October Ask Terry Posted

Harjinder writes: Hi Terry. Really love your books. There is a large detailed map are for the Westland and Eastland, but I feel slightly less so for the Southland and Northland. Will we see more geographically of the South & Northland in future books? For example in The Sword of Shannara, the cities/towns of Pia, Zolomach and Talhan are mentioned. Have you thought about integrating these places in future Shannara books?

Terry Brooks replies: I am always thinking of ways to go back to old places and visit new ones, but it has to work with the story. So in my new book (see above) much of the action takes place in the Northland for reasons that will become clear quickly when you get to read it. The Southland is going to play an important role, as well. Also, I am thinking of taking one of the books East across the Tiderace. So there will be some movement out of the established areas and into new.

Matthew Heiser writes: I am looking forward to Season 2 of “The Shannara Chronicles.” With the new season not following any particular book, what story to you wish to tell through the new television series season? (Not to give away anything specific about the story/plot etc. but rather the heart of the greater picture.)

Terry Brooks replies: Well, the story for Season Two takes plotlines and characters from both Sword and Wishsong and makes good use of them. The idea was not to use those stories for Wil and Eretria, but to adapt pieces of them so we can keep their story moving forward. After that, we will have to sit down and have a discussion about how things might go. Believe me, it is not settled yet by any means. But there are differing opinions, and we have to give everyone a chance to speak to the show’s direction.

Hassaan Nasir writes: Mr Terry, I wanted to ask you something regarding what will happen to Grianne Ohmsford in the future (I mean will she play a role in the series end). Try as she might, Grianne ended up being the supervillian of the entire Shannara series “the queen of the Forbidding”. It’s exciting but also sad to see a character trying to find good ending up being supervillian. Therefore I wanted to ask if she will finally find sanctuary in the series end? Will she destroy the Forbidding as we know it? Will the remaining Elfstones play a part?

Terry Brooks replies: Grianne has always been a complicated character with drastic shifts in the direction of her life. She has been both good and bad, both for herself and for others. She was an assassin and she was the High Druid. Her magic is extemely powerful, and she has used it for better and worse both. So at present she is back in the Forbidding as the Ilse Witch or some manifestation thereof, but I am considering what to do with her future. She needs closure, but it has to be done in the right way and I am still thinking it through.

Jeb Holt writes: Was the spell the Sinnissippi used to imprison the Maentwrog a modified version of what the Elves used to created the Ellcrys? If so, did the elves use to share their magic and their beliefs in natures preservation with humans before isolating themselves? And would a prequel to The Word and the Void be something you would ever consider writing?

Terry Brooks replies: Isn’t that more than one question? Anyway, I will try to answer them all. First off, remember that the creatures who were non-human in Word and Void were creatures of Faerie. They were good and bad, but they all came from a species that had mostly disappeared. It is reasonable to assume that some of the bad ones were scooped up in the Forbidding. And the Faerie were always working to be one with nature when they had their collective heads on straight. I don’t think the spell that was used to create the Forbidding was on a par with that used to imprison the Maentwrog. Different magics, different times. Remember that the Forbidding took a lot of combined magics to form and lives were given up to accomplish the end needed. (See Witch Wraith). I might write something more in this series one day – I certainly hear about it enough to think it would find an audience. But I don’t know that it would be a prequel.

Hillary writes: 17 years ago at the age of 12 I discovered The Black Unicorn. It wasn’t until a few years later that I realized it was a part of a series. It’s one of my favorite books, and this year I’ve begun to try to get the rest of the series to finally read it in its entirety – and I discovered there’s a new untitled addition in the works! Forgive my ignorance, but could you give some hints as to the plot, or possibly when we might see it reach publication? Thank you so much for taking the time out of your presumably busy schedule to answer.

Terry Brooks replies: There are no specific plans yet for that unwritten book. I have said that I am pretty sure it will follow close on the heels of Princess of Landover timewise, and I expect Mistaya to be front and center as a character. Beyond that, I haven’t given it a whole lot of thought. I have been too busy with other book projects and “The Shannara Chronicles” television series. Once I get around to tackling Landover again, I will post something about it on my website. Until then, please be patient.