The Gradual Interview

[Zarathustra]

DLB, yeah, that's an interesting insight into the Haruchai. I like thinking of Stave from the perspective of the masters, and seeing how they view him in the same light as Doar, Sill, and Korik--yet he is viewed by us as a hero, not a failure. Surely this is significant. I also like the distinction between their striving for the sake of striving, contrasted with their emphasis on results. On the one hand, they are authentic when they accept their failings. On the other hand, they consider Stave inauthentic because he did accept the shortcomings of their mastery. Something has fundamentally changed. Perhaps a clue lies with the Humbled, and how they mirror Doar, Sill, and Korik.

I also thought this post was very significant:

You say "finicky": I say "subjective," ("Let's call the whole thing off"--if you'll forgive an obscure--not to mentioned strained--joke). But here's how it looks to me. I understand your point about the rhythm of "final". To my mind, however, "last" asserts that there will not be any more "chronicles," whereas "final" suggests that there may not be any more of ANYthing. In other words, "final" sounds more, well, *final* than "last" does.

As I say, subjective....

(10/03/2007)

So there WILL be something left after all this is over! That's nice to know.

[wayfriend]

Individual Haruchai don't live as long as Elves; but since they all know pretty much everything that any Haruchai has ever known, why aren't they bored stupid?

Wow.

I know this topic about racial memory had come up before, probably in the dissection somewhere. There were some clues that we pounced on. It's nice to see it confirmed.

And, again, I have to wonder, did the Haruchai have the power of racial memory before Donaldson began writing Runes? (Did they have the power of mental communication before he wrote TWL?) Probably not.

I wonder where this progression will lead us before the end?

Memories of everything that ever was ... dead who can return ... time travel... I'm thinking that we're exploring the same problem a lot of different ways.

[dlbpharmd]

And, again, I have to wonder, did the Haruchai have the power of racial memory before Donaldson began writing Runes? (Did they have the power of mental communication before he wrote TWL?) Probably not.

According to Gilden-Fire, they did have the power of mental communication prior to TWL. I think this is clear also at Rivenrock in TIW when Bannor and Morin decide to reveal the name of the Seventh Ward. As to racial memory, it's not clear. Brinn and Cail referred often to "the Old Tellers" which sounds alot like campfire storytime, doesn't it?

[Avatar]

Yeah, it's not admitted to anywhere except in GF though. I didn't know that they had it until I read TWL, and I remember being shocked.

It was implied in TIW, but very slightly.

--A

[Relayer]

I don't see it as specifically "racial memory" in the Bene Gesserit sense (having actual memories of their ancestors).

The Haruchai are more like the Giants, and since they can directly share their stories and memories mind-to-mind, they're able to have almost total recollection.

[emotional leper]

I don't see it as specifically "racial memory" in the Bene Gesserit sense (having actual memories of their ancestors).

The Haruchai are more like the Giants, and since they can directly share their stories and memories mind-to-mind, they're able to have almost total recollection.

That's how I'd always figured it. Telepathy combined with a good memory.

[dlbpharmd]

Andrew (drew): Mr Donaldson sir,

Here is one of those anoying fan type questions, that is not really pertanant to the Covenant stories, but I'm going to ask anyways. I wasn't going to ask until I read a answer from you a week ago, saying that you did have SOME ideas in your head that you never put into the stories. If you don't have an answer, you could always just make one up on the spot...I'll never know the difference!!

The question regards Damelon, Loric and Kevin: When were they born? They all had long lives, so was Kevin actually alive during his great grandfather's time? Or did Berek (et al.) wait until they were older (much older-closer to retirement) before they decided to settle down and start families.

My own personal opinion (Probebly WAY off base)is that Damelon, Loric and Kevin weren't actually Berek's, Damelon's and Loric's genetic children, but more like prodege's who were more or less adopted.

What do you think?

Long life was an effect of devotion to Earthpower and Law. Of the old High Lords, Berek was the only one to spend a significant part of his adulthood as an "ordinary" man. Ergo he fathered Damelon comparatively early in his life--and Damelon didn't become High Lord until comparatively late. But Damelon and Loric were in no particularly hurry: they started their families (much) later in life. It's conceivable that Loric knew his grandfather, and that Kevin knew his. But I wouldn't want to bet on it.

(10/05/2007)

[Relayer]

I have followed the giants in your world and have to ask if you have ever listened to "home by the sea" by Genisis and pictured Foamfollwer and his kin in that song? (I certainly do).

