ODaaT: The 20th Anniversary Diary

[Dallas]

March 14, 2020
This week, I finished episode 1 of Chasing Diamonds and started the second episode. The key with these episodes is that they are longer than an ODaaT episode so I still think this is great progress for me. Also, with Colton being away this week, I wrapped up the new ODaaT website. Now, each week that I release a new episode of ODaaT, I will also make the released episode page under the new site and go from there until the launch. I’m really for everyone to see the new site because it’s so different from the last couple of sites that I’ve had. We are also in the middle of this corona virus “quarantine” thing, so I spent today doing the end of 2021 ODaaT character bio recaps and the 2021 recap itself. What a fun year it was in Twin Peaks! So much happened! My goal for this week is to try to finish episode two of CD and maybe start ep 3? We’ll see how it goes!

***

March 13, 2022

Well, I finished an episode of season 9 Chasing Diamonds this week but it was really painful to write, tbh. Normally, these episodes really flow because I've done so much preparation before I even write them. I've realized that in this season, there is a location shoot in Moscow, Russia because the character or Marat goes home; with everything going on in the world right now, I'm having a hard time writing scenes in Russia, but it makes so much sense for the storyline. So, I passed writing the season and, instead, I focused on the 2024 bible of ODaaT, which I finished the large storyline outlines and I decided which stories would be featured in the dailies; I like to do a "Friday Cliffhanger", so it is important to know which stories will peak at those dailies. Now will come the "fun" part of doing each episode breakdown. That normally takes me some time. I see myself getting close, but I don't think I'll finish before I move ... which is in TWO WEEKS! I am so excited.

I also finished watching Savannah this week - what a great show! The writers must have known they were cancelled in advance because the season finale, everything was wrapped up in a bow. I like that because it wasn't a cliffhanger where we never got to see what happened ... but the show still had so much promise!

Alright, I'm going to have breakfast and then pack some more boxes - until next week
Dallas

[Dallas]

March 21, 2020
Well, this was a very weird week as it was the first full week of this quarantine. Neither Colton nor myself have any symptoms, which is a blessing, but we certainly don't want to be out and about with the possibility of either getting the virus or passing it forward to someone else. We have had some interesting ways of socializing still; we are using technology to our advantage and Skyping or Face timing with some friends. And, we try to be as quick as possible when we go food shopping. It is just a crazy time of the world, with new information coming out hourly it seems.

In terms of my creative side, it was hard to be motivated this week with so much other stuff going on. I think next week will be better because I'm feeling more settled already this weekend. I keep freaking out about small things, like do I have enough cat food? Do we have enough food in the house? How long will we last if there's a total shut down? Things that are impossible not to think of in these times.

Little update on ODaat & CD this week – just remember to stay safe and tell your loved ones that you love them. Until next week, dzkw

***

March 20, 2022

It is really weird going back and reading the above entry as covid was just starting. It's been a long two years and now masking is the new normal. I knew about 6 months into writing these entries in 2020 that it would be a trip to see where I was at the time but the pandemic, my health and, of course, Jorge, will all be very interesting to re-read I suppose.

This past week I did get a lot done on the ODaat 2024 bible - I'd say I'm about 75% done! I love being far ahead because I can plan out things well and focus on Diamonds and Blue, BUT the downside is that I get super excited about what I plan that I can't wait for everyone to read it. Of course, the episodes are written yet but there is a lot of fun coming!

This week also is my last week in Edmonton! I am so ready to move. There will be daily episodes this week as we lead up to episode 800. I can't believe that ODaaT has 800 episodes! It seems surreal but I hope the drama this week pays off for everyone!

Enjoy - until next week
Dallas

[Dallas]

March 28, 2020
The second week of the full quarantine, and I am going a little stir crazy. It is super frustrating to see some people not taking this seriously; I get that Colton and I are not in the demographic that even if we got the COVID-19, we likely wouldn't die, but we could be potential carriers of the virus, which is why we are staying home. We are both working from home, which is also something to get used too. I have shift work, which means we determine our locations of work based on my hours. For example, if I am on the late shift or work Saturday, I work in the home office upstairs otherwise I am at the dining room table. We come together for lunch and then usually head out for work if we are both off at either 4 or 5 pm. We ensure keep our distance from any other humans when we are on our walks. We are grateful that our local grocery store and liquor store also deliver – but even the deliver people leave the box on the base of our porch and then walk away. We don’t come any where near people. It is such a odd time to be alive. You crave connection but it is potentially dangerous to have that connection.

