{"id":3595,"date":"2010-11-05T09:30:19","date_gmt":"2010-11-05T09:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/?p=3595"},"modified":"2010-11-05T07:19:23","modified_gmt":"2010-11-05T07:19:23","slug":"with-violet-light-extra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/?p=3595","title":{"rendered":"With Violet Light EXTRA"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

So let me tell you about my friend Tom Wong. He is a hilarious karaoke master who will carry your drunk ass home and watch Project Runway<\/em> reruns with you until you sober up. He is a talented writer who has totally worked on actual TV shows<\/a>. He is also a gigantic nerd who can blather for hours about Starcraft<\/em> and immediately knew what I meant when I started ranting about D&D alignments mere moments after we first met.<\/p>\n

Tom is one of the first people I send my writing to when I’m working on something and he gave tons of helpful feedback on One Con Glory<\/a><\/em>. In fact, he was so willing to talk about OCG<\/em> with me all the damn time<\/em> that he eventually started suggesting “joke” alternative storylines involving “The Tom Character.” (Most of these storylines involved TTC getting naked with Jack Camden. In a totally believable and organic way, of course.) We laughed about it. But when I was working on “With Violet Light<\/a>,” I started thinking: this story could absolutely use The Tom Character. Also, if I were to add TTC, maybe he would finally shut up about it. So I did. And this is the one and only time I will actually cop to basing a character completely on a real person. Yes, Evan Chang is Tom Wong.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Now that you’ve all read “With Violet Light” (and if you haven’t, all the parts are collected here<\/a>), I thought it would be fun to interview Tom and get his impressions on how The Tom Character turned out. Warning: there are SPOILERS for the story in the following piece.<\/p>\n

Oh, and the pic above is Tom doing his best Julie pose (based on Max Riffner’s<\/a> illustration) with my husband Jeff. Perhaps someday he will have his own Evan illustration to emulate!<\/p>\n

