WEEK OF OCTOBER 8, 2007 EDITION

THIS WEEK MARKS THE FOURTH EDITION OF THE WEEKLY SL INSIDER FEATURE, "THE WRITER'S CORNER." EACH WEEK I, TIM LOWERY (BETTER KNOWN AS PHOENIXRISING05), AND MY FELLOW SALEM LIVES HEAD WRITER, PATRICK L. EWING (BETTER KNOWN AS ROMAN), WILL TAKE TIME OUT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM READERS AND ANYONE ELSE THAT DECIDES TO CHECK OUR FAN FICTION BLOG OUT. WE WILL TAKE TURNS ANSWERING QUESTIONS EACH WEEK. THESE QUESTIONS CAN BE QUESTIONS ABOUT CASTING, WRITING, PAST STORIES, CURRENT STORIES, OR WHATEVER COMES TO MIND REALLY PERTAINING TO SALEM LIVES. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PM US QUESTIONS DURING THE WEEK FOR US TO ANSWER AND ALSO REMEMBER YOU CAN POST QUESTIONS VIA COMMENTING HERE IN THE BLOG. IF WE RECEIVE NO QUESTIONS, ROMAN AND I WILL JUST ANSWER QUESTIONS BASED ON REACTIONS TO EPISODES AND DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE HAD WITH OTHERS. SO, WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU, HERE WE GO:

THIS WEEK'S WRITER IN THE HOT SHEET: PATRICK EWING (ROMAN)


1. The response to Arloa Reton (Joelle Young) has been sensational. How do you feel about the way readers have voiced their opinion about her and her character?

A: To be perfectly frank, that has came out of nowhere. Arloa has asked if she is doing a good job, and all I can tell her is “Read the responses, my dear.” (laughs) People like her, but hate her character’s guts. Readers have threatened bodily harm to this character, which means that not only is she being written right, readers love Sami and Lucas together, and that is what’s most important.

2: There was a recent scene with Marlena (Deidre Hall) and Roman (Drake Hogestyn) where Marlena used some very strong language towards Roman about the state of their marriage. How do you feel about her character behaving like that?

A: For me and a lot of fans.......it’s about damn time! Marlena has been written like some damn damsel in distress for 10 years now, and from what I have seen, readers love the fact that she has regained her backbone and told Roman to f*** off if he can’t get his head straight. I feel she never lost it, but it was laying dormant for far too long. Look forward to more of this. Dee is very excited about her upcoming story, and so are we. She will be back were she should be, and we will NOT make the mistake of another soap who feels it is stupid to use veterans like her.

3: Victor (John Aniston) and Stefano (Joe Mascolo) are front and center right now, and this Mafia War story has pushed these two great actors to the forefront. How is the response?

A: Once again, the use of veterans. How can that ever be a bad thing? Nothing is wrong with using the younger set, but they always need to fit into the fabric of whatever story is being told for the vets. Soap opera executives and writers need to start listening to their true fans: vets bring in readers and ratings. These two performers have either been back burned for way too long or have been stuck in one stupid story after another on the other show they worked for. We changed that. We started this feud between them and the entire cast, and one point or another, have been involved. It’s a wonderful story to tell.......and stay tuned for the rest of it.

4: Steve (Stephen Nichols) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) have gotten a lot of time together recently on the blog. Will this continue, and if so, why are you breaking up two great super couples?

A: Who says we’re breaking them up? (laughs) We are telling story that has been under the surface for many years. It never cold be told before because both characters were with other people, and Stephen was gone for so long working on other daytime dramas. This is an opportunity, one which the readers seem to enjoy. Will it continue? Keep reading, my friends. (laughs)

5: The blog seems to be hitting its stride. What is coming up?

A: We are getting better in certain areas, but never forget this. There are many things where we can improve on, and I feel that if any writer is so arrogant that they feel his or her blog is on point all the time, you should stop writing. You always push yourself to do better than what you are doing now.........and you stop doing it when it is no longer fun. If anything, I hope and pray that the readers see we are having a lot of fun. The best thing about all of this? Reading responses from the readers of the blog. Giving them the stories THEY want to see, not the stories we want to see and being so arrogant that we won’t listen to what they have to say. Too much of that [!@#$%^&*] going on, where writers come off like the Vince McMahon of soaps, writing the stuff they want fans to have.

