author seems an unattainable dream. But I did dream and I wrote. I have
boxes of poems, short stories, children's stories, great first chapters for
books and occasionally several chapters for the "Great American Novel." As
I grew older, I began to doubt the wisdom of continuing the quest, but I just
could never quite bring myself to stop writing. Then at the age of 52, I found
myself under the spell of an inspiration greater than any I had ever known,
so I tried again. And wonder of wonders, literally before I knew it, I had a
complete novel. I cannot mourn the lost time of all those great beginnings in
the past, because I believe that the universe has its own time table and
though we might push against it, things will happen only if the time is
right. So I am eternally grateful that my time has at last arrived and I pray
for the wisdom to use it well. - Debra.
Thank you so much for this wonderful interview, my friend!
Sandra - What was your motivation in order to write your first Phantom
book? How did all begin?
Debra - I think I've had the Phantom, or someone like him in my mind for a
very long time. I've always been drawn to stories of misunderstood,
mysterious men in dark places, I guess. Even things loosely based on the
Phantom have been favorites of mine, like the television show, Beauty and
the Beast. When I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, I had that music
swirling in my head for weeks after. In 2004 when I saw the movie, and I
don't know any way to say this other than just to admit that Gerard Butler's
Phantom just blew me away. I was haunted by the look on his face when he
walked through that mirror. I couldn't get it out of my mind and I wanted
the story to go on. Then weeks later, I thought, okay, I can bring him out of
the mirror. No one will ever read it except me so I can make his life
anything I want it to be. So I started to write.
Sandra - How did you discover The Phantom of the Opera story?
Debra - I discovered it for what it really was by way of the musical. I'd seen
reports about it and all the incrediable success it was having but didn't
know the story. When I finally saw the show, of course, I understood. But
it wasn't until later that I realized that a lot of movies and television shows,
even cartoons that I had loved were also based on it.
Sandra - What do you think about the main character, Erik? Tell us your
personal opinion about him.
Debra - I've always thought of Erik as a man, not a ghost or supernatural
being and certainly not as a monster. Sure, he's flawed and damaged, inside
and out, but I always felt that deep down all he wanted was to be accepted.
He didn't always act wisely, but I always felt I understood him. Maybe
that's just the romantic in me.
Sandra - Have you read Gaston Leroux's original novel? Did you like it?
Debra - I have read it and I enjoyed it very much. Of course he created Erik
much differently from modern versions. I know some feel that the original
should be left untouched, but to me it's seems like a great compliment to
Mr. Leroux that so many people are still captivated by a character he
created.
Sandra - What do you think about the possible reality/myth of this character?
Debra - Whether or not Erik was a real person, is unimportant to me. What's
important is he COULD have been real. His appeal is, I think, largely due
to the fact that most of us can recognize a little something of ourselves in
him. We all wear masks of a sort to protect us from life's disappointments.
The fact that there are stories and legends about the Opera House only add
to the speculation. So yes, I think he could have been real and if he was
real, the Opera House would have made a terrific home for him.
Sandra - Your view about Phantom's life after Christine leaving is very
interesting, how did appear the possibility of include children in the story?
Debra - I wish I knew. As I said, when I started writing "Into the Light", the
only goal I had was to bring Erik out of that mirror and into some happier
circumstances. It sounds cliche but the truth is, the story unfolded as I was
writing it. When I sat down to write, I had no idea what would happen
next. So to answer your question, the children appeared in the story to me
exactly as they do to everyone who reads it. I didn't plan them at all. They
were just there and it seemed like they belonged.
Sandra - Why did you consider unnecesary Christine's appereance in your
novel?
Debra - After the initial story was written, I did rewrites where I tried to
polish and bring some story lines together better and I thought about that
and whether I should write her in. But I decided that part of his life was
over and it would not help him heal and move on for her to be constantly
around him. He'd suffered enough. Besides she wasn't really what he
needed, he just didn't know that yet.
Sandra - How did come the idea of Madame Giry and Erik coud be together?
Debra - That idea occurred to me when I saw the movie for the first time.
There's a scene where Madame Giry is sitting before a mirror, doing her
hair. At first I wondered why that scene was even in the movie. But then as
I thought about it, it occurred to me that she knew him better than anyone
else. Even in the original she'd been his helper all those years, so who
better to understand him? I also liked the idea that she was a no nonsense
woman and I knew a strong woman was just what he needed.
Sandra - Writing this book has been a nice experience for you? Why?
Debra - It's been outstanding! I've been writing practically all my life.
Stories, poems and little bits of fluff, but I'd never written a full length
novel before. Discovering that I could do that was great, even if I never
expected anyone to read it. But when I mentioned what I was doing to some
friends, they wanted to read it. I gave them a few chapters and then set
about to worry and fret. I couldn't sleep. I was a nervous wreck. I just knew
they would hate it and wish they'd never asked for it. Instead they asked
for more and then more. So I began to relax and I continued to write while
they continued to read. The entire thing was life changing. Now when I
write I'm no longer afraid to have someone read it. I know everyone won't
like this story or others that I write, but that's okay. It's very gratifying, of
course, when I read in a review that someone enjoyed my book but what I
learned is that ultimately I have to write for myself. If others enjoy reading
it, that's a wonderful bonus.
Sandra - Please, tell us more about your coming projects.
Debra - I have a children's book ready for publication now. It's written as a
fairy tale but has a message for today's children about how important it is to
take care of the environment. It came about when I was thinking about my
granddaughter and what lessons I would like to teach her. This is Book One
of what I hope will be many life lessons stories. Book Two is written but
not yet illustrated. It's about tolerance and acceptance of people and their
differences.
I also have another novel finished. It's the story of two women who
stumble onto a mystery and then get into quite a bit of trouble when they
try to solve it themselves. It's set in a small southern town in modern
times. The working title is "Hometown Fear" and it will be released in early
2007.
Beyond that I'm working on another novel and also on another children's
book. I like to keep several things going at once. As strange as it might
sound, that helps me stay focused.
Please, don't copy this text without my permission.
Copyright by Ladyghost.
