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So this is a little insight into how my mind words (ie, "badly").

When I was researching Australian history for The Dead Isle, I came across this photograph of an Australian soldier from WWI.

The first world war is a much later era than the one I was dealing with, but in the early draft I set it aside as one of a few images that inspired the way I picture Jack in my head.

Then I forgot about it, and it ended up in the Steampunk section of my image archive.

Eventually, once The Dead Isle was published, I started on a sequel, Pirate Country.

Which opens with Jack. WEARING THAT HAT.

"Just watching it all go," Jack replied, settling the wide-brimmed, edge-tipped hat back on his head. "It'll run fine without me. Practically already is."

"Bet you wish you were down there elbows-deep in the guts of an engine," she said.

"Maybe."

"Come inside, Jack, the train's leaving soon."

Today I found the image again and laughed at myself for a good minute solid.

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That is so cool! I read your opening line, looked at the picture, and said, "Wow. That's Jack." Then read that Jack was inspired by this photo. Definitely. I love this picture. Love it. And can't wait for the sequel. With the hat.

Jack looks a little bit like Nicholas Cage.

Exactly what I said and thought maybe it was just me. ^_^

You have a very sneaky subconscious, Sam!

I think your mind words excellently.

It also WORKS pretty well, at times...

Not quite how I pictured Jack myself - a longer face than I'd mentally given him - but it'll do. It'll do.

LOL, I did notice that after I posted it and then I thought, no, leave it. It's just as apt :D

For what it's worth, it's called a 'slouch' hat. The brim was pinned up on one side so soldiers could have the benefits of a broad-brimmed hat without it getting in the way of a rifle carried at the slope. They're usually made of rabbit-fur felt, and in my grandfather's youth country kids would make pocketmoney trapping wild rabbits for their skins - the meat would go to Mum and the skins would be stretched on loops of wire to dry before they were bundled together and sold. It's still the standard cerremonial headdress for most units of the Australian Army today.

Er, apologies for my inner history geek - it got out of control for a minute there.

Really looking forward to the Dead Isle sequel!

Don't apologise! I found that really interesting. I knew it was called a slouch hat, but I didn't know why.

LOL, no worries! It's a very preliminary draft -- I had a note to "describe hat more" because clearly that is not conveying what it actually looks like :D Thanks for the context!

Woooo Dead Isle sequel!

I love all the characters and world-building, so I'm super excited to read more in this universe.

Also, that photo is, along with your sneaky subconscious, amazing. :D

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