Carmichael, CA. She is a mother of five daughters and the grandmother of
two grand daughters and five grand sons. To be a good mother was always her
first desire, but when left to support her last two daughters alone, she
attended and graduated from a business college. After working several years
running her own businesses, she realized that working in the accounting field
wasn’t where her heart lay. So to fill the void in her heart, she returned to her
lost music and the piano of her younger years. Around that same time, she
saw Brad Little perform the role of the Phantom in “The Phantom of the
Opera.” She was moved with such great passion that she began writing her
heartfelt words down on paper. Now, after five years of writing, her thoughts
have come to life in Through Phantom Eyes, the first of her many books to
come.
Thank you, dear Tedi, for your friendship and time.
Sandra - How did you discover your passion towards the Phantom of the
Opera story?
Theodora - I’d always been a music lover. As a young person, I saw all the
great musicals on the silver screen many times over. So it was quite natural
that I would see ALW’s “The Phantom of the Opera” when it came close to
our area in the late 90’s. Without question, I was taken with the music as
everyone is. Then in 2002 it came to my hometown of Sacramento, and we (my
daughters and I) purchased tickets. To prepare for the occasion, we also
purchased Gaston Leroux’s book as well as Susan Kay’s and read them
several times. When I realized there was a possibility that Erik could have
been a real, live man, I became intrigued as well as saddened by his tragic life.
I have to regress a bit in order to answer the “passion” part of the question.
There were events in my life that influenced who I was, as we all do, but
because of them, I became a man-hater in a true sense. Now back to the
performance.
As I watched Brad Little perform the role of the Phantom that night, I paid
more than rapt attention to his every move, which portrayed Erik’s pain and
suffering to the 10th degree. I felt every note and expression deeply in my
soul. And even though I was unaware of it at the time, something remarkable
began to happen to my heart. By the time the last note faded, I was on my feet
and in tears, as were many of us. I can’t speak for the rest of the audience, but
for me, it was a life changing experience.
We returned to watch Brad seven more times in the next two weeks, and with
each performance, the hard shell around my heart softened, until I was left
with a heart that no longer hated men but felt love and respect for them. That
began my passion for the man named Erik.
Sandra - How did begin the idea of writing a Phantom novel?
Theodora - From the time I was a child, I couldn’t see a movie with a sad
ending without changing the ending to fit the way I wanted it. All of those
changes began and ended in my mind and never made it to paper, but Erik’s
story moved me in a stronger way. Therefore, I started playing around with an
ending that I liked, but it was still only in my head. Also, Gaston Leroux left
so many unanswered questions, and the answers to those questions began to
appear in my mind. As so many more scenes began to prop up in my mind, I
started writing them down and piecing them together. But, at the time, they
were only for my enjoyment.
Eventually, I felt I wanted to share my thoughts with my family, so I had one
of my daughters (Kelli) read the first chapter. She was impressed and
suggested that I finish it and have it published. I laughed at her and told her
no way—I wasn’t a professional writer. Well, with her encouragement
continuing and my passion for Erik’s life growing, four years later I was
prepared to send the first volume off to a publisher, and the rest is history.
Sandra - Why 8 volumes?
Theodora - Because I didn’t want to make it ten—no, I’m only kidding. Again,
it was Gaston Leroux’s unanswered questions. I really wanted to answer them
to my satisfaction, although I had no idea when I started writing that it would
take eight volumes to do so. Once I realized my story was too long for only
one volume, then I simply split it into two. Then it was too long for two, and I
split it into three. Well I think you get the picture. By the time I was finished,
it was eight volumes.
Sandra - What is your opinion of the main character, Erik?
Theodora - I believe Erik was a fascinating and complex character. From the
writings of Gaston Leroux, I feel he was a musical and scientific genius and
very much misunderstood. I’m sure he had a passion for life, beauty, and,
above all, music.
Sandra - Can you tell us a brief description of the Erik of your novel? What is
your point of view about him in your 8 books?
