Sparkshooter

As we move further into Chapter 1 of Sparkshooter, I thought that I should take a moment and explain something that’s coming up.  Writers fictionalize; we all know that.  We’re also aware that   many writers will write about their home town in rigid detail, sacrificing many things for complete and utter historical accuracy.  Yeah, well, that won’t totally be us.

Yes, we’re maintaining a pretty high level of accuracy in terms of Indianapolis.  We’re paying attention to things as they were in 2003.  And that’s not just in terms of the town; that’s in terms of the surrounding culture.  In our spring of 2003, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is getting ready to wrap up its run.  “Return of the King” is a few months from being released.  The White Stripes’ “Elephant” was about to drop.  And so on.

However, on occasion, we reserve the right to take some artistic license.  For example, I’ve added a full-time Karaoke joint to Broad Ripple because it amuses me to do so.  Yes, I know that other venues in Broad Ripple hosted karaoke.  The Mineshaft Saloon comes to mind.  (I think it was the Mineshaft; I remember a lot of short glasses that evening, and I think there was singing, but I can’t promise that the microphone wasn’t just taken from the DJ.  At any rate . . .).  But, honestly, for the purposes of the story, I wanted a karaoke place, partially because I thought it would be kind of funny if, after losing the big battle, our cast retired to a place where you get up and sing.

And the more that I thought about it, the more that I liked the idea of the karaoke place as a non-battle hang.  It’s neutral ground.  In a place where anyone can get up and sing, it’s a bit of a relief to not be “on” or be in “band pose” or “business mode”.  I love Sarah’s design of the place, and it’s to her (I’m sure) enormous relief, we’ll be popping back in there from time to time.  I’ll wait and let you see the name for yourself in a couple of weeks.  It’s a terrible pun, and I’m quite proud of that.  Hope you continue to enjoy it, even if we re-shape reality a little bit.