Can you tell us what we can expect this fall on 'Passions?'
I think the audience has already picked up from the summer that stories are moving at a faster pace than ever before. The audience is going to see stories for all major characters moving just as quickly. We're going to see major developments with the Ethan and Theresa relationship. We're going to see an even bigger development with Sheridan and Luis-if that's even possible! There will definitely be a bride--one of our main characters will have a 'Mrs.' in front of her name. And we're going to have lots of other surprises as the fall unfolds in all those stories. We'll see a major new character come in and have an impact on the romantic life of one of our core couples. We're going to further develop David's story. And if that's not enough, there will be a hurricane that hits the islands and also hits Harmony. And we're going to play out--with a lot of humor and special effects--Norma's role on the island with Tabitha, Timmy, and the kids.

As you mentioned, a lot of fans have been happy with the quicker pace of 'Passions' this summer. Is that something you intentionally changed?
In the beginning, we had to establish the various characters and stories. It takes time to get everyone into it. You have to introduce a whole new world which includes the town and people's relationships. And now that there's more of a fan base, we can speed the story up. We did that for the summer, but it really carries into the fall and winter.

There are still many secrets that haven't come out--such as the identity of Chad's parents and what happened to Martin Fitzgerald. Can we expect to find out more about these secrets?
The stories will all pop. It's like the old commercial--don't serve a wine before its time! It's the same thing with some of these stories. Things will come out when they are supposed to come out--when they are as rich as we can make them. For example, we had the information come out in July during the wedding about the tabloid having gotten the information from Theresa's computer. It was the same thing with that situation--you wait for the richest time to hit it. Sometimes we surprise the audience by announcing something out of the blue like we did with the fake Luis. We waited well over a year and then we got back to it when it would have the biggest impact on the characters' lives.

David Hastings just joined the cast, and soon we will be meeting Brian. How involved are you with casting? Do you have a picture in your head when you create a character?
In terms of the character, you always have to visualize someone to make them real. But at the same time, you realize that's temporary until the role is cast. And then that actor or actress becomes the character. In terms of the casting process, Lisa Hesser (executive producer of 'Passions') and I discuss what the character is, where the character is going to go, and what the character type is. Because Lisa's in Los Angeles, she works more closely with the casting people. Then when they narrow it down to a few people, they put their auditions on tape and send it to me. Then Lisa, the network, and I discuss the pros and cons of the actors and if they fit the part. By that stage, everyone we see on tape is a real professional, but we have to see whether or not they bring that something unique to the character. We have to see which actor brings the character most to life.

How much of what we're seeing on air currently was in the original bible? Can you talk about any changes that have come about and why?
The Tabitha and Timmy story wasn't in the bible because the character of Timmy wasn't in the original bible! He was added as I was laying out the first week of the show. Except for that, everything else was in the bible. I didn't have Warlock Island mentioned in the bible. I had in general what would happen to these characters, but not specifically that the place where they happen would be called Warlock Island. I knew all about the wedding and everything we'll see in Bermuda. That was all in the bible.

'Passions' has just entered its third year. Are you happy at where the show is? What are your goals for the future?
I'm thrilled with where the show is--how the characters are being developed and everything about production is fantastic. For the future, I hope the audience gets more and more involved. I think they will because there are more twists and turns coming in the lives of their friends in Harmony.

Do you watch every episode?
Yes. Although lately it's a little confusing to watch because we've gotten so far ahead. I feel like I wrote what I'm watching a year ago! Plus, I'm thinking ahead to the future at the same time. Right now, I'm thinking of certain stories that I have to build for next summer. I'm planning that now because it takes a while to develop the stories and lay the groundwork for things that will happen. Of course, all the stories, revelations, and shocking twists from this summer will play into the fall and winter. It's not just that we do our summer stories and then don't carry them through. As a matter of fact, some of the stuff in September and October is bigger than the things that happen in July and August.

Do you have any favorite episodes or scenes over the last two years--anything that really stands out in your mind?
I loved all the stuff at the wedding. I loved Timmy and Tabitha with Norma at the motel. I loved recently when Timmy and Tabitha were upstairs and thought that Norma was still 3000 miles away. I loved where Timmy cut Tabitha's head off and then her body was chasing him. And then just recently, I loved the scene with Ethan and Ivy in the park. I liked the way it was shot with such tight close-ups. Since I know what's going to happen, I know certain scenes have hints laid in to them. And because I know where they are going, I can take special relish in these scenes.

How do you feel about the fact that these days the headwriters and executive producers have become just as well known as the actors?
I was surprised because when I was coming up through the ranks, people knew the executive producers like Gloria Monty, and they would know the writers who created shows, like Agnes Nixon and Bill Bell. But I was surprised when I was headwriting 'Days of our Lives,' because fans on the internet were talking about stories I'd done on 'Guiding Light.' They remembered my name, which blew me away. I always thought they had no idea who we were. It never bothered me that they didn't know us because I wanted them to know the characters. Even once when I was given an award, I asked one of the actresses from the show to accept it for me because I always said the audience wants to see the actor or the actress.

Do you think this trend is at all damaging to soaps?
No. I think it's good the more the audience becomes involved in the show, on whatever level. It makes them feel more a part of it--and they are a part of it--because they are the eyewitnesses to everything that goes on in the lives of the people we bring to them everyday. We need the fans just as much as we need actors or a script. So I hope being more involved and knowledgeable gives them more of an appreciation of the show.

Can you talk a little bit about 'Harmony High,' the new project you are working on? What kind of stories and characters can we expect?
That all has to be worked out. The big difference between that show and 'Passions' is that it's only once a week and it's a half an hour instead of an hour. And because of certain FCC regulations, we will have to deliver a message. The show has to be more of a theme show than a soap opera. Things will go much faster because it is only half an hour. When I started 'Passions,' people asked what they could expect from it. I said if you look at what I did on 'Days,' you would know about 'Passions'--not that the shows would have the same stories, but the same types of characters and relationships.