Thank You Otalia Fans
Dear Otalia Fans,
First, let me introduce myself a little. I know probably all of you are just discovering me for the first time after my Otalia blog posts. Many people call me “Hive” (on Twitter) or “The WriteTilt Blogger or WriteTilt” (on my blog), which are a couple of my online aliases. For the past several years, I have chosen to be almost completely anonymous about my identity. I just wanted my work online to matter, not me. However, I sense that my days of being completely anonymous will end soon. There are many reasons why I feel that way now, but that is another story for another post.
I must say that I have had an amazing two weeks, and I am still feeling high on life from it all. When I wrote my first Otalia blog post, I figured there would be responses; however, I never expected the outpouring of love and support that I have received from the Otalia community. To be honest, it was very surprising to me. The chorus of “thank yous” all of you left me in the comments was startling. I seriously did not expect that. Even now, I still find it a little surprising. I have never received that kind of response for something I wrote outside of work, but nothing anyone has said to me compares to what you all said.
Like I mentioned in the comments, your wonderful words about my writing was extremely humbling for me. It reinforced that writing is what I am meant to do with my life. While I do write for a living, it is not what I do here on my blog or with my novels, which is my true passion. For every thank you and awesome comment you left me, it also re-validated that the teachers who told me I could not write were wrong. I knew those particular teachers were only trying to break me for whatever their reasons. I never believed what they told me back then; however, I always remembered what those discouraging teachers said to me. It is one reason why I write as if my life depends on it. The beautiful comments you all left makes me realize that what I do is not in vain. I have a simple motto that I follow when writing: always be better than I am. The astonishing things you have said, along with the wonderful storytelling happening on Guiding Light, encourage and push me to do that with a newfound fire and determination.
I have to say that I was not planning on writing about Otalia or Guiding Light again. It’s not to say that I wouldn’t ever write about my favorite daytime couple and show again. I just don’t blog as much as I use to, mainly because I’m focusing on other writing projects. However, I read your comments requesting more and thought about it last week. I realized that if my words can help save this show and encourage the beautiful development of the Otalia storyline, then I would take up the purple battle flag and fight along with all of you.
I also decided to repay the show for what they did for me during the month of February and some of March. My former employer laid me off from my job in early February this year. Fortunately, I was blessed to find a new job by the end of February, and I started working again in late March. While I was home during the layoff, I watched Guiding Light and of course, Otalia. The show and the dynamic duo lifted my spirits when I started to feel depressed about my situation. It truly provided the escape that I needed and just at the right time. I am a person who firmly believes in giving back, so that is what I will do.
You asked me for more, and I am here to tell you that I am giving you more. I only hope I can continue to turn out my Otalia “masterpieces” as some of you call them. I will try. I admit that it terrifies me a little, but having an “Oh sh*t, how am I going to top what I did last time?” moment is a common occurrence for me with any new thing I write. Please do not feel like you are pressuring me to live up to what I have already produced. You are not. I put all the pressure on myself with anything I write because I am such a perfectionist. Again, I aim for my one rule when writing, which is to always be better than I am. Believe me, after all the years I have been writing (since I was 13), I do get over it and relax once the words start to flow.
Otalia fans, thank you so very much for all of the love and support you have shown my writing the past two weeks. Otalia deserves nothing less than my total and complete best efforts, so I will work hard on delivering that when I write about them. I will see you all again with the next Otalia blog post.
Sincerely,
SJD (aka @thehivemind or The WriteTilt Blogger)
P.S.
Otalia fans, if you are on Twitter, give me a holler by sending me an @ reply sometimes to @thehivemind. I tweet about a variety of topics, and I interact with my followers a lot. I also publish my blog posts to my Twitter account, which covers whatever I feel like talking about. Follow me only if you want to but no pressure. I do not get offended or upset if you choose not to follow me or later drop me if you do follow me.
Tags: crystal chappell, guiding light, jessica leccia, natalia, olivia, otalia
April 27th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
You are so sweet! I look forward to reading every word you have to say!
April 27th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Thanks so much SJD for the purple thanks!!!
So glad Otalia could be there at a time of need for you! Isn’t it amazing what a TV show can do? It can inspire and uplift and change hearts and minds and impact lives!!
The joy it has brought me is indescribable!! At least for my pea brain with woeful writing skills, its indescribable!!
