This year is the fiftieth anniversary of Doctor Who. To celebrate, Puffin Books asked eleven different authors to take a Doctor and write a story. When I was asked, I said I'd only do it if I could write for the tenth or eleventh incarnation. Puffin gave me Ten. I was a happy bunny.
It was such a joy to write this character. As you all know, I've been a fan of the show since I was a kid, and David Tennant holds joint top-spot with Matt Smith as my favourite Doctor. In my opinion, it was Tennant's era when the Doctor's love of dialogue really came out— that quick-fire patter that he does so well — and it was an absolute pleasure to channel that.
The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage will be released as an e-book on October 23rd (my birthday! Skulduggery's deathday!) and then it, along with the other stories, will be collected into a PHYSICAL book which will be out near the end of November.
There will be a video released in a week or two where I talk more about it, but in the meantime, here's a link to a snippet (which explains where the somewhat old-fashioned title comes from...)
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/interactive/2013/oct/01/doctor-who-mystery-haunted-cottage-derek-landy-extract
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«Oldest ‹Older 2201 – 2400 of 4966 Newer› Newest»*points to the tea* IT BALANCES IT OUT
Not entirely, Adrasdos.
I'M A DOCTOR I KNOW THESE THINGS, SIR
*stands up*
*walks into a clearing a bit away*
*loudly*
I WANNA SCREAM
AND SHOUT AND LET IT ALL OUT
SCREAM AND SHOUT
AND LET IT OUT
Shah shakuhachi pooooone
YOU ARE NOW NOW MESSING WITH
WILL I AM AND
BRITNEY BITCH
*walks back as of nothing happened*
Greetings, Death.
Adrasdos... I... What?
*dougies over to him* *picks up a stick and knocks his hat off*
Ah hah!
*another hat appears upon his head*
Honestly, Adrasdos?
*looks at the hat on the ground*
Curious. So if I were to continue knocking your hat off... Would I have a thousand hats?
Well, now that it has been consciously mentioned, I quite doubt that the event in question shall be repeated. Inter-reality physics and shenanigans, and such.
Hmm. Very well then. *sips her tea calmly* So... The weather?
Quite humid, where I currently am. How is your own relative weather?
Colder, and colder still. The warm days of mishear are passing... This tea is quite good, actually
*midyear
Good lord. *glares at her keys*
There is no shame in creating a typographical error, Adrasdos, and I could understand your message quite well without the correction.
But I digress, I must admit to being quite unoccupied, now. I am currently attempting to find another project to preoccupy my time.
Ah- why not enjoy the stillness while you have it? One of the most simple forms of meditation is leaving one's self free... It's relaxing, mostly?
Quite, Adrasdos, but one must also remember that old adage about idle hands and the Devil. Still, I suppose I could spend some time to... What is it called, "unwind"?
*laughs* That's around the 30's lingo... I guess that's one step further to the present.
In any case- yeah, you ought to- life is generally hectic enough, it isn't? Why add to it?
I do suppose so. I suppose I might as well search for some relaxing music, if I am listening to you.
Ah... That's an adventure within itself. Relaxing music... I listen to soundtracks for television shows- instrumentals. It just depends on one's own style
Indeed...
Mmmmm..
Well, I'm probably going to start up a fire- I don't fancy getting sick, really... *goes over to the firepit, setting the things up, and lighting it*
*sits with her feet near the flames*
Excellent. I have always found automated musical boxes to be fascinating objects, and this one plays a song I am most fond of. Now, to retrieve the appropriate tale...
Oh, the benefits of the internet, yes?
Yeah... *scoots her chair closer to the fire, all but sitting in it to warm up*
... You truly are cold. Hm.
*the fire flares up*
Ah, here is the book.
*blinks* Wow... Thanks-
And uh- which book is it?
Howl's Moving Castle. A fascinating series, I quite enjoy combing through the novels for small tidbits.
Hmm- I don't think I've heard of it before. And I've heard of many books...
