Ep. 6.07, "Via Dolorosa, Part III" has been posted. Ian attempts to ignore grim reminders of his trauma, and must reach out to a young woman living her own torment. Later he shows a harder side when confronted by a family victimized by his own, and he also clashes with Tristan over differing ideas about the club's future--and its employees. The Nichols family gathers in a rare show of mutual support as Adele reveals new depths of feelings toward her grandson. And finally, wracked with grief, Ian faces emotions he's spent six weeks trying to hide.
December 30, 2013
Ep. 6.06, "Via Dolorosa, Part II" has been posted. A battered Ian struggles home in fear of what he'll find there. Cameron discovers the extent of his son's injuries and vows revenge. Each in their own way, the women of the Nichols family try to relieve Ian's suffering--but only one manages to get him out of his sick bed. A stranger at a funeral reveals the terrifying possibility of an unheard-of enemy. Daphne learns of a sacrifice that puts her own feelings in perspective, while the reason for Ian's gift is revealed.
December 10, 2013
Ep. 6.05, "Via Dolorosa, Part I" has been posted. This week we again return to the wedding massacre and follow a new path, starting with the terrifying moments when Ian Nichols was caught by Tag Vaughan's men and forced to watch Daphne's shooting. As Ian's fate now takes an entirely different and grim direction from the other wedding guests, his father Cameron searches for his family and faces questions he's never been asked before. Can this powerful criminal accept having no control over those he loves? Can his son survive a battle of vicious mental and physical torment?
December 2, 2013
Ep. #6.04, "The Price of Gratitude, Part 2" has been posted. As the miniseries continues, focus remains on Daphne--who must juggle her father's growing impatience and determination to see his baby, her continuing attempts to get in touch with mysteriously absent Ian, and Tyler's condition taking a sudden shocking turn. Hints of other goings-on around town are revealed when Daphne spies a member of her family where she least expects it, and discovers another family dealing with the fallout from the church massacre.
November 26, 2013
Ep. #6.03, "The Price of Gratitude, Part 1" has been posted, continuing the "Six Weeks" miniseries. The POV shifts briefly to Tyler back on the day of the wedding, where his painful shock after his stabbing is worsened when he sees Daphne brutally shot and realizes his brother is inside the church targeted by untold rounds of gunfire. Doug and Charles find themselves, for once, communicating as they struggle with their fears over their children's fates.
November 18, 2013
Ep. #6.02, "Whom the Gods Love, Part 2" (Hannah) has been posted, continuing the "Six Weeks" miniseries as well as Hannah's painful journey during the first six weeks after the church massacre. She seeks strength from herself, her loved ones and her faith, despite her agony over the tragedy and her vigil waiting for more news about the remaining injured members of her family. Meanwhile, Hannah also gets an unwanted visit that instills dread for her future, Danielle offers sinister advice that Hannah tries to ignore, Ryan's help makes Hannah defensive, and an agonizing decision could rip the Nichols family apart forever.
November 15, 2013
Marking its 16th anniversary on the web, ASF premieres its unusual sixth season (not the least of its unusualness is the fact that some folks may wonder what happened to the fifth season--in which case, read the news item below for an explanation). But what really makes this season unique is that it will consist of a unified theme and will be somewhat shorter (we hope), in fact, it's a miniseries called Six Weeks. Each episode will focus on a single character or set of characters, following their lives in the first six weeks after the devastating events of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
To start the season, Episode #6.01, "Whom the Gods Love, Part 1" (Hannah) tells Hannah's story in two halves, the second of which will be posted on Monday, November 18th. What happens when her life is literally turned sideways and everything she holds dear is at risk of vanishing through her fingertips? Can this strong woman find more resources than she ever dreamed possible, or will a new, darker side emerge from the wreckage of St. Vincent's Church? Read on and see.
May 2013
ASF's crazy long fourth season has been split in two! Defying its author's own instincts, the season just demanded a structure change due to the unwieldy sixty-three episodes that no one in their right mind would consider a sane amount for one season. So, welcome to newly trim Season 04, which ends with a "mere" 38 episodes (still pretty chunky) but at a natural spot in the adventures, and give another warm greeting to Season 05, a sylph-like 29 episodes. All links to old episodes should work thanks to redirects. If you'd like to read more about the methodology and rationale for this major change, check out the ASF Backstage Pass Blog entry, "4th Season to be Split in Twain."
January 31, 2013 :
15 Years of Serial Fiction: ASF's Anniversary Podcast, Part 2b (second installment): Like yesterday's installment, this half touches on some plotting dilemmas that occur when one is writing a serial like ASF, especially when said serial happens to take 11 years longer than expected to finish a bleedin' season. I discuss a unique issue related to this time dilation problem thanks to a question from Michael, he of the wonderful webserial Footprints, who grabbed on to an offhand remark I made on the ASF forum and asks me to explain myself: which plot had to change as a result of the series now taking place in 2012/2013, rather than 2002 when the story was originally planned? Gulp. Cornered, I admit my shame. Well, partially. Y'see… spoilers are involved.
January 30, 2013 :
15 Years of Serial Fiction: ASF's Anniversary Podcast, Part 2 (first installment): This second podcast answers more questions from readers and reveals the winners of the ASF Fourth Season Survey contest!
The bulk of the episode (both parts — the second half will be posted on Jan 31) is devoted to questions related to how much I deviate from my plans, whether it's due to reader feedback, external situations, or my own changing mind. Take a listen and hopefully you'll find it interesting; if so, please comment and share.
December 27, 2012:
15 Years of Serial Fiction: ASF's Anniversary Podcast, Part 1: The first-ever ASF podcast celebrates ASF's 15th birthday and is devoted to your questions and comments in response to ASF's 15th anniversary and the end of our marathon fourth season. Listen and enjoy!
December 26, 2012
ASF now has a new blog! Called the ASF Backstage Pass, here's where you'll find episode commentaries, general production thoughts, and links to any podcasts. The blog is located at http://skyfalls.com/backstage/. Join in and please share!
