Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
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.
Pupils at a Welsh school have created their very own Doctor Who themed magazine to raise money for charity.
For the last year, students at Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn have been involved in the project to design this one-off fanzine to mark the Doctor’s 50th anniversary in November.
With funding from Character Options the magazine is one of the school’s annual Enterprise Projects to gain new skills and it is packed with over 100 pages of facts and features.
“We’re delighted to be involved in Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn’s Enterprise project,” said Mark Hunt Brand Manager at Character Options. “We know it will be an amazing magazine that will be enjoyed by all that are lucky enough to own one. The quality that has been achieved is remarkable and we’re proud to fund the production which we know will be in demand.”
The magazine boasts interviews with many familiar faces past and present such as Tom Baker and Russell T Davies while its cover is designed by comic book artist Mike Collins.
The school’s Community Co-ordinator James Williams added: “We are delighted to work with Character Options. Many of our pupils have an affinity with the series, especially as its home is down the road in Cardiff. I’m extremely proud of the work they’ve created.”
The magazine is to be launched at a special event at the Doctor Who Experience on 3rd July 2013. It’ll cost £3.50, with all proceeds donated to the Wales Air Ambulance.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Puffin’s 50th anniversary ebook series continues this month with the release of the Sixth Doctor adventure and this one marks the return of a formidable old foe!
In Something Borrowed by fantasy writer Richelle Mead a wedding on the planet Koturia becomes a place of terror for the Sixth Doctor and Peri, but can the Doctor outwit the villain, save his companion and stop the wedding in time? All will be revealed on 23rd June when the e-short is released for download, priced £1.99.
“I’ve always loved watching Colin Baker as the Doctor,” Richelle said. “When he’s on the screen you can’t take your eyes off him. I’m not talking about that infamous wardrobe! Everything about him is larger than life and while he is one of the darkest Doctors yet, through it all, that heroism and need to do what’s right never fails. That what makes him so fascinating to me and it’s an author’s dream to be able to write a character like that.”
A paperback anthology compiling all the 11 stories will be published on 23rd November.
An official Doctor Who online store has now been launched in Australia following the success of Sydney’s pop up shop.
The website – located at www.doctorwho50store.com.au – is dedicated to bringing fans down under the very latest in official Doctor Who products from DVDs to toys to clothes.
With free delivery across Australia Whovians can browse the products by Doctor with a special Time Lord Express service shipping deliveries out overnight.
It’s hoped the new e-store will satisfy fans who were unable to visit the pop up shop as it was forced to close after just 25 days because all the stock sold out. “The pop-up shop reinforced just how passionate our fans are,” said Elie Mansour, BBC Worldwide. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer the convenience of a dedicated Doctor Who e-commerce site.”
The online shop has been designed and built in parternship with C8 Group. Its director, Laurie Macolino, added: “We’re excited to be partnering with the BBC to launch their first e-commerce site for Doctor Who which offers free delivery to customers in Australia and the quickest delivery service we can. Orders will be dispatched on the same day before 1pm and customers also have the option of upgrading to a Time Lord Express service.”
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Jemma Redgrave has said that the 50th anniversary episode is “an extraordinary ride” for fans.
The actress will reprise her role as Kate Stewart in the one off 3D special, which will be shown on TV and in cinemas in November. She told What’s on TV that filming the episode “was like joining MI6″. “I wasn’t allowed to tell my children I was in it for four or five weeks,” she revealed. “But once we filmed in Trafalgar Square, I knew it would be impossible to keep it under wraps.”
She teasingly added: “What I can tell you is that it is absolutely brilliant. Steven Moffat is an outrageously good writer. As always with Doctor Who, it’s philosophical and deep. It’s an adventure story. It raises all sorts of interesting questions for anyone who wants to go deeper with it. It’s funny and on a sixpence it breaks your heart. It is just wonderful!”
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
The latest Doctor Who book in Puffin’s new 50th anniversary series has been released today.
