J.P.'s Friend Comments

edge of bubble wrote: "

MALAZAN is the best answer =)

thanks for the friend request."

And that meme is the best reply! Literally lol'd :-)

MALAZAN is the best answer =)

thanks for the friend request.

Shawn wrote: "Hey Jonathan,

I appreciate your reply. Considering the details you included in your book, at least the version I read, I'm not surprised to hear that you've wore armor and had some hands-on experi..."

Thanks Shawn,

I'm glad it comes through in my writing :-)

Regards

JP

Hey Jonathan,

I appreciate your reply. Considering the details you included in your book, at least the version I read, I'm not surprised to hear that you've wore armor and had some hands-on experience with weapons.

Thanks again,
Shawn

Shawn wrote: "Hey Jonathan,

Don't know if the author question part is malfunctioning or not, but let's try the question here:

You include a fair amount of detail in Black Cross about weapons and armor. Can you..."

Hi Shawn,

Thanks for the question.

I think I probably geek out a fair bit on weapons and armour. I've loved them since I was a wee lad. I used to run around with sticks shaped like swords, thwacking my friends and taking hits in return. And that's it, my whole... oh no, wait, there's more!

At 18 I joined a medieval re-enactment society called the Knights of Longshanks. It was there where my interest really took off. I had hands on experience with swords, axes, maces and other such weapons. I also wore and bought my own armour. I still have a great-helm, maille coif and mits, plate gauntlets and leather vambraces, as well as the linen and wool clothing, and boots.

As well as the above, I read a lot of historical fiction, such as Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell, as well as historical textbooks (fun!), of which I have many. I must list them all on Goodreads some day.

So basically, that's it. My love of history, especially medieval Europe, has ended up coming out in my work. I've held the weapons, fought with them (not properly, of course, but our group was known for going for it at events) and wore the armour. I know what the weight of a maille hauberk feels like, restricting your breathing and weighing on your shoulders. I also know what the impact of a rubber ended crossbow bolt feels like when it hits me square in the chest. It knocks you back a step! I was wearing a padded jack, a coat of plates (iron plates sewn into a leather coat) and still the rubber ended crossbow bolt knocked me back. So the real thing hitting you? launched from a heavier draw-weight bow with tipped bolts... well, you'd be in serious trouble.

As well as the (carefully set up and controlled) crossbow hit, which I took twice during my time with the KOL society, I also took several knocks from swords and the like. I also lost my front tooth! Although, in all honesty, that was erecting a medieval tent and had nothing to do with combat displays.

One thing I learnt from it is that all the manly grunting in the world when fighting, all those curses and shouts and roars, they're all reduced to a yelp when you truly get clocked by someone. When that length of steel cracks off your finger or unprotected bicep. Ouch! And they're blunt!

Anyway, I've waffled as usual, but there you have it. I read medieval textbooks, watch a lot of documentaries on the period (and others) and have had a few years dressed, armed and armoured like those of old.

I must say that I think I need to tone it down a bit when writing, if my editor's advice is anything to go by. The latest (3rd) edition of Black Cross has done that, but in the future I will dial it back a bit more. I just get a little over enthusiastic sometimes, but at least my characters have a gritty realism about them, their arms and armour.

Thanks again for this question, Shawn. I've thoroughly enjoyed hammering my enthusiastic reply into my keyboard.

Cheers,
JP

Hey Jonathan,

Don't know if the author question part is malfunctioning or not, but let's try the question here:

You include a fair amount of detail in Black Cross about weapons and armor. Can you talk about the research you did or any hands-on experience you have with this? Thanks.

Shawn