R.D. Lyons was born in the city of New
Westminster,
in the province of British Columbia, CANADA and raised in the
Lower Mainland. He has been writing and creating short stories
since Junior High School. In his senior year of Grade twelve he
received second honor awards of combined studies of Arts and
Sciences. R. D. holds a technical degree from CDI college
Vancouver, BC. in Computer Technology. He presently resides in
Kelowna, BC in the beautiful Okanagan with his wife and dog. He
has acquired his late father's gift of story telling to which in
his memory he dedicates his first novel 'Churricane'. He is also
an avid die hard sci-fi and comic book hero fan. Visit Den
online at
http://www.churicane.com &
http://www.moviecharacterarts.com
PageOneLit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and
writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and
why?
R.D. Lyons: I grew up in Port Coquitlam which means 'whitefish' in
Indian. Yes reading and writing was a part of my life, early on my
parents always encouraged this from an early age onwards. I would
have to say my Father first of all because he was the Patriarch of
the family. He was a great storyteller and a very good leader, it
came natural to him. Then there were dudes like Bruce Lee I thought
he was Super Cool and quite the martial arts hero, too bad he died
way too young. I saw all the movies he ever made even 'Game of
Death'. After there were authors like Peter Benchley; 'Jaws' 'the
Island' and John Carpenter 'The Thing'. They sure knew how to create
suspense and put action into Novels and I appreciated that.
PageOneLit.com: Why do
you write?
R.D. Lyons: I write because I can transcend to a different world,
what I mean by that is it is an escape for me and it is my Zen. I
feel empowered to be able to transform creations and ideas from my
mind to a readable format for someone else's pleasure. It is my
'happy place' when I write.
PageOneLit.com: 'Churricane
The Super Ninja Book1' is an exciting new book about a 'new'
superhero - Are you a fan of "superhero comics"? Who were/are your
favorite superheroes and why?
R.D. Lyons: Yes indeed this is a brand new original new millennium
'super hero', 'super ninja' Churricane. Yes I am a fan of superhero
comics. I remember as a very small boy maybe 4 or 5 years old
reading my brother's and his friends comics, the likes of Superman,
Green Lantern, Ironman and Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk because
of his Incredible power of strength, just to name a few. I really
was fascinated by Superman because not only could he leap tall
buildings in a single bound but he had x-ray vision, he could fly,
faster than a speeding bullet and had incredibly powerful
strength and of course he was from another planet. So he had
multiple power sets, Churricane has too but he from earth. So
Superman was an alien a super one at that.. (laughs)
PageOneLit.com: Who is
Machi Mathews? What are some of his powers as the 'Super Ninja'?
R.D. Lyons: Machi Mathews is a North American/Japanese boy born in
Kobe, Japan he is extremely intelligent. The story starts when Machi
is twelve years old he visits his Grandfather's EM Lab and
unfortunately a freak accident occurs which alters him forever.
Machi Mathews is later transformed into a Super Ninja through the
assistance of his Grandfather to get master over his E.M. powers.
Some of these powers are to move metallic objects
electro-magnetically with his mind. He can send lightning bolts out
of his limbs can produce electric appendages, hover, levitate,
reverse magnetize objects so he can repel them. He can also see in
the dark his special EM amplifier glasses affords him that power, oh
yes and he has superhuman strength as well.
PageOneLit.com: 'Churricane The Super Ninja Book 1' is fast paced
and original - Where did the idea for this character and book come
from?
R.D. Lyons: Well when I was about eleven years old being a Bruce
Lee fan and all I started learning martial arts with a childhood
friend. We use to make shurik'ens out of metal and throw them at
boards. I THOUGH THIS WAS A SUPER COOL OBJECT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS
POWERFUL BUT ALSO DANGEROUS. When I was around seventeen I started
sketching a lot of characters after I had been in a serious car
crash and survived it miraculously I would say, because there were
about five factors that could have killed me in the crash but did
not. So I had some time to create. I thought it would be really cool
to create a super martial artist character a martial artist 'super
hero' kinda like BRUCE LEE I thought back about my experience with
shurik'ens. However, he would be a super ninja that has E.M. which
gives him 'super powers' Thus, 'Churricane' the Super Ninja was born
some twenty four years ago, but left dormant in my mind because the
time was not right even though it was not forgotten. Four years ago
I decided to write an entire novel surrounding this character I
created 'Churricane' part one of a four part mini-series I have
planned.
PageOneLit.com: If Hollywood called and asked you to cast 'Churricane
The Super Ninja Book1' who would be your actors and why?
