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Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale - The Final Chapter

Russell T. Davies,

Benjamin Cook

4.56 · Rating details · 956 ratings · 111 reviews

When The Writer's Tale was published in autumn 2008, it was immediately embraced as a classic. For this extensively revised and updated paperback edition, Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook continue their candid and in-depth correspondence to take in work on the last of Russell's 2009 specials - and the end of David Tennant's era as The Doctor - while also looking back to ...more

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Paperback, 736 pages

Published January 14th 2010 by BBC Books (first published January 2010)

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Feb 06, 2012 Ben Dutton rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

There are many hundreds of books about writing – some of them are very good indeed. When I taught creative writing at university, I used to wax lyrical about Stephen King’s On Writing, but also about E.M Forster’s Aspects of the Novel and Dorothea Brande’s Becoming a Writer. To that inestimable list I can now add The Writer’s Tale by Doctor Who head Russell T Davies.

When this book first appeared in 2008, it was hailed as a masterpiece. Included in top ten lists at the end of the year, appearing There are many hundreds of books about writing – some of them are very good indeed. When I taught creative writing at university, I used to wax lyrical about Stephen King’s On Writing, but also about E.M Forster’s Aspects of the Novel and Dorothea Brande’s Becoming a Writer. To that inestimable list I can now add The Writer’s Tale by Doctor Who head Russell T Davies.

When this book first appeared in 2008, it was hailed as a masterpiece. Included in top ten lists at the end of the year, appearing on Richard and Judy’s Book Club list and read by millions of Doctor Who fans, I was a little wary that it would be too populist, contain not nearly enough about the actual writing process. I did not buy it then. When Russell T Davies completed his final episodes for David Tennant, they updated the book, and it was declared even richer in content. Now I had to have a look.

Constructed around an email correspondence between RTD (as he’s known) and Doctor Who Monthly editor Benjamin Cook – he requested RTD to deconstruct his writing process over the course of one episode that became a two year analysis in writing, living and thinking. That this is a book about Doctor Who is almost incidental: the lessons one can learn from this invaluable tome can be applied to any form of TV writing. As someone looking to begin a career in the BBC very soon, it has been an eye-opener and primer for what I can expect.

It is also very, very funny. This was the biggest surprise – though it shouldn’t have been, for RTD’s scripts have always been funny (a small aside: I’ve followed RTD’s writing career since 1999 when Queer as Folk showed me that there was more to TV than the serial killer dramas and dull action movies my family thoroughly enjoyed. I think I enjoyed that show all the more as I had to watch it in secret, at two in the morning, and couldn’t talk to anybody about it as all my friends and family were/are homophobic and so I related to Nathan Malone and his journey, and boy did I laugh with them too) and this book is just as funny: his lift journey at the NT Awards with Liz Sladen and the rest made me buckle over with splitting sides.

If one has even the slightest interest in writing, Doctor Who, the television industry, then The Writer’s Tale is an absolute must. I’d recommend you watch the finished products of David Tennant’s final episodes as The Doctor, as it illuminates those moments wonderfully: and made me keen to sit through them all again. ...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Magdalena rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Amazing adventure. Voyage not only into great screenwriter's head, but also into life of very interesting, very kind, very funny person. Two weeks ago I didn't especially like RTD. I love RTD now. Hard work. Sleepless nights. Doubts. Constant strive for perfection, for improvement. But above all - fun and happiness, because it's the best TV show ever created, isn't it? And pride. Quite justified. I really enjoyed reading about the creative process, abandoned ideas, evolving stories. About Davies ...more

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Mar 31, 2010 Holly Heisey rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: writers, Doctor Who fans

I'm a huge fan of Russell T. Davies' big, epic writing in the new Doctor Who, so as a writer I welcomed this chance to peek inside his head, through his email correspondence with journalist Benjamin Cook. What I found surprised me, enlivened me, heartened me; made me laugh and cry and say, "yes, I know that exactly!" He's candid, sordid, "big and blousy," and funny. He doesn't sugar coat things; many parts are painfully honest.

But here unfolds the twin story of one of the most successful shows o ...more

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Jun 04, 2014 Katherine Sas rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, sf, reference, favorites, doctor-who, television

This book is not for Doctor Who fans.

