Honesty is rare, particularly brutal honesty. The best stories explore the depths of a spirit, they peel back the veneer that every living thing holds up as a shield protecting their vulnerable core. Only at those raw depths will the truth speak. An author who endeavors to force the truth from the character must back them into a corner savagely enough that only their instincts stand between them and oblivion ... in essence, if my subjects were alive they would hate me with a passion.

Shadowcrest Nightingale

A bit about me

I have wide interests ranging from science to creative arts. I hold a B.S. degree in Biology in Allied Health giving me acute knowledge of the body on a physical and chemical level. This helps to keep things real in writing. In the past I sang and performed on the stage and enjoy a variety of music from rock to Broadway. Music influences my writing. I'm also an artist in various mediums--often combining them.

When writing, one of my favorite things to do is intermingle reality. I enjoy reading a well constructed historical fiction, or fantasy that blurs the lines... I often learn a lot by researching afterward to try and pick apart fact from fiction. As much as I can I love to emulate this. Throughout all of my explorations in science, art, writing, and music I have benefited greatly from the sharing of those more skilled than I. My road to publication would have been longer without the generous sharing of others. In that spirit I am a firm believer that we are all simultaneously students and teachers. I strive to pay it forward in sharing what I have learned along the way to any who are interested in learning. I know the power of a constructive criticism, without it we cannot grow.

One of the most important things to me when playing in someone else's sandbox is keeping to the core of their work. I consider the psychological profiles of the characters when plotting--whether the storyline falls before, during or after canon, I try my hardest to arc things so they are a logical fit. That is my personal rule. As an original author myself I know how beloved the full worlds I create are to me, I consider it a bow of respect to honor the creativity of those who made what inspired me. (That is not to say that others have not made astonishing AU's--it is simply the mark I hold myself to).

Advice to those who wish to seek publication for original works, AKA, striving to become an author:

You're going to hear a lot of advice out there. A mountain of advice that rivals some publisher's slush piles. It's enough to boggle the mind and crush anyone's spirit, especially since a lot of it is conflicting. ;) So here's the trick: those tid bits are opinions. Some hold value, and some don't. The only way to learn which ones are valuable to you is to keep writing. Practice a lot, join a good writing group with folks who encourage each other and beta read for one another. Beta reading is huge for learning how to work with constructive criticism--you learn to recognize why something doesn't work, and given time will start to catch it in your own writing. It's like a magic mirror. That 'voice' that you hear about, the thing that distinguishes you from other writers? It comes from throwing sand around the sandbox enough times to develop. We aren't born with a voice, we take a journey to build it, discovering the stones we pick up along the way. Writing is a journey, never a destination. Stretch your wings, wander into uncomfortable territory, and know with earnest humility that not everything you write is gold. Don't worry, renowned authors don't spin gold right onto the page (if they say they do, they're lying--everyone edits.) The road to publication is long and fret with rejections. Sorry, that is the truth! I hang with some amazing writers. I've proofed breathtaking stories for them. I've watched those same stories get rejected; once, twice, ... a dozen times. I affectionately call rejections paper cuts. I have an admirable collection of the callus building emails. This is part of it. The quicker you get a thick hide in this industry, the better. And the biggest part of it all--readers are fickle. It's impossible to write something everyone will love, and it's impossible to predict what will become the next fad. Sometimes badly slapped together writing is lauded over painstakingly deep thought out works. It sucks harder than Mega Maid stealing Druidia's air (name that movie ... ), but there are plenty of New York Times Best Sellers out there with plots so full of holes they could double as sieves.

Soo ... the take away ...

Do your homework, hone your skills by working with a trusted group of fellow writers, then stick to your guns and put your best work out there. Write what you would want to read--not what's trending. If you aren't in love with your imaginary world--your readers will know it. Happy writing, hope to see your work join the ranks of the published someday! Your voice will develop, before you even realize it. ;) Seriously, I thought I could trick my fellow writing group members by disguising my work and failed--that was when I realized there was more to my writer voice than I knew. :D It comes out of the darkness, subconscious.

