More Questions from an L.E. Modesitt Fan
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Forgive me should this have been asked before. Speaking only for the Recluce Series.
As I mentioned in another post, I finished reading Natural Ordermage, and I noticed that the story seems to end with the emphasis of another story to follow. There have been 3 books early on that were entirely self contained stories. Most of the books seem to have 2 books to them.
My question is this then, when the idea hits you are you thinking too many possible ideas to fit into 1 book, or after your finished the one book that another idea for the character takes over?
As I mentioned in another post, I finished reading Natural Ordermage, and I noticed that the story seems to end with the emphasis of another story to follow. There have been 3 books early on that were entirely self contained stories. Most of the books seem to have 2 books to them.
My question is this then, when the idea hits you are you thinking too many possible ideas to fit into 1 book, or after your finished the one book that another idea for the character takes over?
The skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think.
Edwin Schlossberg
Edwin Schlossberg
Recluce Books
I'd have to say that it really depends on the circumstances. Initially, for example, I thought The Magic of Recluce would be the only book about Lerris, but the idea for the sequel occurred later. In the books about Nylan, Cerryl, Lorn, Kharl, and, now, Rahl, I knew the story arc early on, but realized at some point that I couldn't fit it into one book that Tor would publish. In none of the cases did I deliberately set out to write a "duology." Part of the problem is, I suspect, that I tend to see more complexities in life than fit into a single book.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
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I'm working on a project for my Recluce website and re-started "The Magic of Recluce" yesterday.
This afternoon, I found a phrase that I don't remember and it's bothering me.
It's from when Lerris is unpacking his things in his dangergelder room at the end of his first day in Nylan:
My question(s): Why does Lerris consider an order-locked purse to be "normal" and how does he know it's order-locked?
(thanks)
This afternoon, I found a phrase that I don't remember and it's bothering me.
It's from when Lerris is unpacking his things in his dangergelder room at the end of his first day in Nylan:
Lerris has had a lot of "instruction" from Magister Kerwin about chaos and order but when his father asks him if he believes in "magic", he says he's never seen anything like good magic that couldn't be explained by chance or hard work.The order-locked purse was there, with my apprentice wages, as was another purse I did not remember.
My question(s): Why does Lerris consider an order-locked purse to be "normal" and how does he know it's order-locked?
(thanks)
"Budge up, yeh great lump." -- Hagrid, HP:SS
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The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
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The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
Contradiction
Just remember that Lerris is a teenager, and he's contrary, especially at the beginning. It doesn't seem at all contradictory, in terms of behavior, but then, I've been through eight teenagers.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
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Really? I'm
Last edited by the grim squeaker on Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
'You can take our lives but you'll never take our freedom!' he screamed.
Carcer's men looked at one another, puzzled by what sounded like most badly thought-out war cry in the history of the universe.
Carcer's men looked at one another, puzzled by what sounded like most badly thought-out war cry in the history of the universe.
Just a couple of quick (hopefully) questions
Which book has been your highest seller? Would be interesting to know what the 'masses' thought was your best work.
On a Recluce note, Cerryl is refered to as 'Great' by Blacks. Seems a little strange to me that they would call him that as well.
Many thanks
Which book has been your highest seller? Would be interesting to know what the 'masses' thought was your best work.
On a Recluce note, Cerryl is refered to as 'Great' by Blacks. Seems a little strange to me that they would call him that as well.
Many thanks
I would guess that it's because he shepherded Candar through a long period of relative peace and prosperity - which benefitted Recluce too. People tend to remember times like that with a certain fondness ("The Good Old Days"). Especially if the next ruler blew it.Robertus wrote:On a Recluce note, Cerryl is refered to as 'Great' by Blacks. Seems a little strange to me that they would call him that as well.
Also, I would think others outside a realm tend to accept the moniker given by the people of that country. Easier for interaction.
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Cerryl was the first leader of Fairhaven to declare that Recluce should be allowed to prosper. He believed the more Recluce prospers the more chaos there will be in the world for Fairhaven to use. It would be like a leader of Palestine telling Palestinians its in their own benefit for Israel to prosper. I'm sure Israelis would appreciate that.Robertus wrote:On a Recluce note, Cerryl is refered to as 'Great' by Blacks. Seems a little strange to me that they would call him that as well.
Bestseller
In terms of total number of copies sold, the best seller is The Magic of Recluce.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
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Mostly assumed that editorial/advertising wrote those synopses & back-cover blurbs until I read http://www.sfnovelists.com/2008/07/22/t ... -synopsis/
Wondered if you write all of yours, and pondered/agonised over similar issues?
Wondered if you write all of yours, and pondered/agonised over similar issues?
The L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Excerpt Archive **found a new home** (thanks Kvetch)
My UserScripts for IBDoF & IBList
My UserScripts for IBDoF & IBList
Synopses
Actually, I don't have to write a synopsis to sell a book, thank heaven, but I do have to write one for the marketing people, and then often a draft of the back cover/jacket flap copy, which gets worked over by my editor. The first and second are different because the marketing people need to know plotlines and characters more, but cover copy needs to tease without containing spoilers.
