Welcome One and All,
It's time for another session of Ask Terry, when we take a few moments to discover how acute my mental facitilities are this month. I could save you all a lot of time and effort by pointing out the obvious - I am not getting any younger. Nevertheless, I am still writing and I can still remember each and every book and most of the characters. Sometimes even the plots!
So, without further delay, let's have at it!
James Dwyer writes: I've noticed that clearly as time progresses, technology increases, with new technologies like the airships. While there were Old World technologies like Antrax, have you really decided how far technology will progress in the series?
Terry Brooks replies: No, James, I have not. Wrote myself right into the proverbial corner on that one. I am thinking about it, though. Because I will be writing back in the future of the Four Lands sometime during the next five years, I am going to have to come to terms with this question. Now that we have airships and weapons that are essentially lasers, more developments are likely to follow. Where will it all lead? Stay tuned.
David Conway writes: How exactly does the magic in Shannara work? Druid magic seems to come from the earth itself, and is fueled and transfered through the Druid back to some other object. Is the Wishsong a pure amount of magic enfused in an Ohmsford, or does it too draw from some additional source—or as seen from Grianne, from the user herself?
Terry Brooks replies: Druid Magic, like most of the magic that originates in the Four Lands, is elemental. It draws from the earth, air, fire and water in various forms. It's power is enhanced or weakened by the strength of the user. Some users would find more success with talismans like the Sword or the Elfstones than others, as we've seen in the books. Sometimes the magic of a talisman or an external source links with the magic innate in a user, causing various results. Like science, magic is uncertain, and the results of its application are not alway predictable.
Brad Peter writes: Hi Terry, I was just wondering if you could give us an update on what you have been reading - any recommendations?
Terry Brooks replies: Well, I recommend Tigerheart by Peter David, just out; a book called The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V.S. Reddick, out next year; another book that will not be out until January titled The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks (What is it with books that use the word 'shadows' in their title?); The Zero by Jess Walter; The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan; and . . . well, that's what I've been reading of late. Does that help?
Jeremy Petersen writes: How many books will be in the Landover series?
Terry Brooks replies: That depends, Jeremy. How long will you buy the books? How long will I live? That sort of thing. I imagine I will be writing them in some form or other for quite some time yet. I hope, anyway.
Richard Murray writes: I have to admit to being fed up that it now takes two years to read a Shannara novel due to the fact that this is split into three or even four books. Is this for commercial reasons or is it simply because the story you have to tell is too large. The latter argument I think would be difficult to sustain on the basis that your crowning glory (as far as I am concerned - The Sword of Shannara) had a fair bit of meat to it. I just cannot help but think that carrying a story over three books or so has an element of let's try and get much money from the Shannara fans as possible. All that said I buy and will continue to buy your books... surely it is better from a fan's perspective to have the whole story available in one book and just have the one price to pay. Your thoughts please would be appreciated.
Terry Brooks replies: This isn't an easy question to answer, Richard, even if it might seem so. Yes, on the face of things, it might seem better to tell the story in one book and publish it that way. Sure, it would raise the price of the book quite a bit. Sure, I would only be able to do a book every two or three years. Other writers do eight and nine hundred page books that cost most and take longer. Why shouldn't I? Well, mostly because I just don't want to. I've been working now for thirty years doing a book a year, and I like that schedule. In this business, you don't mess with what works. I think I would probably end up cutting the book way down and gutting the story to make it fit in one volume. I like projects that I can see the end to. Maybe that has to do with age. I like the idea that I can move on at the end of the year to something else. Combining two or three books doesn't really allow for that. Now, I like money as well as the next guy. But lucky for me, I don't need it. Not after this long. So writing for money isn't necessary. Writing for my own pleasure is. So whatever gives me pleasure is what I'm going to do. Hope no one is offended.
All that said, I should point out that the next book is a Magic Kingdom book, and the entire story is completed in that one volume. I won't promise what I plan to do after that, except that you can expect more singles and more sets. Try to be patient with me.
I'll be back in thirty days with another set of answers to your questions and an update on the movies.
Take care,