Nightingale's Odyssey- a Phantom of the Opera fanfiction series

When I was in Junior High I became enthralled with the musical "Phantom of the Opera". This led me to reading Gaston Leroux's and Susan Kay's-over and over again! I devoured the details and researched their history. Erik's character always fascinated me. In 2012 I was inspired to look at where Erik could have gone if things went a bit differently in Kay's epilogue. I began writing "Nightingale's Strain". This bled into five complete manuscripts. I went back and wrote "Shadowcrest's Hammer" which became the first.

I write more than fanfiction. The "Nightingale's Odyssey" was simply too much passion in writing NOT to share on wordpress under the same collective name. My art accompanying the stories can be found there as well. I also keep a FB page for writing called the Brass Quill.

Contains drama, historical fiction, murder, a bit of romance (non-steamy), action/adventure... a little something for everyone.

FINISHED: "Lament of the Nightingale", the forth in the series of five. All novels are complete and WILL be published in full. Updates on Wednesday. Final novel "Nightingale's Requiem" debuted on Wed 3/14.

Some reviews for "Shadowcrest's Hammer"

~As a Phantom fan and a New Yorker, I totally enjoyed this well-written REAL book. And no Coney Island! Just a realistic story with excellent and poignant character development. I recommend it to all fans. Not going to give away any plot points, so other readers can discover it the same way I did. Started reading book two and that's great, too. Will follow this series through all five books.

~I fell in love with Kay's Erik shortly after reading her vision and I was totally thrown away by his struggles between dark and light as well as the torture's he has gone through, but so rare can I find someone to portray Erik in the way she did. That was, of course, before I came across your stories. The very same strong feelings which had touched the bottom of my heart overtook me once more. It's just amazing how you managed to capture Erik's complex characters and reestablish them through words.

~OMG YAY I LOVED IT! I wish I could buy a hardcopy of this and put it on my shelf next to my other Phantom of the opera paraphernalia. It was so wonderful and realistic. I couldn't get enough. I wanted to finish the chapters as soon as I could to find out what happens next, but I also wanted to savour and enjoy every second. Thank you for this beautiful story.

Some reviews for "Nightingale's Strain"

~I just want to say, I read this fic in a day last week (and what a day that was) and loved it! I love things that take an alternate chain of events from Kay's ending, and this was so gripping. I especially love the fact that you included Erik's drug use, because sometimes that can be a facet in fic that gets overlooked, and in the context of Kay it's so, so important. Anyway, just wanted to drop you a line to let you know I loved this! I've been thinking about it ever since, and I can't wait to read the sequel!

~Finally the Phantom gets a chance to live in light.

~In conclusion, I really enjoyed your story, it's the best one among everything I have read till now. Though I haven't read much and there are so many great authors, I'm sure yours will always be among the best ones I've ever read.

~First time I ever laid eyes on this story. It is quite incredible and I don't know how I missed it as I read these phantom stories everyday and sometime every night. Hope you are penning some more of this as I was completely transformed by this. You must be a professional writer because this flows along so beautifully.

~This was truly amazing! Your writing is so beautiful and clear. I really loved how you delved into Erik' s character and developed him into the man he was at the end of the story and it all seemed totally believable. And I really loved Charles, his character is so adorable. I can't wait to read the rest of the series! Great work!

Some reviews for "Gilded Cage for a Nightingale"

~You do a great job keeping your readers in suspense!

~Pure awesome.
I love your work.

~To say that I'm anxious and excited for next week's update is something of an understatement. This fic is rapidly becoming the highlight of my Thursdays, and I love the direction it's going in!

~Oh my God...

~Of course I'm going to read the next stories as well!

Some reviews for "Lament of the Nightingale"

~Shocking beginning as you immerse us in the continuation of the story. I mean, Erik was disintegrating by the end of Book 3, but we didn't expect THIS! Well done, as usual. And also, as usual, always looking forward to your new chapters. And I don't have confidence in that doctor...

~Wow, that is a beginning!
Poor Erik - he lost his mind completely. I wonder how much of this he will remember later? Some people who suffered complete breakdown and behaved erratically told afterwards that they were aware of what they were doing, just couldn't stop it.

~I enjoyed your first three books, this one is heart breaking in its first chapter. It seems that Erik has either a tumour or some type of infarct in his brain. I truly hope that Erik can come back from this, but even today sometimes that is still not the case. I am anxiously waiting for the next chapter.

