Hello world!
Thank you for taking the time to have a gander at this work I've begun to put out. This first 'chapter' is meant to be a prep session for what one may come to expect from this story.
To begin with, this story takes place in old western America, specifically starting in the year 1899. While during that time in history, certain darker aspects of society still ran rampant, I, as an author, will not delve too deeply into those topics. In no way are themes of discrimination, prejudice, racism, and sexism meant to be the main aspects within the story. At times, these themes may crop up and be referenced in accordance with the time period, yet they will not be a part of this story's overall central focus.
This work is meant to portray itself as a Historical Fiction Adventure with occasional Action and Romance. I've taken inspiration from 'One Piece' in the sense that our main cast of characters will be criminals, and they will, over time, become more wanted by law enforcement. In a vast world of sea, Pirates is the word one might use. In our old Western America, however, "Outlaw " is the term best associated with individuals who live life unlawfully.
When it comes to the 'Music' portion of this story, I have taken it upon myself to write tie-ins with a plethora of songs (ones that would not exist in this time period). An example I'd like to give is a simple one to understand.
Say I use the song 'El Paso' by Marty Robbins. What would occur in the story to tie in such a song would be our cast of characters ending up in Rose's Cantina from the song's lyrics in El Paso, and meeting Faleena along with her beloved, just before coming to witness the tragic events that would befall them within the song. Those songs will play out as presented within the lyrics, without any of our characters' interventions changing those stories. What will happen after those 'song' events transpire within this world is the dawn of those ballads we know in our world. But, by whom, you may ask?
Within our first chapter, you will be introduced to Archie Rain, a 15-year-old male who is a long way from home, alone. In addition to Archie, you will meet 'D', a drifter. Then, 'Jonah'.
Jonah will be presented as a young, jolly fellow who never travels without instruments, a guitar, banjo, harmonica, maracas, whatever he may need. You name it, Jonah has it. Aside from his other character purposes, which will be explored through reading, Jonah will serve as the composer/writer/singer of these ballads and songs after they've played out in the world, with Jonah to witness them.
Example from above: The main cast is in El Paso, they go to Rose's Cantina, meet Faleena and her lover. The cast ends up watching the events of 'El Paso' by Marty Robbins take place up to the end without changing anything. After the events have unfolded and time has passed, Jonah would eventually conjure up the song 'El Paso' from the experience as if it were his own and sing it to the main cast or himself. This idea is recurring throughout the entire story from start to end. Songs from many artists other than just Marty Robbins and Johnny Cash will be present; in turn, that means their characters will too.
Finally, going back to the 'One Piece' inspiration. A portion of this story - Majorly the start- will consist of gathering a group of Outlaws as a 'team'. At the beginning of 'One Piece,' Luffy had requirements for a crew such as 'Navigator, Cook, Musician, Doctor, and Shipwright.' The leader of this unnamed and unformed gang of Outlaws will have nearly those same ideas in mind. What makes a good gang of Outlaws in the Old West, you ask? Why of course. Having a 'Caravan Guide, Butcher, Minstrel, Quack, Lumberjack, Sharpshooter, and Duelist.' As my final point attached to the 'One Piece' inspiration part of this story, bounties on the heads of characters placed by law enforcement will be consistently present.
I hope all of this was concise enough to understand. If not, I'm sure that as one reads through this story, they will come to see its simplicity. Thank you once again for having a peek at this work. I truly look forward to writing this!