Annyong ha shimnikka.
Why am I greeting you in formal Korean, you wonder? Well, though this post is about Dark Paranormal ms #1 (HAVEN'S GRACE), it also has a Korean slant.
Some of you are familiar with the practice of using music to connect with your character's personality, story, or state of mind at a given moment. This is something I've always naturally done, with my dramatic and dynastic self. Months ago, I stumbled upon the beautiful song that captured my male protagonist's soul in a place I hadn't expected--the world of Asian pop.
The music of Korean mega-icon Rain (Bi) has been a true favorite of mine for quite a while, now. In fact, I remember the first time I heard that fantastically rich voice of his and, not knowing who he was then, wondering why some black guy was singing in Korean. Ha. (Finding out he was NOT a brutha was a shock; I'd never heard an Asian sound like that.) Anyhoo, "Escaping The Sun" (released in 2002) has been my top Rain tune for several years, and one day this year, while I was listening to it and working on a scene with my gargoyle, I realized the words could very well have come from Haven's own soul (he is a creature of the night, forced to leave the sun and his woman behind over a century ago). From then on, that was his song. I could connect to Haven without it, but with it put me in his head so much deeper.
In celebration of HAVEN'S GRACE being complete and in the hands of my critique group, I give you the gorgeous music and words that so captured Haven's essence for me. (Side note: The samurai girl and ninja lover in me is ready to explode with excitement because Rain's new movie, Ninja Assassin, will finally be in theaters next week. 'Bout time!)
Memories of me crying are harder to look at in the light
I hate the sun shining on the ground
People asked why I cried
I hated not being able to answer them
[chorus] I need to escape the sun
But no matter how hard I run
The sun is always overhead, illuminating
I need to forget you
But no matter how hard I try
You’re there, still inside of me
Why must I continue to miss your smile
And the touch of your hands?
I hate this torture
While so many others
Laugh and share past stories
I try to forget you, over and over
But tears still find me
[chorus]
Everyone’s fooled into thinking I’ve forgotten you
It’s not true, I’m going crazy
I fight to erase the memories
But it’s not working
[chorus]
[rap] Like a thorn stuck so deep it can’t be removed
Like a painful scratch that leaves a scar
A person like you can’t ever be erased
Though we’re apart, we’re still together
If only tears could erase you
But I’ve already cried a river
I need to forget and live right
If only I could be normal again
I want to live normally
Some of you are familiar with the practice of using music to connect with your character's personality, story, or state of mind at a given moment. This is something I've always naturally done, with my dramatic and dynastic self. Months ago, I stumbled upon the beautiful song that captured my male protagonist's soul in a place I hadn't expected--the world of Asian pop.
The music of Korean mega-icon Rain (Bi) has been a true favorite of mine for quite a while, now. In fact, I remember the first time I heard that fantastically rich voice of his and, not knowing who he was then, wondering why some black guy was singing in Korean. Ha. (Finding out he was NOT a brutha was a shock; I'd never heard an Asian sound like that.) Anyhoo, "Escaping The Sun" (released in 2002) has been my top Rain tune for several years, and one day this year, while I was listening to it and working on a scene with my gargoyle, I realized the words could very well have come from Haven's own soul (he is a creature of the night, forced to leave the sun and his woman behind over a century ago). From then on, that was his song. I could connect to Haven without it, but with it put me in his head so much deeper.
In celebration of HAVEN'S GRACE being complete and in the hands of my critique group, I give you the gorgeous music and words that so captured Haven's essence for me. (Side note: The samurai girl and ninja lover in me is ready to explode with excitement because Rain's new movie, Ninja Assassin, will finally be in theaters next week. 'Bout time!)
Click to viewMemories of me crying are harder to look at in the light
I hate the sun shining on the ground
People asked why I cried
I hated not being able to answer them
[chorus] I need to escape the sun
But no matter how hard I run
The sun is always overhead, illuminating
I need to forget you
But no matter how hard I try
You’re there, still inside of me
Why must I continue to miss your smile
And the touch of your hands?
I hate this torture
While so many others
Laugh and share past stories
I try to forget you, over and over
But tears still find me
[chorus]
Everyone’s fooled into thinking I’ve forgotten you
It’s not true, I’m going crazy
I fight to erase the memories
But it’s not working
[chorus]
[rap] Like a thorn stuck so deep it can’t be removed
Like a painful scratch that leaves a scar
A person like you can’t ever be erased
Though we’re apart, we’re still together
If only tears could erase you
But I’ve already cried a river
I need to forget and live right
If only I could be normal again
I want to live normally