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4.51 AVERAGE
4.51 AVERAGE
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
funny
informative
fast-paced
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
The longest book I've read so far this year, and it's because of Doctor Who. But I've really liked it, it's the kind of book that shows you how did the writer had the idea for this or that episode, and all the stages the writing must go through to become the episode as we see on TV. I am not a writer, but I'm definitely a reader, and this book (dare I say it?) has helped me to read better. Yes, even tv shows.
I was addicted to this book. Any spare ten minutes, I was reading it. I think Russell T Davies is a great screenwriter and I loved how candid and honest this book was - from the highs to his real idea-less lows. It was fascinating to get a really close insight into his writing process, how ideas are formed, spiral and how some are discarded too. His self doubt was refreshing, his enthusiasm inspiring. It was also a joy to read simply because the Donna series of Nu!Who is my absolute favourite so there was lots of fascinating stuff to read about from a fan perspective. There was such heart and honesty to this book, something that always bleeds through into his scripts and vision too. I loved this book and now I'm sad it's over.
I learned so much about writing in these 700 pages. I fell in love, the out of love, then in love again with RTD. I got sick of Doctor Who. Then I wanted to watch it all over again. I wanted Benjamin Cook to just fucking admit if he likes dudes or not. My brains are leaking out of my ears. I want to write another little show. Oh god. OH GOD.
This was, honestly, the best writing advice book I've ever read. Probably because it wasn't intended as one. Davies' emails showed writing as it really happens in a way that any writer -- at least those of us who aren't of the flowcharts, diagrams, and note cards school of writing -- could identify with. He has a knack for finding the exact way to phrase what's really going on in our heads when we write.
It was also a wonderful behind the scenes look at what I consider the best season of one of my favorite TV shows, which is actually why I read it. It was interesting to see the differences between the early ideas for episodes and what finally happened and to discover why various changes were made.
It was also a wonderful behind the scenes look at what I consider the best season of one of my favorite TV shows, which is actually why I read it. It was interesting to see the differences between the early ideas for episodes and what finally happened and to discover why various changes were made.
Good if you approach it as a Doctor Who fan, and brilliant if you have any interest at all in writing.