June ASK TERRY Posted

terry-brooksFor many years the only chance a fan had of speaking to Terry was to meet him at tour events or conventions.

With the establishment of this website in 2000, Terry began accepting two questions from each fan per month. On the last day of the month, five questions are randomly drawn. Terry answers these five questions and they are posted monthly for your enjoyment.

Below are the questions selected last month and Terry’s answers! Enjoy!

Note: This section may contain spoilers!

Dear Readers,

My newest book came out on the 8th – The High Druid’s Blade. Hopefully, you will give it a read. It has a stunning new cover artist and a story that marks the first of three novels loosely connected by characters that come and go, but each book is a self contained story. One out this year, one next, one in 2016. I think a July pub date each time. Can the TV show be far behind? It’s not far behind any longer!

But enough fantasy. Let’s get down to the nuts and bolts of Ask Terry:

Vincenzo Verduci writes: Can a Mwellret ride a horse?

Terry Brooks replies: No. Horses won’t tolerate scaly creatures resembling crocks. Nor would the Mwellrets find such travel comfortable. They travel by foot or in coaches.

Allan Duncan writes: Does your wife enjoy the fantasy genre? Obviously she supports your work but would she read it otherwise? I was recently married and although my wife and I have many similar tastes, our reading preferences are quite different. I’m actually very excited about the television series because now she’ll be able to experience Shannara. You’ve been married a long time: any advice on maintaining a long and happy marriage?

Terry Brooks replies: Oh, man! Now I’ve witnessed it all. I am a source for maintaining a long and happy marriage, am I? So we are pretty much discounting the first two marriages and practice and focusing on the current 27 year union as the finished product. Okay. Laugh a lot. Can’t tell you how important that is. Share your experiences by being together when they happen, as much as possible. Be kind. Be willing to step back once in a while. Never be afraid to say “I’m sorry.”

Jeez. Judine reads some fantasy, but not a lot. She reads in other areas entirely for the most part. Because she is my first reader and editor, she has read all my books. I think that has pretty much spoiled her for any other fantasy books. That’s what I tell myself, but then I do live in a fantasy world. She reads mostly what I recommend and now and then something she picks up in the bookstore that catches her attention. Adult and YA both.

Paul Morris writes: Hey Terry! Love your work. My Question is about Landover. Can only kings rule and use the Paladin? Seeing that Ben has a female heir, could Misty use the Paladin?

Terry Brooks replies: We will have to wait and see, won’t we? Problem is, I hadn’t planned on Ben dying or Mistaya becoming Queen. Let’s just assume that she can command the Paladin. Although, since the Paladin is essentially a personification of the ruler summoning it, we will have to assume it would have a distinctly female bent – whatever that means.

Steve Pierce writes: Have you ever considered writing about the previous bearers of the black staffs prior to John Ross – set in 19th centrury or middle ages?

Terry Brooks replies: I think I will leave that for someone to consider after I am dead and gone. I have all I can handle with finishing the Shannara series in the next five years and then tackling the rest of the pre-history. Anything else would probably put me in an early grave.

Chris Dixon writes: Just one question: You already indicated we will see more of Grianne. I trust the new storyline will make amends to Tesla? Her family are really getting the short straw from the Ohmsford family!

Terry Brooks replies: Has it not been ever thus with families? You are correct, of course. In fact, I haven’t considered the details of the stories I will be writing to end the series, but now that you have reminded me, I will keep Tesla in mind. No promises, of course. They’re pretty worthless anyway when I make them.

Hope you are surviving this hot summer by reading something great!

All my best,

Please completely fill in the form below and send the two questions you want to ask Terry this month.

[formidable id=6]


3 responses to “June ASK TERRY Posted”

  1. I have been thinking about it, and so far all of the Shannara (or related people) have all been the Good Guys and its always Shannara Decendent vs Other, what if Terry is ending the story in a Grand Fashion going out with The Greatest Shannara Descendant (Grianne) vs Last Descendant of Shannara?

    My vote goes to the last Descendant winning with the Sword ala how Warlock Lord was defeated.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *