A little about myself:

I guess I could go into some long and detailed bio but I’m willing to bet nobody really cares about that sort of thing. Suffice it to say that I am a musician (trumpet player with a soft spot for choral music) and an enthusiastic reader and occasional writer (when I can’t find anything good to read).

I have liked Phantom of the Opera ever since I saw the Wishbone version of it as a kid. Do you remember that show? With the little dog that advocates reading? But I digress. Anyway, I read the book and the ending depressed me. Thus began my fixation. Speaking of which…

I like happy endings. I’m one of those odd people who reads the last page of the book first, just in case. That’s one of the fun things about fanfiction… if you didn’t like the ending of the original, you can just write a new one. Frankly the whole reason I read fanfiction is to read a story with a really great, feel-good, everyone’s-happy ending. I’m not looking for deep philosophy or publish-worthy, thought-provoking literature…. I’m looking to read something that will leave me with a smile on my face. If I know a story is not going to end well, I’m not going to waste my time on it (no matter how well written it is)… and this also refers to anything an author would consider ‘bittersweet’. There’s nothing wrong with that… it’s just not for me. One of my pet peeves is when authors let you think everything is going to be just dandy and then end up killing off one of the good guys in the end. Hate that.

OOC: Okay, so I hear that phrase tossed around a lot, so I thought I’d mention it. There are a lot of different versions of PotO out there… which means a lot of characterizations of Erik, Christine, Raoul, and Meg. As such, I don’t really make a big deal about phantom characters being in or out of character… because, who am I to judge, really? There are Eriks out there who are shy sweethearts and Eriks who are smack-crazy insane… and I think both can find a place here. If you think about it… practically all fanfiction!Christines could be considered OOC, and it doesn’t bother us, since a good chunk of people don’t go for the timid, fragile one we remember anyway. What I care about is whether or not a character is consistent within its own story. If sweetheart!Raoul suddenly becomes abusive or obsessed!Erik suddenly drops Christine like a hot potato… and there’s no apparent rhyme or reason behind the change… then I might mention it.

Warnings: I truly appreciate it when writers warn readers if they’re about to push the envelope on something. There are several scenarios I would prefer not to read, and I absolutely HATE it when I stumble across it too late. If you are considering writing something that could at all be considered offensive to some, it would be much appreciated if you’d post a warning at the beginning of the story or chapter. That way, readers can make an informed decision whether or not to continue reading the story.

That said… readers, if a writer has shown enough respect to warn you of something to come and you choose to read it anyway, that’s your decision alone. I’m USUALLY not a big “don’t like, don’t read” advocate… but if the writer tells you up-front about something, and you know that’s not something you’d like to be exposed to, and you make the choice to read anyway, at least have the respect not to flame them for it. I’ll give you a (mild, inoffensive) example: If the words “this will be a modern story” are written right in the summary… sending a review that says “This is awful because I really hate modern stories” is just going to make people think you’re stupid.

Well, I suppose that's enough about me and my soapboxes. Here's a little about my stories

My Stories:

The Goblin Monk: Here is a story I am working on that combines my two favorite books--Phantom and Hunchback. Erik is the priest and the hunchback all rolled into one (I hated to do that, but I couldn't think of another way). Christine is (surprise) Esmeralda. This story is a little dark (my creepiest Erik yet) and is based solely on the books. No Disney musicals here, friends! It’s (obviously) on hiatus for the time being, because I believe I bit off more than I could chew with it… but someday I’d like to get bac k to it.

Dear Diary: This is a retelling, but hopefully a decent one. It is excerpts from the diary of Christine (who is a good deal more cynical than she's generally made out to be) interlaced with events from the story. It doesn't end with the end of the book, either. You could almost say that just the beginning. It took me a year, a month, and seven days, but it's all finished now. Hurray for that! It was my first story so it feels good and sad to finish it, I think.

Stockholm Syndrome: I think I'm walking the border line of creepy and... something else... with this one. It's my attempt at a modern day story, only this one is from Erik's point of view.

Just Don't Ask: There is no excuse for any of this. I wrote it when I was supposed to be doing the dishes. It's short though, so go read it. You might find it mildly amusing, at any rate.

Daddy's Girl: Erik has a daughter. As he comforts her after a bad dream, he reflects on his life.

I Am My Father's Son: This time, Erik has a son. When the boy gets into a fight at the park, he turns to Erik for help.

Erik's Little Dividends: Vignettes about Erik's family. Erik has Christine... but now he has to learn how to share his life with their twin sons. And he's not happy about it.

Der Erlkönig: This is a story based off of the poem by Goethe (or you may recognize it as the song by Schubert). In case you are unfamiliar with it, I have posted the English translation below--

Who rides, so late, through night and wind?
It is the father with his child.
He holds the boy in the crook of his arm
He holds him safe, he keeps him warm.

"My son, why do you hide your face so anxiously?"
"Father, do you not see the Erlking?
The Erlking with crown and cloak?"
"My son, it's a wisp of fog."

"You lovely child, come, go with me!
Many a beautiful game I'll play with you;
Some colorful flowers are on the shore,
My mother has many golden robes."

"My father, my father, can't you hear,
What the Erlking quietly promised me?"
"Be calm, stay calm, my child;
The wind rustles through dry leaves."

"Do you want to come with me, fine lad?
My daughters should be waiting for you;
My daughters lead the nightly dances
And will rock and dance and sing you to sleep."

"My father, my father, can't you see there,
The Erlking's daughters in the gloomy place?"
"My son, my son, I see it well:
The old willows seem so gray."

"I love you, your beautiful form entices me;
And if you're not willing, I shall use force."
"My father, my father, he's grabbing me now!
The Erlking has wounded me!"

The father shudders; he rides swiftly,
He holds in his arms the moaning child.
Barely he arrives at the yard in urgency;
In his arms, the child was dead.

There you have it. That's all for now, friends, please read my stories. I hope you like them.