Rock Ward
When I first set out to write fantasy novels, I had hoped they would be popular, but never dreamed I would create anything that would inspire others to mark their own flesh. But here’s another real-life warded man, Dave from South Africa, and his reason for permanently warding himself:
I decided on the Rock Ward for a couple of reasons – firstly, because any ward would make an awesome tattoo and as soon as I saw them I knew I wanted a ward-tattoo; secondly, because I see plenty of my own struggles in Arlen’s struggles against One-Arm. Since I’ve committed myself to writing a novel I’ve come up against plenty of up-hill – making time to write, being mentally buggered after the nightly sessions, having to push through the constant thoughts of wanting to give up, etc etc and the Rock Ward especially sort of crystallizes those struggles for me; every time I look at it I get that surge of purpose, and I guess we all need that surge to get us started.
Also, I’ve got it on my left arm (as you noticed), and I’ll be getting other tattoos in time – the Snake-Wheel symbol from WoT and the Bridgeburners Sigil from Erikson’s Malazan novels; I guess when I die my arm will be filled with tattoos inspired by SFF novels because I want people to be able to see what my influences are – those writers I respect and admire and those stories I’ve read that makes me want to write the same kind of inspiring, kickass stuff. My right-arm will be tattooed with the titles of my novels as they get published. 🙂
Anyway, thanks for being one of my inspirations, Peat; If people call me The Shoulder-Warded Man I’ll be proud to accept the title. 🙂
Regards,
Dave
I’m honored to be the first among your other awesome tattoos to come!
I love the rock ward tattoo here. The book and Arlen’s struggles bring out alot for me also. I’m planning to get a set of wards in a circle around my collar bone and round the back of my neck. 🙂
Awesome tattoo no rock demons will be giving you charlie horses anytime soon.