Love this video, such a lovely and interesting insight into the writing of some brilliant audio stories. Also has made me very interested in checking out the ones I haven’t heard! (that Peterloo Massacre one for instance sounds horrifying but brilliant) And I have to thank you for really being the person and writer to pull me into the Big Finish world - although I did enjoy the first two McGann stories, I distinctly remember that it was your ‘The Stones of Venice’ audio, that really convinced me that I was going to love this, and that I should keep listening. It’s a fab story. A really great premise and setting, lots of really fun dialogue between the Doctor and Charley, and a tragic romance underpinning the whole thing which was just magic. Happy anniversary to that lovely story!
Like I said in a previous comment, I became acquainted with you as a writer via your Big Finish audios. "The Stones of Venice" is still one of my favorite early Eight/Charley adventures, actually. I was floored to find out it was the first story McGann recorded to reprise his Doctor, because his performance felt so effortless in terms of slipping back into the role. I admit, I've only listened to "The Peterloo Massacre" once and while I liked it, I have a sensitivity about harrowing stories like that. But I'm glad I listened to it, because that's an event in history I wasn't familiar with before. Also, "Horror of Glam Rock" actually gave me an appreciation for that variation of rock n' roll that I was otherwise unfamiliar with. But I think it was "The Zygon Who Fell to Earth" which made me really appreciate your work. I admit, I'm not as familiar with Iris Wildthyme as I should be, and I need to rectify that, because I'm in the mood for some pure campy fun. But I adored David Benson's Panda in "Muse of Fire", so I look forward to hearing him again. I actually really enjoyed "Find and Replace" a lot, and it made me respect Katy Manning as a performer because of her playing both Jo and Iris. Anyway, I gotta wrap up this fanboying before it becomes and excessively long comment. Keep up the great work!
Love your observations, love the frank honesty and LOVE all of these stories that I've heard. You should grab a copy of Excelis Dawns! It's rad. You wrote it! Nobody has ever had anything negative to say about The Peterloo Massacre and I think you could break your relistening rule for it. The research you did shows and it's nuts for that one story alone to not prove BF wrong on your tonal range. I just remember the cliffhanger in my bones and really dug the appalled and self-righteous tone the Doctor had throughout. I would kill for a rundown on what you've done with BBC Books/Audio more recently, especially as they might be easier to recall the writing process on. Starting Nestwood Chronicles and your recent Who books very soon, so any ruminations or memories on those and I'd be the first to watch it.
Wonderful video as usual, great to hear some of the background behind the audios - I think Iris Wildthyme is the only series I've heard from Big Finish from start to finish (and several times after that!), definitely some of my favourite stories within the Doctor Who universes.
Loved the video, and as someone who grew up and lives in the lake district, I thank you for giving us some representation in the zygon who fell to earth!! However I do find it strange that not many more Doctor Who stories are set here considering how many historical figures and events we've had
Congratulations mr Paul . Many happy return . Thank you for wonderful cultural literary channel. Sorry you are not too old but talented to have this great achievement. All of us especially as foreigners subscribers as overseas students wishing all the best win CZcams creator awards soon .
Congrats on the anniversary, and I'm sorry BF aren't asking for you at present (I'm sure that will change sometime). I love that you take big swings in your writing, and I suspect because of who you are it would *not* be easier for you to write a story made up of bog-standard tropes - you'd get bored! Also, since you do that, sometimes one of your stories won't click with me immediately: _Excelis_ _Dawns_ is a prime example. I didn't get it for the first few listens, then I went "oh wait, this is a party of D&D players - you've got the serious overactor (the fighter), one who just wants to solve the puzzles (the wizard), one who just likes a wacky time (the cleric), and the quiet one (redacted)!" Once I came at it from that perspective it's a joy. [It doesn't matter if that was your intent or not, reading/listening being part of the creative process.] Others do click straight away, including _The_ _Peterloo_ _Massacre_ and _The_ _Lady_ _of_ _Mercia,_ both of which I love. I would much rather a writer who *does* take those big swings and creates some fantastic stories (even if it means something occasionally doesn't land so well) than one who aims for mediocrity and consistently achieves it. I've yet to hear your latest - I'm quite behind on BF - so I hadn't noticed your absence. Oh, and Katy is a perfect Iris!