I mean, it is. Of course it is. It's co-written by one of the great Doctor Who writers and a columnist for Doctor Who magazine, chronicling a three year period of making the show, and they constantly talk about the process of making Doctor Who.

But really, this book isn't only (or even primarily) about Doctor Who. If you are interested in writing, or the writing process, this book is for you. If you're interested in the aesthetics and production of TV, too. In ...more

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Apr 03, 2017 Michael Mills rated it it was amazing

Shelves: television

On his Who's Round podcast (in which he interviews various people who've been involved in Doctor Who over the years), Toby Hadoke got very annoyed with those listeners who only downloaded the episodes in which he interviewed Russell T Davies.

I do feel for Hadoke but I understand why listeners reacted in that way: it's not just that Davies was far more notable a contributor than Geoffrey J. Cravat and most of the others Hadoke has interviewed (as showrunner from 2005 to 2010, he oversaw the ...more

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Feb 20, 2010 Richard Wright rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010

Oh dear. The original Writer’s Tale in hardback was in my top five books in 2008. In it, Russell T. Davies gives a year’s worth of correspondence detailing agonies and wonders of writing and producing his final regular season of Doctor Who. I loved it, and declared it to be one of only a handful of books I’ve read about writing that I needed to read. Now comes the paperback release, except it contains another three hundred pages, continuing the story through the year in which he produced the fiv ...more

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Apr 07, 2010 Jay Bell rated it liked it

This book is a series of emails between Russel T. Davies and journalist Benjamin Cook. I found that disappointing at first, but most of the emails are long rants from Davies about what it is like to be a writer, so it isn't far from what a proper book from him might have been like. I think writers would get the most from this book, since the interesting tidbits on Doctor Who are few and far in between.

This new edition contains 300 pages of new material, which mostly consist of Davies feeling str ...more

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Mar 21, 2011 Persephone rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Okay, I'll be straight with you. If you're not a follower of the sci-fi/fantasy television series Doctor Who, there's probably little reason for you to read this book (or this review, for that matter). It's not just about Doctor Who, of course. It's about British television in the early part of the first decade of this century, and, above all, it's about writing, but to get to that, you 'll be wading up to your waist in Doctor Who and if you're not a Whovian, you'll just get lost, trust me.

Russe ...more

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Jul 15, 2018 Shannon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

"I only write to find out about myself, and I'll only achieve that if I'm honest."

I'd always admired Davies. I was a big Doctor Who fan; while I enjoyed Moffit's tenure as show-runner, Davies will always be *my* writer (well...possibly him and Cartmel).

But to get an inside glimpse of Davies' process...to have another writer, and a damn good one, talk about his struggles, his fears, his procrastinations--as well as his triumphs and successes...I just don't think there's another book on writing o ...more

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Aug 19, 2020 Helen Hnin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, 2020-books, _5-stars, long-books, whoniverse, non-fiction, writing, media-tie-in, __700-pages

What a journey, huh? I cannot believe I am emotional about 20,000 emails.

I love to read about tiny scenes that were almost deleted, or the characters that were almost erased. Then about how the writers manage to salvage them and put them back into the story anyway. Like Penny Carter, who almost was the Doctor's companion but then Donna Noble came back so her character was almost gone but then the writer put her into the Partners in Crimes (4x01)! I'll always remember about those details now. (An ...more

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Jan 23, 2020 Sam Brown rated it really liked it

Shelves: my-2020-in-books

this book was so bloody wonderful! taking aside being a doctor who fan, its just a lovely look into writing for tv and storytelling more broadly. loved it!

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Sep 02, 2015 Angela rated it it was amazing

