Hot Tea and History

Historian, writer, and musician. Mostly a spot to share my writing and stuff I find funny and inspiring in the Phantom of the Opera Fandom

[hotteaandhistory]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84002331/chapters/221467716

The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon

The first month of married life is not going quite as Erik and Christine imagined.

They are desperately, blissfully in love, but unfortunately seem incapable of being left alone long enough to enjoy it. Between hovering family members, overinvested friends, emotional baggage, unexpected vulnerability, and Erik discovering he may secretly enjoy domestic happiness, the newlyweds find themselves learning each other in ways both deeply tender and profoundly chaotic.

Warm, funny, earnest, sensual, and intensely character-driven, this story follows Erik and Christine as they navigate marriage, healing, intimacy, found family, and the frightening realization that they may finally have a future worth hoping for.

A companion story set between my novels “The Opera Ghost” and “The Opera Ghost Redeemed.”

[hotteaandhistory]

I have returned after a week in hospital, but I have new chapters posted! Enjoy chapters 18-20; especially 20, where we learn about Erik and Zana, Rahim’s son, as young, really awkward, really weird teenagers. You will laugh. You will cry. And you will feel sorry for Rahim having to deal with these two little nuggets! 😄😄😄

[nick-nellson]

PARKS AND RECREATION 3.10 Soulmates

[hotteaandhistory]

The irony is I'm called Leslie Knope at work (I'm a park ranger 😄)

[hotteaandhistory]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84002331/chapters/221467716

The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon

The first month of married life is not going quite as Erik and Christine imagined.

They are desperately, blissfully in love, but unfortunately seem incapable of being left alone long enough to enjoy it. Between hovering family members, overinvested friends, emotional baggage, unexpected vulnerability, and Erik discovering he may secretly enjoy domestic happiness, the newlyweds find themselves learning each other in ways both deeply tender and profoundly chaotic.

Warm, funny, earnest, sensual, and intensely character-driven, this story follows Erik and Christine as they navigate marriage, healing, intimacy, found family, and the frightening realization that they may finally have a future worth hoping for.

A companion story set between my novels “The Opera Ghost” and “The Opera Ghost Redeemed.”

[hotteaandhistory]

Chapters 18 and Chapter 19

[hotteaandhistory]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84002331/chapters/221467716

The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon

The first month of married life is not going quite as Erik and Christine imagined.

They are desperately, blissfully in love, but unfortunately seem incapable of being left alone long enough to enjoy it. Between hovering family members, overinvested friends, emotional baggage, unexpected vulnerability, and Erik discovering he may secretly enjoy domestic happiness, the newlyweds find themselves learning each other in ways both deeply tender and profoundly chaotic.

Warm, funny, earnest, sensual, and intensely character-driven, this story follows Erik and Christine as they navigate marriage, healing, intimacy, found family, and the frightening realization that they may finally have a future worth hoping for.

A companion story set between my novels “The Opera Ghost” and “The Opera Ghost Redeemed.”

[hotteaandhistory]

Chapter 17: When a friend arrives at the end in search of Erik and Christine, how do the two deal with this particular interruption without curtailing the momentum of their unplanned honeymoon?

[hotteaandhistory]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84002331/chapters/221467716

The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon

The first month of married life is not going quite as Erik and Christine imagined.

They are desperately, blissfully in love, but unfortunately seem incapable of being left alone long enough to enjoy it. Between hovering family members, overinvested friends, emotional baggage, unexpected vulnerability, and Erik discovering he may secretly enjoy domestic happiness, the newlyweds find themselves learning each other in ways both deeply tender and profoundly chaotic.

Warm, funny, earnest, sensual, and intensely character-driven, this story follows Erik and Christine as they navigate marriage, healing, intimacy, found family, and the frightening realization that they may finally have a future worth hoping for.

A companion story set between my novels “The Opera Ghost” and “The Opera Ghost Redeemed.”

[hotteaandhistory]

Chapter 16: Erik’s world continues to grow, even if, at first, he isn't aware of it. A quiet day of reflection leads to new understanding of just how rich his life has become, as well as a better appreciation for all that he might leave behind. And there's a bird 🐦

[hotteaandhistory]

Different anon, why don't you use a beta reader instead of AI? Or commission art from someone in the fandom instead of AI? I think a lot of people in fandom are so wary of AI's impact on the creative world that it hurts to see it creep into this space. You are, of course, free to use AI however you want. But for editing your own work, I just don't understand why you think a machine is going to help you more than another human. Or your own eyes. Trust yourself more.

