(2000-02-01)Q: Can you tell us a bit about your current projects?
A: Current project in the works is Peril's Gate, the latest in the Wars ofLight and Shadow series. It continues the saga of two half brotherscursed to fight each other - has intricate and deeper development ofcharacters and magic on all levels, and will surprise quite a few fansof the series with the ending. The book to follow it will be StormedFortress, and that will complete the middle section of the series.
Q: Have you always been interested in fantasy?
A: My interest in fantasy began with books of faerie tales read as a child.I didn't discover novels in the genre until much much later - I wasalready writing by then, and so had to "catch up" on my reading in thefield.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about the experience of coauthoring the Empire Trilogy with Raymond E. Feist?
A: Ray had an idea with a beginning and an ending, but no middle, and heasked me to collaborate. He wanted a woman main character, and had seenmy touch with political intrigue in my first novel, Sorcerer's Legacy.At first, I refused, being way to busy, but in the end the storyattracted me enough to cave in.
We got together face to face at a World Fantasy Convention, and wroteoutlines for Daughter and Servant in one sitting (four hours). Mistresscame later, when we realized the story couldn't end there.
After that, we each drafted scenes, then exchanged them by modem aselectronic files, and overwrote and elaborated each other's draftsmultiple times, until you can't tell who wrote what. It's a true blendof styles, his and mine, and we finished, still speaking to each other.
Q: What plans do you have for the future?
A: Plans for the future include finishing my long series, Wars of Light andShadow, which has been in the works and planning for over 25 years. I amcompleting the middle section, now. Also, I am just going to contract ona stand alone title, that will be a change from long, intricate worksthat take more than a year to finish. Of course, I haven't given updoing artwork. Beyond doing my own book covers, when I get clear of mydense schedule, I want to do more paintings just for the fun of it.
Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
A: I advise aspiring writers of any age to read Swain's book, Techniques ofthe Selling Writer, available from University of Oklahoma Press, thereis NO other how to manual for fiction that can hold a candle to thisone. Next, just write! You are the only one who can see our idea tofruition, and if you don't tell that story, it will never be there to beshared.
Q: Do you have any explanation why so many fantasy authors have this fascination for animals?
A: I can't speak for other writers liking animals - for myself, life wouldbe much the poorer without them, and lacking a very treasured sort oflaughter. They are fun, they are fascinating, and they teach us humanshumility, when we are patient listeners.
Q: What has the Internet meant for you as an author?
A: I personally have not spent much time on the internet, so have little tosay about it's affecting me as a writer. 
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