Eigengrau: Supplemental blog. Getting inside of the writer's head · 2:05pm Apr 28th, 2017
Dim has been in development for a very long time now, as long as Sumac. He's gone through many changes, sometimes still a foal, other times, more of an adult, like he is now. Some things have changed considerably, but the core remains the same. As with many characters, it was a song that shaped Dim's core concepts as a character, that gave him bones, flesh, and blood.
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing meJai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my worldImages of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind
Inside a letter box they
Tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universeJai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my worldSounds of laughter shades of life are ringing
Through my open ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
And calls me on and on across the universeJai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my worldJai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva...
Lyrics with the most influence are highlighted.
Honestly, the song shaped the character. The idea that he could not be saved, that nothing was gonna change his world. The images of broken light are true to his character as well, because he is broken light... his fate, his purpose, his talent, all of which has been forever altered, a fact that he is unaware of. But more on that, later. Or maybe more on that now. Cutie marks can be removed, changed, and manipulated. Destiny can be altered, tampered with... and in one case, hijacked.
The idea of 'Nothing's gonna change my world' stuck with me. It was a lyric, a line that repeated endlessly in my head while writing Flicker, even as his world changed, and suffered abrupt change. Flicker wanted to remain a stoic, unyielding, unchanging, secure in the knowledge that 'nothing's gonna change my world.' Flicker had tunnel vision, so much so that he lost himself for a time.
Dim and Flicker developed along similar character tracks, and Dim too, believes that he can't be changed. At the risk of quoting Free Bird Lyrics:
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see
But, if I stayed here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you can not change
And this bird you can not change
And this bird you can not change
Lord knows, I can't change
The idea that one cannot change is a deeply rooted concept. For Dim, he believes he is wicked and corrupt, not knowing what his mother had done to him, how she had altered him, and the indoctrination that followed. It's even funnier, because Dim is a stuffy, almost-effete gentleman that is capable of extreme violence by virtue of his birthright.
When things go wrong, they go wrong in a spectacular way.
This is a cool insight into how your development goes.
I might adopt this technique myself, honestly. It seems to have worked out for you.
I had the strangest image in my head yesterday actually of Dim and Flicker teaming up at some point. I noticed they had very similar personalities, at least in their adherence to order.
Definitely saw the parallels between Flicker and Dim.
And i do love me some Freebirds, especially with that church seen. I adore that church seen.
Although, im not familiar with the first song, name?
4512581
Beatles. Across the Universe.
4512582 wait, really?
FUCK! I am ashamed of myself for not recognizing a beatles song.
You say, after quoting the Beatles.
... They sure had a few poignantly somber songs, didn't they?
Nope, now I'm just remembering the ridiculous breadth of their songs in style and theme.
4512586 i have 4 vinyl records, and lord you cannot get more varied music than that. It's all over the place. One more reason i love them.
4512586
Well, I was going to quote Social Distortion, Ball and Chain, but I figured that nobody would know what that was.
4512588
See, I might be crucified for this, but I knew who they were and their repute for fantastic songwriting... but I didn't really care until my roommate got Beatles Rock Band and I listened to their whole catalogue a lot while playing through it with him.
Turns out the stuff they play all the time on the radio is just not as interesting to me. I dunno if it's about overplay or about how the policy of playing only the biggest, most popular songs on classic music stations winds up choosing the "safest" Beatles songs the most but I discounted the variety and quality...
Of course, I also know many of the "relatively more obscure" songs of theirs are still pretty well known, so it's not like they don't play them.
4512600
I probably would have to look it up to remember it only from the lyrics but it's a song I'm familiar with.
And now listening to Social Distortion at work.
4512603 Dude, i was the same. I hardly knew any of their song until Rockband, and when i showed interest my dad brought out 6 vinyl records and shared it with me.
There is not a song of theirs i can't enjoy.
As for the radio, i agree. I lurk around Sonatra and alternitive channels, with dives into Lithium XM on certain days. You hear some wierd stuff on Lithium, dicover some odd bands.
4512612
I know it doesn't really count but good luck enjoying Revolution 9
4513112 Rovolution 9?
*8 minutes later*
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT IS THIS DARK MAGIC!?!?!?!?!?!
IT'S IN MY HEAD!!!!!
*panting*
No! No. That doesn't count... aAaAaAhhh...
4513118
You finished the damn thing? You're a stronger person than I
4513196 at least when it was over, Good night was next on the album to soothe my broken soul.
DDefinitely seeing why that story nto hitting off like you wanted has frustrated you. Clear oyu put a lot of thought into it. And i defintiely can see that........
And normally when things start up so darky dark you don't see anything but just a desire to be darky dark