What Might Have Happened IV – Richard’s Powerful Friend
Last week I failed to update the blog because I was away on an impromptu trip to Prizren and Pristina in Kosovo. Naturally, I met people in the hostel there and I didn’t have time to write or post a new blog.
I’m back in Skopje, Macedonia, now, so I’ve finally managed to get around to it. This week we’re going to take a look at Richard’s inner circle. In the earlier books he’s portrayed as quite naïve and weak. In many respects, he’s an opportunist and doesn’t have any problems betraying the people he knows, especially in 1969 and 1972.
Whilst this was always the original plan, he wasn’t always a lost little lamb. I once intended him to have an extremely powerful friend to back up his rise to power.
Enter Robert Hardy
Oh, yes, the worst nightmare was once true. I think you the reader always knew that this man was shady from the first time you met him in 1964, but Richard didn’t, or he did but he chose not to acknowledge it.
In the first half of the series Robert helps Richard achieve his goals. Richard repeatedly says he doesn’t want his help, but he gets it anyway. The reverse was true in the original draft. Richard was more than happy to take his help.
There was even a time where Richard thought he had the ambitious officer under his thumb and he could use him to get anything he wanted.
What Happened Then?
We know in 1973 that when Richard attempted to get rid of Robert for good through blackmail he found himself arrested on his wedding day. This led to an eight-year phase where Richard became bitter, angry, and out of control. It wasn’t until the end of his tenure out on the streets he mellowed and became a normal human being again.
In the first draft it happened exactly like this. Richard became too big for his boots and Robert decided it was time to throw him aside for good.
Did it Influence the Future?
To tell you the truth, no it didn’t. The events played out in pretty much the same way.
The major difference you would have seen is the way Richard and Robert spoke to each other. Richard would have spoken from a position of power, almost as an equal. I daresay Richard would have been much more unpleasant to follow if that had been the case.
It’s why I changed it. I know Richard is a character that splits opinion for the things he does. I find him to be more realistic for that reason, but it’s a constant balancing act to ensure he doesn’t swing too far towards becoming a villain.
Next Week (for real this time)
Every character has an ending. Some survive and some just disappear into the sunset. Next week I reveal perhaps the biggest spoiler so far. A major character wasn’t due to make it past book three. Find out who it was next week!
Until next…
James Farner
I’m back in Skopje, Macedonia, now, so I’ve finally managed to get around to it. This week we’re going to take a look at Richard’s inner circle. In the earlier books he’s portrayed as quite naïve and weak. In many respects, he’s an opportunist and doesn’t have any problems betraying the people he knows, especially in 1969 and 1972.
Whilst this was always the original plan, he wasn’t always a lost little lamb. I once intended him to have an extremely powerful friend to back up his rise to power.
Enter Robert Hardy
Oh, yes, the worst nightmare was once true. I think you the reader always knew that this man was shady from the first time you met him in 1964, but Richard didn’t, or he did but he chose not to acknowledge it.
In the first half of the series Robert helps Richard achieve his goals. Richard repeatedly says he doesn’t want his help, but he gets it anyway. The reverse was true in the original draft. Richard was more than happy to take his help.
There was even a time where Richard thought he had the ambitious officer under his thumb and he could use him to get anything he wanted.
What Happened Then?
We know in 1973 that when Richard attempted to get rid of Robert for good through blackmail he found himself arrested on his wedding day. This led to an eight-year phase where Richard became bitter, angry, and out of control. It wasn’t until the end of his tenure out on the streets he mellowed and became a normal human being again.
In the first draft it happened exactly like this. Richard became too big for his boots and Robert decided it was time to throw him aside for good.
Did it Influence the Future?
To tell you the truth, no it didn’t. The events played out in pretty much the same way.
The major difference you would have seen is the way Richard and Robert spoke to each other. Richard would have spoken from a position of power, almost as an equal. I daresay Richard would have been much more unpleasant to follow if that had been the case.
It’s why I changed it. I know Richard is a character that splits opinion for the things he does. I find him to be more realistic for that reason, but it’s a constant balancing act to ensure he doesn’t swing too far towards becoming a villain.
Next Week (for real this time)
Every character has an ending. Some survive and some just disappear into the sunset. Next week I reveal perhaps the biggest spoiler so far. A major character wasn’t due to make it past book three. Find out who it was next week!
Until next…
James Farner
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