Post by Dallas on Jul 1, 2018 9:17:22 GMT -5
With the series finale upon us, I thought it would be idea to go into a good, in-depth post about my decisions to end the series.
First, I have to say that I have had the most fun writing this series. In the fall/winter of 2015, I binged the entire series of the original Dynasty (if you aren't watching the reboot, I recommend it – it's very soapy!) and I felt a number of different emotions. First, Joan Collins is amazing. Second, seasons 2 through 6 were really, really good primetime soap. And third, I was really inspired to write something with a more primetime feel.
I think this inspiration, not only came from watching Dynasty, but also to fill a void that had been left from The Blackthornes. Andy, who I consider a friend, hasn't released new material in a while, and I think anyone who has ever read his series, misses it a lot. The Blackthornes was just a classic primetime soap; when Andy ended the series, it really did leave a void in my life.
Now, I'm not saying that Diamonds is anywhere near the level of The Blackthornes; nothing will ever replace Andy's series. But, the combination of missing The Blackthornes and binging Dynasty is really what lead to the desire to create a primetime series.
Once I had the idea in my head to create a new series, I had to focus on a couple of different things. The first was that I had to ensure that this new venture was different than One Day at a Time; I would never want another daytime soap type of series, because I already have one. In my mind, it would basically be the same series all over again, and I didn't want that. I had the same mind frame when I did the season of Pender Island a few years ago; it must be different so the series could be unique and it would then present a new challenge for me in writing. I figured the best way to do this would be with a small cast and longer episodes that move a much faster pace. I do think ODaaT moves a good pace, but Chasing Diamonds moves much faster.
Once I realized that my cast would be relatively small and I would have longer episodes, I sat down to create the cast. As I was inspired by Dynasty, I focused on one core family, with a second, smaller, family as the main offset. The Rockwell's and Blackmore's were created and season one was written very, very quickly. (I wrote the entire first season within 1 month of coming up with the idea!). The way I ended season 1, I knew that there would be a second season. And then a third came. And a fourth. And now, the fifth.
On June 6, 2016, season one of Chasing Diamonds premiered. I was thrilled. I loved that I was able to get inspired, and actually produce something relatively quickly. That November, season 2, still my favorite season, premiered. In spring of 2017, season three premiered and in the fall of 2017, season four came out. Ironically, on June 6, 2018, the fifth season premiered. I guess the point of this is, in 2 full years, I released 5 seasons, 50 episodes, of Chasing Diamonds. The entire time this was happening, I was still releasing, at least weekly episodes, of One Day at a Time.
After the fourth season of Diamonds was released, I really struggled with any sort of ideas or concepts for season five. The way I ended season four, I knew that I had to have another season. I couldn't end the series with the Rockwell Mansion blowing up from Odette's bombs. It would leave too many unanswered questions. And so, I went back and forth and around again for long while. Finally, I just started writing the season and got some ideas as I went. I knew that this season would be the last because it was the first season where I really struggled to find the motivation to write for these characters and struggled with where to take them. When I look back, I am realizing that, more than anything, I am/was suffering from a creative burnout from releasing so much material in two years.
I know what a lot of you will say, "how can you be burnt out when you say you take every summer off writing?", and that is a fair point. What I will say to that is, I need my summers off to live my life and it is a good regroup time. But, having two shows consistently, still creates a burn out effect. If I do get a good story line idea, for either show, I have to stop and say "wait, I just did that on Diamonds, I can't do it on ODaaT"; that happened a few times. I'm still just one person, with one creative mind, and sometimes things run their course.
Another big factor for me was to know when to end the series. The last season of the first Dynasty was awful. Like, literally hard to watch. I didn't want my series to be that way. I didn't want people to think "why is this still going on?" So, after 5 seasons, I thought "this is a good time to say goodbye". And, this by no means has to be goodbye. The first Dynasty had a reunion a few years after the last season; I could always to that. Or maybe after a break, I will do another season, who knows. All I know is for now, it's time to put this venture to a rest.
I've loved every minute that I have spent in Kelsey Lake; these characters are a part of me forever, and I have loved creating chaos for them. I hope you all, now, understand why I made the decision to end the series. I am going to take some time to focus on ODaaT and see where the creative juices take me; in the last few years, I've had some ideas for a second season of Pender or a few new series altogether … once I feel good about my burn out, who knows where this will end up.