R.D. Lyons: If Hollywood called and asked me to cast some actors
to play the adult Machi Mathews, Slash, Caleb, and Sao Yashima the
four main characters and the two villains, I would have to say I
would cast Tony Ja as Machi because he is incredibly acrobatic, fast
and a very accomplished martial artist, Owen Wilson as Caleb (good
thing he was not successful in his suicide attempt) because Caleb is
fair haired and he is a fitness freak but Owen Wilson would fit the
face and body of Caleb would probably have to give up the alcohol I
imagine..(Laughs) been there, done that. I think because he is about
the same size and age as Caleb Borland as just as smart. David
Boreanaz as Slash even though he is a little older he is could pull
it off, because he is already a great swordsman from Buffy and Angel
series and Slash is indeed a Master. For Sao Yashima I was thinking
Jet Li because although he is older he could play the role of Sao
the Grandmaster Ninja Physicist . However, he said he was not going
to do another martial arts movie. You see in the novel even though
Sao does use some Ninja prowess in certain situations he does not
use martial arts on anyone in hand to hand. For the Dreadlord
Villain number 1 Samuel L. Jackson would work nicely because he has
proved that he can play the bad guy as well as the good with great
intensity in his movie roles. The Dreadlord is also a Black man as
Samuel is. Last but not least Steffan Mach'e I would have to say Vin
Diesel he is perfect for the Independent Powerful LEKTRO I created
the character with him in mind. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr.
Diesel in person and he just is a great positively focused guy with
a killer physique and his voice is even a match for LEKTRO. Dr.
Riker could be played by Brad Pitt because Brad has showed in
past roles he can play the brainy guy as well as the bad
boy. Jennifer Lopez could play Maria Gonzalez because she is a very
intelligent driven Latina with aloy versatility to her roles in the
past. Machi's parents could be cast for less known actors as Dr.
John Gant the Neurologist. For Machi's love interest, Kara I was
thinking Jessica Alba because she has the beauty, but she can also
take care of herself well and this is Kara. The younger Machi,
Slash, and Caleb could be cast for unknowns perhaps as well as
Dreadlord men. Tank, Jojo, Thor, and Calypso also the rest.
PageOneLit.com: What
do you hope readers will say after reading 'Churricane The Super
Ninja Book1' ?
R.D. Lyons: I hope readers will
be entertained tremendously by this novel and look forward to the
three more that will follow. I Would like to hear them say it was
Awesome, and Fantastic and can't wait for the next one which will be
done next year. Readers can get a taste of what the novel and
Churricane are all about at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hewtJAT_Y74 that is my promo on
You-tube. I will be making two more with my original music score I
have already composed. I hope the readers will be able to pick out
the many metaphors I used for terrorists and megalomaniacs that
think they can control the masses
through scare tactics or mind control. Subconscious why I put so
much of this in there about terrorism is to end this war because
this has gone on long enough and too many innocent people have died
and soldiers and the cost and price is way too high. Just look at
Osama Bin Laden for instance there are many parallels in the book
that reflect on his hidden agenda and his megalomaniac persona. The
mastermind terrorist leader in my novel, 'Dragon the Dreadlord' in
so many ways similarly compares to this modern day Megalomaniac.
PageOneLit.com:
What's next?
R.D. Lyons: Well I have quite a
schedule lined up for the next 3-5 years at least maybe more
even. My second novel will be finished in June or July at the latest
this year it is more of a thriller suspense Novel I can't tell you
the title just yet until it is released, but involves the main
character in a major plot twist and a sort of reversal of fortunes
as well. Then there is Churricane Book 2 next year. There is
presently an Animation Feature for kids in the works called
Churricane Saves the Planet this is being co-coordinated by my
nephew. In Addition, there are four more projects slated till
2014 at least but it is a good thing I do have help in all these
projects, I formed a Company last year called Character Arts Co.
Of course, it being my company and vision I am the Chief Creative
Director.
PageOneLit.com: What was the last book you read?
R.D. Lyons: The last book I read was 'Destiny' by Paula Bauman a
seven hundred page plus powerhouse with intrigue, mystery, humor and
lots of drama. I really believe this is my destiny to create these
characters and the stories surrounding them for people to enjoy.
PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies?
What are they? How do they enhance your writing?
R.D. Lyons: Yes my hobbies are numerous but I will name a few of
my main ones. So my main hobbies in alphabetical order and priority
are calisthenics, computers, Internet, creative writing, dancing,
fitness, health, isometrics, karate, kung-fu martial arts in
general, meditation, listening to music, ninjutsu, people, travel
and working out. Plus I am always into many sports as well such as
Basketball and Soccer.