*puts one earphone in her ear, the other in her phone and turning on Gregorian Chant*
ah... That's the stuff
I never realized there was a series... I was only ever aware of the movie... Thank you, Sir. You have managed to get my mind off the approaching date of the starting of school.
I shall admit, the novels certainly gain much power from their pure stylistic choices. They feel as if they are the collision of a fairy tale, and the modern day and age. Quite intriguing.
I'll make sure to look it up, then-
*leans back in her chair, sinking in with the warmth and the music*
It was my pleasure, Death, anything to relieve at least some stress from your mind.
...I finished LSODM...
#ChaseForBook9
*hugs Fabi tightly*
*whispers* Shhh
Ah. Well, Fabienne. You have my condolences and/or congratulations.
Yeah, less stress is probably a good thing for me right now... I haven't eaten for about... 59 hours... Ember says it's stress... I think it may have something to do with not sleeping properly. My little brother is trying to force me to eat a Fredo frog...
I have no fat on me, that's the problem. I've already lost a few kilos... I don't know how though... Even scarier... I'm not even hungry...
*Hugs Fabi* You out for blood too?
Well, by stars, Death, eat something! Simply because your body does not register trauma, pain, or needs, does not mean that they are not there.
[hugs Adra back and nods silently]
Thank you, Sir.
I, um, saw there were a lot of deleted and un-deleted comments, and, um, [hugs everyone who wants/needs/doesn't mind a hug] I hope you're all okay.
Will be distant.
#ChaseForBook9
I always found that people think fat is bad, you know? Not all fat is.
Honestly, Rose- by now if expect you have one hell of a headache, because the body can't live without food. You might not be hungry, but you need to supply your body with energy or nutrients or what have you.
Tbh, you shouldn't even be thinking coherently
Oh, and... That's all I have to say on that.
Fabi, let's go start a mob
[hugs Deathy]
[Keeps face blank]
[FGHertuiobnmasd wercvbuiokl;kl;tyuqweghjwerbnm bnmiop iopbnmwer vbnwerasduiosdfwerasd SDFwer?asrtyghjtyu uioasd kl;iopiopjkluiobnmfgh]
#ChaseForBook9
*nods*
I, too, often think in random letters
A mob? What? Why would I even think of doing that? I'm completely innocent! I'm shocked that you would say such a thing!
...
Heh.
#ChaseForBook9
I think it's a good idea. Val may or may not be leading us into the glory of it
Which is scary
[nods]
Oh, speaking of random letters, Dad hasn't set up the new wifi yet, so when he does (sometime this weekend) I will likely not be around.
#ChaseForBook9
Aw... Okay :/
Very scary!
#ChaseForBook9
Yup yup
Yup
Yup.
Wbd, maybe... Ghost Adventures-
But still here
*Was just forced to eat a few strands of chicken breast. Is feeling sick again*
Rohan's happy. I ate.
I think I am going to do something productive. Um... Wbd? Msd?
:-/ [hugs Deathy]
#ChaseForBook9
Maybe try yogurt next time you eat. It has bacteria that's good for your stomach... Or something plain like crackers or bread with only a little bit of butter.
#ChaseForBook9
All food is gross... I think I'm going to force myself to eat... I'll probably be sick but my care factor right now? 0. Nil. None. Nada. Kerong.
I wasn't aware that keeping was a word...
Hmm.
I'd try to balance out what you're eating as well- don't eat just junk food or chips- try some veggies, peanut butter, fish? I
[hugs Deathy]
Um by "productive" I apparently meant the Doctor Who season 5 finale, so......
#ChaseForBook9
SOBS
We won...
Chicken sandwiches are disgusting. I'm becoming a vegetarian. Mum won't let me. I don't care. I brought a pair of short-shorts yesterday and they look amazing on me. Mum didn't care too much...