That is why I am in awe and so grateful for people like you, who can express in the most beautiful terms exactly what I have been feeling.. It is truly like a release and its so comforting to know I am not alone out there in my admiration for the story!
So thanks again for sharing your talent with us, and I am awaiting the next installment with baited breath!
Take care!!!
April 27th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Sonya,
*chuckling* Thank you. I just hope my words have some power to keep this story line continuing and to find GL a new home.
April 27th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
BBK,
You’re very welcome! And you’re right. There are mediums out there that keep us going during bad times. GL and Otalia was one of those things for me.
I am honored to use my “power of the pen” (or rather keyboard) for Otalia and GL. Like I said, they deserve nothing less than my best effort.
April 28th, 2009 at 12:55 am
I’m currently going through the entire back story of Otalia, and right now I’m on the video where Gus dies. It’s been so interesting to see how different Olivia was compared to now. So, I came here to re-read your most recent Otalia post because I remembered you had written about the changes you saw in Olivia. (Seriously, what is Natalia doing to her? I love it). You have such great insight and I look forward to reading all the posts to come.
April 28th, 2009 at 2:17 am
SJD,
thank you for this thank you, it feels kinda neat, gotta say.
Your Otalia pieces are loved. They’re detailed, they’re heartfelt, they are beautifully crafted. We appreciate all the time and effort you put into them cause the product has the power to uplift us.
Now here’s to hoping that Otalia will enrich our lives and inspire our minds for a long long time.
Greetings from your fellow Big Purple Dreamer,
riot.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Riot,
You’re welcome, welcome.
Thank you for appreciating the posts. It does take me a lot of time to write the Otalia stuff, but it’s actually the preparation time of re-watching footage that takes longer. I have to study scenes from different angles, so I’m looking for different things each time I re-watch the Otalia scenes. Fortunately, I compose a lot of the stuff I intend to write in my head, so the words pour out at the point where I’m ready to write. I may lose some sleep (nothing unusual there), but I consider it worth it all in the end. I love the Otalia story line, the effort the writers are putting into it, and of course, Jessica Leccia and Crystal Chappell’s work.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
MG,
I, too, am working my way backwards with Otalia. In my latest blog post, I based my assessment of Olivia’s softening nature is based on some episodes I saw of her in late 2008 online. Natalia has Olivia’s heart in her hands when I compare that Olivia with this Olivia. She truly has changed because of Natalia.
Plus, I’m loving seeing the seeds of their relationship that were planted back then. I could see them starting to fall for each other then, and I am enjoying watching the old stuff in my spare time.
Thanks BTW. I’m glad you are enjoying the posts. The writing, the Otalia story line and Jessica Leccia’s and Crystal Chappell’s performances have re-energized my writing in a new way. It is only right that I share the wealth by writing about Otalia
April 29th, 2009 at 4:22 am
No no, thank YOU!
Your eloquent writing on our beloved pairing is a true pleasure to behold! As a fan of great writing, i am thoroughly excited to hear you plan to give us more. So i am sending you some Big Purple Love in hopes of more to come!
April 29th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Mikka,
There will definitely be more to come. I hope you guys are ready
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
The Otalia fever has completely taken over me. I read whatever I could find about them. The articles or blogs that I love to read the most are those that are well written and insightful. Add personal, honest and sincere to that and it becomes so much more. I find yours to be one of those. Thank you for indulging the Otalia fans’ obses…er…interest on this storyline.
Now I’m curious to know what novels have you had published. If you don’t mind my asking?
Cheers.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Chet,
Thank you so very much! Writing about fandoms isn’t something I do, but the Otalia stuff is just so good that I can’t help but write about it. That speaks volumes.
As to what novels I’ve had published, the answer to your question is quite simple: none. I’m a writer who is in the “aspiring” category when it comes to the publishing business. I have tried to get published twice in the past several years but obviously never made it…yet. However, I must say that both times, I stopped trying. Life issues happened, and I let it get in the way of my goals of being published. But I am definitely going to get back on top of pursuing a book deal. It will happen. I just need to find someone who will take a chance on me
May 7th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Right back at you!!! We {heart} you all over the purple Otalia planet. Can’t wait for your next blog!!! Love ya,
May 8th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Debbie,
Thank you for the love & support!