Not sure if anyone else is aware of the
Twitter/James Moran things. Thought youd like to read the item from
his blog. the direct link is at the bottom of the page
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Stepping back
Before I start, this post - and every post on here, and anything I
say on Twitter, or anywhere else - is entirely MY opinion. Nothing
to do with the people I've worked with, or the BBC, or anyone else.
I don't speak for any other writers, I *only* speak for myself, and
I will not pass on any messages to anyone.
Here's my position: I'm not going get into any more discussions or
debates about what happened in Torchwood this week (being vague, in
case people come across this and haven't seen it). Not now, not in
the future.
Why? I started trying to discuss it, but swiftly realised that it
was pointless. It simply turns into "No it isn't" / "Yes it is",
and there's no way I can win the argument, because in certain
people's opinion, I am wrong, and that's the end of it. And it's
all just opinion anyway. It would also feel like I was trying to
justify the show, and I'm not doing that. I have absolutely no need
to. The show is the show. Whether you like it or dislike it, that's
up to you.
I helped plot the whole storyline, and I stand by every single
decision. Yes, including *that* one - I had my hand on the death
lever along with everyone else, and was fully involved. I think
it's a fantastic, brave, challenging drama, and contains some of
the best moments on TV all year.
I've received over a thousand messages from viewers talking about
the show. The vast majority have been extremely positive. Even
though many of them are upset and shocked, they have managed to
express that without making it personal. So to you, I'm extremely
grateful. I'm glad you liked the show, and love that it made you
respond so strongly. I can't reply to everyone, it'd take weeks, so
please accept my thanks.
But the rest of the messages? Unacceptable. Some have been spewing
insults and passive aggressive nonsense. Accusing me of
deliberately trying to mislead, lie, and hurt people. Telling me I
hate the fans, that I'm laughing at them, that I used them, that
I'm slapping people in the face, that I've "killed" the show, that
I'm a homophobe, that I want to turn the fanbase away and court
new, "cooler" viewers, even that I'm hurting depressed people with
dark storylines. Asking me to pass on vitriolic, hateful messages
to people I love and respect.
Not cool.
These are all things that nobody would dare to say to me in person.
But on the internet, it's easy for them to fire off these things.
Forgetting that at the other end is me, a real person, someone who
has been nothing but open and friendly. But I've been a bit too
open, a bit too nice, a bit too willing to explain the thought
process behind story decisions. And some people are taking
advantage of that, or misinterpreting what it means.
So here's the deal: I'm a professional writer. That's my job. I
write what I write, for whatever the project might be. I have the
utmost respect for you, and honestly want you to like my work, but
I can't let that affect my story decisions. Everybody wants
different things from a story, but this is not a democracy, you do
not get to vote. You are free to say what you think of my work,
even if you hate it, I honestly don't mind. But the ONLY person I
need to please is myself, and the ONLY thing I need to serve is the
story. Not you. I will do my work to the very best of my ability,
in an attempt to give you the best show, the best movie, the best
story, the best entertainment I possibly can. Even if that means
that sometimes, I'll do things you won't like. I won't debate it.
Either you go along with it, or you don't. None of it is done to
hurt you, or to force some agenda down your throat, or anything
else. It's all in service of the story.
When I started this blog, I wanted to give some insight into the
writing process. I've done that. I've answered all the questions,
written about the process, done several huge posts trying to pass
on what I've learned. The posts are all still there, and will
remain there. I've had great fun with it, and given as much as I
can, but it's never going to be enough. For a while now, I've let
things get too cosy here, indulged myself too much, and if I let it
carry on, it will affect my work. The last few days have just
confirmed that for me. So I'm going to step back and take a break
from it. Things are very busy for the next month or two, and I
won't have the time anyway. I'm extremely grateful to everyone who
has commented on here, and the blog will probably continue in some
form, but limited to anything that isn't about the work -
announcements, TV/movie recommendations, etc. I have to concentrate
on my writing.
And I will not put up with any more abusive messages, or threats,
or accusations, or attempted guilt trips. So while I completely
understand your pain at some of the events in the series, that does
not give you the right to insult me. Talk about the *work*, all you
want. But lay off the person behind the work. Because I'm simply
trying to tell you good stories. In the end, that is all I can
do.
James Moran
Writer
Please feel free to pass this on, I encourage you to do so, to make
my position clear to everyone - but you must include the link to
the full post here: http://jamesmoran.blogspot.com/2009/07/stepping-back.html
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