Earlier this week TV Guide Canada posted an interview with Eileen, discussing her latest and upcoming novels, ex-Y&R co-star Victoria Rowell as well as previous and current Y&R storylines.
Tell me what kind of sudsy drama we can find Alexis Peterson getting into in your third novel, Diva Las Vegas! I liked your second novel a lot.
Oh, thank you! The third book opens up with Hugh Hefner’s Halloween party. Even though the book came out in July, if people haven’t bought it, now is a good time to pick it up because Halloween is around the corner. My heroine, Alexis Peterson, is invited by ex-Playmate Shana Stern, and a few murders ensue there. Once again, Alexis is on a chase to find out who killed the victims. I bring in some more backstage soap opera stuff in the book. I pulled a lot from my time as Susan and Kristen on Days of our Lives because Alexis needs to disguise herself to investigate the murders and she uses her experience as an evil twin [on The Bare and the Brazen].
Maybe Y&R should hire you to pen some fictional Genoa City books like ABC asked Carolyn Hennesy to pen a Spinelli-themed General Hospital book! Would you be into that?
Sure, absolutely!
Do you feel more confident as a writer now? I can see/read that you’re in a groove now. I’ve always respected how honest you are about working along a ghost writer, Robert Randisi.
I certainly agree. Literally I started my fourth book the day before yesterday. It had been a while since I wrote, so I was like, “Oh my God.” But I just had to force myself to write. I was looking for any excuse under the sun not to start writing, like, “Let’s go on a walk,” “Let’s cook something!” You know how you stop doing that? I made myself sit down and I finished the second chapter yesterday.
I saw you tweeting about your writer’s block! What can you tell me about book four?
It’s called Swingin’ in the Rain and it takes place during El Niño! It’s also about the swinging sex culture, which I have been learning a lot about it in the last few years. I’m fascinated by it. It’s a huge deal. People you would never think are in that lifestyle are. I’m learning about the aspects of dropping your kids off at school and running into people you’ve slept with. So I decided to write about the culture.
I love the romance between Detective Frank Jakes and Alexis. Can we expect them to continue to sizzle in the third book?
Yes! There’s a lot more of that in the third book; even more in the fourth book. I wanted to put more romance in to the books because the soap genre is perfect for that. We decided to make the books sexier.
Are TV-movies based on the books next?
I would absolutely love that! If this had been 15 years ago, I think it would have been a no-brainer because as you remember there were a lot of daytime and primetime crossovers, especially in TV-movies. Of course, the medium has changed so much. Had the timing been better, I think turning these books into a TV-movie series would have been a slam dunk. It’s not quite as easy now. It’s perfect for Lifetime or something on cable or even a network.
How do you manage your time between writing, acting, and raising your son, Jesse?
I kind of have to do it by the seat of my pants. I’m not working that much right now on Y&R so I have quality time with my computer while the kids are in school. My computer and I got reacquainted real fast. And if Y&R needs me more often, I’ll just bring my computer to the set. Luckily, I’m able to bring my writing most places with me. Luckily, we’re not on set every second, so I’ll just write in between takes. I wouldn’t want to start a book at work because it’s too distracting, but when I’m in the groove it’s easier.
Can we expect more instalments after the fourth book?
We’ll see. I want to see how the fourth book does first before I see which path the series will take.
What’s been the reaction from your cast and bosses?
I haven’t really heard from [co-executive producer and head writer] Maria Arena Bell, but a lot of people at work love my books — especially the crew because I incorporate them into my novels. They always ask, “When is the next one coming out?,” so I bring them into work for them. They love them. You know — I love the crew. They are the salt of the earth. From my experience, I’ve always admired the crew. I wanted to give them a hats-off of sorts. I’ve had crew members who have passed away and I mention them and give them a nod in the books to give them due. Not a lot of people know who I’m talking about; it’s more about me paying homage to them. I like to do that.
Have you checked out Victoria Rowell’s “fictional” novel Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva?
I’ve read parts of it. I never bought it myself but it was floating around here on set.
What did you think of it?
Like I said, I didn’t read a lot of it. As you said yourself, it’s quote-end quote fiction. It’s a very touchy subject. I think she’s a good writer, and it could be a good story but from what I’ve read, though, it’s a little mean-spirited. Although I think she does have some valid points and perspective as an African-American actor, it seems like she’d be taken more seriously if she had not gone in this direction. You know what I’m saying? I have no issue with Vicki. I always got along very well with her. This is not a personal thing — it’s just an observation.