I absolutely loved this book. So much so, that I began rationing the final few chapters to make it last longer. It gives a real insight into the creative process of one of my favourite show. Its really dispels the myth of the professional writer, sitting down in their office at a set time and typing the whole day away. I love the fact that Russell T Davies appears to approach writing episodes in the same way I approached student essays, (minus the coffee and cigarettes). The idea that one of the I absolutely loved this book. So much so, that I began rationing the final few chapters to make it last longer. It gives a real insight into the creative process of one of my favourite show. Its really dispels the myth of the professional writer, sitting down in their office at a set time and typing the whole day away. I love the fact that Russell T Davies appears to approach writing episodes in the same way I approached student essays, (minus the coffee and cigarettes). The idea that one of the most successful writers on British television spends his time finding new ways to avoid writing and hoping that leaving it to the last minute will provide adrenaline fuelled inspiration is, (to use what appears to be his favourite word) a HOOT!
Reading between the lines of the, no doubt highly edited correspondence, I get the sense however, that working with him as an executive producer was far from fun at times. He clearly doesn't suffer fools gladly ( his least favourite phrase) and you can see hints of the attitude that was rumoured to have Christopher Eccleston running for the hills after one series on the show.
Benjamin Cook does his best not to come over as a complete fan boy, but fails spectacularly at times. Though his questions to Russell do become braver as the book progresses, clearly mirroring their working relationship. There is also a shift in tone in the later chapters. These were written after the publication of the original book and you can see that both writers are now acutely aware that they are writing for actual publication, even adding exposition emails to fill the gaps of conversations they've had in person. This makes it seem less personal than the majority of the book, but no less enjoyable.
Reading the book so long after the event it covers adds a different dimension as well. We now know, just how well (or not?) Steven Moffat was, at taking over the series and its a little sad reading Davies excitement about moving to LA, knowing that before long, his partner's illness would have him returning to the UK.
All in all, I think this is one of the most enjoyable books I've read for a while and a great read for anyone interested in writing or TV production. Its certainly inspired me, hence the unusually long review. ...more

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Aug 01, 2014 David rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sf, screenplay, non-fiction, biography

Two years worth of email correspondence between Doctor Who showrunner Russel T. Davies and some spod from Dr Who magazine, that ends up as a writing guide that's actually worth reading. These are dispatches that come direct from the front line of writing a hugely successful television show, and they trace many of Davies' ideas from formation to onscreen realisation, and give a great insight into the pressures, the panic and the immense workload that occasionally drove him to the edge of despair. ...more

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Aug 28, 2010 Marcus Gipps rated it it was amazing

I've always liked Russell T Davies' writing - I've seen everything since Queer as Folk, and greatly enjoyed his Doctor Who novel Damaged Goods. I'm also a Who fan, so it probably wasn't hugely surprising that I was very very excited about the return of the series back in 2005. Luckily for me, I've generally enjoyed it, so I don't know why I didn't read the original version of this book - the idea of Davies writing about his writing process, and the production of such a successful show, wouldn't ...more

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Oct 25, 2010 Larry Zieminski rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I loved this book. Consisting entirely of e-mails between Russell T. Davies (show-runner for the New Doctor Who Series through the first 4 seasons + year of specials) and Benjamin Cook (journalist from the Doctor Who Magazine), we given a behind the scenes look at how the last two years of Doctor Who (under Davies) came together.

The most interesting aspect of the book is seeing how insecure Mr. Davies could be, despite the brilliant work he produced. He's also quite the procrastinator, something ...more

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Jun 18, 2016 Lamilla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: dw, autobiography

Finished part two in a day on Kindle. Want my own hardcover/paperback badly

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Oct 28, 2018 Samwise Diamond rated it really liked it

The Writer's Tale is a must-read for any writers who want to know what it's like working on a huge television production like Doctor Who.

The book consists almost exclusively of emails, particularly between Russell T. Davies (Dr Who show-runner 2005-2009) and Benjamin Cook (journalist from Doctor Who Magazine). These emails span around two years as the show hits its stride and finds itself central in the public eye, raising the stakes for all involved. As such, we see the inception of Davies' ep The Writer's Tale is a must-read for any writers who want to know what it's like working on a huge television production like Doctor Who.

The book consists almost exclusively of emails, particularly between Russell T. Davies (Dr Who show-runner 2005-2009) and Benjamin Cook (journalist from Doctor Who Magazine). These emails span around two years as the show hits its stride and finds itself central in the public eye, raising the stakes for all involved. As such, we see the inception of Davies' episodes from Voyage of the Damned (Xmas 2007) all the way to the specials in 2009 when Russell makes his exit, along with much of the cast and crew. Measures have been put in place to make this book accessible to all, with handy episode keys and 'who's who' lists at the front ensuring even those who are unfamiliar with the show can pick it up and read without any confusion.

