Greetings from the Headwriter to all the Fans of ATWT:

Thank you all for being such loyal fans in the year just ending, and for sharing some of our favorite moments -- Carly and Jack's wedding, Craig and Rosanna's baby troubles, Mike and Katie's blossoming romance, Alison's paternity scheme, and the deadly love triangle among Rose and Paul and Dusty that led to Rose's heartbreaking murder.

The year 2004, marks the 48th Anniversary of As the World Turns, and we'll kick it off with a week of "experimental storytelling" between Christmas and New Year's. We'll break the rules of traditional soap opera structure and you'll find faster-paced shows with more visuals, less talk, and lots of movement. And many surprises. Do not miss a single show!

After the turn of the New Year, we'll be taking your favorite characters to new places. You'll follow Lily, crushed by Rose's death, on the most shocking journey of her life, as she searches for the passion and courage inside her that she'd always admired in her twin sister -- but it comes at a very high price. Dusty will find himself reluctantly swept up in Lily's journey. You won't want to miss a moment of the Ryan family's surprise reconciliation, or the dark secret Paul's keeping to himself; as well as Carly's entanglement in the Ryan family's ongoing circus. You'll share Craig and Rosanna's baby crisis, thanks to Molly's complicity with Paul Ryan, and you'll be left breathless by Rosanna's big decision regarding her life with Craig. You'll wonder how a girl as sweet and lovely as Sarah can cause so much trouble for Ben and Jess. And Lucy's heart is going to stray to someplace you never would have guessed. And there's more!

Many of you have lamented how little the veterans are played, and this year we will rectify the problem. Lucinda will be deeply involved in Lily and Holden's burgeoning problems. Lisa will be seen keeping up with her grandson, Casey Hughes, and his wicked buddy, Sarah. Bob and Kim will get plenty of air time when Chris brings home a surprise houseguest who turns the Hughes manse into a carnival -- and Nancy will be part of the fun. We want to show that our veterans are still important and vital to the canvas of As the World Turns.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year, and may God Bless,
Hogan Sheffer, Headwriter, ATWT