I will give Colton so much credit because he came up with this great idea that we have more Skype or Face time meetings with our friends. We can still see each other with wine and socialize just not be in the same space. I am just so curious to know what our new norm will look like when this is all sad and done and I just wish EVERYONE would stay the f**k home!

As for my creative process this week, I only had 1 late shift at work this week so I was actually able to make some good progress on Chasing Diamonds, Cabo Wabo. And when I say good progress, I mean I finished the mini-series. Colton and I are planning a hike/picnic this Sunday to get of the house so Saturday I will likely try to edit the first draft and go from there. I'm so stoked about it, it has a lot more action-adventure then past seasons/series of CD. Can't wait to see what readers think. And of course, writing the finale, I realize I'm already setting up another mini series…I can't shake this series! Once this is all said & done, I'll start writing the 2022 season of ODaaT, the 20th anniversary season. Should be a doozy!

***

Sunday, March 27, 2022

So, this week I continued to make good progress on the 2024 ODaaT bible ... I'd say I'm closer to 90% complete, which is exciting. The thing with the series is that it seems busy ... everyone always has a story going on, so there's never an episode where there isn't 9-10 scenes, which is the normal. It can just feel a little overwhelming looking at it. But, I am excited to start writing.

Yesterday, I also made the decision to release S8 of Diamonds in June. I've always liked to release Diamonds the same day as the month, so June 06 is the launch date. By this time, I should be settled in Vancouver nicely.

I feel like I've released a lot of ODaaT lately ... I did an episode on Friday, then a week of dailies and today THREE more episodes ... I move on Tuesday, so I needed to release Today's episode, Wednesday's episode and next Sunday's episode before I go. Once I'm settled, it will go back to normal, but I am so excited for the move and to see how the change in scenery will impact my motivations and creativity!

See you in Vancouver!
Dallas

[Dallas]

April 04, 2020
This week was the third full week of working from home during this quarantine. It is somewhat upsetting to still see some people out and about acting like this isn't a big deal; I am grateful to be in Canada, however. It seems like we are in a much better place than the US is in. I just hope that this is the wake up call that the American people need not to re-elect Trump; he has been extremely dangerous in handling this with all of the mixed messaging and the desire to have the social distancing removed by Easter or end of April. There's no way this will be cleared up by then … so many people might die as a result, which is blood on his hands.

In any event, this quarantine has been good for creative time this week. I finished editing Diamonds Cabo Wabo and announced that it will be released May 05. Every time I release a CD, other than the Christmas episodes, I release so the month & day match. So 05.05 in this case … just keeps that tradition going. I was tempted to do April 04 but I still have a lot of BTS updates to do, like the webpages with the new logo, ect. I didn't think I'd have time fully.

On top of Diamonds, I wrote the first episode of the 2022 season! AHHHH! It is here, the 20th season of ODaaT being online. It is exciting to do this because of where we are with the stories. By the time this comes out, everyone will know there is a serial killer. It is the first time I've done any kind of story like this but I wanted to tie it into the series (much like Michael Ross did with the footprint killer a few years ago on Footprints), which is where the rose peddles came from. Who else will die from this? Y'all will have to keep reading. Until next week, dzkw


***

Wednesday – April 06, 2022



Sorry for the delay in this diary update; with the move, I wasn't sure when I'd have internet access again. But, I am in Vancouver! I am so happy to be here, I can't explain it. Our stuff arrived yesterday so we are in boxes right now but we can make our new condo our home. Because of the move, I really didn't do anything in the soap world this week. I'm not sure the next week will be productivity either because most of my time will be unpacking and arranging (and probably re-arranging) things in the condo, all the while working away. But I am still just so happy to be here and start this new chapter with Colton!