We all were waiting with 2min to go for them to just let us go on the field and the other tram kept trying to buy time but we had the game i mean they needed a touch down and a half really to win and by 37 seconds remaining it was over we all screamed we got the bucket and they presented the bucket and the entire student section of the bleachers burst on the field and crowded the football players I touched the bucket :D its like an honor and then Twig the coach made the best speech ever and we all screamed and danced cheering we got the bucket and the band played it was glorious. Fifth year in a row xD when my brother played they lost all the games but the bucket game because it was the only game that mattered. The team sucked royally but when it was bucket game they kicked ass. I was only able to rememer one time losing the bucket. Once. We dominate. And the paper had taken pictures of us all crowding the football kids and we had to sit in the end zone
Eeers.....silence surrounds me...
Huh? What's silence?
Omg omg the German exchange student who is so cool added me on Facebook :D
The silence of the Blog....and sorry fangirling from being added by le German exchange student who is epic in every way xD
*happy* oh Rose ZafTC and Niccolò are back in 1516 xD i'm waiting for him to come back with proper clothes
This is just a quick thing that I wrote and I'd love to hear some of your feedback on it. It's called 'The Alphabet of Zero':
Z is for Zero, the last of his kind,
who lives in a dream that’s inside of your mind.
Y is for statements like “I don’t know Why.”
or “Why did he do it?” and “Why did he die?”
X is for treasure maps marking the spot
where all this began; with a terrible blot.
W is for Water that laps at the shore
where he was once happy. He’s happy no more.
V is for Villain, with an iron hand,
he tore up his world and infected the land.
U is for Ugly like harpies at night,
and the last time he saw them was when they took flight.
T is for Terror he felt on that day.
There was nothing else for it. So he ran away.
S is for Sanity, where has it gone?
He was lonely and scared, but he got along.
R is for Rat-catchers looking around.
Some nice ones he met pointed him into town.
Q is for Quaint, which is what the town was.
He decided He’d stay for a day, just because.
P is for Perfect, and that was his flaw.
Life had to be perfect, and that was his law.
O is for Odd. He was hurt, he was dying,
but she couldn’t stop screaming and couldn’t stop crying.
N is for Name, and his name was Zero.
He began as a villain and ended a hero.
M is for little Miss left all alone.
She tried to turn back. She tried to go home.
L is for Life that had got up and left,
leaving only a corpse and a woman bereft.
K is for Kiss, which she tried in the end,
but even true love cannot bring back the dead.
J is for Jewel, that shone in the light,
as she slipped away all alone into the night.
I is for Ignorance. I is for Ire.
I is for her. She died in a fire.
H is for Heinous, for that was the crime.
She was far too young and had far too much time.
G is for Gorgeous, for that was her face,
and she wore satin dresses with pink and white lace.
F is for Failure, for that’s what she did,
and maybe why somebody wanted her dead.
E is for Evil, for Zero was that.
He thought she could’ve saved him.
He killed her.
. . . the rat.
D is for Devil and Devil-may-care,
“Try praying,” he says. “‘Cause there’s nobody there.”
C is for Careless, and that’s how we are,
and if we don’t start caring we’ll never get far.
B is for Because, because who knows why.
This tale is a tale to make grown men cry.
and A is for Author who writes down the set,
and you look familiar,
I think
we’ve
met?
I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry Precocious... That was amazing...
Omg....Anni....
K....*busts into tears*
That was really really good, Annika.
#ChaseForBook9
NEVER USE THAT LETTER AGAIN, ZAFFY! THAT IS THE FORBIDDEN LETTER!!!!!!!!
Theres a new Nameless chapter
I gtg now actually :/ i have drama in the morning
Bye Zaffy!!
Night Zaf.
Um... My brain is trying to compose a flute duet, so I have no idea if I'm here, but hello anyway.
#ChaseForBook9
And now my inspiration is gone...
Hello? [hugs anyone who wants/needs/doesn't mind a hug, regardless of when/if they see this]
#ChaseForBook9
*Hugs back* Love you Fabi!
Death!!! [tacklehugs]
I'm not sure what to write now... Everly just offered everyone biscuits. Mostly to break the awkward silence... But it was awkward because I don't know how to get to the next bit...