Tip of the Tongue is written by multi-award winning Patrick Ness who’s known for his Chaos Walking trilogy. The e-book adventure features the Fifth Doctor with Nyssa as the duo investigate a new craze for Truth Tellers in America. But the truth is far more sinister than anyone could have imagined…
“The Fifth Doctor is the Doctor I have thought most likely to be a novelist,” Patrick said. “People sometimes call him passive, but I think that it is more that he was observing, watching, waiting on the fringe to make his move. Just like any good writer. That is why I’ve made this story one of those – which I’ve always liked – where the Doctor stays a bit out of the action. We see what happens through a non-canon character so we get a whole different point of view. It is how it feels when you’re watching as a young viewer.”
A paperback anthology of all eleven e-books will be published on 23rd November 2013.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Series 7 went out with an almighty bang at the weekend as the Doctor’s greatest secret was revealed.
In Matt Smith’s words the final was “just the start” of this year’s epicness as next on the Whovian agenda is the highly anticipated 50th anniversary special, which will hit TV and cinema screens in 3D on Saturday 23rd November.
One month later we’ll be treated to the traditional Christmas Special, which will be filmed “over the summer”.
And after that it’ll be full steam ahead to Series 8 in 2014, which has now been officially confirmed. With both Matt and Jenna-Louise Coleman returning, and Brian Minchin on board as the new executive producer alongside Steven Moffat, the future looks bright for the Doctor and it’s an exciting time to be a Whovian as the series turns 50 years old.
As the TARDIS closes its doors on another series and we look to the future we’d just like to thank all our visitors for your ongoing support and contributions. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @WhovianNet where we’re well on our way to reaching 10,000 followers. There’s “some exciting announcements” to come and we’ll be bringing you all the latest…
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
As our sights turn to the 50th anniversary special, the BBC’s released a new interview with two of its stars!
The “momentous” episode will air (in 3D no less!) on 23rd November and will feature the return of David Tennant(!). This new video, which was released as a thank you to the fans who kept the events of the Series 7 finale secret, takes us behind the scenes of the anniversary episode as Matt and David discuss the historic meeting of the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors – and they “seem to get on quite well”!
“They do bicker quite a bit,” David teases. “But they enjoy each other’s very presence…”
Billie Piper will too be back as Rose Tyler in the special which will be shown in cinemas.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
Steven Moffat has urged fans to take all of the rumours and speculation regarding the 50th anniversary with a pinch of salt as he confirms we’ll “just have to wait”.
The exec producer has penned the “momentous” episode, to be shown on BBC One and in cinemas in 3D to celebrate the show’s historic landmark in November. Speaking to Red Carpet News TV at the BAFTA TV Awards – where a tribute to Doctor Who was screened – he revealed that he’s “rather reticent” to confirm or deny the ongoing rumbles.
“All I’ve ever revealed about what we’re doing is anything that we’ve filmed outside,” he said referring to the announcement that David Tennant and Billie Piper will be returning for the special. “People are making up stuff about who is or isn’t in the special and most are quite fanciful. I love you all Doctor Who fans but don’t believe everything you hear.”
Forget about may the fourth, May’s all about the Fifth Doctor as our countdown to the 50th anniversary continues!
Tom Baker transformed into Peter Davison (not really, but you know what we mean) in Logopolis in March 1981 but it wasn’t until the following January that his adventures really began. In Castrovalva we met the fresh-faced Doctor in all his cricketing, celery wearing glory. It was business as usual as he tried to avoid destruction within Event One and it was the beginning of a shining new era for the series.
After a particularly problematic regeneration, over his tenure the Fifth Doctor appeared to have a new vulnerable side not present in his predecessors. While the Doctors before him were authoritative in the face of impending doom, this Doctor was more reserved as he often left it to fate to determine the outcome with the flip of a coin. You can’t blame him for his sensitive side – he met some hostile foes such as the Master and the Daleks!
Although Peter’s time in the TARDIS was relatively short Doctor Who has remained a big part of his career, as well as his personal life – his real life daughter Georgia Moffett was The Doctor’s Daughter back in 2008. In 2012, she married Tenth Doctor actor David Tennant too! Talk about keeping it in the family, and we wouldn’t want it any other way…
WhovianNet is an unofficial Doctor Who fansite. We are not endorsed by or affiliated with the BBC or any other companies connected with Doctor Who and its spin-offs. The official site can be found at bbc.co.uk/doctorwho.
