There’s a problem with recommending this book to people. Russell T. Davies.

You see, having been a nerd with access to the internet for a while I know he brings out strong reactions in people. A lot of them totally f*cking wrong of course (I’ve read him being accused of racism and homophobia FFS), but still, many out there aren’t fans of his writing so as a result won’t give this book a shot. That’d be a shame.

Follow up:

Really, even if you don’t like his output, anyone with even a passing interest either in Doctor Who, television production or the actual writing process should definitely pick up this book. I doubt there has ever been a more open and honest behind the scenes account of a show of this size, especially from the man in charge.

The format is basically email correspondence between Davies and one of the writers of the Doctor Who magazine which reads like an interactive diary. Davies talks in length about what he is working on, the troubles he’s had that day either script or production wise and what other crazy stuff has happened in the surreal world of Doctor Who. The “diary voice” then chips in with the odd question or just lets him keep talking,

It begins during the period when the third season (Martha Jones) is about to air and goes right up to the end of his and David Tennant’s run. Along the way you get the original ideas for the Doctor’s next companion when they didn’t think it was even worth trying for Catherine Tate, the trials of putting together Christmas episodes with the weight of expectation growing each year, struggles with secrecy especially over Tennant’s leaving and much, much more.

There are also some fascinating insights into how the plot all comes together that happen...well, live is the wrong word but you know what I mean. For example in the middle of one email Davies has the “OH MY GOD...It should be Wilf knocking on the glass four times” realisation about the Doctor’s end and he then rushes off to rewrite most of the last two-parter. You really get to see the thought process of each decision and the obstacles a writer has to deal with when dealing with such a major property where so many outside factors have to be taken into consideration.

So, what else do you learn from this book?

Russell T Davies is an unashamed dirty bastard. Hardly a page goes by without him perving over some cast member or another and his honestly about this is kinda refreshing and a lot of fun to read. Behind the scenes books can often get very clinical, that’s definitely not the case here. He really does wear his heart on his sleeve.

He wrote a hell of a lot more Doctor Who than he gets general credit for. Basically Stephen Moffat is the only writer whose scripts are totally his. EVERY other episode, including ones like Family of Blood, often held up as a “This shows why Davies is rubbish” episode, are at the very least 1/3 written by Davies. And not just tweaked either, full on reshaped. By rights he should get a co-writer credit across the board, he just never did.

What this book is REALLY about though is the writing. The fear of the blank page even for someone of Davies’ standing really comes across and of course there is the added pressure of knowing every line he writes will be eventually picked over by internet fanboys out for blood. That said though his love of writing really comes across and when he breaks the back of some script or has that moment where everything comes together you really feel it.

Absolutely loved it. If you are like me and love nothing more than a two hour making of on your dvd or blu-rays then I can’t recommend this book highly enough.