Fightin' the Boogeyman came about because after coming home from the Air Force and starting college I heard stories. During the time between classes the Vets and non-vets hung out in separate groups. Being older, the Vets had different interest. Afte classes, and sometimes between classes, we'd share beers or joints and war stories. Since my war stories weren't about actual war . . . I listened. "You want to know how I lost my foot? Let me tell you." This scar? It's nothing, you should see the one on my scrotum." "Was I scared? Too scared to shit my pants."
These stories followed me around until Gwain Redoubt came along and saddled up those stories on his shoulders.