As for all her [grievances against Y&R] on Twitter, I heard that [Rowell claimed that] our [former] hairdresser, Nancy Morrison, never did anyone except the black actresses on our show — Nancy did my hair! She was terrific and I loved her. Nancy was extremely talented. Clothes being passed down? That happens to all of us because the wardrobe people go out to buy clothes for a specific actor — they’d buy for Melody [Thomas Scott], Vicki — but if the clothes didn’t fit, they’d bring it to the next actress to see if it might look good on them. Many times Mel’s clothes have ended up on Michelle Stafford or me. That’s just part of the drill. Some of these things I’ve heard aren’t exactly true. We all got hand-me-downs. And Nancy just didn’t do African-American hair. And this is from my perspective and my experience. Even though she has some valid points, I think it’s all gotten lost [in translation].
If we can’t have my beloved Drucilla back in Genoa City where she belongs, at least Y&R hired a dark-skinned, talented and sassy African-American actress, Julia Pace Mitchell, with curves to boot. That’s progress, just on TV in general!
Julia Pace Mitchell is just wonderful. And she’s a really good person. She’s a good actress. She’s just trying to make a living. And isn’t that Vicki’s point? Last time I checked, Julia is black. I don’t know … I don’t get it … I’m confused.
She isn’t Dru but she’ll do for now. Michael Muhney tweeted a question for you — how much do you love working with him?
[Laughs] How much do I love being terrorized by Michael? No, I love Michael. He’s a lot of fun to work with.
Do you feel like Y&R dropped the ball with a possible Adam and Ashley pairing? I know that’s impossible now … but Ash could still try to make him pay for his crimes. There are still a lot of unresolved anger issues there …
Of course. For a while, it looked like Ashley was going to go after him and make him pay for switching the babies, which would be awesome. I don’t know where the show’s sensibilities lie at this point. Anything could be explored, it just remains to be seen whether or not it is.
Ashley has really evolved from a manic, paranoid mess to one of daytime’s most respected characters. Are you enjoying Ash’s independent growth as a woman?
I really am! It was kind of time to come from the ashes — excuse the pun. It was a fun journey from where Ashley was last summer to her current rebirth. I think she’s stronger than ever. Before there was always something hanging over her head like Ashley stealing Victor’s sperm. You can’t kick Ashley down anymore. She’s really been crapped on, but she came out of all that better than ever!
The truth shall set you free!
And I’m having a lot of fun playing strong Ashley. Yes, I also have fun playing vulnerable Ashley but what’s great about this character is that I get to do both! She’s not just this kick-ass businesswoman. She has a whole history.
It was pretty tough to watch you last summer being gaslit by Adam and Ashley losing her baby …
Can I tell you what I think about that? I think the character really suffered after she stole Victor’s sperm from Diane. Well, she really just took it, she didn’t really steal it, but that was always lost in translation. After that, the viewers lost a lot of respect for Ashley. People wanted Ashley to pay for it. My opinion? Although last summer’s gaslighting storyline was used to propel a lot of other stories, it was also about making Ashley pay. Now we can close that entire chapter because Ashley paid. It was Ashley’s redemption.
I never thought of it that way before! I’m not sure if that was what the writers were thinking at the time, but it is karmic. You should be a writer, damn it! Would you ever write for soaps?
I’ve definitely thought of it. Right now, I have a lot on my plate. I don’t know where the medium is going because there could be a bunch of [proven] writers all trying to get jobs on these [six soaps]. I’ve seriously thought of it but I haven’t done anything to investigate the option like picking up the phone and calling someone upstairs. You never know…
What’s it like working with that spitfire Marcy! Marcy! Marcy! Rylan!
I have so much fun with Marcy! I love how the writers are evolving her character, too. Abby’s no longer just an in-your-face brat. Also, I think a lot of mothers can relate to having this daughter, where you just go, “What the hell do you do with this person?!” She’s her own person but there is nothing you can do rationalize with her [laughs]! I understand my mother so much more now [laughs]! People with teenagers — oh my God, what a job!
Speaking of Diane, have you worked with Maura West yet?
I worked with Maura but just briefly for one day a couple of weeks ago.
Will Diane and Ashley confront the whole Victor sperm story?
I hope so! I hope they confront everything! She’s going to bring a terrific quality to Diane, even though I loved Susan Walters in the role.
Susan was quite beloved on your show!
