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Post by mikey on Jul 19, 2017 11:52:33 GMT -5
Hey, gang! This is one of those posts that doesn't quite fit into any of the other subforums -- it isn't exactly fanfiction, it isn't explicitly Days-related, etc. And I generally keep it separate from my work on What Happens in Salem, but this is a big occasion, so what the heck. Since 1997, I've been writing a websoap/webseries/webserial/whatever the most fitting term is called Footprints. This October, it turns 20 years old, which is absolutely bonkers. I started writing it when I was 14, right around the time I got into Days and read the 30th anniversary book. I couldn't believe there was that much backstory to learn about, and once I started to catch up, I wondered about writing my own version, so I started with an outline for 10-ish years of story. Off that, I began writing episodes in script form, which I posted on AOL before finding the EpiGuide web series community. And... somehow... I've been keeping up with it ever since. It's sort of my daily writing practice. Oh, and all the characters have been "cast" with actors, many of whom are familiar to fans of the daytime soaps, especially Days. The "first family" of Footprints are the Fishers, headed by restaurant owner Bill and his wife, Paula. The series begins with them having four grown children: Tim, Molly, Sarah, and Jason, all of whom have their own personal entanglements. Later on, it's revealed that Paula has another son, Ryan, whom she gave up for adoption at birth, and Ryan becomes an integral part of the series -- and a romantic rival for Tim. Now, 20 years on, the four Fisher children are still leading story, but their own children are significant characters, too. In 2015, I did something I'd wanted to do for years and wrote a serial killer storyline, called "The Footprint Killer," which wound up being my favorite story I've ever done -- and spun off into another year-long arc in which contentious sisters Molly and Sarah worked together to cover up a shooting committed by their mother, Paula. In honor of the 20th anniversary, I've redesigned and moved to a more user-friendly Wordpress site. Episode 882 picks up after a time jump of several weeks, and as the actual anniversary nears, the story is going to focus on a major wedding and another big party that brings the town together. All past episodes are available online, although I would not recommend that anyone read the very early ones, as they are absolutely awful.  I mostly keep them around and available for the sake of completeness. The site has yearly recaps that are probably a much better way to dive in, if you're so inclined, and around 2002-04, the episodes become much, much more readable. I also cut this "video promo" for the upcoming anniversary: Anyway, thought I would share since this is a major milestone for a project that's been such a huge part of my life. I never, ever thought I would be doing it this many years down the road, but now I can't really imagine putting it aside. |
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Post by Kpatch on Jul 19, 2017 19:22:19 GMT -5
Wow, this is so impressive mikey ! Congratulations on the milestone. I'm going to move this and booksoapwriter81's stories in the Author's Studio section. That is not just for fanfics. |
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Post by booksoapwriter81 on Jul 19, 2017 21:54:39 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing, mikey! I relate to your writing process on so many levels. I started writing my series when I was fifteen years old. It is now seventeen years later, and my characters and stories are still going strong. I have written 81 novels (that's where the number in my screen name comes from), and I never dreamed that I would keep going with these characters and their stories for so long. I am currently rewriting my early books because, like you, I feel that the original material is really not that great. The beginnings of something is there, but the stories don't connect the way they do now. That's why only the very early portion of the series is available for sale right now. I'm fixing up those first novels so that they're in line with the way I write now. From what you said, you definitely sound like a soap writer just like me. I was drawn into the genre when I started watching shows like 7th Heaven and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. My first main soap was Passions though. Now I watch Days to fill the void that Passions has left. I've also always been a reader of that type of writing. I just like the crazy and exciting storylines and the different relationships of the characters. I will take a look at what you've written. Have you ever submitted your work to any TV script contests? I also write TV scripts based around a totally different group of characters, so I know that there are several out there that you can enter and try your hand at getting something shot in Hollywood. |
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Post by Kpatch on Jul 19, 2017 21:57:36 GMT -5
I will take a look at what you've written. Have you ever submitted your work to any TV script contests? I also write TV scripts based around a totally different group of characters, so I know that there are several out there that you can enter and try your hand at getting something shot in Hollywood. Our mikey actually IS a Hollywood TV writer! As long as we're discussing milestones, this year marks my 10th year writing fan fics for Days forums. |
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Post by fluffysmom on Jul 19, 2017 22:22:04 GMT -5
Congratulations mikey! Your saga sounds very interesting. |