Until next week –

Dallas

[Dallas]

April 11, 2020
Well, it’s been a full month of working from home and Colton & I haven’t killed each other HAHA! It’s actually nice … I can’t imagine going through this alone. He’s really my rock and it has never been more apparent. I really do adore him … and after so many years, that is saying something. Easter long weekend, so we have Friday off and Colton has Monday off (side note: I was supposed to have Monday off too but Tuesday of last week they told me I was training people at work .. .starting Wednesday, so I’m on a Monday to Friday 9-5 routine for the next couple of weeks … will never complain about that). In any event, I had a good week … I wrote 3(!) Odaat episodes – this is huge cause I don’t remember the last time I pumped out that many episodes. I wrote on Sunday, Tuesday am before work and Saturday am … it feels good to get them out cause I know how much material I am planning to release this year. Next episode is Brad’s memorial … and honestly, I didn’t think he was that major of a character but he did impact many people so it seems fitting. Also, super stocked that in less a month Chasing Diamonds will be released. I have thoughts on the next series but honestly my focus has been on the 2023 series of ODaaT and I have some great ideas … just have to piece it all together! Are you enjoying this anniversary season so far? Sound off and let me know xx d

***

April 10, 2022

It's kinda trippy going back and reading how I was coping the pandemic when it first started. The first weeks were so new and now it is almost the norm. One of things that was weird for me going to the Dua Lipa concert was that I was around 50 thousand other people and majority were not wearing a mask - very surreal. They did check the vax passport to get in but I wore my mask the entire show. It was just overwhelming to me. Anyways, everything is coming around and we are, starting, to get back to normal in some ways.

We are in Vancouver and, for the most part, unpacked. It is crazy going from a 1400 square foot house with a basement, main floor and upper level to a 800 square foot condo that's all one level. We had to downsize ALOT but also realize that we have a lot of shit. Let the purging begin! Colton actually asked me if I needed my binders of my OG writings ... and I was like "don't you DARE throw those away" haha.

Now that we are unpacked, I'd love to finish the 2024 bible for ODAAT this week. I am SO close ... I have Sept to Dec to finish and it will be done! I am hoping when that is finished, I'll have the inspiration to go back and finish S9 of Diamonds ... but if not, I'll start writing ODaaT. As long as I am doing something it will be good.

I am also looking forward to working out again - I haven't been able to do much because of the move and I had a bone bruise in my left arm, but my arm is feeling pretty good now, so I'm going to use the gym in the building. I'm not getting any younger, so I need to get on that!

Until next week -
Dallas

[Dallas]

April 18, 2020
Another week where I was able to pump out three ODaaT episodes! I guess this is quarantine life now? In any event, I’m excited that I am finally writing this anniversary season as there are many big plot points. Obviously, right now I’m in the thick of the serial killer story which is interesting because I have never written a story like this before. I thought this would be a fun way to trim the cast a bit but also create a lot of suspense and action on the series.
My other big move this week was that I am starting to plan the 2023 season already! I know what you’re thinking, “you’re not even done the 2022 season” BUT, I do like having the outline done early on when I start writing a current season so it can help me with character motivation ect. I’m going back to just weekly release for next season just to trim down the amount of content I am releasing. It might seem strange to return to this but I am excited for it.
This week, I’m hoping to hammer out final details on 2023 and, of course, write at least one episode of ODaaT to keep pushing forward. The weather is slowly getting warmer here (we are in mid April, it’s about damn time!) so I have been spending some more time in my yard … gotta keep trying to find time to write though!
Until next week!
d


***

Sunday, April 17, 2022

Colton and I went to Pender Island this weekend to visit his parents for Easter. It was the first time we had seen them since they both under went chemotherapy for returning cancers that they had about 7 years ago. We took the float plane (obviously) which is always a fun experience. Oddly enough, this isn't the reason that there was no ODaaT episode today ... on my little "calendar" that I keep next to my laptop, I added an episode in by accident so the numbers were off ... this just resets everything. There are still three episodes left before the May Sweeps dailies come out ... I am SO excited for those dailies because they are jammed packed with action!

My trips to Pender ALWAYS leave me inspired. The roads are so windy and narrow that it always makes me think of epic car accidents. And a bridge that can only handle one car at a time. So many ideas. We will see if anything unfolds since I have my hands full with ODaaT, Diamonds and Barracuda Blue (the cross over of all cross overs!)

