The Final Unmasking: About The Author

All right, confession time...

My name is Lauren R. Tharp. I'm a freelance writer (fiction stories, movie scripts, poetry) who's won quite a few awards ranging from the "Editor's Choice" award from the International Library of Poetry to being chosen 3 different times as "Story Of The Month" for Teen Magazine.

Whereas this was my first Fan Fiction story, I have over twenty stories posted at Fiction Press under the name "Peggy I. Newton." (If you liked this story, I would recommend my story "Obsession" to you).

When I'm not writing, I'm working on my online comic strip. It's called "Unlucky In A Tin Can" and can be easily found by googling either my name or the name of the strip.

Now for some Q&A...

Q: Are you really a Phantom fan?
A: Absolutely! Although I have not read the book (yet), my knowledge of the various Phantom movies and the stunning musical play is fairly vast. I've always had an interest in The Phantom Of The Opera since I was a little girl and it became even more intense after having the pleasure of seeing the play when I was in 7th grade.

Q: Your author name is "Raoul4Me," but this story was clearly an E/C...who's side are you really on?
A: Raoul. Definitely Raoul.

Q: Why?
A: Well, uh...Erik's crazy. Sure, he's a good-looking crazy guy, but, to me, that's not enough to give him a free pass. (Especially after being in an extremely violent relationship with a "Phantom" of my own). I'll take the normal nice guy any day! (Raoul was actually based partly on my current boyfriend).

Q: Traiter! E/C all the way!
A: Um...the story was an E/C. Hence my profile: "Raoul for me. Phantom for you." While I would take Raoul over Erik any day of the week, I know that I'm one of few. So, of course, I'm going to write for the opinion of the masses.

Q: Oh. Right. But why go to the bother of writing an E/C if you don't like it?
A: Actually, the story behind that was kind of stupid. My best friend was reading an E/C Phan-Fic that she thought was really good and then she turns to me and says "You could never write something like this." I got really pissed off. Then, without telling her what I was up to, I commenced to writing an E/C Phan Fic of my own. "That'll show her!" I thought. So this whole story was pretty much just to prove I could write an E/C fic as well as the next person.

Q: Well, you must have really shown her!
A: Not really. It was kind of an anti-climax

Q: So...about that fluff scene...
A: lol. Actually, I'm a virgin (I don't believe in sex before marriage and I'm not married yet). I had to ask my friends a lot of embarrassing questions...so I hope you appreciate it! Also, re-watching some movies like Top Gun and Backdraft helped, too. Basically: I had to make my best guess. I was sincerely surprised when I got reactions like "Whew! That was great!" instead of "What the hell was that!" So I guess I did all right.

Q: Indeed. So have you been pulled into the mystical world of E/C fans? Are you finding yourself attracted to Erik?
A: Not a chance. There will be no turning to the "dark side" for this girl. But I think that's for the best, don't you? That leaves Erik all for you. ;)

Q: Will you be writing any more Phantom stories?
A: That remains to be seen. It was a blast, but I'm so busy with other projects (and going in and out of the hospital due to my medical problems) that it probably won't be for a while. Until then, re-read "All I Demand Of You" and share it with your friends!

Thanks for reading!
–Lauren