We don’t do that. We try our best to tell compelling stories, and read the constructive feedback and apply it accordingly. We learn form what our readers say, and hopefully they see that in the blog.

WELL, THAT IS ALL FOR NEXT WEEK. REMEMBER TO PM QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED IN THE WRITER'S CORNER TO ME OR ROMAN BY NEXT FRIDAY AT 8PM EST. ALSO, YOU MAY POST QUESTIONS HERE IN THE BLOG BY COMMENTING. JUST DO IT BEFORE FRIDAY AT 8PM. THANKS AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK IN THE WRITER'S CORNER WHERE ROMAN WILL BE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS. UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!


PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WK OF 10/8/07

-Victor Lays A Trap......For His Own Son!
-Kate Tries To Save Lucas From Joelle.
-Tony Fears Stefano Knows The Truth.
-Billie Fights For Her Man.......Literally!

And............On Friday, October 12th..........Stefano, Victor, Orpheus & Roman Circle Each Other.......And Salem May Lay Destroyed In Their Wake!! It’s All Right Here........On Salem Lives!

NEXT WEEK: An Old Fan Favorite Returns. Marlena Holds The Key To A Shocking Secret. A Devastating Truth Is Revealed. Tony Has A Secret That May Destroy Stefano! Steve & Hope Grow Closer. Abby Demands Answers. Billie Takes Matters Into Her Own Hands!

And............

Unstoppably...............

It’s Coming...........

To Salem..........

THIS HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Catching Up With: Wayne Northrop

We recently had time to sit down and ask Wayne Northrop (ex-Roman, ex-Stefano, ex-Wendell, SL) three questions on how he’s doing since leaving SL, what he thinks of the blog right now, and how he feels about Drake Hogestyn playing a role he created.

Salem Lives Insider: Wayne, it’s great to see you again, sir! What brings you by SONBC Studios?

Wayne Northrop: Well, I come by to see some old friends in the cast and on the crew, just to say hi. This place is really buzzing with some positive feedback, and everyone seems really excited about what is coming up.

SLI: Question, Wayne. How do you feel about Drake taking on a role you started?

WN: I have always felt fine with that. The same way I felt when Josh played the role. I’m not one of these actors who demands this and that. If it works out that I can play Roman, so be it. But my life is so full of richness and happiness right now, I just don’t see myself returning to SL or any soap. Drake played this role so well, and the fans love him to death. It’s his role now, and he’ll do what he does best........take the ball and sprint for the touchdown. With Dee’s help, how can he go wrong? (laughs)

SLI: What do you think of SL right now?

WN: Wow. That’s all I can say. Pat asked me back for a one-shot recently, and I just couldn’t turn that down. I know I said I don’t see myself coming back, but........you truly never know. Salem Lives is really doing some great things. The twists and turns and the fact that CHARACTERS are being written for, not couples, is really lighting this place on fire. I find my wife getting into it so much lately, and she is one who can’t be impressed easily. I love it, and hope they continue with what they are doing.

SLI: What have you been up to?

WN: Being lazy! (laughs) Working on my ranch, and just enjoying life. We worked hard to get to where we are, and we are just enjoying each other right now. It feels great to just sit on my porch and watch the sunset with the woman I love so much. You just don’t know. But, and this is a big but..........if the story is right, and the offer is right..........who knows? You may see old Wendell causing trouble on a show near you some day again.

SLI: Thanks so much, Wayne. We do appreciate it.

WN: Anytime.

Breaking News!!!!!

A highly placed source at SONBC Studios has revealed that Salem Lives has started filming very explosive scenes for episodes that will be posted in October and for November Sweeps. Many key stars have been brought in to film for the next four weekends and the studio is rumored to be shut down in the first week of November to film the start of story lines that will, in this source's opinion, "Change the face of Salem Lives for a long time to come." Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the inside source told SONBC that sets are being constructed and finances are being worked out for what is sure to be some huge and shocking events that fans are sure to love.

Salem Lives will post normally, so no interruption will occur.

Stay tuned to SONBC and to Salem Lives, if and/or when any other information becomes available.