Booklog 26/2022: Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook: The Writer's Tale, The Final Chapter.

[jacey]

With Russell T Davies coming back as the new (returning) Dr Who writer snd showrunner, replacing Chris Chibnall, I thought it might be time to take a look at the book, presented in a series of emails between Davies and Cook, about the writing of Dr Who, with a side order of Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures. The Great Correspondence begins in February 2007 and continues for close to two and a half years, covering (mostly) Dr Who's fourth season, and the specials, leading up to David Tennan's handover to Matt Smith, and Russell Davies's handover to Steven Moffatt. It also covers  Torchwood's Children of Earth season, and looks back at the first three seasins of New Who. The Final Chapter is an addition to the original 'The Writer's Tale' but both books are included in the Kindle edition.

It's not a how-to book, but there's much to learn here about storycraft, and about reworking something until it's as close to right as it can be.

I found it fascinating, seeing the writing process, the blind alleys and the last minute panics. It's a candid exchange of emails between journalist, Cook, and writer/showrunner Davies. It feels very personal and raw, exposing a few nerves as Russell is torn between production concerns while writing the next episode, and the next. And eventually having to write David Tennant's regeneration. The pressure to get that one right was immense, and you can follow the process from the very first idea, to the finished version. The book is worth it for that alone.

If you're a writer you'll recognise the panic as deadlines approach, and if you're a Whovian this will deliver a lot of insight into the making of this best-beloved TV phenomenon. Highly recommended.

 

 

 

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