Interview:Kathy Wierenga (January 2001)
- In January of 2001, Kathy Wierenga was kind enough to answer many of my questions about her favorite episodes, her experiences with writing, and any information she could share about the upcoming season. Below are the answers she provided.
- When did you join the writing team for "Adventures in Odyssey"? How did you join them and what did you first do?
I started with AIO in August of 1998 as their coordinator and casting person. It was a total God thing. I took the job because I needed something permanent so I could get insurance coverage. I had no idea that it would become such a major part in my life and heart. I hadn't even heard AIO before I applied for the position. And then I fell in love with it - with the characters, the stories, the fans. When Phil Lollar asked me the following Spring to try my hand at a script, it just seemed like the natural transition to make.
- How does it feel to be the only female writer currently on the team? What are the people like that you work with?
The guys give me a hard time, but I love it. It's like having a bunch of big brothers to pick on me, watch out for me, and offer me a lot of encouragement. They've been great - and I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of such a supportive team.
In writer's meetings, I feel like I'm Connie's advocate in a lot of ways - trying to get her other friends so she doesn't always have to hang around with old men. Since we have so many males on the show, I'm also always the one nagging about having more female characters and more girl-oriented shows.
- What is the most rewarding part about working on a program like "Adventures in Odyssey"?
I love feeling like I'm making a difference. I love looking forward to going into work in the morning. I love hearing how the show impacts people's lives.
- Which direction (more kid oriented vs. young adult oriented programming) do you think Odyssey should take?
One of Odyssey's strengths is that the stories are of a quality that is entertaining for both kids and adults. When the show first began, it was created to minister to kids 8 to 12 years old. But we like to write "up" for our audience, instead of "dummying" things down. (We believe kids are smarter than a lot of people give them credit for being.) In the process, we've gained quite a diverse age range of fans - which we love! As far as the future, I would love to do shows that touch all ages. There are show ideas that we have to shy away from because they aren't appropriate for kids. We also want to honor the parents who trust us enough to let their kids listen, so we try to be careful to keep the shows suitable for young ages.
One of my "someday dreams" for Odyssey would be to have an AIO mini-series that would be geared toward an older audience and address more teen/young adult issues.
- On average, how long does it usually take to write an episode? What process do you go through when writing episodes?
Once I have an idea in mind and I know where it's going, I can get it written in a day or two. That's what happened with #467: “Broken Window”. The idea came, I outlined it, and the first draft just seemed to write itself. (Although if I could do it again I would re-write the first scene.)
Then there are other shows - like #459: “Slumber Party” - that I don't really know where they're going, and so it takes a lot longer. I'll go through a number of drafts, end up scratching out scenes, adding new ones, etc.
The process for me is pretty random. I might have a story idea or theme in mind, but I'll have to take a few days to figure out what twist I want for it, or what will make it interesting and different from shows done in the past. Then it will just hit me and I'll outline it, and start writing. But usually once I start writing, my outline changes anyway.
- How many episodes have you written for the upcoming season?
I'm currently working on a novel for teenage girls, and so I'm off of Odyssey for a couple months. I'll only have two shows airing this season (plus the one we wrote as a team.) But I will get to direct a couple other ones as well.
- Are there any more new characters that will be introduced during the spring?
Yes, Connie will have a romantic interest enter the picture in #463: “Green Eyes and Yellow Tulips”, and there will probably be another new character that will be introduced later in the season. (But nothing is set in stone yet, so I won't give details.)
- Of all the episodes you have written, which would you say is your favorite?
I really enjoyed writing #467: “Broken Window”, so that would be my current favorite. Of the past season, I would have to say #452: “Missionary: Impossible”.
- Which script you would say was your toughest one to write?
#443: “Changing Rodney”. I just never really developed a passion for that show while I was working on it. It was someone else's idea and then was assigned to me. That sometimes works ...and sometimes doesn't.
- Of all the episodes AIO has produced, which two would you say are your ultimate favorites?
Wow...just two?! I'm going to cheat and give multi-part episodes. I love "The Underground Railroad" and "The Mysterious Stranger" as more serious shows. For fun shows I love #440: “I Slap Floor” and #194: “A License to Drive”. I also really liked #277: “It Happened at Four Corners” and...oh, you just asked for two. I'll stop now.
- What was it like being able to direct a couple of your own shows?
Scary, at first. But the actors are great to work with, and it's very fun to see your show come alive for the first time. They take it to a whole new level. (Trust me, when we do read-throughs with the team, it makes you want to start all over again.)
- How would you describe a typical day at work?
We have devos together as a team in the morning-including the Radio Theatre guys. Then we all just do our own thing. Throughout the day we usually get together for meetings, brainstorming, playbacks (when a show is done and ready to be sent out), and read-throughs (when a show is in draft stage). Sometimes, if the afternoon is open, I like to take a laptop to a local coffee shop and work there. (I get more distracted when I work at the office - especially with Marshal in the cubicle next door throwing things at me.)
- Do you have any advice for anyone who might one day want to pursue a career in working on "Adventures in Odyssey", or a show like it?
1. Write, write, write. Play around with dialogue, write scenes out, come up with your own story ideas, practice scripting plays to use at church or for your family.
2. Listen, listen, listen. Odyssey is unique. There are some very talented writers out there that have tried to write for Odyssey and didn't work out simply because they didn't know the show well enough. Odyssey has a long history and developed characters-the more you listen to the show and pay attention to those details, the better you will write shows that sound uniquely Odyssey.
- If you were to compare yourself to any character in Odyssey, which one can you most relate to? Why?
Connie. As a female around the same age, I relate to a lot of the things she goes through and the questions she has. I also really like her spunk and free-spiritedness. She's always trying something new and offering her opinion too quickly, which is kind of like me, too.
- Of all the many great moments in Odyssey, is there any one in particular that has touched you more than others?
I was driving down the interstate when I heard #224: “Greater Love” - the story where P.D. is telling Whit about how Timmy died. I had to pull over because I was crying so much that I couldn't drive.
- Thanks, Kathy, for taking the time to answer my many questions, and good luck with the rest of your Adventures in Odyssey shows!