#ChaseForBook9
Oh, how are you doing, by the way? Feeling any better?
#ChaseForBook9
Okay... Something really freaky just happened... Have any of you heard of The Game?
I'm not feeling the best... I think I shouldn't have ate... My stomach isn't very happy with me...
The one where you don't think about it?
:-( I hope you feel better soon, then.
#ChaseForBook9
(( today i did the altament thing for a doctor who fan to do (aside from, y'know, being on the show) : i tried fish custard. AND I LOVED IT!!! i am not weird))
((hi, btw))
HI SNOW.
[Doesn't see the point of using parentheses, so isn't using them atm]
#ChaseForBook9
i might ditch the brackets ATM
I HAVE STRONG ARMS!! i can whip cream in less than 3 min. XD
Congratulations?
...
I've never timed myself whipping cream. I guess because I'm not that competitive.
I'm assuming that's good, though?
#ChaseForBook9
apparently. i bet my dad, so.... *shrugs*
i am addicted to fish custard.
I see.
Um, msd. I have a parade tomorrow...
#ChaseForBook9
kay. *hums* i am plotting to kill my brother because he is forcing me to listen to 1D. every time i turn it off, he puts it back on. evil.
I really hope Mara's okay...
Idk if anyone is right now, though... :-/
[hugs everyone and anyone who needs a hug right now or later or whenever]
How are you, Snowy? [hugs]
#ChaseForBook9
i'm okay. i'm actually really good. what's been happening with everyone else?
I'm really worried about Mara...
Most of them don't want to talk about it, and I'm going to respect that, I guess. Sorry I mentioned it...
I guess this is a stressful time of year for everyone.
I'm worried about my friends. :-(
#ChaseForBook9
Same. [hugs Deathy]
[hugs Mara]
#ChaseForBook9
Mara?? why??
She's had a rough time with things lately...
I'm not sure... I almost have another chapter of the Harralie thing I was writing for her, but I'm not sure if that would cheer her up or make things worse...
#ChaseForBook9
well... i hope she's okay...
I shot her an email... With this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFHKBCz-ml0&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DbFHKBCz-ml0
You know there's something wrong when your BMI is 16.3
As do I.
[Listens] That's a really good song, Death.
I've been trying to email her for a while now, but the words won't come out the way I want them to...
Actually, I've been trying to email a lot of people lately, and not much ends up anywhere outside the drafts folder. Sometimes the trash.
#ChaseForBook9
*huggles death* i'm sure she'll be fine...
*huggles fab too*
*Hugs both tightly*
[hugs Deathy]
#ChaseForBook9
dangerously underweight.
if you are starving yourself then you are at a high risk of organ failure.
if you eat at least 1500 calories a day and you live a healthy life then it's probably just your natural small frame.
Eh... *Cries*
[hugs Snow as well]
[pulls Star and Adra and other people who read back in the comments into the hug]
#ChaseForBook9
Actually, I don't think I like hugs anymore... I hugged myself and I can fell every rib...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blq1YOR1WpM
i have been playing this song non-stop lately...
it just reminds me of the simplicities of life, i guess.
I feel like I should do something to lift the mood now...
I almost typed "mold"
[Takes the mold from last week's cream cheese and lifts it into the trash]
Maybe? Idk.
#ChaseForBook9
Deathy...
Fuel of some sort is necessary for all lifeforms.
But okay, if you want I can stop hugging you.
#ChaseForBook9
I ate half a chicken sandwich and was almost sick... It was fuel of sorts.... Ugh...
Thanks. Much appreciated.
I really have to sleep...
Be OK, okay?
#ChaseForBook9
bye fab...
i have to go too, bye *huggles*
Bye..
Hi!
Wow... I have terrible coming on skills... An hour after... Sorry!!
*is here, but is probably distant seeing as how no one else is really here*
#ChaseForBookNine
' "That was RedRays, and we need to take them out of the equation." For multiple reasons that didn't need to be explained. In their organosation, if you got an order, you followed it. Unless you didn't, in which case that was just annoying.'