BAX, if you're on here, so do I. In fact, it's been surmised that HBTS is in fact influenced by TCTC and the Giants. HBTS seems to be about a burglar who gets trapped in the home, but Phil Collins always introduced it in concert with a story about "levitating to another world" or something like that.

"As we relive our lives in what we tell you..."

[matrixman]

Long life was an effect of devotion to Earthpower and Law. Of the old High Lords, Berek was the only one to spend a significant part of his adulthood as an "ordinary" man. Ergo he fathered Damelon comparatively early in his life--and Damelon didn't become High Lord until comparatively late. But Damelon and Loric were in no particularly hurry: they started their families (much) later in life. It's conceivable that Loric knew his grandfather, and that Kevin knew his. But I wouldn't want to bet on it.

It sure is hard to pry any new info about the Old Lords from SRD. I do hope he gives us something to chew on in the Last Chronicles.

I have followed the giants in your world and have to ask if you have ever listened to "home by the sea" by Genisis and pictured Foamfollwer and his kin in that song? (I certainly do).

BAX, if you're on here, so do I. In fact, it's been surmised that HBTS is in fact influenced by TCTC and the Giants. HBTS seems to be about a burglar who gets trapped in the home, but Phil Collins always introduced it in concert with a story about "levitating to another world" or something like that.

"As we relive our lives in what we tell you..."

Holy croyel! I love that Genesis song, but it never made me think of the Giants.

[drew]

Michael Prince: I've looked and have not found this question asked elsewhere in the GI. But in looking over other questions in the GI, I wondered what might Lord Foul choose if he were confronted with the possibility of actual death.

I realize that his goal is to beat the Creator by breaking free from the Arch of Time. Or is it to break free by overcoming the Creator. Or is that the same thing? Nevermind. That is not my question.

Anyway, I also know Foul is evil and therefore perpetual. So really this is purely a hypothetical question... about a fictional world, I know. But now that the question exists in my mind, and this opportunity to ask you exists, I'll ask. I figure the worst is that you'll tell me not to bother with such a silly notion.

So, hypothetically, if the Despiser was faced with the possibility of actual destruction, death, which would in a way be freedom from the Arch of Time, would he accept it or fight against it? Is that even an answerable question?

(And by the way, since I'm here, I'll add my thanks to those of the vast multitude for the books you have written. Your books, the Chronicles in particular, make my world seem just that much wider.)

We've entered a realm of rather abstruse theological speculation. After all, what do *we* know about how gods think or feel? But I'm inclined to believe that benign beings generally are more likely than malign beings to accept the possibility (the necessity?) of their own ending. Benign beings can accomodate the notion that The Greater Good may require their dissolution: malign beings cannot see any Greater Good than themselves.

If any of that is true, the Despiser could never acquiesce in his own destruction: the Creator might conceivably do so. (What? Did you think it was an *accident* that no one appeared to warn Linden before she entered the Land for "The Last Chronicles"? <malign grin>)

(09/28/2007)

I wonder if this question was planted?
As in, written by Mr Donaldson, for the sake of a clue as to what is hapening.

[Relayer]

"As we relive our lives in what we tell you..."

Holy croyel! I love that Genesis song, but it never made me think of the Giants.

There's at least one more possible TC-inspired Genesis song... "Keep It Dark" on Abacab. The set up is again a criminal thing (this time the guy gets abducted ), but the rest sounds very much like the Land...

I wish, that I could really tell you,
All the things that happened to me
And all that I have seen,
A world full of people their hearts full of joy,
Cities of light with no fear of war,
And thousands of creatures with happier lives,
And dreams of a future with meaning and no need to lie,
No need to hate,
No need to hide.

Oh, keep it dark.

[matrixman]

Phil Collins needs to set up his own GI so we can bug him about this.

[dlbpharmd]

Matthew Verdier: I'm rereading Runes to prepare for Revenant in a couple of weeks. I noticed that several characters comment that Vitrim created by the Ur-Viles doesn't taste good. However I don't recall the Vitrim created by the Waynihm in TWL or WGW being described as tasting bad. Does Ur-Vile Vitrim taste unpleasant because "evil" creatures made it and Waynihm Vitrim taste better because "good" creatures made it or am I just making more of this than is necessary?

You're right: in "The Second Chronicles," vitrim is described in milder terms. But I didn't intend the stronger language of "The Last Chronicles" as a comment on the ur-viles--although it makes sense that their darker lore would produce less palatable results. Rather I was thinking about the greater discernment of health-sense (restored--if in temporary bursts--in "The Last Chronicles," mostly absent--with the obvious exception of Linden--in "The Second Chronicles").