Theodora - All eight volumes are written from Erik’s point of view, thus the
title, “Through Phantom Eyes.” My Erik spends his life trying to understand
himself and his genius mind while at the same time trying to live with a
world that doesn’t understand him and rejects him. He has a strong influence
in his young life who gives him a moral compass that keeps him from
becoming a crazed mass murderer. He has a temper, which can flare easily
and he struggles constantly to keep it from controlling his life. But most of
all, my Erik is full of wonder for the world around him, and his passion for
music is far beyond what the human language can explain.
Sandra - What do you think about the possible reality/myth of this legend?
Theodora - My mind tells me I’m not a skeptic nor am I gullible. I usually
need proof of something if it sounds unbelievable. I questioned Leroux’s
writing in the beginning, so I did a lot of questioning in the areas I could. I
would have loved to visit, and still hope to visit, the Paris Opera House and
see if some of the things Leroux said are true. But taking everything into
consideration, I feel there was a lot more he could have said if he was making
Erik up entirely. He wouldn’t leave the unanswered questions, unless he was
planning a sequel—at least that is the way my brain works. So to answer your
question in a few words—my mind still wants to see the Paris Opera House,
but my heart cries out, yes, Erik was a real person.
Sandra - Have you read Leroux's book? What's your opinion about it.
Theodora - Yes, I’ve read Leroux’s book many times. The last time I read it, I
took extensive notes on every page. Then I used those notes, exclusively, to
weave my story of Erik. I feel that Leroux’s work is the closest we’re going to
get to the truth about Erik. That’s why I used only his words and other
historical events to guide my thoughts as I wrote. I tried very hard not to be
influenced by ALW’s musical or his movie or Susan Kay’s book. While ALW’
s work is breathtaking and will go down in history as one of the best, I
wanted my work to be as close to the original story as possible.
Sandra - What kind of literature you love most? What are your favorite
authors?
Theoroda - True life stories are my favorite—they touch my heart and give me
inspiration, along with strength. I believe that’s why I fell in love with Erik
and his life. I like Shakespeare’s stories. Not necessarily the way he wrote, it’
s still too hard for me to understand, but his stories are priceless and timeless.
I also like Edger Allen Poe, for some strange, dark reason, which I can’t
explain. A more modern writer I like is Susan Kay. She has a great way with
words and a greater imagination. Another of my favorite writers is my
daughter Kelli. She has a magical way of entwining words into visions that
are breathtakingly beautiful. I hope to see her novel finished and published
soon.
Sandra - Have you written any book before this one? Have you any future
projects?
Theodora - “Through Phantom Eyes” is the first story I’ve put on paper, and
by the time I have the eighth volume published, it will be the beginning of
2011, if I stay on schedule. Right now, getting Erik’s story in the hands,
minds, and hearts of the readers is my priority, so it’s hard to think too far
beyond that time. Kelli tells me I should continue to write, perhaps for a
newspaper or magazine, but I don’t know. Time will tell.
Sandra - What would you say to all Phantom fans who are discovering your
new book?
Theodora - I would say, definitely read “Through Phantom Eyes.” It is far
different from any other writings about Erik. It is written as if someone was
reading Erik’s personal diary. He expresses his every thought and emotion
about everything around him from the age of two. It answers all the
unanswered questions that Gaston Leroux’s book left us with—from how he
first got ideas for his inventions, like the mirror chamber, and why he wanted
to live in the bowels of the Paris Opera House, to why the Persian saved his
life. It is full of twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing, and from
what I’ve been told, it keeps the reader wanting more. From comments from
those who have already finished reading the first volume, they say they can’t
wait for the second volume to be published.
I do have a word of caution though. As all Phantom fans know, Erik didn’t
lead a charmed life and parts of it were very painful for him to endure. When
you take that into consideration, and the fact that Erik is describing
everything that is happening to him, there are parts that might be hard to
read. Although, I tried to be kind to the reader and not be too graphic while
still relaying how he must have felt. Also, there are always happy occasions
following the sorrow. If the reader can work their way through those scenes,
then he/she won’t be disappointed—that I guarantee.
Please, don't copy this text without my permission.
Copyright by Ladyghost.
