It's rare when a character in one of my stories is inspired in one way or another by a real person. My characters usually create themselves without any outside help. While I was writing “Search for the Phoenix”, I reached a part where I needed to introduce a new character. General Lance Nelson was to make his first appearance in the story, and I still had no idea who he was, or even what he looked like. I was tempted to move on, continuing the story, hoping Lance would take form as I wrote. Instead, I decided to take a short break from writing and indulge in one of my other passions – music.

I began watching an episode of “Live from Darly's House”. It was the episode with Cee Lo Green. As I watched and listened, in the back of my mind I was still struggling with my friend, Lance. The band began playing “I Can't Go For That”, which started with Klyde Jones rocking his bass. Mr. Jones, with his shaved head, wrap-around sun glasses, muscles, and above all else, tons of cool, I knew I had found my elusive General. He made his playing look effortless, in spite of the tremendous skill involved. He looked like a man in charge. And smooth moves, he had those, too. I jumped back into my writing and created General Lance Nelson, a calm, cool, and collected man, in charge, never flustered, always thinking, making his hard work and careful planning look easy. Yep, he even had smooth, ebony skin, a shaved head, wrap-around sunglasses, and muscles.

Here is the segment of the show that helped to define Lance Nelson. You have to admit, the dude is cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoXxdO...