I recently got a question from a reader whose intention may have been the former while she wrote about the latter, asking me where I did my research about: what souls look like and how to alter them ???
After I stopped chuckling (several minutes later) I started thinking about the nature of inspo. While the description of the soul is fiction in my novels, I did honestly put a lot of thought into it. More than the standard walking around the house mumbling to myself. And yes, I did do some um, ur, research...yes research...corresponding with theologians. Picking their brains for ideas. The general consensus being that the human spirit or soul is not something deemed tangible in as much as it is the presence of life to which the physical body plays host.
But IF it did exist to the extent that it's visible and therefore describable -- it might have an amorphous form like vapor, liquid or light. With those options in mind, I made a conscious decision to have it resemble pure white light.
Altering it?
Here I found that I was in virgin territory. There is no expert to consult. A soul is a soul, neither good nor bad. Now a person can change or alter their habits, their appearance, even their beliefs. Does that impact the nature of the soul itself? No one can say for sure.
I got to thinking about pure white light again or rather the choices available for transforming it. Lighting techs use filters, gels, skims and intensity to change the tone and complexion of light on a movie set. I couldn't envision a Paragon doing this since some of these devices are cumbersome and wouldn't fit in one's pocket.
In a sense Paragons are ageless craftsmen and very dedicated to their duty. As many will see in the later volumes, the process of becoming a Paragon is not an easy one. Think molten lava.
With that in mind, I did examine metallurgy and discovered iron ore is extracted and processed. While interesting it wasn't quite on par with my ideas for a Paragon's skill set.
The light bulb went off when I was moving a sterling silver tea set that I inherited from my grandmother. Turning the tray over I saw the old hallmarks, well-worn from time and use, as to be almost smooth. I thought about the lost art of the silversmiths and how using hand tools they fashioned such beautiful pieces leaving their signatures with unique symbols and marks. Suddenly I saw in my mind exactly how Wicus would be adjusting a soul. Hence the stardust chisel and mallet of light -- tools of the trade for any Paragon.
So I have to thank my late grandmother's love of vintage silverplate and hollowware for helping me devise a method for altering souls. Like the second verse of the old nursery rhyme says...that little teapot was clever indeed.
Happy Reading,
P.S. Meraux
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