin choosing Rick by kissing him and how that kiss eventually leads to his belief that Rick died. Also, his confrontation of his father and Kevin’s decision to take the pills.
Inspiration:
The musical Jesus Christ Superstar-
The kiss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBs-v...)
The confrontation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQtnC...)
I am not a religious person but I am a theater person and I was obsessed with this musical for years. I’ve seen many productions of this show but the 2000 movie version definitely tapped into the possible romantic overtones of the relationship between Judas and Jesus. This makes the scene where Judas betrays him and the subsequent guilt he feels, which leads him to take his life, so incredibly heartbreaking.
In the show, Judas kisses Jesus and the ultimate destruction of both characters is set in motion. Sound familiar?
While we are on the subject - Judas is played by an actor named Jerome Pradon. While the name PT Denys represents a lot of things, the P may be a bit of nod towards Pradon.
And yes, of course, being the theater geek that I am, the ending being reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet is absolutely an intended tip of the hat to the greatest playwright ever – Mr. Shakespeare.
And there you have it. I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into the way my mind works and what kinds of things impacted Kevin and Rick’s journey.
Pick up your copy!
Autographed Copy | Audio | Paperback | eBook
Connect
Friend me on Facebook, like my Page on Facebook or Follow my Twitter Feed
