March Ask Terry Posted

Nicolas Neyrinck writes: Good day my name is Nicolas I am 21 years old, I am creating a concept for a TV series that is similar to The Shannara Chronicles. And what I wanted to ask you was if it was you who pitched the adaptation to your novel and if so how did you get MTV to listen to your pitch? What does it take to make a great pitch sell?

Terry Brooks replies: Well, it takes a miracle. But they do happen, now and then. I had a partner who is a Hollywood Packager (he puts together people, money and a network) to arrange everything. His name is Dan Farah, and he brought Ready Player One and Ernie Cline to Spielberg to make the movie. So he knows what he is doing. And it only took me about thirty years after Sword was published to get the job done! So you got some time. Just don’t expect much now or maybe later or may ever because competition for this sort of thing is pretty rugged. Might want to go to a few conventions first and find some agents there who would be willing to listen to your concept, see if you can’t persuade them to give it a go. But check out their credentials before you sign on the dotted line.

James Steele writes: With more than one line of Ohmsford descendants carrying the ability of the Wishsong, will we ever see them come together in union to face a common enemy?

Terry Brooks replies: No. The family would have to travel through time and death for that to happen, and I am not into total fantasy. So I will keep them all in their allotted time slots and probably not do a whole lot with any of them again, now that they’ve had their star turn. I am ending the Shannara series at the moment with The Fall of Shannara found book set, so after that writing in Shannara will involve going back in time to the pre-history and maybe a few other places. You might see some old friends once I get started doing that.

Aaron Leach writes: As a lifetime and longtime reader of the Shannara works, one of the most exciting moments for me was when the Elfstones were finally discovered deep in the Forbidding. Subsequently, one of the most devastating ones was when they disappeared again. So my two questions stem from that: Will they ever come into play in the series, or was it simply a plot device that was supposed to remain mysterious?

Terry Brooks replies: Yeah, I’m not sure, Aaron. Most of them are still back in the Forbidding, locked away again. Presumably. Maybe I need to do a book that takes place in the Forbidding and centers on someone finding and using the missing Elfstones. How about a vote on that, Readers? Would you be interested in a story that takes place entirely inside the Forbidding and involves the missing Elfstones? Shawn will tally response to see how strong it is.

Anya S. writes: Do you plan to write anything after you finish off Shannara?

Terry Brooks replies: Bite your tongue! What in the world would I do with myself if I didn’t write? First of all, Judine would probably divorce me for being irritating and useless, and then my kids would begin ignoring me and my readers would abandon me for a new favorite. I’m not up for that! So, yes, I will continue to write stories in Shannara, Magic Kingdom and a few other areas of speculative fiction. Already doing so, actually. Big news coming later this year.

Matthew Heiser writes: I was quite pleased with the Chronicles of Shannara Season 1 Box. Can we please get a Season 2 Box?

Terry Brooks replies: I am sure you can, once Season Two airs and the publisher is amendable to it. The show returns October 11 on SPIKE network at 10 pm. Hope you will tune in. I have seen the rough drafts of the 10 episodes and find them visually beautiful and very exciting. Lot happens, and some of it is shocking. Do not get too fond of anyone. I mean it. You heard it here first.