Opening old scars. · 10:18pm Apr 6th, 2018
Well, I'm glad that response thus far has been positive for the most recent chapter for Scars of the Quill. I've been building up to this story for a good long time, and while the details have shifted around in my head a lot, many of the story points remained the same. The revelations regarding Quiver Quill's past happens to be the single biggest thing that was firm from day one for this story.
I've said in the past that Quiver Quill's story is strongly inspired by my real life. His backstory isn't an exception. Like him, I have a younger brother who is a low-functioning autistic - many of the behaviors displayed by Regal Grace were ones that my brother would do in real life. Like him, I've been bullied in school, and not only faced a lack of sympathy from my teachers and school administrators but often received harsh punishments for my actions in attempting to defend myself. And also like him, I've been harshly yelled at by my own father over my actions. That being said, Quiver in many ways had it much worse than I did. My younger brother, unlike his, is still very much alive, though he's now in assisted living (itself another mess of problems and issues). My grandparents doted on both of us, rather than just my brother, and I have no delusions about whether or not my father cares for me. He's harsh towards me at times, especially when he himself is in a foul mood over one thing or another, but I don't doubt that he loves me, especially considering that unlike with Quiver, my father did make his own attempts to be involved in dealing with my bullying problems in school, to little success. All it really accomplished was to give him a poor opinion of the vice principal that oversaw my years in middle school, and I won't elaborate further beyond that.
I'd like to point out this, however. Bitterhoof isn't meant to be seen as a monster, or as a horrible pony. He's not. He does genuinely love Quiver and worry about his future. That being said, Bitterhoof is a victim of circumstances beyond his control, and he's lashing out against them the only ways he knows how. The trouble is that doing so ends up hurting those closest to him, and so long as he keeps on doing what he's doing, he stands a chance of ending up alone. Time will tell where that goes.
Beyond that, a number of little details in this story are also drawn from real life. When I was in grade school, a family across the street did have a large trampoline set up in their front yard, one that my brother did break out of the house one night in an attempt to play on. No streetcars were involved, but something like what happened in this story could have happened in real life fairly easily. And the naming tradition shown with Sour Sweet is also based on one in my family, though on my mother's side, and one that wasn't repeated in my generation. It's kinda hard for a girl to have the same name as her mother when said mother (and her two brothers) only has sons.
One sad parallel that came up as this chapter was being written however, but one that I expected, was the fate of Quiver's paternal grandfather compared to mine. As I was working on this chapter, my own grandfather passed away after a long period of ill health. We'd been expecting it for a while, and it informed my decision to have Quiver's grandfather be mentioned as deceased, but still, I can't say that I'm comfortable with it.
Anyway, the exposition dump in this chapter was always going to be part of the story, as was Diamond Tiara's arc throughout. It went through some changes, but far more than Quiver's arc did. The single biggest difference I had in the story between where it started and where it ended was the addition of Sour Sweet, and her part in his family and his story. Everything with her is going to develop with time, though I regret that it will be a while before that happens.
For now, take heart in the fact that the story is almost over, and expect a pleasant surprise before everything ends.
I'm sorry to hear that. Are you doing okay?
I'm sorry about your grandfather. I never knew my own, as he had died of lung cancer back when my mother was still in college. I've always wished I could have met him.
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I am, yes. As I said in the journal, we'd known this was coming for a while. I regret not having seen him before he'd passed however, especially as the last chance I had was literally days before his death, but I'm dealing well enough. I'm just hoping that my grandmother doesn't join him too soon, as she's on her last legs as it is.
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I was fortunate enough to know both of my grandfathers, though I interacted with my paternal grandfather far more than my maternal one. That being said, I'm sorry that you didn't have that chance. I imagine that he would have been proud to know you, though.
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Thanks for that. ^_^ I like to think so, too.
Many condolences on the loss of your grandfather, Echo. I will keep you and yours in my prayers.
And I know where you're coming from.
I only knew one of my grandfathers (my late mom's dad), and he died of cancer back in April of 1979. (April 3rd, actually.)
It's... been awhile, but I still miss him.
And I never knew my paternal grandpa, as he died when my late dad (his youngest son) was only like 7 years old.
So, yeah, I know what you and your family are going through.
Many hugs to you, my friend.
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Appreciated, and my condolences to you as well.
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Thank you; I appreciate that, as well.