To clarify, I don’t use AI to edit or beta-read, I use it to proofread, which I have found is challenging to get humans to actually want to do and does not contribute to the creative process; it's literally spelling, punctuation, etc. I frequently reach out to readers to beta-read new material as it nears the point where I am done with proofreading and editing. As for using AI to test clarity, this is not being done to illustrate my work; I think I clearly stated that should my books be published, I already have artists who will be paid, lined up to do illustration work. I clearly explained that the image I shared was just one that made me laugh. I was not denying human artists the opportunity to illustrate my work; it was literally the byproduct of me asking AI, "If I describe Erik, Christine, and a giant tortoise in this manner, will that create a clear enough image for readers?". In this case, the result made me laugh, and I decided to share this one image alone with my story.

I will never approach an artist to create art for me for free: If it is offered, I am extatic, but as a writer, singer, and historian who is often asked to work for free because of "free exposure", I will never do the same to other professional creative types. That being said, I can't afford to have a human artist test my written clarity every time I am looking to test it. I don’t have that kind of money, nor do human illustrators have that kind of, literally, free time. I have many artist friends I love and support as I can, but I will never waste their time with something I can literally check and move on from in 30 seconds. I hope that provides a better understanding 😀

[hotteaandhistory]

View this post on Instagram

If you have been following my story, The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon, you will understand why this is funny 😁

[hotteaandhistory]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84002331/chapters/221467716

The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon

The first month of married life is not going quite as Erik and Christine imagined.

They are desperately, blissfully in love, but unfortunately seem incapable of being left alone long enough to enjoy it. Between hovering family members, overinvested friends, emotional baggage, unexpected vulnerability, and Erik discovering he may secretly enjoy domestic happiness, the newlyweds find themselves learning each other in ways both deeply tender and profoundly chaotic.

Warm, funny, earnest, sensual, and intensely character-driven, this story follows Erik and Christine as they navigate marriage, healing, intimacy, found family, and the frightening realization that they may finally have a future worth hoping for.

A companion story set between my novels “The Opera Ghost” and “The Opera Ghost Redeemed.”

[hotteaandhistory]

We have arrived at lucky chapter number 13! Dive in and join Erik and Christine on their desperately needed honeymoon adventure! Find out why green socks, sourdough starter, and a giant Galapagos tortoise named Stanley play into the romantic story of our favorite literary couple!

[hotteaandhistory]

Chapter 14 has landed, and it is a doozy! I am reflecting on the fact that, two weeks ago, this was going to be a one-shot story of MAYBE 10k words, but oops! Here we are! 🤣

[hotteaandhistory]

I noticed you used some ai generated art for your new fic, and I saw you have a cast of characters description that reads like a prompt given to ai. I was wondering if you used ai to write the whole fic or to help in some way?

Thanks for the question! Absolutely not 😀 The way I use AI as a writer is to periodically check if my descriptions are clear enough for readers to see what I'm seeing. I figure if an inhuman device can see it , people with actual souls and imaginations will hopefully be able to see it clearly. I hope that makes sense! The image I shared was just one that made me laugh 😀 As far as the actual writing, character descriptions, etc. that is all me. I appreciate AI as a tool but not as a source of creativity; I feel like writing and actual art generation is too intricately linked to humanity and expression that AI could never adequately create a substitute. I am also keenly aware of the environmental impact of AI, so I use it sparingly. If my novels were to be published, I have actual human artists lined up to help with creating illustrations, maps, and other illuminations. I very much appreciate your question and for allowing me the opportunity to share my thoughts 😀 If I could have one wish, it would be to have talent as a visual artist ❤️

[hotteaandhistory]

Idk if u still use tumblr or if yr even atill alive but i miss u and i hope yr doing well

-formerly dustygondola

Hey, there! Thank you for wondering after me! I also hope that you are doing well! I took an extended break from both Tumblr and AO3 because I was getting harassing comments from some of the readers. I decided I would write privately for a time to avoid undo scrutiny. Also, I spent a couple of years working as a historian and singer on a cruise ship; I was working up to fourteen hours a day for months at a time, which left me a bit worn out and in more of an editing mode than a writing. I'm back to good, now, and I'm posting my new content on AO3. How have you been?!

[hotteaandhistory]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84002331/chapters/221467716

The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon

The first month of married life is not going quite as Erik and Christine imagined.

