Time and Relative Dissertations in Space

When I was at University in Manchester, I met a post-grad student called David Butler. We shared an enjoyment of writing, silliness and Doctor Who and managed vaguely to keep in touch after we both graduated - something made easier by the fact that David became a lecturer in the drama department we'd graduated from.

One of the things that university lecturers have to do is publish articles in their speciality: David's speciality was film, television and film and television music. In one of our infrequent conversations, he told me about a book he was planning to fulfil this obligation: a critical study of Doctor Who in all its many forms and features. Looking for people to write articles, he asked me.

I said "Yes".

For my paper, I thought I'd write about the Virgin New Adventures - my favourite era of Doctor Who prior to Christopher Eccleston and RTD stepping in. It involved interviewing Paul Cornell and Peter Darvill-Evans, and speaking to the daddy of all Who historians David Howe: all of them were amazingly helpful, and made writing the paper a dream.

David Butler also organised a one-day conference in Manchester where some of the writers would present their papers: I wasn't speaking, but I was going to go for moral support. Unfortunately, I missed it because David forgot to tell me the right venue! So instead, I went to the pub and waiting for them to arrive