Hope you all had a nice long weekend - see you Wednesday for the next episode!
Dallas

[Dallas]

April 25, 2020
I actually don’t remember how long we have been quarantined now but it feels like a long time. I have been training at work, so my hours are 9-5 only which is nice, cause they match Colton’s; each day at 5 pm we go for a walk before dinner, which is our way of getting out of the house and getting some fresh air. It can be hard not to go stir crazy at times or not have drinks every day! And now, Y&R and B&B have no new episodes, so it will be one less thing for me to do in the evenings. I am ready for this to be over.
I wrote three episodes of ODaaT this week; Tyler and Natasha’s romance was exposed and it is creating a lot of fun dynamics. Felicia is also now a suspect to be the killer which makes sense with her history. Vinny’s wicked plans are seemingly turning into an umbrella story, which is a lot of fun. I have started the 2023 bible but it is taking some sweet time coming together, which is alright cause I’m still early in the writing of the 2022 season. I’m really excited and can’t wait to release this all for you guys! What are your favorite stories right now or characters? Let’s discuss!
Until next week, dzkw

***

Sunday - April 24, 2022

I am feeling pretty settled into Vancouver now, which is good! Yesterday, Colton and I went to buy some new furniture because we didn't move our sofas from Edmonton - they were old and, honestly, they wouldn't fit in this condo. We also bought a sofa bed for the second room (which is also my office, so the sofa bed will take less room). It will be nice to have these items delivered this week so the condo can really start to feel like a home.

I wrapped up the 2024 ODaaT bible, which is so exciting. I won't start writing it just yet ... I want to finish S9 and S10 of Diamonds first because then I will be at the spot for the crossovers to happen! That being said, I did finish writing episode 9.03 of Diamonds this week as well, so that is progress! Sometimes when I am feeling uninspired by one of the shows, I just pause and when I return, it's like nothing. I am hoping this week I can get a couple more episodes of Diamonds done and we will go from there. I still have to plan out the Christmas specials and s10 but all in time!

Next week, ODaaT will be doing dailies for May sweeps - I can't tell you how excited I am for these episodes to come out. They are really some of my favorites of all time - most certainly, one of my favorite set of dailies that I have done!

Until next week!
Dallas

[Dallas]

May 02, 2020
I think this is week 8 of quarantine BUT the good news is that May 14th our restrictions are being lifted slowly … starting with things like dentists, doctors & hair dressers; I truly hope that there isn't another setback or another wave of cases so the restrictions can continue to be lifted slowly. It means that, maybe, we will get some form of summer after all, which is great. I live in a place where it is winter from October to March, so we cherish our sunny days a lot. Overall, I am very grateful that I have a relatively big back yard, so even if this quarantine continues, Colton and I can have some sun and fresh air and still physically distance. But, here's hoping that this is the beginning of the end of this really insane time in history.

On the ODaaT front, I wrote three episodes this week – seems to be my new norm during the quarantine time. I'm not mad at this though because of the number of episodes the '22 season has. This is coming out in May, and I'm currently writing in February, so I am just starting to write Natasha trying to think of a way to stop Kim and Robbie's wedding. I'm about to, slightly, age Sophie, which is so fun because she has some fun moments as a toddler. Also, the serial killer story is really heating up with Simona calling the florists to see who is ordering the roses; we are getting closer to the reveal of the killer. I'm getting close to writing the 800th episode, which is super exciting … I am starting to plan the theme music, I was thinking a week of random Lana Del Rey (not all from one album) but we will see … 800 is a HUGE episode so the song has to be perfect. We will see how this pans out.

This Tuesday, I'm releasing CD Cabo Wabo Part 1 … I'm super excited for this mini-series to air and get the reaction. I have some ideas for the next but I haven't put anything down on paper yet.
Until next week – dzkw

***

May 01, 2022


I had a pretty productive week as I finished ep 4 and 5 of S9 Chasing Diamonds! So, I am in the second half of the season. I am hoping to do some more writing this afternoon and, maybe, finish ep 6, which would be great. Ideally, I'd like to start writing ODaaT again by June so I can keep up with being so far ahead. I release so much material, I can get overwhelmed if I feel like I am not ahead of the game (crazy, I know, considering how far I am ahead).

