John Dorney

All of this is extremely familiar to me.

I listen to a fair number of audio books and the method by which I get most out of them is to combine them with some physical and practical task (eg cleaning, cooking, tidying, washing/dressing etc) that would otherwise cause my mind to wander from lack of stimulus

Thank you!

You ask me for a story with Cabin Pressure references?

Sorry but there aren’t. Didn’t know we’d get him!

(But MJN Air turns up in an Avengers and a Counter-Measures)

I thought it was a delight at the beginning but some of the central sections just become a bit impenetrable. And there are whole sections that are basically irrelevant. It’s a short story padded out in effect.

I’m still going to try the others though because everyone has to start somewhere!

I’m nearing the end. But I’m having to push a bit.

Update.

The solution WAS the blindingly obvious one.

The history of the last generation has been right wing parties scraping a technical victory by the thinnest possible margin, then ruling like tyrants, then centre-left parties winning decisively and deciding the nation can only heal if they enact right wing policies.

I’ve got an omnibus including Body, Bellona, Herrings and Tailors. So about 50% good it seems!

I have very fond memories of the Petherbridge series so hope to get to that (and the others) soon.

Plus some Carr and Brand and various TV adaptations. It’s a joy.

I think that’s the point I’ve got to. I’d be amazed if even the dimmest reader hasn’t figured it out by now though they’ve not fully come out and named the culprit.

I’m researching whodunnits for a spec and currently reading Whose Body? (The first Lord Peter Wimsey novel).

It’s fun but it feels like the solution is blindingly obvious about twenty pages in and now Peter’s figured it out but kept it to himself and I’ve about 30 pages to go.

Double Monky Business The Dark Gallifrey saga takes something of a sharp turn for the next instalment. Rufus Hound and Gemma Whelan star in… an audio sitcom? Hilarity will ensue in Dark Gallifrey: The Meddling Mon…

Operation Monk-house... the latest Dark Gallifrey tale revealed
@bigfinish.bsky.social @johndorney.bsky.social @mrrobvalentine.bsky.social
scifibulletin.com/2026/02/19/d...

This is comparatively sane.

Could no have been happier!

I begged for this cast. It was written with them in mind.

I’d go with ‘hilarious consequences’ myself.

One and a half.

I’ve been sitting on this one for years. So proud of it - and I got my dream cast too!

Soundsmyth Productions' cover artwork for Dark Gallifrey: The Meddling Monks - Part One. The Monk and the Nun stand together in a recording studio, holding a microphone and other audio equipment. Various "on air" signs are behind, plus a proscenium arch, curtain and set of a house.

☯️ BREAKING NEWS ☯️ What Monky business is this? Click https://bgfn.sh/dg5news to find out more about the next trilogy in the Dark Gallifrey saga, beginning April 2026!

Don’t tempt me.

Curses. On it.

I may have mentioned that an upcoming @bigfinish.bsky.social script was the ‘most Dorney ever’.

We recorded it yesterday.

Coming soon.

I think that’s a different sort of thing. I’m okay with some irrelevant surface level detail being changed but that’s just lazy. Might as well have them driving cars. You need something to lock time and place to give a frame to the drama. One of the reasons I never quite got on with Sex Education.

Started Charlie Higson's #JekyllAndHyde, one of ITV's attempts to lure away Doctor Who's audience into 2010s. Doomed to fail: you can't make people who like Doctor Who suddenly switch to you by being a bit like Doctor Who. If you like Doctor Who, you'll always go for that above pale imitations.

Thank you!

Actually I think it’s the original Judge Dredd with Stallone!

Definitely the vibe. I suspect the reason I’m not likely to be thinking them though is I’m really a Marvel guy. Those two characters are basically meaningless to me!

I’m trying to remember a specific film/failed franchise based on an IP where they held off on using the major villain in the launch film in full expectation of a franchise. And then flopped.

I feel there’s a few that probably fit but there’s one I’m trying to remember in particular. Any help?

Please sir can I have some more On making a living as a writer

“I didn’t have rich parents, a childhood bedroom to return to or an infatuated billionaire intent on marrying me. Either writing had to make me money or I couldn’t do it. “

I wrote about making a living from writing in the new economy.

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