UPDATE: ITS DONE - COMPLETE! I have LIVED in this story since 2006, and personally, I am glad to see it finished.

Research: I did a prodigious amount of research to insure I was not using props and concepts that had not even seen the light of day yet in the story’s timeframe. There are some amazing old maps of London and Paris and even of Lyon France on the internet. VictorianLondon.org was superb reading beyond just research. And I want to thank WikiPedia as being a premier site for so many kinds of research. If you don’t believe the articles, you are at least given a plethora of links to follow up/check facts.

Reviews: I wish particularly to thank those who gifted me with their time to review. My readership was HUGE in comparison to the number received, however…Thank God for Story Stats for affirmation that more than 20 people were reading it! (NOT that I am cavailing at 20 people) Just a slight knock on those who think leaving a review for a story they are reading is below them: a review does more than stroke a writer’s ego. It tells her/him that SOMEBODY IS ACTUALLY ENJOYING THE STORY. That is what compels us to write. Consider it fuel for the creative process…without it becomes very hard to face posting yet another chapter onto the anonymous interwebz. So…even if it is just to say: ‘I’m enjoying this,’ it makes for a motivated writer.

Those who have given me feedback on the language, characters’ behavior, and line of the story have been so helpful. And of course, those who told me how much they were enjoying it…thank you thank you thank you!

Continuation: I started a Christmas story called ‘The Gift’ two years ago. I will finish it in time for Christmas 2012. Right now I want to enjoy trailriding and training my 22 year old mustang buddy to STOP.

Errata: ‘Love Never Dies’. I am in love with Ben Lewis who plays the Phantom in the Aussie version. He is PERFECT. All of you ‘Gerry’ folks should check out this DVD; you would forget all about Mr. Butler. As for the storyline…well, I’m not a Erik/Christine-shipper. The entire idea of a 16 yo and a 40 something is just creepy to me. But it is a very compelling tale, and the music is wonderful. Another great ALW production.

OoO

I started this story in June 2006, after watching the movie Phantom of the Opera, with Gerard Butler, and Emmy Rossem, et al. The end of the movie...it depressed me beyond reason...I could not 'let go' of the fact that the silly man had thrown himself at the wrong woman.

I had to 'find closure' for the situation. Hey, I am a depressive...I didn't need MORE reason to feel so low. So...after telling myself the beginning of this story a million times, I set it to paper. What I had envisioned became...this story. Of course, the minute I began writing, I was possessed of a muse, who shaped the story to it's desires. 355,000 words later, I hope that b*tc* is happy!

I do agree that Butler was NOT suited for the part in regard to his singing. But you sure as hell could not have asked for a SEXIER Erik. Or...a more emotive and passionate one, either! Jerry Butler may be a potty-mouthed European wanker, but he did Erik, in all his tortured, conflicted parts, well. My Phantom may look just a bit like Butler, but when he sings, I hear Josh Groban.