For years, Terry avoided writing short stories.
It makes sense. He likes a large canvas, one that he can spend some time working on in a sprawling way. The complexity. The ability to develop characters. The chance to go on an adventure that transports the reader from this world to another. Short stories don’t allow for that and Terry has admitted he hates being constrained in that way. In my opinion, if anyone was built to write epic fantasy novels, it was Terry.
Up until 2012, Terry had only written two short stories.
Del Rey Books approached him in 2012 though with the idea of writing several short stories a year, to be published online to promote the books. Like any writer, Terry had a lot of ideas for short stories but had no motivation to write them. He changed his mind and spent time writing several of them that year and earlier this year.
And he found that he enjoyed the process a lot more now than he did a decade ago.
As it stands, here are the short stories Terry has written:
- Imaginary Friends
- Indomitable (epilogue to The Wishsong of Shannara
- Walker and the Shade of Allanon (set during Ilse Witch
- Allanon’s Quest
- The Weapons Master’s Choice
- The Black Irix
- The Fey of Cloudmoor (forthcoming in Multiverse)
Imaginary Friends is a prelude of sorts to the Word/Void series. Indomitable is a story set after the events of The Wishsong of Shannara. Walker and the Shade of Allanon is a short short short story omitted from Ilse Witch featuring the encounter between Walker and the Shade of Allanon. Other Shannara short stories are Allanon’s Quest, The Weapons Master’s Choice, and The Black Irix.
Then there is The Fey of Cloudmoor, a sequel to The Queen of Air and Darkness by Poul Anderson, which will be featured in the Subterranean Press anthology Multiverse edited by Greg Bear and Gardner Dozois.
Today’s poll is: What is your favorite Terry Brooks short story?
Vote and discuss!
15 responses to “Poll: What is your favorite Terry Brooks short story?”
I’ve only read the 3 recent e-books, of those, I voted for Weapons Master’s Choice.
My favorite one too.
Had to go with Allanon’s Quest. I always liked the opening of Sword of Shannara and Allanon’s Quest provides a more in depth look as to how and why Shea needed to be found and protected. Eldra Derrivanian is a great character. The angry and bitter elf holed away, the bearer of secrets. But, really, Allanon is in it. That alone is enough to get the vote.
where do we find walker and the shade of allanon? any help please?!)
In Indomitable, edited by Shawn Speakman. Highly recommended.
It can be found in Unfettered edited by myself, Shawn Speakman. It can be purchased at http://www.grimoakpress.com in hardcover or via ebook.
Whoops, my bad. Thanks for the correction Shawn
Hi Shawn hope things are going well for you, gutted that I missed out on the original release like hundreds of others but I was wondering when unfettered will be available as an E book currently re reading shannara in chrono order and would love to be able to insert the only short story I don’t have.
regards
Justin
england
I’m a little surprised that the newer shorts are getting as many votes. Of the newer ones, I thought the Black Irix was the most enjoyable, but it still pales when compared to Indomitable. I guess people may think of that as a novella rather than a short. Or maybe I’m just old.
Well, keep in mind that the three newer shorts all feature a character that many people on the boards have voted as their favorite, Panamon Creel, Garret Jax, and Allanon. In that context it’s understandable although The Black Irix seems to be lacking in votes. Indomitable has been out for awhile as well so the three newer ones are fresh meat, so to speak. Maybe they are fresher in people’s minds.
For me the Sword of Shannara started my decades long love affair with fantasy in general. To have a short story written about the events leading up to Allanon finding Shea was a real treat. Almost like a reward for years of service in the World of Brooks. And oh how I look forward to more. I will not lie, nostalgia played a role in choosing Allanon’s Quest. That aside, it’s still a fascinating story to me.
Like a Spinal Tap drummer, I think I would spontaneously combust with excitement if he continued to work backwards from Allanon’s Quest.
Heh
I would love to see him continue to work backwards as well. Heck I’ll take anything I can get from Mr. Brooks. (And I have everything to the best of my knowledge) but you mention Garret Jax. He is a major focus of Indomitable. Still you are right about newer things in the mind.
I think the voting might reflect the popularity of Allanon and Garet Jax.
I found ‘Imaginary Friends’ superior and heart warming, but I seem to be in the minority.
Imaginary Friends is just one of the most touching stories I’ve ever read.
Wow I love the children of shannara( talisman of shannara,elf queen of shannara, Druid of shannra etc
I WILL NOT READ E-BOOKS. If it’s not on paper and in a book I can hold in my hands I will never read it. E-BOOKS are a cop-out!