Welcome to Jennifer Linforth, it's great to have the opportunity to interview you for Fallen Angel Reviews. I look forward to picking your brain about your new novel among other things. Let's dive right in!

What inspired you to expand on the Phantom of the Opera tale?

Certain stories transcend time leaving more questions than answers. I've always been fascinated by Gaston Leroux's talent as writer and jurist. My love for The Phantom of the Opera stemmed from a deep respect for a book that was a mystery, horror and romance rolled into one. How utterly frustrating and wonderful is it to read a book that makes you ponder what happened after the final page? How many readers have thought about the nuptials of Darcy and Elisabeth after Jane Austen put down her quill? There are those readers who are merely content to question and those readers who seek answers.

Was writing a story with a connection to such a beloved story a daunting task?

Absolutely. Readers are fiercely defensive of the characters they have grown to love. Writers who continue classic literature are just as passionate. We have to be. If a writer does not believe in the passion behind a story, it comes across in the writing. I was careful in crafting Madrigal to stay as close to Leroux's vision for his character as I could, yet naturally certain elements where changed to suit the limits of my imagination.

An unusually daunting task was breaking down what Andrew Lloyed Webber created. His musical and 2004 movie staring Gerald Butler created an iconic image of The Phantom and the story as a whole. Webber's roots were in Leroux. The original is extremely different from Webber's romantic, sexual tale that millions of fans fell in love with. It took three years to research and polish Madrigal. I wanted it to stand on its own independent of Leroux. Just enough back story of Leroux's novel is woven into Madrigal to be able to give the reader a flavor for The Phantom of the Opera. One does not need to understand the original book to follow it.

What was the first story you ever wrote?

It was a sci-fi fantasy, Return of a Dark Legend. I have no plans to publish it. I see it as a reminder to stick to your goals and dreams. It was written when I was twelve during the course of my father's battle with cancer. It stands as a reminder that I should have had the backbone after his death to pursue my career as a writer instead of being influenced by the ideas of others. My father wanted me to write. I keep it so I know never to lose sight of my desires again.

When did you decide to take "pen in hand" and write with the intent to publish?

That happened when I was thirteen when the above book was finished. I believe I wrote a query letter in pink ink. Let's not say how far that got me…. It took many years for my dreams to manifest, but I am blissfully happy they did.

While writing, how does the story develop for you? Do you go from start to finish or create scenes as they come to you?

My books are skeletons before they are turned into a working body. I write scene to scene as they come to me. These scenes are the bones of my book. From there I fill in the connecting scenes-my muscles and tendons. Finally, I add the spit polish and make sure all my bases are covered. This is my skin. I find if I don't get a scene out of my head as it comes to me I get completely obsessed with it.

What is your favorite part of a book to write?

Who can resist an incredible opening hook? One amazing opening line has the ability to pull a reader in and set the tone for the entire work.

"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…"
"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again…"
"Call me Ishmael."
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of good fortune must be in want of a wife."
"Paper. Ink. Figs."

I adore crafting that first critical sentence.

From what do you derive the most inspiration for your writing?

Curious nuggets of history that are not mainstream and often overlooked are great inspiration. I write for a blog called Unusual Historicals (unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com) with other writers who think outside the history box. Quotes are also great resources. Often an amazing opening quote can spark an entire story or create a tone for a scene.

Can you tell us a little about your other upcoming works?

Madrigal is the first in a three book series. I just signed a contract for book two of The Madrigals, Abendlied. I will be a 2009 release. It reveals the secrets of Erik (The Phantom) and his mysterious relationship with Philippe, Comte de Chagny. The manhunt for Erik continues throughout. Book three is currently being polished. It takes the story into new generations. There is a possibility for a fourth in The Madrigals if my readers desire it to be told.

I have a historical romance set in 1866 Austria with an autistic heroine being shopped and have several works in progress. One is set in 1881 and focuses on three characters whose lives were changed by the fire of the Ringstrasse Theater in Vienna. Another rolling in my mind is a light hearted historical about Death and his antics in Regency England.

What would we find on your bookshelf?

I thoroughly enjoy a book that finds a piece of history and expands on it, or a book that weaves fictional characters in with historical figures. Susanne Dunlap this did this flawlessly in Liszt's Kiss and certainly Linda Berdoll crafted an unparallel world in her series expanding Austen. I also read a great deal of history books about life in the Franz-Josef era of Austria.

If you could become a character from any book for one day, who would it be?

Fitzwilliam Darcy. I always found the proud gentleman a compelling figure. Yet Spiderman gets to climb buildings…

Curiosity always gets the best of me so I have to ask, your nickname is Maverick, how did you come by it?

That… came by me. When I was in college I had the delightful misfortune of being told my personality matched that of a female version of the character Goose from Top Gun. The result was four years of being called a large barn-yard bird complete with on demand serenades of You've Lost that Loving Feeling. Through the years I morphed from Goose to Maverick.

I consider it a promotion.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?

Sure, it took me forever to learn to spell incorrigible and pronounce pistachio. I think okra is God's punishment to man, raisins should only be permitted in oatmeal cookies and one day out of the year everyone should be required to tie a helium balloon around their wrist.

Beyond that, I can be found on my website at jenniferlinforth.com, my blogger jenniferlinforth.blogspot.com or friended on Myspace at
myspace.com/jenniferlinforthauthor.

What a fabulously fun and informative interview. I had a wonderful time talking with you. Thank you so much for taking the time to interview with Fallen Angel Reviews.

Interviewed by: Dawnie