Throughout the book, Ben asks a lot of questions about writing which prompt Russell into giving his insights and opinions, some of which the reader may agree with, others perhaps not. Russell emphasises that his approach is by no means 'the right approach' just the way that works for him.

Yet this ongoing Q and A is unlikely to be what you'll remember the most from reading the book. Moreover you'll remember the fascinating details from all aspects of production. You will learn how budget and cast availability can shape story. You will learn what spoilers the crew fought tooth and nail to keep from the press (which is as entertaining when they fail as when they succeed). You will see behind the curtain to find out why writing can end up like cramming for Finals, and how this pressure cooker builds up and develops (and sometimes extinguishes) ideas conceived in a writer's mind. Illustrations and photo sections are a welcome accompaniment, bringing extra life to these funny and varied tales from the offices and on set.

What strikes me about the book is how personal it is. Davies doesn't hold back in his emails, boldly announcing who he fancies in the business (which probably wouldn't fly in 2018), and offering intimate discussion on growing up as a gay man, as well as details on his mother's death. All of these stories create a vivid and rich picture of Davies as a person, which is ultimately why the book works so well.

I'd say the book's biggest weakness is a lack of variety in its form. Centring the narrative around one email chain ('The Great Correspondence') can be fatiguing at times, and I found myself longing for more looks at other conversations and material between other departments, of which there is only a little. The love-hate relationship with the press being my favourite plot-thread, I would have really appreciated more images of the huge sensationalist headlines mentioned in the text as they wreak havoc for the BBC.

Overall an enjoyable and immersive read. 4 stars.
...more

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Oct 22, 2020 Yani rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-books

Wow... I needed that.

I read this, way back in 2010 maybe... the Christmas after it came out anyway. And I remember enjoying it profusely then. But it hit differently this time.

I recently encouraged a younger friend of mine to watch Buffy, which he did, all 7 seasons, in, I dunno, slightly over a month I think. Which is a lot. But it made me remember how I felt about Buffy at the time, how I feel about Buffy now. How I feel about Joss's writing. And how the show wasn't ever quite as good when he Wow... I needed that.

I read this, way back in 2010 maybe... the Christmas after it came out anyway. And I remember enjoying it profusely then. But it hit differently this time.

I recently encouraged a younger friend of mine to watch Buffy, which he did, all 7 seasons, in, I dunno, slightly over a month I think. Which is a lot. But it made me remember how I felt about Buffy at the time, how I feel about Buffy now. How I feel about Joss's writing. And how the show wasn't ever quite as good when he wasn't overseeing every little detail. And having finished The Writer's Tale, it also made me think about The West Wing and The West Wing Weekly podcast, and Aaron Sorkin's writing.

Which brings me around to Davies writing. And the fact that the show he brought back in 2005 has never been the same since he left. It's been a lot of things, including occasionally moving and brilliant, but never as much or for as long as when RTD was writing or rewriting or just overthinking everything until 3am. And he sums it up beautifully at the end, saying that the core of the show, the bedrock, if you will, was fixed from the very first episode, and they never wavered from that. Never changed. The show evolved, yes, it certainly got more expansive, taking on ideas it never would have dreamed of doing at the beginning, but that core never changed.

And I like that. It's also a shame that all things eventually have to change. Seldom for the better, honestly.

It's also fantastic to see the insights, see the moments where inspiration strikes... hear how one idea becomes another idea, then shags a third idea and has a little baby idea that becomes something amazing. Or ideas that fall by the wayside, never to be fully realised (so long Penny, you could have been... actually you would have been brilliant, but I'm glad you were replaced with a better plan)... or casting choices that never eventuate for a million reasons... Dennis Hopper in Voyage of the Damned, Kate Winslet as River Song (a million times yes... but also no, because then it's just Kate Winslet), Helen Mirren in Waters of Mars.

But at the heart of it I love this book because of the chat back and forth between Russell and Ben, the friendship, the jokes, the insightful questions... the moments when Invisible Ben becomes Visible Ben and stands up for a good idea or reminds Russell of the path.

