The Gradual Interview

[dlbpharmd]

This is an interested Q&A from the GI, especially in light of the recent thread about names in the Land:

Michael From Santa Fe: I have a question about dukkha Waynhim - specifically, about his name. The concept of "dukkha" in Buddhism relates to suffering and dukkha Waynhim was certainly a creature of great suffering - so I thought it was a cool name. But, did giving one of the creatures of the Land a name that relates to a concept from "Covenant's world" give you pause? I realize it is a rather obscure reference, but if Thomas Covenant had been a Buddhist, or knew something about Buddhism, wouldn't a creature with a name with a reference to his own world cause him to doubt the existence of the Land even more?

Also, just because I'm curious and asking about names - when you created Linden Avery and her name, did the idea come from the Linden tree, which has heart shaped leaves - thus, Thomas Covenant's love interest?

No, I can't honestly say that it gave me pause. After all, Herem, Sheol, Jehannum, moksha, turiya, samadhi, several of the Ramen names, and *Kevin* (for God's sake!), not to mention Sunder, are all real words from our world. And then there's the curious fact that Covenant and Linden experience virtually no language barriers anywhere. As you point out, such details can't undermine Covenant's insistence that the Land is not real. If he is effectively "dreaming," what would compose the dream if not the hidden contents of his own mind?

Covenant's Unbelief has its own peculiar integrity, and I deliberately gave it as much support as I could.

Good call about Linden's name. But I had other intentions as well. "Linden"=tree. Avery=aviary=birds. Both "nature" references. Which I considered appropriate for a woman who would become the Land's great healer at the end of "The Second Chronicles".

(09/17/2004)

[dlbpharmd]

John McCann: I managed bookstores for years and have always been a bit curious about the publishing process. It's now about 8-9 weeks until the release of Runes. What stage is the book in now? (eg. Has the final draft been completed, with the typesetters, or actually been printed and bound and sitting in warehouuses)

Thanks

My experience with "Runes" this year is quite atypical. Typically publication occurs 12-18 months after delivery and acceptance (what we call D&A) of a final manuscript. The process takes so long because there are so many different things that have to be done: cover art commissioned and painted; advertising designed (which usually can't happen until after the cover art and design is complete; but magazines typically require 3 months of lead time to run an ad); promotional campaigns planned and executed; copyediting on the manuscript; proofreading on the manuscript (a very distinct process from copyediting, but both take time, and the author needs to double-check both separately); contracts and schedules with printers negotiated; maps prepared (in my case, anyway). And I'm sure I've left out a number of details.

The preparation of "Runes" has been cruel because 12-18 months of work--for everyone involved--has been squeezed into 6. And that was only possible because the book was rushed to D&A (I was required to do a 6 months rewrite in less than 3). So don't judge what normally happens in publishing by "Runes".

As it happens, my US publisher has had finished copies of the book arriving in their warehouse from the bindery for nearly 10 days now. And books may very well start to appear in bookstores by early October. My UK publisher is running about a week behind the US schedule.

(09/18/2004)

EARLY OCTOBER!!!!

[Believer]

Perhaps it'll be a good time to rob a local bookstore.

"We don't really get it.. He only stole one book..."

[dlbpharmd]

Don't forget the CD set....

[Furls Fire]

Perhaps it'll be a good time to rob a local bookstore.

"We don't really get it.. He only stole one book..."

[aliantha]

As it happens, my US publisher has had finished copies of the book arriving in their warehouse from the bindery for nearly 10 days now. And books may very well start to appear in bookstores by early October. My UK publisher is running about a week behind the US schedule.

(09/18/2004)[/i]

EARLY OCTOBER!!!!

<aliantha tries hard not to hyperventilate>

[dlbpharmd]

James DiBenedetto: A couple of questions about the influence that your work has had:

Are you aware of anything from your works popping up as cultural references (like the very specific references to "Dune" that appear in a couple of Yes songs, or your books being answers on "Jeopardy", etc)?

What do you think your influence has been on the field of fantasy or science fiction over the last 30 years?