(10/06/2007)

[dlbpharmd]

Marc Dalesandro: Hello Mr. Donaldson,

I have an observation, and a question. I'd welcome any comments you may have.

Recently on the GI you answered a question about how Lord Foul could influence the fanatics in Runes of the Earth. You said "The barriers between realities are breaking down, thanks to LF's original abuse of Drool and the Staff of Law."

The fact that something from the First Chronicles so deeply affects the Third is very satisfying. It makes re-reading the First Chronicles even more fun, because when the reader gets to these parts, it seems something truly momentous is happening. A lot of what happens in most fantasy novels is dishearteningly "throwaway".

Now, a question: what, exactly, did Gibbon see as the outcome of his confrontation with Covenant? Even if the wild magic had run out of control and destroyed the Arch of Time (as Foul no doubt intended) would not Gibbon be destroyed as well? I would think the one thing a failed Covenant would do, even as the Arch fell, would be utterly destroy Gibbon.

The issue you raise about Gibbon sounds familiar. Surely I've discussed this before? In any case....

As I see it, Lord Foul has long since subsumed the individual identities of the Ravers. They are no longer distinct "characters" with their own agendas: they are "minions" pure and simple. So they don't ask questions like, Gee, what happens to *me* if you win? Long ago, of course, LF may have made any number of "promises" (e.g. I'll take you with me when I escape Time) to seduce the Ravers. If so, those promises ceased to have any meaning (or even any necessity) centuries before Our Story begins.

(10/08/2007)

[variol son]

WOOHOO! I got a private answer to a GI question. SRD emailed ME! *faints*

I probably DO get information about sales in NZ and Australia. But the data comes through my UK publisher, and is buried away in many pages of numbers which I can't interpret (lacking either the requisite skills or the necessary determination). Sorry I can't give you a more useful answer.

--Steve

===========================

Whilst recently lamenting that few of my favourite authors or musicians (for few read one) ever visit New Zealand, I started wondering how popular you actually are out here. Your answers to previous questions demonstrate that you receive concrete information on sales of your books in both the US and the UK and I was wondering if your publishers had given you any such information regarding New Zealand (and Australia).

[emotional leper]

WOOHOO! I got a private answer to a GI question. SRD emailed ME! *faints*

I probably DO get information about sales in NZ and Australia. But the data comes through my UK publisher, and is buried away in many pages of numbers which I can't interpret (lacking either the requisite skills or the necessary determination). Sorry I can't give you a more useful answer.

--Steve

===========================

Whilst recently lamenting that few of my favourite authors or musicians (for few read one) ever visit New Zealand, I started wondering how popular you actually are out here. Your answers to previous questions demonstrate that you receive concrete information on sales of your books in both the US and the UK and I was wondering if your publishers had given you any such information regarding New Zealand (and Australia).

Wow! Can I touch you?

[Menolly]

WOOHOO! I got a private answer to a GI question. SRD emailed ME! *faints*

*nod*

That happened with my GI question as well a couple of years ago. He felt the question deserved an answer, but that it wasn't broad enough to post on the GI itself.

*hoping when we finally set up and boot up that desktop that the email is still there*

As I said then, his and the series of emails I received from Anne McCaffrey regarding Crystal Line are some of my most treasured.

[aliantha]

Lynne: Hi Steve --

I *know* you can't do anything about where you go on your book tours, and I would hate to make them longer for you (thereby pulling you away from getting started on the next book).

But honestly, does Putnam believe that nobody east of the Rockies reads fantasy fiction? All your US tour dates are in the West. Same thing happened for the "Fatal Revenant" tour.

To whom at Putnam do we complain? Maybe we can convince them to reroute things for the Book 9 tour, at least....

Thanks!

As soon as I say this, you'll find that you aren't surprised. It's all about money. I live in the West myself, so sending me on Western tours is cheaper than sending me anywhere else. In fact, I haven't been east of Colorado and New Mexico on tour since 1980.

(10/10/2007)

<grumble> He's right. I'm not surprised.

[wayfriend]

Okay, this one ROCKED MY WORLD. Not sure if it is in a good way.