:P
#ChaseForBookNine
Two, Seven, Nine and Ten.
#ChaseForBookNine
Wha...?
Hi everyone :)
Um, hello?
Is anybody here?
Yep. I'm 'ere.
Greetings Death Rose.
Are you still here?
Well I have to go now which is just ironic. :|
I'll be back in about 15 minutes.
Apologies. Chores distracted me... I'm here!!
Bye! XD
Well I'm back now, for anyone else who's on.
Hello!!
I'm alone...
I'm here too :)
Still here...
HELLO!!!!!!! Distant!!
Yeah me too, I'm doing maths :(
I'm watching this weird messed up movie...
What's it called?
The Phonebooth or something...
Blogland is pretty quite right now... I wonder where everyone else has gone.
*Walks around looking for a tree*
*Finds tree, climbs up and sits on branch*
*sighs*
☂I'm watching another tutorial for how to draw on a computer and the guy's voice sounds like Saw...☂
☂...It's like Jigsaw is giving us instructions...☂
Hi Mycroft :)
*Waves*
☂☂sounds like the Saw guy☂☂
☂HI KAM!☂
*waves in a very royal manner, if there is such a thing*
☂I am going to try and email Mara and stay on the blog at the same time, so yeah.☂
☂DEATH, IF YOU'RE STILL HERE, HOW'S THE EATING?☂
*Jumps down from tree*
I've never actually seen Saw but I've heard Jigsaw's voice. That must be creepy...
☂IT'S SO CREEPY☂
☂And I've only watched one Saw movie: Saw 5. It triggered so many panic attacks I had three in two hours the next day.☂
☂Real panic attacks.☂
I don't really watch horror movies.
Or play horror games for that matter.
How do you do the umbrella thing anyway?
☂Me neither, but I'm addicted to zombie-killing games.☂
I prefer people killing games :)
☂Hehe :) It's a character on the computer. Fabi was the one who first showed it to me, and I just copy-paste it to the beginning and end of my sentences.☂
It used to be th☂t I would repl☂ce ☂ll my "A"s with it, but then it bec☂me ☂ bit of ☂ h☂ssle to type ☂ND to re☂d, so I stopped.
And monster killing games.
☂Yeah, well, I can't really handle any death games any more because of my stupid panic attacks. They're triggered by mentions of death and life.☂
☂Lunch, brb!☂
☂MONSTER KILLING GAMES ROCK THO☂
Have you played the last of us?
Yeah I'm addicted to monster hunter 3 ultimate :)
Hello?
☂No, I haven't.☂
☂Hey, Misti! Long time no see!☂
☂UGH I AM SO TIRED OF PEOPLE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ME!!!!! It just happens over and over and over again all the time!☂
Doing chores so I'll be distant.
Oh and Mr Landy!
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DOCTOR WHO BOOK!!!
*Squeals*
ONE OF MY FAVORATE THINGS AND ONE OVE MY FARORATE WRITTERS!!!!!!!!!!!
BEST COMBO EVER!!!!!!!!!!
XD I can so imaged Skulduggery as the Doctor and Valkyrie as Martha! XD heheeh
☂I know, Misti!☂
☂Okay, Kam.☂
Hi Sep! You I haven't been on for a bit. How are you?
Hi Sykamere, I don't think we've met before? HI! *Shakes hand* Nice to meet you!!!
Hi! Wbd and msd - my sister's here, listening to music that is mostly crap with my headphomes. Poor headphones. :P
I also kind of WANT my headphones now . . . so yeah. :P
Anyway. How is everyone?
#ChaseForBookNine
WOOPS I ment to say that I haven't been on for a bit not you! Ah Sorry Silver!
