Dear Scott Gimple

mamagrimes6:

I have a question for you that needs an honest answer.

Who are you writing for?

Every experienced writer, especially one who gets paid for what they do, writes with their audience in mind. How will they relate to the characters? Will they come along for ride? Will they care, be invested and leave satisfied? Writers write for themselves, sure, but if they want book sales, ticket sales or ratings, they have to write for others as well.

So, by killing Carl Grimes, who exactly are you writing for?

I truly want to know because I can only come up with a list of you are not writing for.

The millions of viewers who became loyal fans due to their devotion to the story of Rick Grimes and his family.

The comic readers who have followed fifteen years’ worth of issues and have watched the focus of the story often veer from Rick to his son, Carl.

The 18-49 demographic who have more options now than they ever have for their viewership. Options that include cohesive writing, fleshed out and developed characters, fresh concepts and budget money well spent.

The Rick fans who were resigned to his eventual death as long as he succeeded in what he’s always set out to do…raise his son to be a survivor and someone who would be able to navigate the world and lead once he was gone.

The Michonne fans who watched an amazing and beautiful friendship develop between a grieving mother and a traumatized young boy. A friendship that would help heal their broken hearts and show them that love can still grow after death.

The Grimes 2.0 fans who watched a family form that was healthy and nurturing and that gave each of them purpose, energy and motivation to carve a life out of their terrible world instead of just surviving.

Who are you writing for, Mr. Gimple? Who will embrace this decision, understand it, appreciate it, nod their heads and say job well done?

If you can’t answer that question…if it’s a question you perhaps only considered fleetingly, then that’s an answer in itself.

Once a writer stops writing for anyone but themselves, they dissolve the partnership between them and their audience. They cut the ties between them and their readers…their viewers.

Perhaps the rest of your story will have this all make sense. Perhaps the writing will make it all clear and our confusion, grief and anger will become but a memory.

Which is it Mr. Gimple? Is the rest of this story going to be for you? For the people who pay you? Or will it be for the audience who is still here?

I hope you consider your answer very carefully.