A question for my fellow writers.

[duannewalton]

For the next story I'm planning to write, the villain wears this half-mask with a huge grin on it. It used to be made by a company called Specter Studios, but has apparently been discontinued. I found it again on the site of a company that makes custom masks:

http://maskartists.com/catalog/larger/GrinningFacessm.html

I can order it. The guy quoted me a price: $90 - 110. It's not absolutely vital that I have it to write my story, it just feels like it would help in some way.

What do you think?

 

[chicago]

I think just a picture would give you enough information to write about and whatever you don't know that you want to put in, you can make up, like the texture or feel of it. Seems stupid to spend 100 bones on something you're just going to reference a few times in a story.

 

[Xodlirv]

While I agree with Annie on the point of the expense, I also know that inspiration is a shy muse and difficult to catch. I say whetever you feel helps you, go for it.

 

[munchausen]

What Annie said

Again, though, I guess it depends on why you're moved to want it. A picture seems sufficient if you're worried about accuracy, but if you think it will inspire you to have the thing in hand, then maybe it is worth it. If the latter is the case, then I salute your dedication! A hundred bucks is a lot for a mask that didn't belong to a pharoah or something.

 

[duannewalton]

Something I forgot to mention...

The story takes place in Chicago, and guess where the mask company is based? Is that too freaky a coincidence?

 

[TeeHeeLawrence]

Who was that masked man? I wanted to spank, er, ah, thank him!

duanne, far be it from me to deny any dedicated writer whatever means to getting goods words down, but, well, couldn't you just cut a mask out of a cereal box and attach a rubber band to it? <p>
Now zhen (shifting to a Teutonic accent and pasting on a patently phony Van Dyke) might zhis need--or should I zay compulzion--be, ah, maskink, some doubts you're havink about zhis tale? <br>Ov courze, zometimez a masque iz chust a masque, (pulling off beard--Ouch!) and if you need it to stoke your creative embers, I say grin and wear it!

 

[MTJpub]

I would advise against the purchase if it only serves as a motivational prop for your story.

Jim
MTJpub.com

 

[Xodlirv]

Then again, if you pay taxes on the money you make from this story, you can claim it as a business expense. (Might be an interesting audit hearing, though...)

 

[duannewalton]

duanne, far be it from me to deny any dedicated writer whatever means to getting goods words down, but, well, couldn't you just cut a mask out of a cereal box and attach a rubber band to it?

No.​

Now zhen (shifting to a Teutonic accent and pasting on a patently phony Van Dyke) might zhis need--or should I zay compulzion--be, ah, maskink, some doubts you're havink about zhis tale? <br>Ov courze, zometimez a masque iz chust a masque, (pulling off beard--Ouch!) and if you need it to stoke your creative embers, I say grin and wear it!

Compulsion. Interesting choice of vurds - I mean, words. I've never had something like this happen to me when I've written before. Then again, I've never written something on this scale before. When I first saw this mask on the Specter Studios website, I just knew it was what I wanted my villain to wear. Of course, it was much more reasonably priced (only $35.00). And of course, when I went back to actually get it, it was no longer being offered.

Snooze, you lose.

I have searched everywhere for this mask and could not find it. Why this mask company suddenly turned up after the Google searches I've done is beyond me. I'd like to think I have enough confidence in my writing skills that one lousy mask isn't going to affect them.

There was also this walking stick with a foot-shaped handle I found that I wanted for my villain also. The store I found it in is no longer in business and I can't find another walking stick like it. But I'm not obsessed with finding it. Nor am I obsessed with getting a pair of smiley-face contact lenses, a black Inverness Coat with red lining, and a black slouch hat. I've already collected pictures of those and I'm content with them.

But yet... there's this mask.

And the fact that they're based in Chicago, the setting of this story, adds another dimension to it. I'm already incorporating them into it. It's one thing to put Sears - excuse me, Willis Tower and Navy Pier in a Chicago based story, but an actual local mask company, that's a little something extra.

I've really been putting some thought into this, can you tell?

It's only because I care. If I didn't, I wouldn't even be making the effort.

Thank you all for your words of advice and encouragement. I'm sure I'll make the right decision. And I assure you, no cats will be starved in the writing of this story.

No, wait. That was what someone said on the Writer's Digest board when I posed this question to them. Well, I still won't starve any cats.

Okay, I'm done.​

 

[Xodlirv]

It's one thing to put Sears - excuse me, Willis Tower in a Chicago based story

Whatchoo talkin about, Sears?

 

[duannewalton]

Just thought you'd like an update.

I have begun on the story. I haven't bought the mask, due to the fact that I have other, more pressing expenses at hand. I think I will buy it eventually for the heck of it more than anything else. I am intending to incorporate the mask company into the story since they are in Chicago and I will ask if I'd be able to go up and see the place and meet the designers. I'm sure they'd love to do their part in helping catch a killer. 😉
Thanks again for all your input.