April ASK TERRY Posted

Chris Roung writes: I read the Elfstones and Sword when they fist came out and really enjoyed them. The last one I fully read was the First King of Shannara before I stopped for some reason. Now I’m re-reading the series, but I recall now why I stopped. You introduced Airships which really turned me off your series (my brother as well). It may not bother me now but it might I thought it really dampened the stories for some reason I think they would have been much better. In my opinion it would have been better to use ROCs or something. Why didn’t you use that route and why did you add airships?

Terry Brooks replies: Introducing airships and the various new weapons that the Federation uses is part of my ongoing plan to reintroduce science into the new world of magic. The Shannara saga from the first has been about the conflict that arises when magic replaces a failed science and then itself begins to fail to help in the ways intended. Science is being slowly introduced back into the world in new forms, and the ultimate conflict will be between the two as the population begins to embrace science once again. How will this resolve itself?

Scott Williams writes: Are you going to write a series about Galaphile and the First Druid Council, including the construction of Paranor?

Terry Brooks replies: I am going to bring the pre-history forward to the formation of the First Druid Council, but I haven’t yet decided on how much I am going to reveal or how far I will take the story. That remains something to be decided down the road.

Emma Williams writes: Having just finished reading A Princess for Landover, I am champing at the bit for the next installment! When might we expect the next chapter in this brilliant series, Magic Kingdom?

Terry Brooks replies: Warner Brothers Studio has finally settled on a new and improved writer for the series. He will begin work shortly on a new version of a script. This is very good news for all of us. My plan has always been to write the next Magic Kingdom story when we get close to filming the movie and have both come out at the same time. Please be patient.

David Bean writes: How long do you think we will have to wait for any production photos or screen shots that might give us a feel for what The Shannara Chronicles will look like?

Terry Brooks replies: There was a big rollout of the show at San Diego Comic-Con, so you probably already have your answer. Keep you eye out and watch for news on the website and Facebook about more pictures and trailers.

Lon writes: I’m noticing Bearers of the Black Staff to be a bit ‘preachier’ than any other book in the Shannara series. I haven’t found current-events to play so strongly in the Shannara universe before. What influenced that seeming change?

Terry Brooks replies: I don’t think it is all the much of a change. I have been writing about current events in the Shannara series from the very first. You might remember that bits and pieces of things like environmental destruction and preservation, moral fraud, struggles between hard choices when there are no good choices to be made, and questions of whether redemption out of transgression is always a possibility and what form it will take. Now, as well, we have the beginnings of a new science encroaching on Four Lands magic. These are large issues, but you can find smaller behavioral issues in the stories, as well. Sorry that you feel I am being preachy. I just want to make people think a bit about their own world and see the similarities with their own lives.