I also finished S2 of Euphoria, which is like a grown up version of 90210, it's so dark and messed up but soooo good. Sometimes series give me inspiration but I just enjoyed this for what it was lol. I also finished S5 of Selling Sunset and it seems like Christine won't be back - to me, they should give her a spin off and not continue with the show itself. Without her, there won't be any drama. And keep in mind, she hasn't really "worked" the last two seasons cause she's been off having her baby, so everything she's "done" to people was from seasons 1 to 3. Anyways, that's just my thoughts on it.

I am sooooo excited for dailies to start tomorrow for ODaaT for May sweeps. It's going to be a bumpy but every exciting ride!

Until next week -
Dallas

[Dallas]

May 09, 2020
I think this is week 9 at home … and I feel like I’m starting to go a little stir crazy. Colton has started to ride his bike outside, which is great for him. Part of me is really jealous cause this time of the year my main outdoor activity is tennis and they haven’t put up tennis nets yet … or do I think they will cause how do you social distance if other people are playing next to you? I don’t know … I’m hoping this ends soon.
I released episode 1 of Cabo Wabo this week! I love this mini-series so much, but I am left wondering what will be next for Chasing Diamonds … time will tell, for sure.
On the ODaaT, I did another three episodes this week. I’m getting close to writing episode 800, which is insane to think about. I think I’m roughly 200 episodes ahead right now, which is hard to fathom, honestly. Thankfully I keep my bibles handy so I know what to release for spoilers ect! But, I am stoked to write episode 800 cause there is a big reveal. I am just writing the start of Kim/Robbie’s wedding and how much fun is this! I love the aged Sophie and all the drama she is causing. She’ll be fun as a teenager too!
What are you guys liking about the series right now?
Dallas


***

May 08, 2022

Well ... the daily episodes this past week still remain some of my favorites. The high tension between Brooke and Greg all week, ending with Abby coming home and killing her mother ... sooo soapy! I love it. This will set up some future stories but also close a chapter of the serial killer storyline. Overall, I am happy with the Rose Peddle Killer story ... I had never done a serial killer storyline, so it was fun to do and to see the reactions of everyone.

I wrote another episode of Diamonds this past week, so I have 4 more to go and I am done season 9! I might try to get another episode in later today, we will see how that plays out. I am really itching to be done because I am excited to get back into ODaaT. It's funny how when you have a week of dailies that you love come out, it sort of inspires you to keep going and there is so much more fun stuff coming up!

How did you like the dailies? Are you excited for S8 of Diamonds to start in a month? Sound off!
Dallas

[Dallas]

May 16, 2020
It is a long weekend for us in Canada, which is great because it means I get two days off still …I had to work on Saturday, so I will still get the Sunday/Monday off; the downside to working Saturday’s, usually, is you only get Sunday off before you are back for Monday. In any event, I’m looking forward to the rest, it was a busy week at work.
This week was another 3 episode writing week for ODaaT, which included episode 800! There was a lot that was going on in the episode: Natasha shooting Kim by accident, Albertinah’s death and of course, the reveal that Brooke is the serial killer.
When I had Brooke leave town briefly at the end of last season, I had already decided that she would come back as the killer; something in her snapped after her trial and being rejected by both Greg & Robbie … so far all the victims really are people that were “hurting” her children (or so she thought), so it made sense while they were the ones to die … of course, Brad is the one that she has the most guilt about because that is her child but it will all sort of play out and, eventually, move into another huge story arch. I really did love the reveal and I hope everyone was surprised. I’m writing so far ahead, I don’t know if anyone would have guessed Brooke by this point or not. In any event, it was a fun reveal. What did you think about it? Were you surprised?
I also released episode 3 of Cabo Wabo this week … it is getting good in Kelsey Lake! Still wondering what is next for the series but time will tell, right?
Let me know how you guys are doing?
dzkw


***
May 15, 2022

Another week has come and gone; as I get older, it feels like time goes by faster now. It's hard to believe that this year is already almost half over! And that Colton and I have been in Vancouver for a month and a half now. And that it's been FOUR months since Jorge's passing. Sometimes it feels surreal.

This week I finished episode 7 and wrote most of episode 8 of S9 Diamonds. It looks to be pretty rainy today in Vancouver, so I'll try to wrap up 8 and, maybe, start 9! I am looking forward to being done this season of Diamonds because I have been itching to get back into writing ODaaT. I have about 6 months of story to get through before the crossover events would happen, so I technically have time to go back and do S10 of Diamonds first. S10 is when there will be a character from ODaaT that is heavily featured in that season, which then spirals into the crossover on ODaaT.

