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Post by Leppardlady on Jun 26, 2010 19:19:55 GMT -5
They said because it's print on demand, it could be 10-15 business days to put together and about 3-5 days for shipping. If it had been hardcover, it would have been 15-20 days.
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Post by swansong on Jun 28, 2010 12:31:18 GMT -5
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Post by Leppardlady on Jul 7, 2010 10:52:47 GMT -5
I got it!!!! I ordered the book on June 25th, so it only took 12 days to print and arrive... I did order it priority so I would get it sooner. Now, I get to read it!!
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Post by swansong on Jul 7, 2010 12:26:55 GMT -5
awwwwwww, that makes me soooooooo happy! I'm just dying to know if peeps think it's any good! As a writer, you get so short sighted. After working on the book for over 5 years, you can't see the forest for the trees. I can't read the book without seeing all its faults. I want to hear how the book make people feel. That's what I care about. Anyhow, I'm so glad to know that someone has actually got one in their hands!
Swannie
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Post by kamoani on Jul 7, 2010 18:16:23 GMT -5
I got it!!!! I ordered the book on June 25th, so it only took 12 days to print and arrive... I did order it priority so I would get it sooner. Now, I get to read it!! I am SO j e a l o u s !!! I can't wait to hear your comments on it!
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Post by swansong on Jul 7, 2010 20:57:27 GMT -5
LL...I forgot to ask: what do you think of the actual book? How it looks and feels, etc?
Swannie
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Post by Leppardlady on Jul 8, 2010 19:58:36 GMT -5
The front cover is so beautiful, Francis Wheeler did an amazing job; I've read the acknowledgements (I smiled when I read the name Gerard Butler ) and the forward (I can relate with you, I was always the shy and quiet type and I never fit in with the other kids; I hated how I looked and they hated how I looked so I was always made fun of... I think that's why I also relate to Erik, I know what it's like to be shunned by one's peers). It's nice and thick and the type is easy to read. I'm the middle of chapter two and I've had tears in my eyes several times already.
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Post by kamoani on Jul 8, 2010 20:02:38 GMT -5
Ooooh...God. I want that book!
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Post by swansong on Jul 8, 2010 22:20:37 GMT -5
Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts! First off, I am happy that you approve of the physical book. That is important to me because I love pretty, thick books! You have barely just gotten into the story...enjoy the ride!
Swannie
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Post by Leppardlady on Jul 12, 2010 8:17:34 GMT -5
I'm on chapter twelve now, so I thought I'd give my impressions on the book so far. I am one of those people who was upset with how Christine treated The Phantom in the movie, but reading your book, I have a new perspective of her. I've found myself sypathizing - and sometimes, empathizing - with her, you get to see first hand what it was like for the young girl who lost her father when she was only ten and I found myself tearing up on several occasions. I love the scenes between her and the Angel of Music, it's endearing to see a man who keeps himself hidden from the world engaging himself with this child, teaching her how to sing properly, how to enrich her God given talent. I also loved the way Erik has been dealing with La Carlotta, so very funny!
P.S. Reading this makes me want to watch the movie again.
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Post by swansong on Jul 12, 2010 13:18:20 GMT -5
Thanks for posting a few comments. I love hearing comments like this because they let me know that my construct of the story is doing what I wanted it to do. I want my readers to understand Christine and to sympathize with her, and I want them to see how her relationship with the AOM began and how it shaped her early life. Glad you are enjoying the book so far, LL!
Swannie
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Post by swansong on Jul 17, 2010 16:16:33 GMT -5
This is an interview I gave which offers insight into my book without giving too much away:
Tracy Portis Holmes interview with Swannie aka Bonnie aka Paisley Swan Stewart
Question 1. How long have you been a Phantom Phan?
I would say I have been a ‘fan’ in the true sense of the word since I saw the stage show for the first time in the late 80's, but prior to that time, I was intrigued with the story and loved all the earlier film adaptations which came long before ALW's version. But it wasn't until I first heard ALW's music on the Original Cast album that I truly fell in love with the story. Then after the 2004 film came out, my phandom went into overdrive! That’s when I joined the Gerard Butler sites, and that’s what led to writing my novel.
2. Have you read Gaston Leroux's original novel?
Yes I have, about 6 times, but I am ashamed to say that I could never seem to get through the whole book. For some reason it did not hold my interest, yet I do think the story itself is brilliant. It's Gaston's writing style that puts me off, and I don't mean any disrespect to him by saying that. Different people have different preferences when it comes to a writer's style of telling a story. For example, I do not like Jane Austin’s writing style, but I love Charlotte Bronte’s. Doesn’t mean one is good and the other bad, it just means I have my preferences.
3. What qualities did Gerard Butler bring to the character that you found unique?
For me Gerry's portrayal brings a childlike innocence to the Phantom, where we see his vulnerabilities come through in a more childlike manner than in other adaptations. You clearly see this in the final lair scene when he sings to the monkey music box. I have always said that in that scene, the Phantom is like a 9 year old boy, and that was because of Gerry's facial expressions and inner thought processes. You see an adult male who never emotionally grew up, and who at his core is still a lost little boy. Yet, Gerry also brings an undeniable sensuality to the role, that frankly I have never seen in any of his other roles, nor in any other film role by any other actor…period. The longing and physical attraction he portrays for Christine in PONR is visceral, and let's face it...dead sexy. So now you have a little boy in a man’s body, whose sexual desire is probably even more potent than a normal man his age...and this makes him very dangerous and poignantly tragic. But for me Gerry also brought an emotional depth to the character, different from the stage show. Notice I did not say "better"…I said different.
4. One of the things that disturbed me was the thought of this man being denied a sexual relationship. Did that motivate you in anyway in writing your novel?