And, yes, writing either one is a pain, but necessary, as any author who's seen enough junior editors try it wil testify.l
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
And, yes, writing either one is a pain, but necessary, as any author who's seen enough junior editors try it wil testify.l
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
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Pronunciation question: "Taryl" (from Natural Ordermage and Mage-Guard of Hamor).
Is the accent on the first syllable, as in "Darryl", or on the second, as in "motel"?
Is the accent on the first syllable, as in "Darryl", or on the second, as in "motel"?
"Budge up, yeh great lump." -- Hagrid, HP:SS
-=-
The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
-=-
The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
Pronunciation
It's pronounced TAR-ryl [as in Darryl].
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Just a quick lunchtime note!
I LOVE Taryl, he is awesome. I finished Mage Guard this past weekend and have been waiting until I have some time to gather my notes and comment.
One odd little question I have is how similar is the mage guard uniform to the military uniforms of Hamor? As I read the book I was picturing Rahl blending in pretty well with the soldiers when viewed from a distance. I was also wondering if they wear tall boots for riding or if they go for half chaps instead.
I like to get a good picture in my mind. This is becoming more important to me as I re-read books. Sometimes I sketch things out to get a better picture. I still have not figured out the details on what the whites look like that the Fairhaven wizards wear. Come to think of it, I have quite a few wardrobe questions. Maybe it isn't a big deal?
I LOVE Taryl, he is awesome. I finished Mage Guard this past weekend and have been waiting until I have some time to gather my notes and comment.
One odd little question I have is how similar is the mage guard uniform to the military uniforms of Hamor? As I read the book I was picturing Rahl blending in pretty well with the soldiers when viewed from a distance. I was also wondering if they wear tall boots for riding or if they go for half chaps instead.
I like to get a good picture in my mind. This is becoming more important to me as I re-read books. Sometimes I sketch things out to get a better picture. I still have not figured out the details on what the whites look like that the Fairhaven wizards wear. Come to think of it, I have quite a few wardrobe questions. Maybe it isn't a big deal?
The outcome of the city will depend on the race between the automobile and the elevator, and anyone who bets on the elevator is crazy.
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Frank Lloyd Wright
mage guard of hamor in kindle format?
I was curious if there were plans to have the latest book (Mage-Guard of Hamor) in Amazon's kindle format? I was hoping it would be upon release since the last book was. Who decides if it gets released in this format? the author or the publishing company or a combination of both?
Format
The author, or at least this author, gets no say in what format a book is published, only in making sure that he does get a royalty regardless of format.
From what I know, the decision to release in any E-book format initially rests with the publisher, although Amazon has been fairly aggressive in seeking Kindle releases.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
From what I know, the decision to release in any E-book format initially rests with the publisher, although Amazon has been fairly aggressive in seeking Kindle releases.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
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Like Rahl did with the training manual?PasoFino wrote:I like to get a good picture in my mind. This is becoming more important to me as I re-read books. Sometimes I sketch things out to get a better picture.
As I mentioned in a different thread, I had trouble visualizing a couple of the troop maneuvers .. I'm thinking I might try rough-sketching them on my re-read.
"Budge up, yeh great lump." -- Hagrid, HP:SS
-=-
The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
-=-
The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
Hello Mr. Modesitt,
Long-time reader and fan of the Recluce series. Thank you for the time and effort put into the books, they have been a favorite of mine since Towers of Sunset was published, and I've recommended them to a large number of friends.
I have a few questions about Black Ordermage from Viewpoints Critical.
When does this story take place approximately? Obviously it takes place before Death of Chaos, but I wasn't sure if it pre-dates Lerris (and Cassius is a very old Ordermaster), or if it takes place between Magic of Recluce and Death of Chaos.
These questions are spoilered for those who aren't familiar with the story:
And finally, one more general question:
Do you plan to expand the late period of Recluce any? You've hinted a bit on threads here that some of the story in Lerris' era hasn't been told yet, such as Naclos, Cassius, Rahl's tie to the Hamor emperor, and a few other lose ends. Is that just for the mysterious allure of some unfinished questions with any world (because there are no perfect answers), or an era you're ear-marking to potentially go back to?
I'm really looking forward to the Sarroyn/post Nylan tales in the works, especially a chance to see more of the lands of the Legend.
Long-time reader and fan of the Recluce series. Thank you for the time and effort put into the books, they have been a favorite of mine since Towers of Sunset was published, and I've recommended them to a large number of friends.
I have a few questions about Black Ordermage from Viewpoints Critical.
When does this story take place approximately? Obviously it takes place before Death of Chaos, but I wasn't sure if it pre-dates Lerris (and Cassius is a very old Ordermaster), or if it takes place between Magic of Recluce and Death of Chaos.
These questions are spoilered for those who aren't familiar with the story:
Spoiler: show
Do you plan to expand the late period of Recluce any? You've hinted a bit on threads here that some of the story in Lerris' era hasn't been told yet, such as Naclos, Cassius, Rahl's tie to the Hamor emperor, and a few other lose ends. Is that just for the mysterious allure of some unfinished questions with any world (because there are no perfect answers), or an era you're ear-marking to potentially go back to?
I'm really looking forward to the Sarroyn/post Nylan tales in the works, especially a chance to see more of the lands of the Legend.