Mere told me young Boreanaz had also been there earlier that day. I was really touched, but my actor-friends were very matter-of-fact about the whole thing. They understand that the issues at hand affect the future of the entire creative community here, and that the writers, by virtue of being first, will set a precedent that affects all the guilds. That is why we writers have to be firm, intractable and absolute in our dedication to getting a fair deal. And that's all we're talking about: a fair deal. For us, and for generations of artists to come.

Sounds pretty damn pompous, no? "Generations to come"? Yeesh. But it's true. Our culture, our government, our corporate structures have all gotten pretty used to taking care of ourselves at the expense of our children and their children. Part of this is simple greed, part is immediate practicality trumping long-view perspective, and part is perfectly understandable fear. It's easier to take what you're given, not protest, not make a fuss. A lot of people will suffer grievously if this strike isn't quickly resolved, and the men and women who voted for it know that. But like so many things - our eco-system being the most obvious - if we don't make it work now, what's to come will be much worse.

Let me be clear on one point: I know I have it easy. I've done well, and I'm grateful that I can weather a long winter. Compared to what the studios have made off me my share is tiny and cute, but I'm in no position to complain. But take that differential, apply it to someone who's just getting by when they deserve better. Now take it and- well, just take it, 'cause when it comes to the internet and the emerging media there's nothing there for the artists. There's no precedent; these media didn't exist the last time a contract was negotiated. We're not just talking about an unfair deal, we're talking about no deal at all. Four cents from the sale of a DVD (the standing WGA deal) sounds exactly as paltry as it is, but in a decade DVD may have gone the way of the eight-track. We have to protect the rights of the people who tell the stories, however they're told.

*****

This is an era of change, and for the giant conglomo-tainment empires, it will either be the Renaissance or the Ice Age. Because we will not stand down. Writers can be replaced, as we are constantly reminded. But so can companies. Power is on the move, and though in this town it's been hoarded by very few, there are other companies with newer ideas about how to make money off of - or possibly, wonderfully, with - the story-tellers. Personally, I like things almost the way they are. I truly hope the executives negotiating for the AMPTP make the few simple concessions that will allow us to work with them again. I want to work. I have this idea, for a show about a girl... I even have the actress for it. And if we strike effectively, maybe she won't have to.

Joss Whedon: "My writing process for comics is similar to my writing process for movies, although I tend to write comics chronologically, which I don't with movies or TV. I'll circle for a long time, for as long as I can without being late. Despite my reputation, I do care about that. [Laughs] And when it's time and I feel it, I'll start to free associate. I know the basic arc and I know where I'm heading, so I'll free associate. I have a dry erase board I'll write on a note pad, just to get ideas and then eventually, I'll number out the pages and start trying to place all the ideas I have and when it starts to really take shape, only then do I start writing."

"I don't write page one until I know exactly what page 15 is gonna be. And every now and then I'm wrong. Every now and then I go, 'Aw, I've expanded this or contracted that.' You know how that is. But it's weird. There's actually a very small amount of sitting down and typing because I've played out all the scenes so much and because I don't describe as much with Johnny as I used to. So it really doesn't take that long to physically write it at this point."

*****

"The story is more important than what you intend to do with it. And when it starts talking back to you, you listen!"

Speaking of Darkhorse Comics, they are starting a new Buffy comic, and as I understand it, it will take place after the end of Buffy and Angel and be canon in the Buffy world. And I understand it that way 'cause I'M WRITING IT. I'm kicking off the book with a four issue arc that finds Buffy -- you guessed it -- living in Italy with The Immortal. (Scott -- don't be mad I spoiled the announcement -- saying it means I have to finish it.) Then I'll be overseeing the book more closely, to make sure it remains true. Gonna be interesting. And it just might tie in to...

The infamous Spike movie. Still haven't finalized anything, but I feel that very soon I'll be able to go to James and say something a lot more interesting than "Wouldn't it be cool if..." 'Course, I just hope he's free some time this decade. See how my peeps is all actifying! Tomorrow night is AMIAS, (that's alias with Acker in it.) Happy. And totally jealous.

See, the Buffyverse glows in my brain with a new, overreaching arc that will include the comics, Spike, and more. It's taking shape and soon you will know its name. And you will tremble.

Then of course there's a little thing called X-Men, who are apparantly supposed to become astonishing again real soon. I miss me my Cassiday. Can't wait to see the fan response when I kill Wolverine and replace him with fan-fave Marrow.

Well, I certainly can't say much more, except that Wonder Woman is finally kicking ass that is not my ass, as in, I'm loving this script. She's saving the world in a tiara, people; this is why there's a me!