Just taking a moment to let everyone who I had a chance to visit with at SLC know that it was a terrific experience and so much fun. I wish I could have spent a little more time with each of you but it just wasn’t possible. You were there. You saw the lines. You saw the crowds. You saw how pressed I was for time. But I do appreciate the effort and time you expended on coming out, standing in line and telling me how much my books have meant to you. That never grows old, and I never take it for granted.
Each time I do another appearance, I think it might be my last. It takes time away from my writing and my family. It takes an effort to make the trip. It takes energy to be cheerful and carry on conversations and sign books and pose for pictures, and I think I should just let it all go away. But how can I do that to people like you? To the readers Judine keeps telling me are by far the nicest in the world. To young and old alike, for whom the books have meant so much in so many ways. I can’t. I can’t begrudge a single thing it requires of me to let people know how much their kind words and support means to me.
And, oh, the great stories! You would not believe. I just love them. Everyone has one. Almost everyone has one that begins with either Sword or Elfstones. But wherever they begin, they are heart-lifting and real, and they leave me feeling humbled. That anyone would love my books so much. That so many would think them so important. How fortunate am I? All those years ago when I decided I wanted to be a writer, I couldn’t have imagined any of this. I just wanted someone to read my books. I just wanted to be able to live this life. And now this life is so much more than I would have thought possible.
So know how much it means to me that you were there. From The Shannara Chronicles spotlight with Manu Bennett and the young woman named Shannara and the boy who wanted to know why Manu decided to play a “good guy” to being on stage with, variously: Bob Salvatore, Mike Stockpole, Kevin Anderson, Kevin Hearne, Jim Butcher, Larry Correa and so many others. To having a friend and web druid like Shawn Speakman. To meeting new writers and finding new books each time I go out. To meeting for the first time and for the umpteenth time the readers who keep me honest.
Thanks. It never gets old.
—Terry
5 responses to “BrooksBlog: My SLC Comic Con Memories”
Any chance we will be seeing the panels? Dyin’ for some new vids.
Judine taped the Shannara Chronicles panel and I will be uploading that tomorrow or Friday. 🙂 That’s the only panel though.
I love your books… So much to the point that I was overjoyed when I found your continuations of the Shannara series… I love your books so much that my 9 year olds name is Shea and my unborn daughter’s name is going to be Preia… If I have another son later in life, his middle name will be Walker Boh… Your books take me off onto a wild adventure that I enjoy. Besides taking care of my family the best I can, being a disabled veteran with memory problems, your books help me revisit the thrills and some pain that came with being a soldier. The pure excitement, fear, and indecisiveness of the characters on their journeys is the same for any soldier… I hope to read all your books soon… I am just now finishing Morgawr. My apologies for the length, but much appreciation for the inspiration that your books bring about…
Thank You Very Much!!!
If you ever make it to Grays Harbor, Washington… I hope I can express everything personally, if there is time…
An avid reader-
Tim Waterbury (Cosmopolis, WA)
Just as great meeting you again last Friday during your panel with Jim Butcher, RA Salvatore, and Shawn Speakman for “Writing Fantasy” as it was when we first met at the Sugarhouse Salt Lake City Barnes and Noble in 2013 when you were doing your “Dark Legacy of Shannara: Witch Wraith” book signing tour.
Glad you enjoyed that panel. It was my favorite of the weekend.