What is super, super weird to me is that in the 10 years since I last read this, I discovered Ben Cook independently of this book, via his Becoming YouTube series, which I loved. Plus the fact that he's friends with many of the British YouTubers I watch and love. And never once in all that time did I realise he was also the co-author of this book. So coming back and realising that this Ben Cook was the same Ben Cook, not gunna lie, it blew my hair back, as they say. ...more

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Dec 14, 2019 Chris Browning rated it really liked it

What a deeply frustrating and maddening book. Davies comes across as funny, witty, passionate, thoughtful, kind and generous. He obviously slogs it out deeply for his writing. He is full of insight and wisdom and admiration for others

And to me he is 80% utterly wrong all of the time. There’s a passage where he is crackling with joy at finally working out a plot point and I can’t help but be honest and think “and that was a terrible plot point”. Because the problem is that most of the time RTD is ...more

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Sep 02, 2017 Aya Vandenbussche rated it really liked it

I think I like the first boom, A Writer's Tale" a little more than this second part. The Final Chapter occasionally felt self indulgent abs less about the writing process than the first part. Nevertheless with some brilliant moments of insight and greatness.
The more I read the more I can't stand Benjamin Cooke, but RTD is often clever witty and intelligent which really is what's important about this book.
I did find myself occasionally frustrated with how blind RTD could sometimes be to his own ...more

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Jan 04, 2020 S. Downing rated it it was amazing

For writers. For Doctor Who fans.
I loved RTD’s seasons of Doctor Who and this peek behind the curtain to his writing process is a treat. A set of (many,many) emails between Russell and a journalist Benjamin Cook, this is a very honest reveal of the agonies and ecstasies of creating a popular TV show. Russell is painfully honest about his anxieties and very funny in his crushes and naughty ideas. Benjamin pushes just the right amount, chasing up when the writer goes quiet or is hesitant about go ...more

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Mar 06, 2019 Simon Billinton rated it really liked it

As a Doctor Who fan and of the craft of writing, I was looking forward to reading this behind the scenes insight into writing and making the show. And it doesn't disappoint. The format is email correspondences spread over months and years between Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook as Russell was making the show. And what is revealed is that writing and making Doctor Who is a seat-of-your-pants kinda experience. Everything comes at you fast, from every angle, and relentlessly. The demand to write ...more

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Feb 27, 2020 Wilfred Matthews Duggan rated it it was amazing

This is an excellent book for anybody who admires the writings of Russell T. Davies, is a fan of Doctor Who, has a passing interest in television production, or anybody who just enjoys amusing observations of life- so I found this to be riveting read on many levels! Russell T. provides a fascinating look into his life during his time as Head Writer on the revived series of Doctor Who (2005-), told through the form of emails between himself and Benjamin Cook. The two must share a deep trust as th ...more

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Nov 25, 2019 Chloe rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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 ...more

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Sep 30, 2020 Blake Coats rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, owned, writing

Loved it! This book was exactly what I hoped it would be - an interesting and unfiltered look into the creative mind of a writer. The book is written as an ongoing email correspondence between the writer and a journalist that spans roughly two years, and does very well to show both the emotional highs and lows involved with being a writer. Additionally, it's refreshing to see how honest and genuine the writer comes across, and it's very clear to see how much love was put into Doctor Who by all t ...more

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May 01, 2020 Jonah Barrett rated it it was amazing

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.

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May 27, 2020 Matty Turner rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A great insight into the behind the scenes of how a big BBC TV series goes from script to screen. Anyone interested in Doctor Who or/and the TV industry will really enjoy and learn a lot from this book!

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May 28, 2020 Gus rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-stars, nonfiction

i am never not re-reading this book. please, always assume i am reading this, no matter the time of the year. it is my personal Holy Bible, my favourite book of all time and an absolute must for any writer.

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Feb 16, 2019 Matt Whitby rated it it was amazing

The best book on writing. Period.

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Oct 02, 2019 Mark rated it really liked it

More of Russell Davies and the writer's art.

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About Russell T. Davies

Russell T. Davies

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Russell T Davies, OBE, is a Welsh television producer and writer. He is a prolific writer, best known for controversial drama serials such as Queer as Folk and The Second Coming, and for spearheading the revival of the popular science-fiction television series Doctor Who, and creating its spin-off series Torchwood. Both are largely filmed in Cardiff and the latter is set there.