Kevin's Watch

I wrote Mr. Donaldson after reading the third book of the Gap series and was delighted to receive a personal letter back from him. At the time, I was somewhat dismayed at the depth of depravity expressed in the Gap books, perhaps deepest when he described women who disemboweled themselves for entertainment. He responded somewhat to the effect that he was trying to look for the goodness in all people, and asked to me stick with the series to see how it turned out. I still have my doubts after finishing the gap books.

It is interesting to compare the author photos from his various works. The original Covenant book photos are in full sunshine, showing a smiling young man with longish hair. The photos from the Gap books show only a shadow of a person framed by smoke from a cigar or cigarette. Finally, the latest Reed Stephens book shows an almost gaunt middle-aged man that looks like he's been through a lot, and who is finally a dead-ringer for Thomas Covenant! I think his personal views, particularily about the goodness of humanity, may have changed a great deal between his childhood in a missionary family and his latest years following two divorces.

I too have been very moved by his work, mostly the Thomas Covenant story, but he is just a regular old person like the rest of us! If you really would like to correspond with him,you might just want to try writing him!

Srtrout

You lucky dog!

I have, on and off, been trying to write to Donaldson for years, but have yet to find a good address. Is there any way you could send me a good address that I can get a letter through to him? It doesn't seem that he really wants to be found, but I just have to write him. The Chronicals are the best fantasy books...period.

Ya! Me, too! What he said.

You guys are asking what address I used for Stephen Donaldson. As a simpleton, I just wrote to the publisher of his books and they forwarded it. He might be more reclusive now, probably not busier as I think he was probably a bit more generally popular when I wrote him then. Sorry I don't have a more specific address.

I also wrote Garrison Keillor and was happy to get a handwritten reply from him. I happen to work one in of the towns he based Lake Wobegone on, and used stationery with that address on it with a handwritten address and handwritten return address.

I think if the authors happen to actually page through their own mail, they likely pick and chose which to answer and would more likely pick something more personal. Overall, these guys are not always terribly busy as they fight writer's block, and are much more likely to answer a letter than actors, models, and sports figures.

Or, you could just hang out around the theatres in New Mexico?

By the way, if they make a movie out of the chronicles I am available to play Thomas Covenant; I'm looking more and more like his picture on the cover of The Wounded Land.

wow. i'm jealous.

If I were to run into SRD, I would probably have an asthma attack and drop at his feet! Then Mrs. D. would REALLY have something to frown about!