h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I know that I have rarely approached you concerning your work but I am interested in your schedule. Hearing how Martin plans his stories it made me wonder as to what or how you tackle stories?

Also a lttle trivia bit I discovered, did you know that there was a worker at BBC video called Penny Mills, it simply needs a '&' in the middle doesn't it?

Anyhow as on learning Martin schedule of what will come next after Midsummer there's Children of Gallifrey but what then...? I am curious to understand even in the briefest details if you have such a long and thrilling schedule as Martin seems to have lined up?

Forgive me if I've got this wrong, knowing that you both work as a writing duo do you share the crafting process or are your ideas separate until penning them?

Well, when we're writing a story together we tend to come up with an idea to begin with and then flesh that out a bit but not so much that we're left with no room to craft it how we want. When I write alone it can come from anything; Yet Another Sixth Doctor Adventure grew form the concept of doing a Christmas story, Yet Another Eighth Doctor Adventure was based on Queen songs.

As for our schedule well, it goes somewhat like this...

Midsummer on an Alien Night

Children of Gallifrey

Asteroid, a single-part story by me featuring 'the Shadowy Figure'

An as yet unnamed story that will wind up our current arc

After that it'll probably be time to think about a story for the 40th anniversary

At the moment I'm writing a story called Devil's Institution that I will post on PS at some point

I've wondered if you'd be interested at attempting a What if? scenario. I have for sometime been crafting an unbound story but unlike the audios this is an entirely different kind of story.

I left a trailer on my page for it, the stories- I plan to do another possibly or more take place at random areas not affiliated with continuity of the series instead the Doctor portrayed within the story could really be any Doctor.

I'm calling the series: BEYOND THE TARDIS.

The first is called: "OLD HAUNTS"- What if the Doctor was no saint?

As for The Devil's Instituition I foresee echoes of Bedlam, of mysterious activity at asylums? Am I right?

Yes, I think Minuet in Hell and stories of that kind were an insperation but it doesn't really deal with madness that much, more the dark forces that work within us. The action's mostly centered around the Lucious Uxbridge-Caine Institute Facility Eista-Roopharus (Eista-Roopharus is the planet on which the action takes place). And the TARDIS crew for the story are the 7th Doctor and Mel (I'd written for the two characters seperately but never together so I decided I would).

Hope I'm not intruding here gentlemen. By the way mike, I am writing a story called 'Dark Skeletons' which explains the origins of the Skellions.

No, you're not intruding Martin, the more the merrier!

Thanks Mike

By the way are you going to do that story you spoke about featuring Tor Garane?

Probably not now. I tried to develop the idea but it couldn't really be fleshed out into a good short story, the format would have been to short

Ah right, At the end of Children of Gallifrey I am thinking about regenerating the Eighth Doctor in time for Richard power to the Daleks.

But wouldn't that somehwat put a halt to our run of Eighth Doctor stories and leave yourself open to contradiction?

P.S. Is it alright if I send you the first episode of Devil's Institution for proof reading?

Yeah, I had considered that. I'll adapt it in a different story so as not to stop us from doing more eighth doctor stories, which in my opinion, we do best

oh and yes, you can send me devils institution, I look forward to reading it.
By the way the board are mesing up at the moment so I cant post the next episode of Midsummer just yet, I will try again laer.

OK, I'll send DI to you now. I'd be very grateful of any suggestions or alterations to the plot/pros you could suggest. You could be my editor on this story!

oo, I have never been an edito before. I was a detective yesterday though

I have just read part one Mike. It was very good, I think you have got everything spot on so far, especially the characters of the seventh doctor and Mel, I particulary liked Mels efficient assistant bit. The only suggesyion I do have, the episode seems very short? or is that the idea, also, Mel and the Doctor seem to stumble into the institue too quickly, perhaps you could have them explore the planet a bit first?

Yes, I'll add them exploring the planet a bit. Originally all the episodes were going to be the length of episode one but it needs expanding as episode two is already quite a bit longer

Actually mike, episode one wors fine now that i think about it, it leaves you wanting more. Did for me anyway.
Would you like to read what I have done so far on Dark skeletons?

By the way mike, have you seen my Penny and Mills fiction guide? I am compiling a list of all of the characters ever to appear in out stories, But I could do with your help in case I miss anyone out? I can add you to the researcher list if you like so you can add to it too.

Certainly, I'd love to read DS and help out with the fiction guide

I have included cameos from Raspy, General Rukal and Hexas before they were transformed into skeletons too, and have also included a mention of Cheko Wowess, before he becomes Chekawowe.