☂On another note, my nemesis is AWESOME <3☂
☂So a little while ago he tried to kick my teacher and me out of the room, and now he's pretending to be scared of my other teacher so he can a) pretend that he likes this girl so people don't know he's gay (he asked her to help him tell my teacher to, politely, gtfo) b) get HER in trouble instead of him and c) look humble.☂
☂He tried to get me to tell someone to gtfo a while ago and I just refused.☂
☂Politely. Drove him nuts.☂
☂Love him <333333☂
☂But I'm a little pissed that he's preparing someone new to be his nemesis. I'M his nemesis! We were perfect enemies for each other! WE KNEW EACH OTHER BETTER THAN ANYBODY<3☂
My fingers are actually going black from the felt tip. XD
#ChaseForBookNine
Hello Mist :)
Hi Star :)
I'm distant.
☂You waaaaant your headphones☂
☂sorry :p BUT HI STAR!☂
☂It's okay, Misti! You have been missed <3☂
STAR!!!!!!!!!! Long time no see!
I'm good Star how are you?
☂I thought you said "glowing black" and I got a litttttle worried XD☂
☂
☂Thought I may as well do that.☂
☂I dedicate to loving people you'll never know, because a) Harralie rocks and b) It can make you feel better when you feel upset and stuff.☂
☂AND TO MAHU☂
@Ember: Okay? *laughs*
#ChaseForBookNine
And I'm back.
☂Star, it's complicated and a bit too difficult to explain. :p☂
*hugs Fabi who said that she hugged her at some point yesterday*
☂Just in time, Kam! NEW PAGE☂
☂... I feel like doing a longer ded. And you know, I've really wanted to do a video ded for a long time.☂
☂I think I will get started on that.☂
☂HI ADRA!☂
Hi Adra :)
How have you been?
@Ember: Beautiful ded. :)
Nope. I reserve the glowing for my toes. XD
@Sykamere: That's okay. :)
@Misti: Annoyed about my sister being both in my room and with my headphones, but otherwise good. :)
#ChaseForBookNine
Hi Adra! :)
#ChaseForBookNine
☂Aw, thanks!☂
☂Yeah, toe glowing makes more sense because then everybody will think it's your socks/shoes and then you can tell them to buy certain brands that glow and then they'll buy the shoes and they won't glow and they'll get confused.☂
Hi- I literally just woke up, so... :O
☂Good morning, then! It's 1:53 P.M for me XD☂
☂Did you sleep well? Any fun dreams?☂
Glowing toes would be cool...
It's 12:55 pm for me.
Where do you live Adra?
@Ember: *laughs* I should do that. :)
*tells sister to buy the socks that glow*
Sister: What?
XD
@Adra: Yay for waking! :)
#ChaseForBookNine
Hi Adra! ow are you?
:D I have ABBA stuck in my head because I watched Muriel's Wedding not long ago.
To all people I recommend it it's good!
If you and Aussie and you havn't watched it then WATCH IT!!! Couse it's an Aussie movie! XD GO AUSSIE'S
America- it's a few minutes until 8.
And not really, Ember. I must have forgotten them all. How are you all faring?
@Sykamere: 12:55 for me, too. Well, 12:56 now, but yeah. :P
#ChaseForBookNine
Join te club i just got up and have to get ready for drama at 9
@Sykamere: They would be cool. :)
#ChaseForBookNine
Hey Zaf! :)
@Zaf: :(
Hello. :)
#ChaseForBookNine
*waves* weree
☂Star XD☂
☂It would be difficult to be a spy or a robber or something like that though.☂
☂It's like those keys where your car automatically unlocks when you walk a certain distance away from it.☂
☂☂Person walks towards car☂☂
☂☂car unlocks☂☂
☂☂random person drives away☂☂
☂OR☂
☂☂guy's just stolen somebody's keys☂☂
☂Guy: Hey, I wonder which car this pair of keys belo--☂
☂☂car unlocks☂☂
☂Guy: THAT WAS HELPFUL!☂
☂☂steals car☂☂
☂But I guess on the bright side if you lost your keys in your house, all you'd have to do is drive through your house and then it'd beep when you got near it! :D☂
I'm lucky its only until 11:30am and apparently we're doing costumes and dancing so its only 2 and a half hours
They would be really awesome in the dark cuz then you'd know where you were stepping.
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