Bizzaster: Hello Mr. Donaldson,
As so many others before me have expressed, I would like to thank you for bringing us all of your wonderful stories. I think this GI is great and this is my first time submitting.
My question is in regards to the Appointment of Findail in the Second Chronicles. Earlier in the GI, you mentioned that the ideal situation for the Elohim would have been for Linden to possess White Gold. “[The Elohim’s] true desire is that Linden should have and use Covenant's ring. They believe that because of her nature, her health-sense, and her commitment to healing, she could stop Lord Foul (and the Sunbane) without risking the Arch--and without bothering them.” In another response, you went on to say, “So for [the Elohim], plan A was that Linden has the ring, therefore doesn't need a Staff of Law; she beats the shit out of Lord Foul, and no one else has to worry about it.” Does this mean that Linden could have fought and defeated the Sunbane without using the Staff of Law? My impression was that the Staff was a necessary tool in allowing Linden to redeem the Land- that the corrupted Earthpower was absorbed by her and then funneled through the Staff to find its rightful order.
Another question is in regards to the Creator. (I know you’ve sworn off Creator questions, but…please?) It seems to me that it was foolish of him to offer Covenant a place in the Land after defeating Lord Foul. As the Creator, should he not have foreseen the possible need for Covenant in the far future when Lord Foul returned? Covenant himself admits that Lord Foul is not gone, simply diminished, “I’ve beaten the Despiser- this time. The Land is safe- for now”. Essentially, my question is whether the Creator truly thought that he was ‘finished’ with Covenant. If Covenant had chosen to end his days in the Land, would the Creator have selected an entirely new individual to meet the current threat to the Land? (Linden seemed to have been chosen to complement Covenant, but would have been unable to conquer the experience alone) Does the Creator, like the Elohim, ‘appoint’ an individual to meet the ‘doom of the age’ and simply counted on having to select a new hero if danger arose in the Land again? (This might be spoiler material) Has he done so before? Also, why wasn’t Linden given the choice to end her days helping Sunder and Hollian? Did the Creator anticipate her to return to the Land?
Finally (Sorry for packing in the questions, feel free to answer all or none!), in the GI you mentioned that Lord Foul did not come to the Land until the Lords were powerful enough to be of use to him, which is why the Lords had no knowledge of him. Yet, the story of Kelenbhrabanal seems to place Lord Foul in the Land and heckling the Ranyhyn far before the Lords came into being. I imagine the Ranyhyn had to have told the Ramen about the Render when they enlisted their help as tenders. Would not the Ramen, or the Ranyhyn through the Ramen, have warned the Old Lords that Fangthane existed and was a source of Despite and malice in the Land (or had been in the Land). Even if they did not readily recognize Lord Foul when he appeared, shouldn’t they have at least been aware of his existence? Also, of what use was the Ranyhyn to Lord Foul? Was his actions towards them a simple exercise in despite (like Llaura and Pietten) or were their unique abilities (revealed in ROTE) a direct threat/aid in his struggle?
Thanks again for the GI and keep up the good work!

• I'm going to keep this short because I'm supposed to be packing. <sigh>
  
  1) You appear to assume that the Elohim care equally about defeating Lord Foul and quenching/repairing the Sunbane. I'm not sure that such assumptions are warrented.
  
  2) Come on. The Creator in this story is supposed to be a humane guy. We know this because he does things like offer Covenant a life in the Land--and because he doesn't *Appoint* anybody (he doesn't deprive people like Covenant, or the people of the Land, of their right to make their own choices). He didn't pick Covenant: Lord Foul did. If Covenant is enabled to live out his life in the Land (complete with white gold), LF would eventually have to come up with entirely new strategies, strategies in which the Creator might have no "say" at all--and I would be writing an utterly different story. The Creator certainly wouldn't go around *Appointing* new champions.
  
  3) You appear to underestimate the importance of the Ranyhyn. You also appear to be making some very broad assumptions about time-lines (e.g. that the Ranyhyn and Ramen were present in the Land early in the history of the High Lords) as well as about the nature of the communication between the Ranyhyn and the Ramen. It's significant, after all, that the Ramen have never participated in a horserite.
  
  (10/19/2007)

Wow.

(The other parts of this question make me wonder if Bizzaster is someone at the Watch. Hello? Bizzaster?)

[Cagliostro]

Objective criticism doesn't demonstrate whether something is enjoyable. You can't objectively reach a subjective result.

However, I hope we can agree that
dog slowly vapor try
isn't a well constructed sentence. I think we can objectively say that that is bad literature. Not bad as in unenjoyable. Bad as in ill-formed. Specifically, it doesn't function.

I see you've never read James Joyce, have you?