I am also super excited because my friend Emmy is going to be interviewing me to celebrate ODaaT's 20th anniversary of being online. Emmy and I have a long friendship, as we used to be co-hosts on Talk Soap, which was a weekly chat show that our friend Doug hosted. After that ended, Emmy started her own podcast called the Spilled Tea; she was a weekly regular, but I would only pop in every so often to check in with her and Kyle. When she said she was bringing her show back, the stars aligned for this interview. I am going to give her some questions, but she's so talented at riffing that I think she'll go off on her own tangents, which will be fun! I am excited!

Dallas

[Dallas]

May 23, 2020
You know, I really love short weeks at work! We had Monday off, which was nice cause I got two full days break since I worked last Saturday. Monday, Colton and I actually drove about an hour east of Edmonton (where I live) to a Lake and did a nice 5K hike and had a picnic lunch. It was just nice to get out of the city and go for a walk within nature. The only downside is that there was so many bodies of water within this park that there were a lot of snakes … I literally hate snakes so badly. Colton saw three before I saw one and I screamed bloody murder and I had to hold on to him for a while. I learned that I had to walk in the middle of the trail and I would be fun … thankfully the train wasn't super busy so social distancing wasn't an issue.

Anyways, I was able to crack out three episodes this week after work. The weather wasn't great this week, so it was easy to do. We had a lot of rain, which helped. Must say, there is a lot going on the series in these early 800 episodes … we have Shane and Helen scheming to split up Robin and Adam by threatening to sue for custody of baby Domi unless Robin marries Shane; we have Jacob trying to figure out that Max knows about Cassie's stolen money which is creating conflict with Paige; we have Leah's dreams of the crying baby while trying to have a baby with Cory, which is creating conflict for Jeff and Meggan; we have Andy & Nicholas separated while Clayton is on the loose and Madeline's return to town; we have Natasha trying to shoot Kim at her wedding to Robbie; we have Brooke unveiled as the killer and how that impacts her and the Lawson's; we have Trenyce and Andrew together since Chris is in jail and Albertinah is dead and of course, we still have the underlaying secret of the baby switch with Abby's baby and Olly … it is a lot! But, I have to say, it is a lot of fun to write a busy series because it doesn't seem like there's ever a dull moment.

My next focus on writing will be the upcoming daily episodes in May for sweeps … I'm already trying to rack my brain around an artist for the theme songs … I tend to like to know in advance because it helps set the mood. Of course, it must be tied in to the stories that will unfold and the big Friday cliffhanger. At least I am a few episodes away so I have time to think about it!

What are your favorite stories going on right now? Sound off!
Until next week
Dallas


***

May 22, 2022

You guyyyyyyys! It is a long weekend in Canada and yesterday was a glorious day in Vancouver. Colton and I rode our bikes to Second Beach in Stanley Park and had a picnic lunch at the ocean ... I got a SUN TAN! It is just so different than being in Edmonton, but for all the right reasons. Colton has to go to Whistler (a big ski town North of Vancouver) for a conference in July and I am desperately hoping Patsi (my younger gay brother) can come visit - he really is by bestie and he wrote Green Meadows / Love Can Move Mountains ... and LOVE online ... so we have a lot in common. I hope it all pans out cause it would be great to have some time with him.

I am trying to brace myself for Tuesday ... it is Jorge's birthday ... he would have been 19! NINETEEN! What is odd, is I knew he was declining. I remember telling Colton last year on his bday that I don't know that he would see his next ... and here we are. Pre-Covid I always through him a lavish gala ... piñata, friends, booze ... the last couple years, I didn't get too but I miss those times. I tried to get the day off but I couldn't, so I am hoping to be very busy at work just to keep my mind off of it.

On the series front, an exciting week. I got some amazing questions from Fans for an upcoming podcast that I'll be featured on with my friend Emmy to honor ODaaT's 20th anniversary. I'm stoked cause Emmy is so good at interviews. And, I am on ep 10 of S9 Diamonds ... LAST episode of the season, so of course every scene is like jaw dropping lol. I will be happy to be done because I am soooo eager to start ODaaT again. I have tomorrow off so I'm hoping to go to a cafe or bar and write by the water. Let's hope that happens!

