The Writers Tale 2?
saladfingers81
Posts: 11,301 Forum Member
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Of course it would be called something completely different and hopefully not co-written with a shameless fanboy (unless it's me) but can we ever expect Moffats own volume on his years writing for Doctor Who and Sherlock?
The Writers Tale is one of the finest books on the writing process ever penned with its only weakness being the complete lack of objectivity and critcism of the subject by Ben Cook. But considering all the fun and games during his tenure one imagines The Moffat Years would make it look positively tame in comparison. Where do you even begin to list the things we could find out!
I have a vague memory that in DWM or somewhere Moffat already shot down the idea and said it would never happen. Anyone got any quotes on this? And if he was to write it what would intrigue you most?
For me it would be knowing all the what its and could have beens about the actual plot of the show. It was great reading about all the stories and characters that were rewritten or scrapped by RTD and I get the impression Moffat reworks alot of stuff and also that mant changes have had to be made due to outside circunstances. Blimey. A book could probably be written on the 50th anniversary celebrations alone.
The Writers Tale is one of the finest books on the writing process ever penned with its only weakness being the complete lack of objectivity and critcism of the subject by Ben Cook. But considering all the fun and games during his tenure one imagines The Moffat Years would make it look positively tame in comparison. Where do you even begin to list the things we could find out!
I have a vague memory that in DWM or somewhere Moffat already shot down the idea and said it would never happen. Anyone got any quotes on this? And if he was to write it what would intrigue you most?
For me it would be knowing all the what its and could have beens about the actual plot of the show. It was great reading about all the stories and characters that were rewritten or scrapped by RTD and I get the impression Moffat reworks alot of stuff and also that mant changes have had to be made due to outside circunstances. Blimey. A book could probably be written on the 50th anniversary celebrations alone.
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It seems like from what we do know and reading between the lines and what's implied by certain things happening (like producers leaving left right and centre, I mean what happened with Carol Skinner she got dropped very suddenly into her short run) that behind the scenes things have been topsy turvy and releasing a book might cause problems in that it could (just speculating) drag some people through the mud and those said people wouldn't be to happy about that and retaliate in some fashion. It might also not show Moffat in a good light which maybe why he wouldn't do it.
Who knows.
As such Moffat trying to write about his tenure now wouldn't be half as revealing, as he wouldn't remember details of the time when writing about things (just as RTD probably wouldn't have if he'd written it afterwards, and indeed there are a few sections in the book where he looks back at an earlier part and is surprised at his thoughts and feelings of the earlier time), and there would be a tendancy to remember things with rose tinted glasses or even purposely write certain things in a way to make himself sound better. In short it might still offer some insight, but not anywhere near the level that the writers tale did.
Would definitely love to read his Writer's Tale though.
Yes, it's evident that RTD struggled with the deadline's, but what is also evident is a man who lived and breathed the show for his time as show runner, and I think his passion was reflected by the quality onscreen.
I'd love to see Moffat do a similar book, but I doubt it'll happen.