~Very realistic excruciating recovery for Erik. He’s definitely not a kid anymore. Even so, the slow healing is of concern. His life certainly will be different from this point onward. But Christine never falters and that may be all that really matters to him.

~OH good grief, Poor Erik, Christine and Nadir. I so hope that Erik recovers. A beautiful story as enjoyable in its approach as the previous three books which I have very much enjoyed. looking forward to the next chapter

~God yes! Love your writing.

~In the midst of joy for Charles, Erik is in a particularly sad place. Still, this is what we do for our children, our future! True love.

~A beautiful way to end this novel. Looking forward to the next one.

~What a happy surprise ending. Thank you. Looking forward to Book Five and its travails.

~Will you start publishing your next story next week?

Some Reviews for "Nightingale's Requiem"

~And here it looked as if things were going well...and now things are not good. It's not easy getting older, but that's even without outside interference. This will be interesting.

~Oh no! What a cliff hanger! (chapter one)

~I don't know if i can wait a whole week for an update!

~Things don’t look good. Impatiently and anxiously anticipating next Wednesday’s chapter

Cowboy Bebop fanfictions

In college I was introduced to an anime series called Cowboy Bebop, the commercial for the second episode "Stray Dog Strut" intrigued me. I was instantly hooked and drawn into the complexity of Spike's character. Flawed, dynamic characters intrigue me--especially in writing. In watching shows like this I sometimes ask myself questions--like how could characters with such a diverse background as Spike and Jet team up? The question was never answered in the series. "Tharsis Threnody" became my reasoning through their volatile hook-up. It's as turbulent a trip as you'll find in the series and the movie.

Since then "Dragons of the Darkwave" a series in 2 parts, became the elaborate and researched answer to what happened for Spike to defect from the Red Dragons knowing what it would cost him. I poured over the DVDs for the umpteenth time (the whole series and then the key episodes). I pulled out the anime episode guides and prized out the details I needed from a canon source, including the critical detail that in 2071 Bloody Eye was a more recent, higher concentration of the drug. There were lesser levels like yellow and purple that the syndicate had dealt in previously.

Annnnnd since we can't leave well enough alone, that opened up some questions and dropped hints at previous scenes in their lives. After all, by those events Spike and Vicious had already grown apart and were well settled into their simmering rivalry. PMs dropped into my box from readers hungry to know more, to experience how it happened. Flip the hourglass over, let's go back in time to the adolescent years when two non-ranked upstarts maneuver the dark underworld, relishing every drop of blood they spill. Teenagers are different, dramatic reflections from the self we mature to be, thus Spike's and Vicious's personalities are still forming--they will eventually evolve into their adult selves. I used as much logic as possible to reverse engineer what they might have been like. Spike's fluid demeanor and Vicious fiery determination are ever in a delicate balance. When a grain of sand tips the scales, what once resulted in success starts a cascade leading to the eventual maelstrom that comes to a head in "The Real Folk Blues" episodes of the series. "Dragons of the Darkwave" is completely published! Trivia: Part 2 was by another name before, and written FIRST.

"Dead Star Shine" Just finished publishing, set in 2073. Synopsis: Better late than never, Jet’s obsessive search locates Spike in the nick of time, reuniting the Bebop crew in a daring shot that, if uncovered, could cost them everything. Adrift without his guiding star, Spike dives into a muddle, chasing leads on a missing persons case that the ISSP failed to see the pattern. His attempt to deflect only hits a nerve when the team exposes a scheme aimed at perfection. Will Spike prove that he was worth saving? Post series.

"Gemini Jive". It closely follows on the heels of "Dead Star Shine" when the crew of the Bebop return to their normal antics. After a routine bounty head, the crew ends up with some unexpected baggage that no one knows how to handle, least of all--Spike. Completed.

