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L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
May Questions
Why did Creslin lose his sight permanently, while Dorrin only lost his sight for a short period of time?
Creslin did not lose his sight permanently, but was blind often in much of his later life. The reason was that, in effect, Creslin was an indealistic extremist, while Dorrin was an indealistic moderate, who was much more aware of the need for the Balance and for maintaining it. Creslin literally remolded the climate of a large chunk of the world, and then used order to create a great deal of chaos on top of that. Read the Answer!
Creslin did not lose his sight permanently, but was blind often in much of his later life. The reason was that, in effect, Creslin was an indealistic extremist, while Dorrin was an indealistic moderate, who was much more aware of the need for the Balance and for maintaining it. Creslin literally remolded the climate of a large chunk of the world, and then used order to create a great deal of chaos on top of that. Read the Answer!
Through your different series, there are links that indicate a shared history, particularly between Recluce and the "Parafaith" histories, including a black ordermaster. Will we see a joining of timelines, or are you just going to continue to tease us?
This question, or variants of it, has come up a number of times. The reason is simple. For me, the future cannot ignore the past. So when I write about possible alternative futures in SF, there are always cultural links to the past which alternative futures will share. Second, certain technologies will also exist in various alternatives, such as fusion generators. I've chosen to use the same name, rather than use different names in different futures. Third, I address fantasy universes as alternatives to the historical universe, if in the present or the past, and that means links of sorts do exist. As for Cassius, the black ordermage, his story appears in the recently published Viewpoints Critical. Read the Answer!
This question, or variants of it, has come up a number of times. The reason is simple. For me, the future cannot ignore the past. So when I write about possible alternative futures in SF, there are always cultural links to the past which alternative futures will share. Second, certain technologies will also exist in various alternatives, such as fusion generators. I've chosen to use the same name, rather than use different names in different futures. Third, I address fantasy universes as alternatives to the historical universe, if in the present or the past, and that means links of sorts do exist. As for Cassius, the black ordermage, his story appears in the recently published Viewpoints Critical. Read the Answer!
April Questions
Why is it that the Lord-Protector of Lanachrona has no Talent, even though he is a descendant of a Talent wielder?
Actually, both Mykel, the very first Protector of Tempre, and his wife Rachyla have Talent, but the problem is that subsequent generations of Lords-Protector did not always marry those with Talent, and the gene for Talent tended to get bred out of the line. This issue comes up in The Lord-Protector's Daughter, coming out from Tor in hardcover in November. Read the Answer!
Actually, both Mykel, the very first Protector of Tempre, and his wife Rachyla have Talent, but the problem is that subsequent generations of Lords-Protector did not always marry those with Talent, and the gene for Talent tended to get bred out of the line. This issue comes up in The Lord-Protector's Daughter, coming out from Tor in hardcover in November. Read the Answer!
Will you approve of others to write in your "universes"?
While an author should not ever say "never," it is highly unlikely that I will allow others to write adventures in any world or set of worlds I have created.
Read the Answer!
While an author should not ever say "never," it is highly unlikely that I will allow others to write adventures in any world or set of worlds I have created.
Read the Answer!
March Questions
Do you anticipate an encyclopedic volume for the Saga of Recluce, something that would tie together the places and people, with maps and pictures?
While a volume like that is always possible, at this point, since I'm still writing in the world of Recluce, it would appear very premature. Read the Answer!
While a volume like that is always possible, at this point, since I'm still writing in the world of Recluce, it would appear very premature. Read the Answer!
Exactly what is a "sander" in the Corean Chronicles, the male form of the Ancients?
Sanders are indeed the male "ancients," while soarers are the female form. Read the Answer!
Sanders are indeed the male "ancients," while soarers are the female form. Read the Answer!
Are there any plans for Recluce audio books?
I've been working with a group interested in a start-up audiobook operation, but it's in a very preliminary stage, and I can only hope that it will work out. Read the Answer!
I've been working with a group interested in a start-up audiobook operation, but it's in a very preliminary stage, and I can only hope that it will work out. Read the Answer!
February Questions
When will Imager and Imager's Challenge be in the bookstores?
Imager is scheduled for February/March of 2009. Imager's Challenge is not yet scheduled, but it's likely to be in the fall or winter of 2009 or the spring of 2010. Read the Answer!
Imager is scheduled for February/March of 2009. Imager's Challenge is not yet scheduled, but it's likely to be in the fall or winter of 2009 or the spring of 2010. Read the Answer!
Will there be new volumes in the "ghost" series?
My editor has suggested that I write other books in the "ghost" universe, but not about Johan and Llysette. I'm still considering that possibility, but if I do, it won't be for a while. Read the Answer!
My editor has suggested that I write other books in the "ghost" universe, but not about Johan and Llysette. I'm still considering that possibility, but if I do, it won't be for a while. Read the Answer!
Most of your "strongest" mages visit or know about Naclos and what it means to be a gray mage. Should all mages in the world of Recluce attempt to become gray in order to gain strength, live longer, and influence others?
The short answer is no. Initially, all mages have a tendency toward being either black or white, but some are so firmly oriented toward one extreme or the other that attempting to move toward "grayness" would destroy them. Consider the results of the trials that all full druids must undergo and the fact that many do not survive such trials. Read the Answer!
The short answer is no. Initially, all mages have a tendency toward being either black or white, but some are so firmly oriented toward one extreme or the other that attempting to move toward "grayness" would destroy them. Consider the results of the trials that all full druids must undergo and the fact that many do not survive such trials. Read the Answer!
When you were first beginning as an author, how much time on average were you able to devote to writing between the pressures of work and family.
The time varied tremendously, but on the average, once I started on novels,I managed 4-8 hours a weekend and 1-2 hours most evenings, sometimes very late evenings. Before that, when I was writing short fiction, it was only 4-5 hours a week. Read the Answer!
The time varied tremendously, but on the average, once I started on novels,I managed 4-8 hours a weekend and 1-2 hours most evenings, sometimes very late evenings. Before that, when I was writing short fiction, it was only 4-5 hours a week. Read the Answer!
January Questions
Do you ever try to mold your readers into your view on a topic or issue -- on politics, for example?
Although I've been accused, upon occasion, of being "preachy," that's never been my intent. I do have an agenda on most issues, however, and that agenda is to raise issues and questions in a fashion that will cause readers to think about them and to question their preconceptions on those issues. In particular, I like to take on what the British philosopher Alfred North-Whitehead called the unexamined and obvious assumptions of society -- those assumptions that are so fundamental to a society that they are seldom, if ever, scrutinized. The problem with this, of course, is that readers often say, "That's so obvious." And it is... except that it wasn't obvious until I raised the question. Read the Answer!
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