Until next time,
Dzkw
First, I have to say that I have had the most fun writing this series. In the fall/winter of 2015, I binged the entire series of the original Dynasty (if you aren't watching the reboot, I recommend it – it's very soapy!) and I felt a number of different emotions. First, Joan Collins is amazing. Second, seasons 2 through 6 were really, really good primetime soap. And third, I was really inspired to write something with a more primetime feel.
I think this inspiration, not only came from watching Dynasty, but also to fill a void that had been left from The Blackthornes. Andy, who I consider a friend, hasn't released new material in a while, and I think anyone who has ever read his series, misses it a lot. The Blackthornes was just a classic primetime soap; when Andy ended the series, it really did leave a void in my life.
Now, I'm not saying that Diamonds is anywhere near the level of The Blackthornes; nothing will ever replace Andy's series. But, the combination of missing The Blackthornes and binging Dynasty is really what lead to the desire to create a primetime series.
Once I had the idea in my head to create a new series, I had to focus on a couple of different things. The first was that I had to ensure that this new venture was different than One Day at a Time; I would never want another daytime soap type of series, because I already have one. In my mind, it would basically be the same series all over again, and I didn't want that. I had the same mind frame when I did the season of Pender Island a few years ago; it must be different so the series could be unique and it would then present a new challenge for me in writing. I figured the best way to do this would be with a small cast and longer episodes that move a much faster pace. I do think ODaaT moves a good pace, but Chasing Diamonds moves much faster.
Once I realized that my cast would be relatively small and I would have longer episodes, I sat down to create the cast. As I was inspired by Dynasty, I focused on one core family, with a second, smaller, family as the main offset. The Rockwell's and Blackmore's were created and season one was written very, very quickly. (I wrote the entire first season within 1 month of coming up with the idea!). The way I ended season 1, I knew that there would be a second season. And then a third came. And a fourth. And now, the fifth.
On June 6, 2016, season one of Chasing Diamonds premiered. I was thrilled. I loved that I was able to get inspired, and actually produce something relatively quickly. That November, season 2, still my favorite season, premiered. In spring of 2017, season three premiered and in the fall of 2017, season four came out. Ironically, on June 6, 2018, the fifth season premiered. I guess the point of this is, in 2 full years, I released 5 seasons, 50 episodes, of Chasing Diamonds. The entire time this was happening, I was still releasing, at least weekly episodes, of One Day at a Time.
After the fourth season of Diamonds was released, I really struggled with any sort of ideas or concepts for season five. The way I ended season four, I knew that I had to have another season. I couldn't end the series with the Rockwell Mansion blowing up from Odette's bombs. It would leave too many unanswered questions. And so, I went back and forth and around again for long while. Finally, I just started writing the season and got some ideas as I went. I knew that this season would be the last because it was the first season where I really struggled to find the motivation to write for these characters and struggled with where to take them. When I look back, I am realizing that, more than anything, I am/was suffering from a creative burnout from releasing so much material in two years.
I know what a lot of you will say, "how can you be burnt out when you say you take every summer off writing?", and that is a fair point. What I will say to that is, I need my summers off to live my life and it is a good regroup time. But, having two shows consistently, still creates a burn out effect. If I do get a good story line idea, for either show, I have to stop and say "wait, I just did that on Diamonds, I can't do it on ODaaT"; that happened a few times. I'm still just one person, with one creative mind, and sometimes things run their course.
Another big factor for me was to know when to end the series. The last season of the first Dynasty was awful. Like, literally hard to watch. I didn't want my series to be that way. I didn't want people to think "why is this still going on?" So, after 5 seasons, I thought "this is a good time to say goodbye". And, this by no means has to be goodbye. The first Dynasty had a reunion a few years after the last season; I could always to that. Or maybe after a break, I will do another season, who knows. All I know is for now, it's time to put this venture to a rest.
I've loved every minute that I have spent in Kelsey Lake; these characters are a part of me forever, and I have loved creating chaos for them. I hope you all, now, understand why I made the decision to end the series. I am going to take some time to focus on ODaaT and see where the creative juices take me; in the last few years, I've had some ideas for a second season of Pender or a few new series altogether … once I feel good about my burn out, who knows where this will end up.
Until next time,
Dzkw