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Post by mikey on Jul 20, 2017 1:11:12 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone! And also to Kpatch for moving this -- kind of took a shot in the dark as to where to drop it, haha. Thanks for sharing, mikey! I relate to your writing process on so many levels. I started writing my series when I was fifteen years old. It is now seventeen years later, and my characters and stories are still going strong. I have written 81 novels (that's where the number in my screen name comes from), and I never dreamed that I would keep going with these characters and their stories for so long. I am currently rewriting my early books because, like you, I feel that the original material is really not that great. The beginnings of something is there, but the stories don't connect the way they do now. That's why only the very early portion of the series is available for sale right now. I'm fixing up those first novels so that they're in line with the way I write now. From what you said, you definitely sound like a soap writer just like me. I was drawn into the genre when I started watching shows like 7th Heaven and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. My first main soap was Passions though. Now I watch Days to fill the void that Passions has left. I've also always been a reader of that type of writing. I just like the crazy and exciting storylines and the different relationships of the characters. I will take a look at what you've written. Have you ever submitted your work to any TV script contests? I also write TV scripts based around a totally different group of characters, so I know that there are several out there that you can enter and try your hand at getting something shot in Hollywood. Oh wow, we do sound like we've had very similar paths. I definitely have to check out your work! We must just have that soap-writing thing in our brains. It's just what I default to whenever I start to get creative, and I've learned (mostly) to go with it instead of trying to suppress it. And yeah, I've done some contest submissions along the way. I have some friends who have had REAL success with them, so I always figure it's worth a shot! Anything that gets your work seen is a good thing (and honestly, the deadlines are the best motivators). |
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Post by mikey on Jul 20, 2017 1:12:41 GMT -5
As long as we're discussing milestones, this year marks my 10th year writing fan fics for Days forums. Forgot to add my congrats on that! And yet somehow they haven't been smart enough to let you take a stab at writing the real thing, which is nuts considering your stories actually make sense and utilize the characters and understand romance and stuff. |
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Post by booksoapwriter81 on Jul 20, 2017 11:32:19 GMT -5
I know what you mean about the deadlines. When I first got into entering screenwriting contests, the first contest I found had a deadline about five days later from when I discovered it. I wrote a TV pilot episode in three nights in order to meet that deadline! Thankfully, the plot had been floating around in my head for quite some time, so it just started flowing when I sat down to write it.
Thanks for your interest in my work. The links in my signature will take you to my website and my series facebook page. I looked at the link you posted to your latest episode last night. I like the way you have selected actors to portray your characters since it lets the reader picture the people as they read. I draw my characters (you'll see this on my website), but my best friend and I have had fun deciding which actors would play them if my books were ever to become a TV series.
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Post by heroicmuse on Jul 20, 2017 11:54:29 GMT -5
Congrats mikey! I am going to start looking into contests as well. Its a dream of mine to produce a web series. |
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Post by mikey on Jul 21, 2017 0:20:32 GMT -5
Congrats mikey! I am going to start looking into contests as well. Its a dream of mine to produce a web series. You definitely should. And these days, producing stuff is so much more accessible than it once was. All you really need is your talent and some real determination. |
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Post by booksoapwriter81 on Jul 13, 2018 22:11:26 GMT -5
Mikey, I know this post is from last year, but I was looking at your video again. I am considering creating some book trailers for my writing as a new form of advertising. They will most likely be composed of my own artwork and dialogue, but I would also like to include some music like you did so that it's not just quiet words and pictures. I'm wondering how you can include a song without getting in trouble for copyright infringement though. Do you have any suggestions (other than composing my own music, which I don't have the talent or skill to do)?
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Post by heroicmuse on Jul 14, 2018 14:30:41 GMT -5
Mikey, I know this post is from last year, but I was looking at your video again. I am considering creating some book trailers for my writing as a new form of advertising. They will most likely be composed of my own artwork and dialogue, but I would also like to include some music like you did so that it's not just quiet words and pictures. I'm wondering how you can include a song without getting in trouble for copyright infringement though. Do you have any suggestions (other than composing my own music, which I don't have the talent or skill to do)? Look up royalty free music. That's like the musical equivalent of stock photos. Some are free and some you have to pay a fee for and/or give credit in your video I'm not at home but when I get there tonight I will find the site I used to get music for some Reinventing Hannah videos I have coming up. (Not ready for a trailer yet but I have an excerpt on my site I plan to turn into a video and a few other ideas as well.) |
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I mostly keep them around and available for the sake of completeness. The site has yearly recaps that are probably a much better way to dive in, if you're so inclined, and around 2002-04, the episodes become much, much more readable. 