They are desperately, blissfully in love, but unfortunately seem incapable of being left alone long enough to enjoy it. Between hovering family members, overinvested friends, emotional baggage, unexpected vulnerability, and Erik discovering he may secretly enjoy domestic happiness, the newlyweds find themselves learning each other in ways both deeply tender and profoundly chaotic.

Warm, funny, earnest, sensual, and intensely character-driven, this story follows Erik and Christine as they navigate marriage, healing, intimacy, found family, and the frightening realization that they may finally have a future worth hoping for.

A companion story set between my novels “The Opera Ghost” and “The Opera Ghost Redeemed.”

[hotteaandhistory]

We have arrived at lucky chapter number 13! Dive in and join Erik and Christine on their desperately needed honeymoon adventure! Find out why green socks, sourdough starter, and a giant Galapagos tortoise named Stanley play into the romantic story of our favorite literary couple!

[hotteaandhistory]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84002331/chapters/221467716

The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon

The first month of married life is not going quite as Erik and Christine imagined.

They are desperately, blissfully in love, but unfortunately seem incapable of being left alone long enough to enjoy it. Between hovering family members, overinvested friends, emotional baggage, unexpected vulnerability, and Erik discovering he may secretly enjoy domestic happiness, the newlyweds find themselves learning each other in ways both deeply tender and profoundly chaotic.

Warm, funny, earnest, sensual, and intensely character-driven, this story follows Erik and Christine as they navigate marriage, healing, intimacy, found family, and the frightening realization that they may finally have a future worth hoping for.

A companion story set between my novels “The Opera Ghost” and “The Opera Ghost Redeemed.”

[hotteaandhistory]

Chapter 15: There are times, as a writer, that you sink deep into your characters and learn more about yourself. Those who have ever experienced anticipatory grief will understand what Christine is living with day to day; it's something that haunts you and shows no mercy. I cried while writing this; I survived the loss of my own father, mother, and brother when, like Christine, I lamented the time I lost with them and felt untethered to the world. I share my personal story, here, not for sympathy -though it is welcome- but to somehow let those who understand Christine's pain- my pain- that they are not alone and that you are stronger and far braver than you can ever imagine.

With love and appreciation for you all-

Hotteaandhistory

[hotteaandhistory]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84002331/chapters/221467716

The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon

The first month of married life is not going quite as Erik and Christine imagined.

They are desperately, blissfully in love, but unfortunately seem incapable of being left alone long enough to enjoy it. Between hovering family members, overinvested friends, emotional baggage, unexpected vulnerability, and Erik discovering he may secretly enjoy domestic happiness, the newlyweds find themselves learning each other in ways both deeply tender and profoundly chaotic.

Warm, funny, earnest, sensual, and intensely character-driven, this story follows Erik and Christine as they navigate marriage, healing, intimacy, found family, and the frightening realization that they may finally have a future worth hoping for.

A companion story set between my novels “The Opera Ghost” and “The Opera Ghost Redeemed.”

[hotteaandhistory]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84002331/chapters/221467716

The Opera Ghost and the Unplanned Honeymoon

The first month of married life is not going quite as Erik and Christine imagined.

They are desperately, blissfully in love, but unfortunately seem incapable of being left alone long enough to enjoy it. Between hovering family members, overinvested friends, emotional baggage, unexpected vulnerability, and Erik discovering he may secretly enjoy domestic happiness, the newlyweds find themselves learning each other in ways both deeply tender and profoundly chaotic.

Warm, funny, earnest, sensual, and intensely character-driven, this story follows Erik and Christine as they navigate marriage, healing, intimacy, found family, and the frightening realization that they may finally have a future worth hoping for.

A companion story set between my novels “The Opera Ghost” and “The Opera Ghost Redeemed.”

[hotteaandhistory]

POTO, but a mockumentary. No explanation for the camera crew in 1880s Paris. Inspired by a different post with a medieval setting.

[hotteaandhistory]

#I am working on this in my free time! Had to get used to the screenplay writing style 😎

[hotteaandhistory]

So, I am definitely still working on this, and I am LOVING the enthusiasm for the idea! Please keep sharing and dropping ideas my way! Also, there is lots of Daroga giving side eye to the camera, ala Jim from the office 😆

[hotteaandhistory]

POTO, but a mockumentary. No explanation for the camera crew in 1880s Paris. Inspired by a different post with a medieval setting.

[hotteaandhistory]

#I am working on this in my free time! Had to get used to the screenplay writing style 😎

[bedupolker]

Scorp & Scorplings (repost bc the original got tagged as mature???)