Terry Brooks - stepping back from writing

[RedMage]

Just saw Terry Brooks' blog post from today. He's alive and healthy but, at the age of 81, recognizes he is aging.

Read the post. I'm in my late 30s and have only now begun reading some of his books. I look forward to more. Both of his currently published works, and those to come.

 

[Hobbit]

Thanks for this, RM. I was fortunate enough to interview Terry a few years ago - like 15! - at a convention and even then he said he was thinking of slowing it down a little, so it's not a great surprise. He looks pretty good for 81, though!

Interesting choice of new writer, though. Suspect it's because she's a friend as much as a writer, although lately the only thing I recognise her writing are Star Wars spin-offs. It'll be interesting to see how others react to this.

Back in the 1990's/early 2000's there was a slew of writers who got others to write stories in their universes - Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov are the first I can think of - presumably because they were paid lots of money and did less of the writing!

There were some successes but generally they were just not as good or different to what was hoped for. Be interesting to see how this goes...

 

[farseer2]

He's not really one of my favorite authors, but much respect for such a long career as a professional writer. May he spend these years in peace and good health.

 

[RedMage]

Interesting choice of new writer, though. Suspect it's because she's a friend as much as a writer, although lately the only thing I recognise her writing are Star Wars spin-offs. It'll be interesting to see how others react to this.

I keep meaning to read Dawson's solo stuff, but all I've managed to read is her collaboration with Kevin Hearne--The Tales of Pell trilogy, starting with Kill the Farm Boy. All three books are some of my favorite comedic/humorous fantasy

Back in the 1990's/early 2000's there was a slew of writers who got others to write stories in their universes - Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov are the first I can think of - presumably because they were paid lots of money and did less of the writing!

There were some successes but generally they were just not as good or different to what was hoped for. Be interesting to see how this goes...

I haven't read The Wheel of Time, though now I'm wondering how the Sanderson books came out after Jordan's death. Same? Totally different?

I was in college when I read Spider Robinson's Variable Star, which he wrote from a 7 page outline from Heinlein after the latter's death. I hadn't read either before that point and, I can't entirely remember because it's been so long, but I may have read only 1 or 2 Heinlein books actually written by him. So I can't compare the one book against other Heinlein works.

 

[Hobbit]

I haven't read The Wheel of Time, though now I'm wondering how the Sanderson books came out after Jordan's death. Same? Totally different?

Slightly different, I think - the other authors were given permission by the original author, who was still living; I don't know if Sanderson talked with Jordan, but I don't believe so. It was Jordan's wife Harriet who talked to Sanderson, I understand, after Jordan's death, but using his extensive notes. (If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will tell me!)

I was in college when I read Spider Robinson's Variable Star, which he wrote from a 7 page outline from Heinlein after the latter's death.

I reviewed it here and liked it. Might be worth rereading now to see if it still holds up.

 

[Essord]

Slightly different, I think - the other authors were given permission by the original author, who was still living; I don't know if Sanderson talked with Jordan, but I don't believe so. It was Jordan's wife Harriet who talked to Sanderson, I understand, after Jordan's death, but using his extensive notes. (If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will tell me!)

If my memory of interviews/articles from when the three Wheel of Time books by Sanderson came out is correct, the first one had largely been written in draft already (perhaps 70%?), the second perhaps 20% or less and the last only had some scenes, predominantly the finale. Based on those extensive notes Sanderson simply focused on getting the story done, incorporating all that Jordan had written already.

My personal assumption is that Sanderson was selected partially because his prose style is not that much different from Jordan and of course he is a prolific writer who can do the job within a certain timeframe. When I read the books the main difference I noted was that the plot had a good pace again and story lines were getting wrapped up. Perhaps Sanderson adjusted his style a bit or the editors cleaned up anything which was off too much, but any differences are small and for experts to whine about. I am just happy Sanderson did a good job. As I've read plenty of his books I didn't really see any of his typical stuff. A trained writer (which Sanderson certainly is) can adjust his style to fit that of another.

To get back to the topic of this thread: I don't mind if another author takes over to complete a series or if there is a homage, but Shannara is primarily a collection of connected trilogies which one can usually read without having read the others. I think I got until the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara that I lost interest. Later on I had the impression he was finally wrapping things up, but apparently not. Is there really a need for more Shannara stories? Terry Brooks has left a solid legacy. No need for others to take credit.

 

[Raf]

He's not really one of my favorite authors, but much respect for such a long career as a professional writer. May he spend these years in peace and good health.

Wasn't a favorite of mine either. Although I read the original SoS series. Hated the MC though.

 

[Raf]

Slightly different, I think - the other authors were given permission by the original author, who was still living; I don't know if Sanderson talked with Jordan, but I don't believe so. It was Jordan's wife Harriet who talked to Sanderson, I understand, after Jordan's death, but using his extensive notes. (If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will tell me!)


I reviewed it here and liked it. Might be worth rereading now to see if it still holds up.

I've re-read all of Spider's Crosstime Saloon books and they held up....well, 10 yrs ago they did anyway

 

[RedMage]

Thanks for the discussion of the Wheel of Time series. I find that stuff interesting.

To get back to the topic of this thread: I don't mind if another author takes over to complete a series or if there is a homage, but Shannara is primarily a collection of connected trilogies which one can usually read without having read the others. I think I got until the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara that I lost interest. Later on I had the impression he was finally wrapping things up, but apparently not. Is there really a need for more Shannara stories? Terry Brooks has left a solid legacy. No need for others to take credit.

Perhaps Brooks wants the Shannara series to continue long after his death and not simply conclude with just a few more books. Have it be an ongoing, living story. Just a thought... I read Sword of Shannara last summer, but I have yet to continue and pick up any other Shannara books. Or, maybe Dawson will write in some of Brooks' other story worlds, like Landover. I also read the first two Landover books last year but, again, have yet to continue the series.

 

[Hobbit]

Robin Hobb has pointed out that Terry has said that he has not said he will stop writing, but that he will stop writing Shannara books. Important distinction!

But it does show that TB will pick and choose and not rush to publish books, I think. Perhaps he will be more selective.