For 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 from December 2016 and Terry’s answers! Enjoy!
Note: This section may contain spoilers!
DECEMBER ASK TERRY Q&A
Greetings Readers,
Now that winter has declared it is not only officially here but here to stay for a while, time to curl up with a good book or do something much needed writing on an unfinished book. But first we have the latest edition of Ask Terry.
Craig writes: Due to my work schedule, I find myself buying mostly audio CD’s. I am sad that your newest book is not in this format. Is there a reason why some of your books aren’t in CD format?
Terry Brooks replies: Staring with The Sorcerer’s Daughter, my publisher has decided that everything is going toward download and digital. That means CDs have become an antiquated format like cassettes before it. I wish I had better news for you but that’s progress, I guess.
Sam writes: I have a question about moor cats. What is the extent of their abilities and who wins in a fight, moor cat or koden? I remember you mentioning that they can blend into their surroundings, but can they do anything else?
Terry Brooks replies: Moor cats, like all cats, vary in size and strength and agility. Same with Kodens. So I guess it would depend on the physical attributes of each if they fought each other. Mostly, they avoid those kinds of pointless fights. They are hunters, but not of each other. Moor cats can adjust their body mass and coloring so that they seem to vanish entirely. This camouflage is part of their protection. Maybe you will see more of this later this year… maybe…
Betty Davidson writes: Hi Terry, just waiting for the next Bearers of the Black Staff. When is it likely to be available?
Terry Brooks replies: Well, the direct sequel to Bearers is Measure of the Magic. That one has been out a while. After than, we are moving ahead in time again. No immediate plans have been made for when that book will be written, but it won’t happen for a while because I am in the middle of writing the four book set that concludes the series and begins with The Black Elfstone (see above). Those four books will publish 2017-2020. So I won’t get back to the prehistory before then.
Anonymous writes: Was there anything in the TV series that you really wish you had thought of for the book?
Terry Brooks replies: There were some great scenes I admired and could easily have included in the book. But many of those were choices I didn’t make back then and only work with the changes in the TV show. I have always managed to keep separate the book and the TV show, so that’s been my attitude right along. The book is the book, the TV show is the TV show. Readers and viewers can admire both for what they do and not have to choose. A quick example. I loved the opening scenes with the gauntlet race and Amberle’s Choosing that brought us right into the Shannara world in the TV show. It wasn’t the right choice for the book, but that doesn’t make it cool to watch.
Joakim Hammenstig writes: In the book The Bearers of the Black Staff, Deladion Inch and Sider Ament drink a lot of ale in Deladion’s fort. Since the nature all around seems to be poisoned and barren, I can’t really get my head around where all his ale come from. Thoughts?
Terry Brooks replies: Maybe it was imported?
All right, readers, that’s all I got for now. See you at Emerald City CC, Denver CC, Phoenix CC, San Diego CC, and on the road in June with the new book. Meanwhile, Season Two of Shannara Chronicles is filming in New Zealand with new cast characters joining old favorites and new threats looming on the horizon. Saw some pix and rushes and they are looking good. Seems like forever since Season One, but I think the wait will be worth it. Also, check the website for new editions of Sword, Elfstone and Wishsong coming out this year. Also new editions of Knight of the Word and Angel Fire East. Also a few surprises that will be revealed during the months ahead.
Stay warm, stay well, stay sane. Be kind to others. That seems to be out of fashion just at the moment, especially in national politics, but don’t you be those people. Be who you know you should be.
All good magic,
Ask Terry
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