WEEK OF OCTOBER 29, 2007 EDITION

WRITER'S CORNER


THIS WEEK MARKS THE SEVENTH 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: TIM LOWERY (PHOENIXRISING05)

Q: I see you opened a poll regarding the current Steve and Hope story. What was the reasoning behind that and what effect will that have on story?

A: The reasoning was that my partner and I decided to gauge reader and fan reaction due in large part to the fact that we are dealing with two supercouples here. We don't want to do anything out of character or that causes outrage to the point where readers and fans are turned off to us or feel offended. We take risks and we are all for drama and story first. If we see compelling story, we tell it, even if it means putting the readers and fans through out or is a big risk. Sami's "death" in the summer is an example of that. We already have a story in mind and a plan in place. This is more or less a way of helping us with execution of the story and how we want what is planned portrayed.

Q: How did the idea for the Halloween/Michael Myers story come about?

A: That is a better question for my partner. Ask him that next week after the event. I will just say it's original, creative, and a nice change of pace story-wise. It's a good way of celebrating the holiday on SL and it is also helping us move story forward so it works on all counts.

Q: What is going on with the episode lengths? They have been quite long this week.

A: Due to time constraints, the episodes had to be longer. We apologize to our loyal fans and readers and thank them for their support. Next week should be a bit better as a whole. Between the Halloween event and sweeps, we just had no choice if we were going to stay on course. When situations like this present themselves, our goal is to make the episode so entertaining that the episode doesn't feel long or that the length is hardly noticed. We hope we did that this week. We understand the frustration. We always strive for quality first but do know that we listen to reader and fan concerns and things will be better.

Q: Where are the sweeps previews?

A: Next week's Insider will have them along with a special announcement on a big event in November and some other features coming the readers way.

Q: Are there any cast comings and goings on the way? It's been pretty quiet on that front of late.

A: Yes, it has. It feels great to have stability since most of our first year and a half was filled with comings and goings. We feel our cast now is what we have envisioned for awhile now. There are a few tricks up our sleeve, kind of like Liz's return earlier this month. Fans and readers need to keep looking out because we won't announce everything but do know that some exciting things are coming.

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!!!


NOTE: MAKE SURE TO READ NEXT SUNDAY'S INSIDER WHICH WILL CONTAIN NOVEMBER SWEEPS PREVIEWS, A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON A SPECIAL SWEEPS EVENT ALONG WITH SOME NEW FEATURES FOR READERS, AND THE USUAL COVERAGE YOU EXPECT FROM THE WEEKLY INSIDER!!!

PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WK OF 10/29/07

DUE TO THE SET BEING CLOSED, NO TEASERS AND SPOILERS WILL BE POSTED FOR THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK. NEXT WEEK'S INSIDER WILL RESUME POSTING OF TEASERS AND MINOR SPOILERS SO YOU ALL WILL JUST HAVE TO READ TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS!!

"SALEM'S NIGHT OF TERROR" HAS BEGUN!!!



Last Friday, Salem Lives began a 6 episode event to coincide with Halloween entitled "The Night of Terror." The heavily promoted story was revealed on Friday to be centered around the mass murdering maniac from the highly popular Halloween movie franchise, Micheal Myers. "The story will engulf our whole canvas and it's one of the most gripping, edge of your seat stories we have ever done," says EP/HW Tim Lowery. "This is not just a stunt. It will move story as well and the intensity and drama this story presents is like nothing we have ever done. This is indeed a departure for us as we have never done something with the creepy, slasher-like vibe this story has. I want to give kudos to my partner who came up with this unique idea and for crafting such a wonderful story around it. We hope readers will enjoy it and that this will leave them wanting more."

The event is so big that the set was closed, thereby forbidding any teasers or spoilers from leaking out. "It was necessary," Lowery states. "A story of this magnitude needs to be kept in a state of unpredictability and suspense and keeping readers in the dark is the best way to do that. We also didn't put out anything regarding next week or November sweeps so readers can't look ahead and get a clue of what happens this week. It just helps the overall feel and impact of the story."

Look for more on this event and how it came out in next week's Insider.

CATCHING UP WITH: CHARLES SHAUGHNESSY (EX-SHANE, DAYS/SL)

We recently had time to sit down and ask Charles Shaughnessy (ex-Shane, Days/SL) three questions on how he’s doing since leaving SL, what he thinks of it right now, and how he feels about being on the outside looking in right now.

SALEM LIVES INSIDER: Good to see you again. Your exit in August came as a surprise. How did it come about?

CHARLES SHAUGHNESSY: Well, it wasn't a shock because they brought me back on recurring in June of 2006 when the new writing team stepped in. Then, I left for a bit and returned for the duration of my stint in late August. I was recurring the entire time but I felt contract. I worked alot and they kept roping me into things, for which I am happy. I was just shocked at the time. I also never expected them to bring Patsy (Pease, ex-Kimberly) back for that long of a run. Once they did, I began to think there was more to this and she did as well. We had a blast and I wasn't upset when we both were told our stints were finished. We had more work then we ever could've dreamed of having and it was fun. The door is open for a comeback and the exit we were given was wonderful. The whole experience was fantastic all around and Patsy felt the same.

SLI: What is your opinion on SL right now?

CS: The same as it was while I was there. I just feel the intensity level of the show is great. It's edge of your seat but true to character and history. It is realistic and I think that is the proper way to be. Everything that happens has a reaction or effect. It's all mapped out and, as an actor, you appreciate that rather then regimes that constantly change their minds. SL is a joy to be a part of and to follow.

SLI: Would you ever come back? Have you been approached?

CS: When I left Days after my second stint in 2002, I didn't think I would go back. SL was such a great experience that I would love to return. It was a pleasure and there was mutual respect there. I have not been approached but we keep in touch and I think it will happen at some point. We'll see but I'm game on my end.

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

CS: Sure. Good day to you.