"Bloody Eyed Tango" In a dangerous race to uncover corruption in the ISSP, Bob asks Spike to go undercover as a Red Eye buyer. No one expects how deeply this plan will run off the tracks as Spike embraces his role. It takes everything that Jet, Faye, Ed, and Ein have to chase down the rogue teammate. Jet faces the grim reality that he might need to bring down his partner. Things get out of hand in a hurry and continue on a crazy spiral into disarray in typical Cowboy Bebop fashion. Displays a darker, more volatile version of Spike. There is a very real reason I selected Tango for this one. The nature of the dance and how it developed is quite fitting once this story comes to its inevitable conclusion. References events in "Dragons of the Darkwave 1 and 2" and "Dead Star Shine".

"Acid Rock Riot" is my current work in progress. A hard luck bounty chase lands the crew of the Bebop on an abandoned asteroid. Stranded deep in the terraformed jungle, they soon learn they are far from alone and the usual tactics won't work against the denizens left behind. There's nothing 'amusing' about this thrill ride. Spawned by a wicked submission call, Bebop just cried out to be twisted into this concept. Enjoy!

Some words about "Tharsis Threnody"

~I loved this story! Also, I read Dragons of the Darkwave 2...and I loved it as well! :-) I like how you gave readers more information about Spike's past. It suits him, and gives him more character. I had to add the two stories to my favorites...and you to my favorite authors! Great job! I really enjoyed them :-D

Some reviews about the "Dragons of the Darkwave" Parts 1 and 2

~I honestly never review, but this story compelled me to. Honestly, I'm a little confused why this story hasn't gotten more commentary, it definitely deserves more! Ever since the first chapter, you've piqued my interest. Describing Spike and Vicious, their relationship, their thirst for victory, and their indomitable will through their battle in the dojo was a truly insightful experience. I've never read a story with a perspective like this before in the Cowboy Bebop universe. It's not a cliche, and you should be incredibly proud of yourself! You've captured the essence of the characters so well, especially with their sensei's commentary describing the two, the whole bit about the immovable object and the unstoppable force analogy was genius.

Also, I really like the punch in your voice. I don't know how else to describe it, it's feisty. Your desciptions paint your sentences with a smirk and a wink. I like your Spike, his boyish charm, his playfulness. I'm still trying to figure out if he's OOC here because the Spike within the series is a broken one, a former shadow of himself, so no one can truly claim to know the former Spike. By the way, don't be discouraged by these musings, they are what they are, only musings. I very much appreciate your creativity on the characters!

I look forward to continuing the path you've laid for us readers!

~Omg... This is getting intense. Your stories are awesome as usual! Can't wait for more updates!

~This was a very enjoyable read! I only just finished watching the show so it's really interesting seeing your take on Spike's past. Especially liked how you wrote the action scenes. Please write more cowboy bebop stories!

~I really liked this one! Some good insight into the characters.

~I honestly never review, but this story compelled me to. Honestly, I'm a little confused why this story hasn't gotten more commentary, it definitely deserves more! Ever since the first chapter, you've piqued my interest. Describing Spike and Vicious, their relationship, their thirst for victory, and their indomitable will through their battle in the dojo was a truly insightful experience. I've never read a story with a perspective like this before in the Cowboy Bebop universe. It's not a cliche, and you should be incredibly proud of yourself! You've captured the essence of the characters so well, especially with their sensei's commentary describing the two, the whole bit about the immovable object and the unstoppable force analogy was genius.

Also, I really like the punch in your voice. I don't know how else to describe it, it's feisty. Your desciptions paint your sentences with a smirk and a wink. I like your Spike, his boyish charm, his playfulness. I'm still trying to figure out if he's OOC here because the Spike within the series is a broken one, a former shadow of himself, so no one can truly claim to know the former Spike. By the way, don't be discouraged by these musings, they are what they are, only musings. I very much appreciate your creativity on the characters!

I look forward to continuing the path you've laid for us readers!

~Brilliant work Shadowcrest! I must hand it to you, you are an excellent writer. I love the way you characterize Spike and Vicious' past-it all seems remarkably plausible. You have woven an excellent backstory for the pair that is wonderfully canon-like. I enjoy your descriptions and characters, the plot is dynamic and enfolds with just the right amount of tension and suspense to keep me always wanting more. Thanks for such a dramatic and fun read!

Some reviews of "Dead Star Shine"

~I love this! I can't wait to read more. Super well written and funny. You nailed the Bebop vibe on the head.