**<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: [Affecting high-pitched \u00e2\u20ac\u0153girl\u00e2\u20ac\u009d voice] \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What was it like having a character based on you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d [Affecting smarmy \u00e2\u20ac\u0153awards show\u00e2\u20ac\u009d voice] \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, it was such an honor! I felt really touched that you think of me that way!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: Yeah, everyone will know that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not what you said. Or at least, everyone who knows you will. Can you tell the nice people reading\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbecause they haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t had the great privilege of listening to our many conversations\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhat your initial pitch was for The Tom Character?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: I think basically all of my pitches were just to put me in the story\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhich means someone super-smart, really good-looking, and irresistible to everybody. Most comic bookish stories don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have that hot gay guy who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just gonna go and, like, wow everybody. Which is my basic life experience. But seriously: I was just joking. You didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have<\/em> to include a Tom Character.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: You say<\/em> you were just joking, but you seemed to have a lot of rather detailed thoughts about what The Tom Character would be doing in the story.<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Well, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just always what I think that type of character should be doing, which is seducing all the hot guys. But I was very surprised when there actually was a Tom Character.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: You were a beta reader for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153With Violet Light\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhen did you realize you were reading about you<\/em>?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: As soon as there was an Asian male in the story, I was pretty sure it was based on me. And as I read, I sensed he was based on me. My initial reaction was, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh no, she better not<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d And then you did.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: Um, excuse me<\/em>, but there are other Asian males in my life. Including my husband. Why did you assume it was you?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Of course<\/em> it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gonna be based on me. It wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be based on [your husband] Jeff, because he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the romantic interest. And Julie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s based on you.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: SHE IS NOT.<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Puh-leeze! [Makes patented \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Girl, please\u00e2\u20ac\u009d face.] My expression needs to make it into your transcript somehow…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Anyway, I figured I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be the next choice, because who else would you want to write about? I know I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m coming off great here. Everyone reading will be like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who is this douchebag?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re just…being you. I thought maybe the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I Hate The Battlestar Galactica<\/em> Finale\u00e2\u20ac\u009d bit is what tipped you off, that being one of your trademark speeches and all.<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: That was a complete confirmation that it was supposed to be me. But I had a feeling.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: Okay, so then you go, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh no, she better not<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d What was your fear?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want you to attach him to Braidbeard\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe really annoying guy! The guy no one likes!<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: But why did you think that was where it was going? Because he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s introduced very innocuously: he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just the guy who works at the comic book shop.<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Because if the character\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s based on me, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to have some sex at some point and there was only one option. And it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a good option. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re an efficient writer, which is good\u00e2\u20ac\u201dso you wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just introduce some random character, give this character a name, set up a relationship with your main character if he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not gonna have a bigger role down the line.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: Thanks\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll take that as a compliment coated in indignation. I just want to say this for the record, though: you were also a beta reader on One Con Glory<\/em>, and you kept saying, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Braidbeard sounds HOT.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: That was before you told me what he was really<\/em> like. And also, I was just trying to get on your nerves, because you kept saying, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so annoying!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I was like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, he seems hot.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d And then you were like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153NO HE\u00e2\u20ac\u2122S NOT HE\u00e2\u20ac\u2122S NOT HOT.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d So I was like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, that annoys Sarah. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m feeling like I want to annoy her.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: Alright, dear friend<\/em>, setting that aside: now that you know the whole story and The Tom Character\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s role in everything, how do you feel?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Well, I like The Tom Character. I like the name Evan. I like that he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s smart, a little spirited. Obviously adorable. What I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like is that his boyfriend\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so annoying. [\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Girl, please\u00e2\u20ac\u009d face.] I have to say, I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t put up with that. But then again, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not me.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: In Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s defense, I will say that he kind of doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t put up with it, and I think that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why Braidbeard likes him. When Braidbeard is doing his usual annoying thing with Ghost World<\/em>, Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s kind of like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, shut up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d And then he schools him, which I think is what you would do.<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: I would school him, then I would dump him.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: Okay, I can see that. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had many other characters inspired by you inserted into other works of fiction, but how weird was this particular instance?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s weird. I will say this is the first time that I know of someone putting a character based on me in something. But the character\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s minor, so you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to go too far into his psyche: it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re putting all of me on the page. So it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not uncomfortable that way. And also, I think the character is pretty much positive all around. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think anyone would dislike this character. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one thing if this character were, say, Braidbeard: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Guess what, Braidbeard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s based on you, Tom!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do I act like that?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I would say Evan is a less annoying version of me. He’s not a complete asshole.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve talked about why you disapprove of Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s storyline here\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI think you had an alternative, fanfic-y storyline in mind?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a jokey<\/em> alternative storyline. But yeah, I actually think Evan should\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve gotten Jack. For me, that would\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been the happiest ending, the most suitable, and the most realistic.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: But that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s kind of unhappy<\/em> for the protagonist, no?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s unhappy for her! I think she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whatever. I had my time with him, it was sweet.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a realist. No, no, I would never deprive Jules of her true love.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s very nice of you.<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Also, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not Evan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s story. If I were to co-opt your character, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d write a different story. It wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to involve Jack! It would involve a different hot guy.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: Well, sometimes, supporting characters get their own stories. Would you want Evan to have his own, like, stand-alone spin-off or something?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: I think that would be an interesting character to explore, but honestly, I kind of think Braidbeard would be more fun to write. The Adventures of Gay Braidbeard. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think the premise could be that he and Evan are still dating. It would be that they are no longer dating, but they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re friends and Evan is trying to get him to go out and date.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: Like his Gay Fairy Godmother?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Yes!<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s interesting that you once again cast yourself as the supporting character in this story. Is that just because you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re so perfect, you have nothing left to learn?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Probably<\/em>. No\u00e2\u20ac\u201dEvan is, in a lot of ways, an idealized version of me. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m kind of an ass. So he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s too grounded and pleasant and those characters are less interesting as the leads. Unless you want to give Evan some flaws, his journey\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not going to be as interesting. Braidbeard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s got a lot<\/em> of flaws. Braidbeard is basically all<\/em> flaws.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: Is there a flaw you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d give Evan, then?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: Maybe an Evan flaw would play off a Braidbeard flaw. Like, Braidbeard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really jaded: maybe Evan is just too innocent.<\/p>\n

Sarah<\/strong>: But he still hates the finale of Battlestar Galactica<\/em>, right?<\/p>\n

Tom<\/strong>: He so does<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So let me tell you about my friend Tom Wong. He is a hilarious karaoke master who will carry your drunk ass home and watch Project Runway reruns with you until you sober up. He is a talented writer who has totally worked on actual TV shows. He is also a gigantic nerd who can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[403],"class_list":["post-3595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-with-violet-light"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3595","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3595"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3595\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3595"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3595"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alertnerd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3595"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}