Stones of Venice is great. I haven’t listened to Peterloo massacre yet but it’s been on my to-listen to list for years. I don’t get much 5th Doctor (mostly focus on 8th Doctor stuff) but that’s one I want because I find the subject matter fascinating. I hope you get to write Big Finish again.
Find & Replace was my first Big Finish audio and an introduction to your work. Hopefully BF (or Bafflegab) will knock on your door again, soon. Also, a huge thank you for reading over the intro to my Edinburgh vampire novel a couple of years back. Your critique was invaluable and I'm almost finished the first draft!
The only writer out of the show I have enjoyed .great writer ..howay the lads !.. Infact why you haven't been asked to write for the show I'll never know ...
Thanks, Paul. A good reminder of all your BF work. I must go back and listen especially to Glam Rock, the Zygon and Iris...Will you also be talking about your Baker's End writing?
Haven't heard Stones of Venice yet (only just got around to Paul and India's first, Storm Warning, the other day) but I adored the Peterloo Massacre when I listened recently. I do love the pure historicals, was born during Colin's 18 month break but Hartnell is "my" Doctor so they're close to my heart.
I still do refer to The Horror of Fang Rock as the Horror of Fraggle Rock. Now that would make an interesting story😁 Adric became king of the giant Scorpions which I think ties in with the Ray Harryhausen potential of the story.
Sadly, you interrupted your telling of meeting Sarah and Janet to explain the types of historicals, so we didn't get to hear how they responded to your scripts. That's a story I'd like to hear some day, if the opportunity presents itself. For the Big Finish commetariat, as I'm sure you know, you're a Marmite writer loved by some listeners but not others - but in online Who fandom style, those who don't like something are keen to complain early and often, trying to poison others' opinions as much as they can before any actual thoughtful consideration. Fandom (of any kind) can by a mucky place.
Love this video, such a lovely and interesting insight into the writing of some brilliant audio stories. Also has made me very interested in checking out the ones I haven’t heard! (that Peterloo Massacre one for instance sounds horrifying but brilliant)
And I have to thank you for really being the person and writer to pull me into the Big Finish world - although I did enjoy the first two McGann stories, I distinctly remember that it was your ‘The Stones of Venice’ audio, that really convinced me that I was going to love this, and that I should keep listening. It’s a fab story. A really great premise and setting, lots of really fun dialogue between the Doctor and Charley, and a tragic romance underpinning the whole thing which was just magic. Happy anniversary to that lovely story!
thank you! that's lovely to hear!
Like I said in a previous comment, I became acquainted with you as a writer via your Big Finish audios. "The Stones of Venice" is still one of my favorite early Eight/Charley adventures, actually. I was floored to find out it was the first story McGann recorded to reprise his Doctor, because his performance felt so effortless in terms of slipping back into the role. I admit, I've only listened to "The Peterloo Massacre" once and while I liked it, I have a sensitivity about harrowing stories like that. But I'm glad I listened to it, because that's an event in history I wasn't familiar with before. Also, "Horror of Glam Rock" actually gave me an appreciation for that variation of rock n' roll that I was otherwise unfamiliar with. But I think it was "The Zygon Who Fell to Earth" which made me really appreciate your work.
I admit, I'm not as familiar with Iris Wildthyme as I should be, and I need to rectify that, because I'm in the mood for some pure campy fun. But I adored David Benson's Panda in "Muse of Fire", so I look forward to hearing him again. I actually really enjoyed "Find and Replace" a lot, and it made me respect Katy Manning as a performer because of her playing both Jo and Iris. Anyway, I gotta wrap up this fanboying before it becomes and excessively long comment. Keep up the great work!
it's incredible that you guys do better written Doctor who than the TV series these days. Well done fantastic work 👏
Love your observations, love the frank honesty and LOVE all of these stories that I've heard. You should grab a copy of Excelis Dawns! It's rad. You wrote it!
Nobody has ever had anything negative to say about The Peterloo Massacre and I think you could break your relistening rule for it. The research you did shows and it's nuts for that one story alone to not prove BF wrong on your tonal range. I just remember the cliffhanger in my bones and really dug the appalled and self-righteous tone the Doctor had throughout.