~Lol! My favorite Spike/Ein moment.

~Ooh this was brutal... poor Spike. Jet had better hurry up!

~This was a great story from start to finish! Loved it!

~That was a wild ride from start to finish! Hope you write more stories about the Bebop crew (especially loved the dynamic between Spike and Faye). Can't wait to read more from you!

~Awesome story so far. Really like how you keep the characters like themselves from the anime.

~This was really good! I just recently watched Cowboy Bebop on the recommendation of several friends and liked it so I started looking into it more. I thought your story was very well done. It was written clearly and the characters were incredibly believable. I could hear their voices in my head as I read. It's a great interpretation of what might happen next. Excellent work! Keep it up!

~Great job with this story! It was a lot of fun to read and I really felt like it was a continuation of where everything left off. Fantastic work! I'm so happy I found this and I look forward to reading more from you. Thanks for writing.

~Woof, that was one hellvua exciting chapter. Great work.

Some reviews of "Gemini Jive"

~I'm Interested to see where this goes. Wondering what the 14 year old kids motivation for aiming a gun at Spike?

~Oh my gosh... I'm laughing at Faye getting shot by the dog. bhahah I mean, Ein isn't normal by any means but still! And then Jet just swoops in and tells Spike to fix it. Gosh I love these guys. And then we have Ed's adorable interaction with the "trespasser". Curious stuff that's for sure. Wonderful chapter!

~I really like the way you compared Spike and the kid. And I have to say, while I'm a bit surprised at the dip into Ein's head, I absolutely loved it! Of course no one but Ed seems to understand what he's trying to say. Who else could he turn to? Fanatic work! I look forward to reading more!

~Love to see Faye and Jet go on a bounty hunt once in awhile.

~haha love that last line at the end of this chapter! Spike's just so casual

~No, no, no, no, no NO! Don't you dare! There will be some serious hell to pay if you do! Can't wait for the next chapter!

~That's one heck of a finish to that whole mess! but wait... the stories over? Noooo! I want more! TT haha It was a fun ride while it lasted! Great work with this!

Some Reviews for "Bloody Eyed Tango"

~Interesting premise. Spike pretending being a red dragon. Will he start to enjoy it though? Can't wait to read more. posted within 24hours of 1st chapter

~I really like how you present the characters. I wonder if Spike will be able to tell the difference between the life he currently has with the Bebop and his old life with the syndicate?

~I like how you write the characters. I think you do a good job of keeping them in character.

~Well. So Faye and Jet found him. Are they going to blow his cover now? I can't wait to see.

Psycho-Pass fanfic

"What Lies Beneath" was a manifestation that practically wrote itself after I stumbled headfirst into the world of the Psycho-Pass series. The theme of the world resonated with me on a profound level. The idea of society blindly trusting a system that is autonomically the judge, jury, and executioner (and how seriously fudged that could become) held the potential for some real exploration of character cores. Without adding spoilers to it, I'll say that the plight of the Enforcers struck me the most, Kogami's fate being the keystone there. A gifted Inspector with a brilliant intellect looses his rights as a citizen and is forced to live life on a leash because a coefficient calls him a risk to society. His ONLY options are permanent isolation, or to live a life in lock down in the Criminal Investigation Department (where he used to be an Inspector) with the task of undertaking monitored hunting runs to pull the trigger so the Inspectors who still have a healthy Psycho-Pass don't damage there own. Yes, it's brutal enslavement. And the Dominator's trigger has two results: either paralyze or kill mode depending on a crime coefficient that comes essentially out of the air. Those valid users behind the triggers have no control over the gun--save whether or not they pull the trigger. The system is built around making people feel safe and content. For the most part, society isn't even aware of these hunting dogs running among them. They believe all latent criminals to be in treatment facilities, or locked away in isolation facilities. The world has basically turned into a pit of emotionally numb snowflakes who can't express anxiety, fear, anger out of the risk of getting subdued or eliminated. Within the series, a new Inspector comes into the field and begins to spark questions of the status quo, giving Kogami latitude he didn't previously have as an Enforcer. My first story in the fandom explores events surrounding Kogami's turn for the worse ... when his grip on an unsolved case he feels responsible for tangentially seals his fate.