Absolutely, because his denial of physical love is IMO one of the reasons he is a damaged and dangerous human being. We are not talking about a man who was denied SEX-we are talking about a man who was denied ALL physical contact with other human beings. No holding hands, no hugging, no kiss...ever. This lack of a physical connection to others resulted in what I refer to in my book as ‘Skin Hunger’. This man is so desperate to be loved, and to be touched out of love, that his soul has been warped until his only motivation is that need. It blinds him to compassion for others and it distorts his image of what the nature of love is.
5. Without giving any spoilers how did you resolve The Phantom's obvious obsession with Christine?
It is impossible for me to discuss this without giving away spoilers because that is really the heart of Chanson de l'Ange. How does a man like the Phantom learn to love? Truly love...and not merely satisfy his craving for love. How does he resolve his deepest emotional conflicts and recover from a life of isolation and self hatred?
6. Was seeing Erik have a marriage and a family important to you and why?
In my case, no. I wanted to be truthful to this character, and the focus of my particular take on the story is more about his inner life. Yes there is a love story, but before the Phantom could ever marry or become a father, he would have many demons to exorcise. My story is concerned with that odyssey.
7. I prefer the unmasked Erik. Does the heroine of your novel feel the same
She is in love with an image he has carefully and wrongfully conditioned her to love. Once he has created that image, he he suffers greatly in his efforts to win her love without the mask and without the Angel Of Music persona. In Chanson, we see that struggle take place. That's why to me, the mask is a metaphor for the mask we each wear; hiding our true selves from a world we don't trust, and yet wanting to be free of that mask at the same time. Wanting to be loved for who we are on the inside, and yet afraid to reveal our own ugliness.
8. Did you ever think of exploring the possibility of Erik having a child that was deformed as he?
In plotting my book, that was never an issue.
9. If you decided to write a book after seeing the ALW/Schumacher movie did you ever consider that Erik's first crush might have been on Madame Giry?
I did ponder an attraction between them, but it was never an idea I developed
Alternate question 9 for non ALW/Schumacher movie fans. Is Madame Giry and/or Meg Giry in your novel? Why or why not?
They are both in my novel. Madame Giry is # 3 of the 4 main characters and she is sort of the level headed conscience of my book...yet she is also a woman with many conflicts and weakness of her own. Like the rest of my characters, she is forced to make choices and does not always choose wisely. I must admit that I love the Madame Giry I created for Chanson. She is strong, sensual, compassionate and forgiving. Meg is more prominent in book 2 of Chanson than she is in book 1...but I think her presence in the story is crucial because personality wise and even physically she is the exact opposite of Christine. This becomes important.
10.Lastly, have you ever seen ALW's play on stage, if so any thoughts, if not, do you hope to? Have you seen any other Phantom stories on stage or movies you are fond of?
I have seen the stage play 3 times and I absolutely adore it! There are elements in the stage play that I wish they had used in the movie and visa versa, but I truly love them both as their own separate and unique entities. There are things about the Silent film version I love, but I HATE the ending! I love the Claude Rains version of Phantom. There is just something so appealing about it, and he plays the violin! I also enjoyed the Hammer version with Herbert Lom, and in fact, I pay homage to that version in my book. I would love to see new stage/film and book adaptations created as the years go by. I think there are endless ways to tell this story, and I hope artists continue to be inspired by it!
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Post by I'm in Oklahoma Gerard! on Jul 17, 2010 18:18:51 GMT -5
Great interview, Swannie!!!
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Post by swansong on Jul 21, 2010 12:12:40 GMT -5
Just wanted to let y’all know that I have placed an order for 25 copies of Chanson de l’Ange. If there are any of you who would rather order from me personally, I will be happy to sell and ship to you. The retail cost will be the same as Xlibris : $23.99 plus 6.00 shipping and packaging. Anyone who orders directly from me will receive their book signed and personalized . I just placed the order yesterday and the books will arrive at my address in about 30 days. If you would like me to reserve a copy on your behalf, please send me an email: paisleyswan@chansondelange.com and your full name with mailing address. I will be accepting payment through paypal or snailmail. (don’t have paypal account set up yet, but working on it) I will accept your personal check. Meanwhile, my account on Amazon and other booksellers on-line is taking longer for Xlibris to set up than I expected. I will post an announcement here when my page is up. Anyone who has read Chanson de l’Ange Book One, I would love it if you would post your review on my site Post Reviews Here: www.chansondelange.com/archives/27 (you do not have to register to post) I need some reviews to get other readers interested! Swannie
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Post by Dianne on Jul 21, 2010 15:45:41 GMT -5
Just wanted to let y’all know that I have placed an order for 25 copies of Chanson de l’Ange. If there are any of you who would rather order from me personally, I will be happy to sell and ship to you. The retail cost will be the same as Xlibris : $23.99 plus 6.00 shipping and packaging. Anyone who orders directly from me will receive their book signed and personalized . I just placed the order yesterday and the books will arrive at my address in about 30 days. If you would like me to reserve a copy on your behalf, please send me an email: paisleyswan@chansondelange.com and your full name with mailing address. I will be accepting payment through paypal or snailmail. (don’t have paypal account set up yet, but working on it) I will accept your personal check. Meanwhile, my account on Amazon and other booksellers on-line is taking longer for Xlibris to set up than I expected. I will post an announcement here when my page is up. Anyone who has read Chanson de l’Ange Book One, I would love it if you would post your review on my site Post Reviews Here: www.chansondelange.com/archives/27 (you do not have to register to post) I need some reviews to get other readers interested! Swannie Eww I would like that, PM me when they come in Swannie. Leppard told me she really enjoyed your book.
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