I would kill for a rundown on what you've done with BBC Books/Audio more recently, especially as they might be easier to recall the writing process on. Starting Nestwood Chronicles and your recent Who books very soon, so any ruminations or memories on those and I'd be the first to watch it.
Wonderful video as usual, great to hear some of the background behind the audios - I think Iris Wildthyme is the only series I've heard from Big Finish from start to finish (and several times after that!), definitely some of my favourite stories within the Doctor Who universes.
Big Finish don't want you? Astonishing! You're the best!
Loved the video, and as someone who grew up and lives in the lake district, I thank you for giving us some representation in the zygon who fell to earth!! However I do find it strange that not many more Doctor Who stories are set here considering how many historical figures and events we've had
Congratulations mr Paul . Many happy return . Thank you for wonderful cultural literary channel. Sorry you are not too old but talented to have this great achievement. All of us especially as foreigners subscribers as overseas students wishing all the best win CZcams creator awards soon .
Well done Paul
Big Finnish is proper Dr who
You are doing a great job mate
Congrats on the anniversary, and I'm sorry BF aren't asking for you at present (I'm sure that will change sometime). I love that you take big swings in your writing, and I suspect because of who you are it would *not* be easier for you to write a story made up of bog-standard tropes - you'd get bored! Also, since you do that, sometimes one of your stories won't click with me immediately: _Excelis_ _Dawns_ is a prime example. I didn't get it for the first few listens, then I went "oh wait, this is a party of D&D players - you've got the serious overactor (the fighter), one who just wants to solve the puzzles (the wizard), one who just likes a wacky time (the cleric), and the quiet one (redacted)!" Once I came at it from that perspective it's a joy. [It doesn't matter if that was your intent or not, reading/listening being part of the creative process.] Others do click straight away, including _The_ _Peterloo_ _Massacre_ and _The_ _Lady_ _of_ _Mercia,_ both of which I love. I would much rather a writer who *does* take those big swings and creates some fantastic stories (even if it means something occasionally doesn't land so well) than one who aims for mediocrity and consistently achieves it. I've yet to hear your latest - I'm quite behind on BF - so I hadn't noticed your absence. Oh, and Katy is a perfect Iris!
Stones of Venice is great. I haven’t listened to Peterloo massacre yet but it’s been on my to-listen to list for years. I don’t get much 5th Doctor (mostly focus on 8th Doctor stuff) but that’s one I want because I find the subject matter fascinating.
I hope you get to write Big Finish again.
Find & Replace was my first Big Finish audio and an introduction to your work. Hopefully BF (or Bafflegab) will knock on your door again, soon. Also, a huge thank you for reading over the intro to my Edinburgh vampire novel a couple of years back. Your critique was invaluable and I'm almost finished the first draft!
oh! that's fab to hear!
The only writer out of the show I have enjoyed .great writer ..howay the lads !..
Infact why you haven't been asked to write for the show I'll never know ...
Thanks, Paul. A good reminder of all your BF work. I must go back and listen especially to Glam Rock, the Zygon and Iris...Will you also be talking about your Baker's End writing?
maybe!
Haven't heard Stones of Venice yet (only just got around to Paul and India's first, Storm Warning, the other day) but I adored the Peterloo Massacre when I listened recently. I do love the pure historicals, was born during Colin's 18 month break but Hartnell is "my" Doctor so they're close to my heart.
I'm a new subscriber and really enjoy your videos. Congratulations!
I still do refer to The Horror of Fang Rock as the Horror of Fraggle Rock. Now that would make an interesting story😁 Adric became king of the giant Scorpions which I think ties in with the Ray Harryhausen potential of the story.
The Vampires of Venice clearly borrowed from Stones of Venice.
Sadly, you interrupted your telling of meeting Sarah and Janet to explain the types of historicals, so we didn't get to hear how they responded to your scripts. That's a story I'd like to hear some day, if the opportunity presents itself. For the Big Finish commetariat, as I'm sure you know, you're a Marmite writer loved by some listeners but not others - but in online Who fandom style, those who don't like something are keen to complain early and often, trying to poison others' opinions as much as they can before any actual thoughtful consideration. Fandom (of any kind) can by a mucky place.