Regan Walsh Author of Whisper Cape Guest Post

I would like to welcome back Regan Walsh the author of Whisper Cape. Today she has a special guest post for us to enjoy.

Was it the Music of the Night?

There are many things that inspired me to write Whisper Cape. I’ve talked about some others on this blog tour and in other interviews. Even mentioned a few times that I was inspired by Phantom of the Opera. But I’ve never revealed which song/songs in particular had the most influence.
I’m one of those writers who can’t write while listening to music. That doesn’t mean to say I’m not inspired by certain songs, and this held true when I wrote Whisper Cape. In fact, everywhere I went I had The Phantom of the Opera playing; the CD in my car, on my iPod when I went jogging, to the grocery store, even while performing that dreaded chore of cleaning the house. Though the Phantom did not inspire Cael’s character, the music did spark (no pun intended and if you don’t understand what I mean, ask me or, better yet, read the book!) my imagination for Addison’s. I’ve always said that Gerard Butler was and still is my main influence for Gerry Briden’s character in both Whisper Cape and Reflections. I have to admit though, looking at this picture from back when the movie was made, Gerard could most definitely have been my vision for Cael. This is pre 300 days, but yummy.

There is a scene in Phantom of the Opera where Christine is in the cemetery singing to her deceased father. Of course, in the movie and the live production it is snowing so the setting has nothing to do with a particular scene I wrote for Whisper Cape. But the lyrics and the mood are what ignited my inspiration. Addison is distraught after almost fatally injuring Cael and runs to the edge of the cliff, wishing she could talk to her father once more. (There will be an excerpt of this scene on June 9th when I visit http://www.literaladdiction.com.) In the music video below, right before Christine starts singing, she whispers about her father promising to send her the “Angel of Music.” After she sings “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” the Phantom sings, “Wandering Child,” luring her to him, reinforcing his deception of being the promised “Angel of Music.” It was the idea of Christine whispering to her father, singing to him that gave me the inspiration for that scene.

Lyrics to “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Srilgoe

You were once my one companion, you were all that mattered.

You were once a friend and father, then my world was shattered.

Wishing you were somehow here again, wishing you were somehow near.

Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed, somehow you would be here.

Wishing I could hear your voice again, knowing that I never would.

Dreaming of you won’t help me to do all that you dreamed I could.

Passing bells and sculpted angels, cold and monumental, seem for you

the wrong companions; you were warm and gentle.

Too many years, fighting back tears. Why can’t the past just die?

Wishing you were somehow here again, knowing we must say goodbye.

Try to forgive, teach me to live, give me the strength to try!

No more memories, no more silent tears!

No more gazing across the wasted years.

Help me say goodbye…Help me say…goodbye!

***

Lyrics to “Wandering Child,” written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Srilgoe.

Phantom:

Wandering child so lost, so helpless yearning for my guidance

Christine:

Angel or father? Friend or Phantom?

Who is it there staring?

Phantom:

Have you forgotten your Angel?

Christine:

Angel, oh speak what endless longings echo in this whisper!

Phantom:

Too long you’ve wandered in winter, far from my fathering gaze

Christine:

Wildly my mind beats against you

Phantom:

You resist

Together:

Yet your/the soul obeys

Angel of Music!

I/you denied you/me

Turning from true beauty

Christine with the Phantom:

Angel of Music? Do not shun me/My protector…

Angel of Music! Come to your/me strange Angel

Phantom:

I am your Angel of Music…

Come to me; Angel of Music

Of course, it doesn’t happen anything like this in Whisper Cape but the music and the lyrics were so very inspiring.

Thank you, Anna, for having me on your wonderful blog today. Happy reading.

xxoo

Regan♥