Yes, but I think Maura is going to be great.
One of my favourite daytime couples is Ashley and Tucker. When Y&R wisely recast Tucker with that sexy bastard Stephen Nichols, I immediately started campaigning for a Tucker-Ashley pairing. I saw the potential all the way back on Santa Barbara. What’s the second time around like? Are you guys close to super-couple status?
It’s funny because when we first started working together Stephen would bring in these old Santa Barbara photos from the archives we took. At one point, Santa Barbara was trying to figure out what to do with the both of us so they threw us into a photo shoot. I’ve always thought that Stephen and I would work fantastically together. I really hope they continue to explore this relationship because we’re really in a groove when we work together. We trust each other personally and professionally. It’s one of those things where you can’t buy or predict when chemistry will spark. We stumbled on to this just naturally. It’s a huge blessing. It takes very little work when something works on an organic level. And Stephen’s a great guy — I like him anyway.
These days, there’s not a lot of sex on soaps, but Tucker and Ashley get away with more skin than most couples, including throwing chairs as foreplay. They’re both adults and they’re sexy to watch together.
Yeah, why the hell not? I’m all for it. We’re both attractive, sexy adults so why not explore that — as long as it’s not exploited too much, but I doubt it will be. You want to see these characters in every facet of their relationship.
While I didn’t think you and Kristoff St. John shared any chemistry, I did think it was refreshing that Y&R tested out an interracial romance between you guys. What did you think of Neil and Ashley dating for a nanosecond?
I think Neil and Ashley would have been good together. I think Kristoff and I did have great chemistry but it just didn’t have a chance to fly. But it could have been great. However, I got Stephen right after so it’s not like I could bitch and moan about the whole thing, either!
My favourite part in Y&R’s “The Women” episode was when Nikki and Ashley finally made peace. Yes, there should always be a twinge of discomfort between you two but you rarely see legendary rivals grow up, forgive, and understand.
Like we were talking about early, I think that stemmed from that whole redemption thing that came out from Ashley. She’s trying to make amends with everyone.
And you and Mel work so well together.
Oh, I love working with Mel!
She’s currently doing some amazing work. Do Victor and Ashley still have issues to work out? I felt Y&R broke up Victor and Ashley and reunited Victor and Nikki way too fast. Yes, I know contract disputes were at play but…
I would say always. They have a daughter. There’s always story there. If they want to go there, they can. If Ashley wants to get burned for the 16th time with this man, there is still a certain amount of love there to replay that relationship, too.
A lot of fans would claim Victor is the love of Ashley’s life. Other than her father, John, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tucker becomes that man because he’s inspired growth and catharsis in Ash. Are you thinking that far in advance?
Yeah, I would like that! Just because she has some warm and fuzzy feelings for Victor on some deep, deep, deep level doesn’t mean Victor’s the love of her life, you know? We’ll see…
One of my readers wanted to ask you if you think Ashley has unresolved parental issues with John and Dina. Would you like Dina to return? Only Jack and Ash know that she’s not John’s daughter.
Yes, only Jack knows. And wouldn’t it be great if the secret came out because Billy’s not actually her brother? The situation is full of a lot of different options and possibilities.
Don’t tell Marcy Rylan that! It’s truly one of the only secrets that daytime hasn’t exposed in decades. That never happens anymore! Usually, secrets are exposed in a year tops. Or perhaps the current Y&R team has forgotten … Jack and Ash sure can keep a secret!
Well, I don’t think it’s because Jack and Ashley are great at keeping secrets — I think it’s because the writers never went there [laughs]!
[Laughs] Touché. I have to add that I absolutely adore when Ashley reams Jack, which happens in almost every scene. It’s so funny. You are unrivaled when it comes to putting Jack Abbott in his place. While you were on The Bold and the Beautiful, Ashley was written really well — how ironic was that? Do you miss B&B? I know you all tape in Television City…
I had a great, fantastic experience on B&B. I am grateful to have been fired from Y&R for no other reason than to just to have spent some time over at B&B. Brad Bell is an amazing man — I love him dearly. I love his show. His entire cast is just so lovely. I owe it to Brad that Ashley began a rebirth on B&B by getting in touch with that softer and sexier side. Brad’s writing was a lot more along those lines. Ashley was very hard while I was on Y&R before I was fired. B&B softened her up as sexy Ashley — the way she was originally.
Here’s hoping sexy, happy Ashley Abbott — and Alexis Peterson — stick around for a long time to come.
