I believe Ms Welles was writing ad and promo copy etc. for ABC and/or the theatre(?). I know she was a Press Agent. Someone else here may have better details than I. I seem to recall that she was approached by another DS writer whom she had been helping with preliminary script treatments and this writer felt that she would make a great DS writer herself. I personally liked her work (partially because she has been generally credited for being the one to come up with the name "Count Petofi" as a reference, then running with it),I thought she had a real sense of the era and atmosphere of 1897 Collinwood. But, then again, I am partial to 1897 DS, and I especially liked the writing overall. I think it has a unique wit, particularly the early episodes and "Granny's Will" part of the story. Quentin was a sarcastic wit right out of the box; almost elevating certain scenes to comedy of manners (or, in Quentin's case, lack of manners). The repartee was faster and more interesting than typical soap dialogue, and it still is. I tend to agree, Gothick, that no one writer had the responsibility of offing any character, since it was an employment issue, as well as a story issue. Believe me, Professor, I understand being PO'd about a favorite character being mishandled or removed. Perhaps KLS wanted to play someone who she percieved as less of a victim? Early Lady Kitty certainly was more of a borderline villainess than victim! I understand she also went to Africa with Ben Martin around that time.
I just found the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers(ATPAM), which lists a Violet Welles as having died October 18, 2003. According to the Internet Broadway Database, Ms Welles was a press representative for 22 Broadway shows, including the first run of Man of La Mancha, Royal Hunt of the Sun, and A Thousand Clowns. Her Broadway work took place in the 60s and early 70s. I think this publicity/promotions work is the kind that made up much of her career.
Petofi