Until next week -
d

[Dallas]

May 30, 2020
I had a slower week production wise this week and only wrote one full episode of ODaaT. This, before quarantine, was my normal but I have been so use to getting out multiple episodes that it feels a little odd. I am getting close to writing the daily episodes of Greg finding out Brooke is the killer and all of that fall out. This weekend, I also had some great ideas for the next series of Chasing Diamonds (finally!). On Monday of next week, I will be releasing the final instalment of Cabo Wabo, which is exciting.
With things slowly starting to reopen I am not sure if I will keep up my production level or not. I have realized that I have a lot of anxiety about society reopening. I am beyond scared that there will be a huge second wave of COVID19 and that is the last thing I want. Still, I miss my friends and doing regular things so I know we have to reopen at some point. I am just worried.
Another major piece of my lack of production this week was really centered around feeling really depressed about the state of the US right now the murder of George Floyd and all the other police brutality that is going on. I am blessed to be in Canada but I am not naïve to think that it doesn’t happen here too, because I know it does. It just continues to feel like the world is off its axis; we are becoming more divided than ever and I am scared and unsure of how as a human race we will come together again.
I am hoping this upcoming week is better for me and the rest of the world.
Until next week
Dallas


***

May 29, 2022

Well, I did it! I finished writing S9 of Diamonds this past week! The last episode is pretty high action, so I know I have to go back and edit it heavily but at least the first draft is done! I have some good ideas about the Christmas episode but I think I will pause on it and get back into ODaaT because I have been eager to write that again.

Last weekend was a long weekend, so on Monday, I actually spent most of the afternoon doing some episodes on Dreamweaver for ODaaT. I like to have the episode pages ready in advance when I release daily episodes so it is an easier update for me during the week. I have a few more to do, but Colton is travelling for work this week, so I'll have time after my shifts end to do that.

I am most excited that this crossover event seems to be taking such good shape! I just hope that everyone likes it when it is finally released!

Until next week -
Dallas

[Dallas]

June 06, 2020
Well, I definitely rebounded this week after my slow previous week with writing FOUR episodes of ODaaT! I really got into it because I was writing the daily episodes of where Greg learned the truth about Brooke being the killer and a distraught Abby coming home and catching Brooke trying to kill her father. It was more physical than I thought it would be in the fact that Brooke fought with Greg and Abby before she died. I knew I wanted some longer scenes when Brooke was explaining how/why she started her killing spree, so I’m glad that they turned out, at least to me. And, at the end of it all, I did lose the character of Brooke, but honestly part of my goal with the serial killer story was to sort of trim down the cast as the more people you have, the more people you have to write for. So, I took a long look at who I could get rid of and who I couldn’t. Shelley, Brad & Albertinah were, obviously, easier to let go off because they didn’t have huge, long lasting connections to the series. However, I took a lot of inspiration from Michael (Footprints) with his serial killer storyline a few years back in which Philip killed Bill at the end of the storyline arch; so, I wanted to have a major character go, which is where Eva came into play. Eva, to me, had been in this corner for a while since her affair came out and the fact that she continued to go back and forth between Will & Dominick made this set up so great, to me cause now they will both be devastated, not to mention her children. I also did loose Brooke, but again, I felt like it was worth the bigger cause of the storyline to lose her. Overall, I’m super stoked by this story and how it played out. Much more violent then I intended but it has been so different for me as a writer to do, so I’m pleased with it. What did you guys think of this story? Are you excited to see what happens next?
Dallas

***

June 05, 2022

This past week wasn't a huge week in terms of writing, but I did finish pre-making all of the rest of the dailies/double header dreamweaver pages for ODaaT for the rest of the year. I have dailies coming in August (for the week of the anniversary) and November; then there are some double headers just to support some vacations that I have planned in June, August and September. IT's fun to read ahead and see what's coming. The week in August is unreal - I really can't wait for that stuff to come out.

I still have to edit s9 of Diamonds but that can happen in time. I am really hoping to actually do some writing of ODaat this week - maybe even later today! We will see how that happens. It's always a little jarring to do the first episode because it's been a few months but once I actually do it, it's like riding a bike.

