WEEK OF DECEMBER 17, 2007 EDITION

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 SEAT: PATRICK L. EWING (ROMAN)

Q. There have been questions and comments that SL, once again, it taking liberties with realism. How do you respond to that?

A. Well, if you look at it in these views, 1. There have been many reports that airports are no safer now than they were before the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. They have improved, but not greatly. Also, most of the men we had in that airport story were OUTSIDE in the woods surrounding the airport when all this occurred. 2. For Carries to say that she felt Israel was safer than Salem is speaking to her mind set about what was happening in her home city. Plus, she has too much baggage there with members of her family and some people she really doesn’t care for.

People should read into what they feel, I have no problem with that. But, we try our best, even when we take liberties, to be realistic. I think by our views and the wonderful comments that we get from some truly great readers, they like what we do.

Q. Will the younger set become more involved with the storytelling?

A. Of course. But, they will not push A-list story. They will be put into the fabric of the veterans on the show, and their stories will come about organically through these interactions. But, the vets are who the readers apparently want to see, and that will continue, but we will make it more well-rounded with the vets and the younger set.

Q. Will the action and adventure be driving story in the future?

A. In the future, the action/adventure will go back to being a part of the blog. To be honest, and after some long talks, I truly think that our readers are sick and tired right now of half of Salem either being blown up or most of the population being killed off. Looks like a slasher movie with all the bodies laying all over this town. So, I and my partner felt that it was time to go back to some nice, serious character-driven stories. And, I hope that the readers will trust us to tell good stories on this front.

Q. Therefore, will you continue to have the doom and gloom hanging over Salem?

A. That is something else I feel the readers truly want. To be very frank and honest, there is too much sorrow and sadness in Salem right now. That will change this holiday season and into the new year. It won’t be all happiness all the time, because that will take away the drama, but it will even out greatly. I hope that the readers once again trust us enough to see these changes happen and stick with us.

We don’t always get it right, and never said that we did. But, when we do screw up badly, I feel that we at least admit it, try our best to learn from it, and then see to it that it won’t happen again. Many writers don’t do that daytime. Also, we will not change something mid-stream just because there maybe someone who hates a character or plot point. I feel that we have earned the trust of our readers to tell good story, and hope they come on the journey with us, but I also can gurantee that when they bring concerns to me, they are listened to, and answered accordingly. And, I thank them for doing that.


Comings & Goings:



This week, there will be a spectacular cast change happening........when Michael T. Weiss joins Salem Lives, returning to his signature role of Michael Horton. “We liked Roark Critchlow in the role, but many fans remember Michael form his time on Days Of Our Lives as Mike, and since was available, we scooped him up” EP/HW Pat J. Ewing said. “After his work on The Pretender, we felt that he finally got the chance to show the dramatic depth he just scratched on DOOL. And, we are really honored to have him.” Look for Mike to come home for the holidays starting this week, and maybe stick around afterwards. “Only time will tell,” Pat says......with a wicked smile.

Here are the dates that some of your favorites are returning to Salem:

Jaime Lyn Bauer (Laura Horton)-returns Monday 12/17
Micheal T. Weiss (Mike Horton)-returns Thursday 12/20
David Tom (Jeremy Horton)-returns Thursday 12/20
Lisa Trusel (Melissa Anderson)-returns Monday 12/17
Pamela Roylance (Sandy Horton)-returns Thursday 12/20
Alli Brown (Sarah Horton)-returns Monday 12/17
Jean Bruce Scott (Jessica Blake Fallon)-returns
Thursday 12/20
Scott Palmer (Joshua Fallon)-returns Thursday 12/20
Stephen Schnetzer (Steven Olsen)-returns Thursday
12/20
Justin Hartley (Spencer Olsen)-returns Thursday 12/20
Michael Leon (Pete Jannings)-returns Thursday 12/20
Jed Allen (Don Craig)-returns Thursday 12/20
Kale Browne (Bill Horton)-returns Thursday 12/20
Larry Bryggman (Tommy Horton)-returns Thursday 12/20
Patsy Pease (Kimberly Brady)-returns Thursday 12/20
Wally Kurth (Justin Kiriakis)-returns Monday 12/17
Judi Evans (Adirenne Johnson-Kiriakis)-returns Monday
12/17

Also, in a shocking move, George Delhoyo and Mark Wahlberg have been released from Salem Lives as Orpheus and Michael, respectively. “We felt that these characters have been taken as far as they can be taken right now, and decided to end this story. They were both wonderful actors and a joy to work with, and will be sorely missed.” At press time, both actors were involved in other projects and not available for comment.


Previews:

The Claws Are Out!
A Betrayal Is Exposed.
Suspicions Mount.
Two Wild Parties Commence!
And.........Many Family Members Return Home.......For The Holidays!

Next Week.........

A Family Tradition Continues, One Man’s World Comes Crashing Down, And......Two Lovers Are Reunited! It’s All Right Here.......On Salem Lives.