KRIS ASHTON

I don't recall what triggered the idea for 'Buried Potential'. What I do remember is thinking about a kid in a country town who acquires super powers but then can't find any crimes to foil or people to save. It seemed funny at first, and I believe I started the story with humour in mind, but as the narrative progressed Barry's frustration started to take on a shadier aspect.

 

During rewrites, I remembered the experience of a family member, who we'll call Kate. Kate was always very bright, but as she neared high school age her family moved to a little town on the NSW south coast. Given a metropolitan environment, I think she could have been a doctor or a lawyer or something, but she never attended university and finished up a young mother waiting tables. Which is to say, she never reached her potential.