We are thrilled to bring you an interview with Richelle Mead, the author of this month’s 50th anniversary e-short!

Richelle’s written a new adventure for the Sixth Doctor and Peri called Something Borrowed and has kindly chatted to WhovianNet about the inspirations behind this story, which is the latest instalment of Puffin’s series marking Doctor Who’s historic milestone this November (find out more here).

You can read our exclusive interview with Richelle below!

A big thanks to Richelle for answering our Q&As. Follow her on Twitter @RichelleMead!

Q. Hi Richelle! So when did you first realise you were interested in writing?
A. I wanted to write from a very early age! I’ve loved stories my whole life, and if you read enough of them, I think you eventually want to create your own. I started making my own “epic” picture books about unicorns and mermaids when I was in elementary school, and my interest increased – and evolved- from there.

Q. How did your involvement with Puffin’s Doctor Who series come about?
A. I was a fan of the show already but it was a total surprise when Puffin approached me. I was flattered that they’d consider me to be part of such an important project.

Q. In Something Borrowed, the Sixth Doctor and Peri attend a wedding on the planet Koturia. What was the inspiration behind this setting?
A. Koturians model their civilization on our current-era Las Vegas, so you’ve got flashing lights, glitz, games, and more. When the Doctor and Peri first arrive, they find out the locals keep getting attacked by mini-pterodactyls. When I was first approached about this project, I was reminded that with Doctor Who, you can create anything your imagination can come up with, no matter how out there it seems. I took this as a challenge. I mulled it over and tried to think of two concepts that would seem completely ridiculous if paired together. Las Vegas and pterodactyls were the winners, so I made them work!

Q. We’ve been told the story features the return of “a formidable old foe”. Is there anything you can tell us about this?
A. Not without giving too much away! It’s a foe we only see with the Sixth Doctor and Seventh Doctor on TV, one that I think is totally underrated and would LOVE to see rebooted in the current series.

Q. How did you approach your story at the start of the writing process in terms of your research?
A. I had to make myself an expert in everything Colin Baker/Sixth Doctor. I watched all of his episodes and then read up on anything else I could find about him – character concept and creation, fan reactions, etc. It was a lot of fun. I think Colin Baker is a brilliant actor and that his portrayal of the Doctor was phenomenal.

Q. The Sixth Doctor is well known for being unpredictable and portentous, sometimes even quite volatile. How easy was it to convey his personality and various mannerisms on page?
A. I love characters who are larger than life, even ones with a few darker quirks. They’re a joy to write, and I really had a good time with him. I especially enjoyed doing the story through Peri’s POV. I wanted to capture the up-and-down nature of their relationship, how they bicker and snip at each other sometimes but are ultimately filled with mutual affection and respect that powers them through their many tasks together.

Q. If you hadn’t written for the Sixth Doctor, which other incarnation would you have liked to have explored?
A. My next favorite is the Eleventh Doctor. With him being right in front of everyone right now, I think I would’ve been too intimidated to attempt him for the fans!

Q. What did you set out to achieve with the story and do you think you have accomplished your aim?
A. I hope my story really captures the Doctor’s personality and what makes the Sixth Doctor/Colin Baker unique. It’s a common misconception among non-fans that the Doctor is exactly the same person, just with a different appearance, but that’s not true. Each actor lends new nuances, and each regeneration grows in different ways. It was important for me to show that Six is not Ten or Seven or Five, etc. I hope this comes through and that readers will want to learn more about him.

Q) From your own personal experiences, what one piece of advice would you give to any aspiring writers out there?
A. Write what you’re passionate about. Passion is what makes a story work. I’ve heard people worry about whether their idea is too like what’s already out there or if it’s too farfetched to be likeable. You can’t worry about that. If you care deeply about what you’re working on, it’ll come through in the writing. Good writing can make a story weve heard a hundred times sound new and fresh.

Q. Finally, have you got any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
A. My latest book for adults, Gameboard of the Gods, just came out this month and takes place in a futuristic country that’s banned religion – but suddenly finds itself plagued by supernatural phenomena. My next young adult book, The Fiery Heart, comes out in November and is the fourth installment in my Bloodlines series, about a young woman who works for a “Men in Black” type of secret society that covers up the existence of vampires. More information about all my books can be found at www.richellemead.com.

Something Borrowed will be available to download from 23rd June for £1.99.

Share your 50th anniversary hopes and dreams in our dedicated discussion…