A side note about the title, I'm big on things having double/hidden meanings. Often that will be the case in the selection of my titles, "What Lies Beneath" is no exception. The obvious meaning is of course concerning the idea what one sees when peering beneath the surface, what is physically dwelling out of our sight. However, there is another meaning of lies--intent to deceive or mislead. Those who have seen the series know all to well What Deception Dwells Beneath the Sibyl System. I can't spell that out any clearer.

I am getting a few PMed requests to delve further into Psycho-Pass. I have a plot line congealing on the back burner. ;) Perhaps there will be another one coming.

Some reviews about "What Lies Beneath"

~That was really nice. The personalities of the characters match the original ones.

~Man, that was awesome! I have just finished the season one of psycho pass and hell, ur take on kogami's raised crime co efficient is really... Remarkable. Please please do keep writing!

~Hm, interesting.

Kogami seemed more raw and emotional, so I liked the look into his more positive and sociable persona that I assume his Inspector days had and I liked how he interacted with Masaoka and Ginoza in particular.

Ginoza's perspective was informative, he's one of my favourite characters and his stoical, stubborn attitude is very good at hiding his real intentions - which is why it was enjoyable to read along side Masaoka's chapter, it gives both excellent characterisation.

The extra chapter with the Sybil System was intriguing, since it gives the possible scenario that they manipulate and control the Inspectors and Enforcers much more intimately than canon suggests.

Nice job, I enjoyed reading.

"The Non-existent Quotient" is a new one-shot kicked out for the Writers Anonymous Character Development challenge. The idea is to establish one impression at the beginning of the piece for the reader and by the end flip their emotional response to the character. I chose Psycho-Pass as my fandom for this challenge because the entire world dwells in the gray-areas and within the series itself, even in episodes, our impressions flip concerning the characters. My goal was actually to multiply this effect: in the end ideally the reader will have changed their response to not only two characters, but also to the Sibyl System. This is my first contest on Writers Anon so we'll see how I do in the long run.

Some reviews about "The Non-existent Quotient"

~Well, to begin, the easiest way to my heart is through speculative fiction, and this did not disappoint. Every aspect of this world was well-developed for such a small vignette. I think what really made this story was how well you were able to use the "show don't tell" aspect of writing that every writer strives for. In essence, what I'm saying is that this story is everything I am not as a writer, and I love it! In fact, I would even go so far as to say that the end-notes are really not needed because the you were able to create such a clear picture for readers. I couldn't wait to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Good luck in the challenge, but you won't need it.

~Just popping over from the WA forum. Wow. I know nothing about Psycho-pass, but very much enjoyed your story. Great story. And good luck in the challenge.

Ancient Magus' Bride Fanfic

This Manga/Anime is so epicly beautiful. It plays with the fantasy realms I enjoy and the depth that means the more you rewatch it, the more hints in plain sight you pick out. I love the dynamics between Elias and Chise, and of course I'm a sucker for a menacing looking creature that isn't so evil after all. The tragic backstories emerging and the mystery surrounding them is a great hook that keeps things interesting. Not to mention the artwork is stunning! I love this world and look forward to each week's now episode.

"In the Shadow of the Flames" is an unusual piece. Writers Anonymous issued a challenge for an All/No Dialogue story. I tend to let my dialogue do most of the heavy plot lifting in a story, so I opted for the No Dialogue portion. I chose to go full bore into a plot rather than using first person POV and doing an introspection piece. The trick was to go third person with no direct thoughts in the narrative and have an action sequence that truly told a story and carried an emotional ride. The series itself plays around with ideas, themes, and concepts that writhe JUST beneath the surface. I took a stab at technique, I put the plot hammer away and let the images convey. It took me a couple washes to get it where I was content. Some perceptive readers may get the nuance on the first read, others may get it one a second. Still another group may just enjoy the images and not care to tease out the secrets... it's all good.

Some reviews from "In the Shadow of the Flames"

~Lovely story, with some beautiful moments of description, and a very touching relationship between Elias and Chise. Thanks for sharing and good luck in that challenge.

I'll keep writing, if you keep reading. ;) Deal?