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 2019 and Terry’s answers! Enjoy!
Note: This section may contain spoilers!
DECEMBER 2019 ASK TERRY Q&A
Hello All,
Here we go again! Looks like we have some sharp minds at work this month!
Edward writes: I have found your first few books in a collection (omnibus, I think is the term) Sword, Elfstones and Wishsong in one volume three other volumes containing all books in the Heritage, Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, and High Druid. I was wondering if you or your publisher plan on releasing any of the other books in this format?
Terry Brooks replies: The subject hasn’t come up of late. Everyone is too involved with publishing the last book in the thirty book series. I know they do plan to release the others at some point, likely in order and likely from one year to the next. But I guess I have to ask you to be patient on that one. I will see if I can find anything out in the meantime.
Ian Rougas writes: I am writing a novel and now drawing up a map of my lands. How long did it take you to construct your map of the lands? What went into it? Thanks.
Terry Brooks replies: My map was hand-drawn, and I just started with the bare essentials of the Four Lands and kept adding things as I went. Each book that came out after the first three got tweaks in the map references. But we quit doing new maps because it got too complicated as the stories kept sprawling all over the place. We did do one of Morrowindl when Elf Queen was released and another of the ‘Forbidding when Grianne got sent over in High Druid. The trick with maps is to keep them basically the same but know that you will be adding new places and references as you continue your world-building. A list of characters and one sentence references for each book in each series is helpful, too.
Steven Lee Hanson writes: As of December 24 2019, The Gypsy Morph (aka Little John, Hawk) should be about seven years old. I think it would be cool if every year you could do “updates” as to what he and his mother, Nest are doing. Even year you could report on 5 years This year 2012 – 2019, next year 2020-2025 for the next 8 or so years. COOL!
Terry Brooks replies: I have a better idea. You write it. This is too much for me to have to deal with. I have trouble enough keeping up with the characters in stories I am currently writing without trying to follow up with characters from the past. I have to tell you, I am not the energy-filled fellow of even five years ago, so I know my limits. But I bet you have tons of energy and you might have fun with a project like this. Just know that the publisher will be at your door step with a stop-and-desist order if you ever try to sell anything. Cheers!
Bruce Van Dyke writes: Will there be a sequel to Street Freaks? If yes, any idea when that might happen?
Terry Brooks replies: Yes, and yes. I do have a plan for a sequel to Street Freaks, even though it is only a plan. As to when I will write it, that depends on a bunch of things – mostly to do with other projects and the time it will take me to do them. For now, there are at least two books ahead of that one. So please be patient and know I will get to it when I can. Shawn the Web Druid guy has the same questions, and he’s waiting too. He’s just a little more insistent.
Christine Sweeney writes: I am a massive fan of your work, particularly the Landover series, and I was wondering are there any plans to release the series on Audible any time soon?
Terry Brooks replies: That matter is under discussion, and I hope to have an answer sometime this coming summer, if not sooner. I will put something up on the website and Facebook pages as soon as I know.
Thanks again for. Your continued interest in my work. It is an exciting time. The end of an era with the concluding book (maybe) in the Shannara series and the beginning of a new series, the first book of which will publish next year. Other projects are percolating along as well, so be warned: I am not finished with you!
In the meantime, stay safe. Stay healthy. And read something great.
Ask Terry
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