I am also still taking questions online/email for an upcoming interview that I'm doing for ODaaT's 20th anniversary - you have until June 15th to get them to me - that's in TEN days! I am really excited by this and it feels like it's adding another cherry on top of the anniversary year!

Until next week!
Dallas

[Dallas]

June 13, 2020
Another week has come and gone. The protests are still happening, almost daily in the US and even in Canada. It seems like, eventually, the police will be defunded and that will be our new future. It is rather surprising to see all these horror stories of the police coming out, not only from American but across the world. The system is so rooted in racism that it doesn’t surprise me but I am still surprised just at the sheer amount of it. I am glad that this change is happening and hopeful that it will be a change for the better.
On the webseries front, I wrote 3 episodes of ODaaT this week; these episodes were surrounding the fall out Abby killing Brooke but Greg taking the blame and Eva’s memorial service. I must admit I am glad that the serial killer story line is over because there was a lot of death/grieving going on in Twin Peaks for the last few months. It will be nice to move into some other lighter stories. How are you guys liking the fall out Brooke being the killer and then dying?
I also had a great idea for another segment of Chasing Diamonds … it needs to be fleshed out but I also love when these ideas come to me because I do love that series and the departure it gives me from the regular goings of ODaaT.
Until next week
Dallas


***

June 12, 2022

Well, I did it! I stepped back into Twin Peaks and wrote two episodes of ODaaT this past week! The first episode took a little longer than usual because it was my first episode in a while and I had to keep going back to see what had all happened but the the second came out pretty easily. The Clayton/Andy/Nicholas stuff is still going on and I am looking forward to wrapping it up and seeing them move on beyond the story, to be honest. There's also a lot of intense drama with Chris/Treynce and Cheresa going on - I think you will enjoy this story.

Today is supposed to be another rainy day so I am hoping to do more writing since my tennis match was cancelled. Next weekend we are going to Whistler, which is a smaller mountain town that is close by, so I am looking forward to that. It will be a nice little getaway but it also means that Wednesday you'll get TWO episodes of ODaaT ... then on Monday when I'm home, I'll release Diamonds and the next Blog update ... a lot going on!

And I have been getting some great fan questions for the interview with Emmy coming up. I am really excited to sit down with her, have a glass of wine, and just chat about webseries, writing and soaps in general! It will be a lot of fun.

Alright - until next week -
Dallas

[Dallas]

June 20, 2020
Well, it was actually a super productive week, I must say!
Last Sunday was a gorgeous day outside; Colton is a big bike rider, but I am not so he went out for a long ride with a friend; while he was out, I was drinking wine in my yard and I planned a lot of the next installment of Chasing Diamonds! Of course, this was only a very rough first draft but I am so stoked by some of the ideas. I didn't get to everyone's storyline either (when did the CD cast become so big?) but at least I have a solid start. I am hoping that I will be able to released this in the late summer/early fall and then push for another Christmas special, because I love the annual Christmas specials on this series. So much fun!

I also wrote three more episodes of ODaaT; the quarantine is slowly being lifted here but I am actually thinking they are lifting restrictions too soon and I am perfectly fine staying at home. I don't think it is wise to be out and about yet so I will continue to stay home for the most part. This helps me with my writing. ODaaT is in a really good position right now too, as I just introduced Jasper Lim into the series as a nanny for Lukas & Donovan. I am excited because it is my first Asian character. I like branching out and adding more diversity if I can. We are also getting more indepth the Clayton mystery and Leah's storyline. Overall, I'm liking where things are!

How are you guys coping?

***

June 17, 2022

I am releasing this a tad early this week because I am going away this weekend. I am really looking forward to the little break and exploring more of BC and the Vancouver area. Going away means that I won't do any webseries writing/producing this weekend, which is fine.

This week I've managed to write two episodes of ODaaT, which is great. I well into the 2024 season - so much is going on, it's kinda insane. It makes writing the episodes pretty easy and fun, tbh. Unlike the diary entries above, I can't really get into a lot of what's happening because it would be a spoiler ... what i will say is that the Robertson family is really going through major drama right now, on all fronts. I hope you'll like it.

Today I also released the entire season 8 of Diamonds - I still love releasing it all at once like a Netflix binge show. It feels modern. I hope you all enjoy it!

Until next week -
Dallas