Are there any specific books or authors that you see your influence in? Any time that you've read something and said "Aha! He/she must have been reading the Gap series when he/she wrote this..."?

I'm afraid the answers are no, no, and no. Perhaps I'm the wrong person to ask. I'm aware that I live a very "private" life, and that much of what is "public" passes me by. But until recently I couldn't honestly say that I'd seen my influence anywhere except in, well, my children. Then, however, I was made aware of Kevinswatch.com. <grin> So that's at least *some* influence. But "cultural influence"? "Influence on the field"? "Influence on specific authors"? If anything like that has happened, I'm unaware of it.

(09/22/2004)

Three cheers for the Watch!!!

[Revan]

Only 3?!

[duchess of malfi]

Well, there is a VERY specific reference to TCTC in one of the spoiler chapters in George RR Martin's A Feast For Crows...and he also has a Lord Beric in his series. So that is at least one fantastically great author that has been influenced by SRD.

[Baradakas]

SPOILER CHAPTER???? Please reference!!!!

[duchess of malfi]

p210.ezboard.com/fahirashangarfrm26.sho ... D=20.topic

Martin also puts up an occasional chapter on his website, www.georgerrmartin.com

[I'm Murrin]

Don't forget Qhorin Halfhand.

[Hyrim]

Well, got my question on the gradual interview answered. It was the answer I expected, graciously declined.

Interestingly, the post was a little trimmed, I offered SRD some local advice for the Denver trip. I won't post it here for the sake of his privacy, in case he's inclined to look the stuff up before or after the event. Perhaps this means he's thinking of using it (or maybe I'm just reading far too much in to things, it's been known to happen from time to time).

Is anyone from the Watch going to be attending the Denver event at the Tattered Cover?

(I expect I'm the only member from Wyoming, given the population density, but I saw 3 others from Colorado, but none seem terribly active).


Stephen Wright: Hello.

I’ve been reading your books since shortly after the first Chronicles of Thomas Covenant came out. I’m very much looking forward to reading the last sequence in my favorite fantasy series. The book tour is an additional bonus from my point of view, as I’ve been interested in meeting you almost as long as I’ve been reading you.

My question for you is one more of personal nature than one dealing with your works. Simply put, it is this: if your interest, time and schedule allows for it, would you be willing to meet people, perhaps before or after your bookstore appearances, in something like a “mini” Elohim-fest, at local public forums, such as a lunch or dinner?

I don’t have any real understanding of how wearing an author’s tour is, but I thought that perhaps a quiet meeting over a meal (or other avenue of your choice) might be a welcome break for you. Given the way our world is, I completely understand your reluctance to accept earlier offers for meetings at homes…but I thought it could not hurt to ask if something more public and secure would possibly be desirable from your point of view. Local folks might be able to point out things of regional interest, give you good recommendations of where to eat (since aliantha and springwine are unlikely to be readily available), etc.

Please accept my regrets. I appreciate both the courtesy and the kindness of your offer. But the sort of occasion you describe would simply add to my exhaustion. When I'm out "flogging" books, dealing with travel fatigue, sensory overload, LOTS of work, terminal loneliness, and the strain of comporting myself in an appropriately "public" manner when I'm really a private person, the only thing--and I do mean the *only* thing--that restores me at all is to spend time with people I already know well, like, and am comfortable with. People like family. Or friends that I've known for decades.

(09/22/2004)

[dlbpharmd]

I tried every way I could think of to juggle my schedule to allow for a trip out to Denver. Hell, I tried to figure out a way to go to Portland and Alburquerque as well. I just couldn't make my schedule bend enough to accomodate my desire to see SRD. I hope you enjoy your time at the Tattered Cover!

[Dragonlily]

Please accept my regrets. I appreciate both the courtesy and the kindness of your offer. But the sort of occasion you describe would simply add to my exhaustion. When I'm out "flogging" books, dealing with travel fatigue, sensory overload, LOTS of work, terminal loneliness, and the strain of comporting myself in an appropriately "public" manner when I'm really a private person, the only thing--and I do mean the *only* thing--that restores me at all is to spend time with people I already know well, like, and am comfortable with. People like family. Or friends that I've known for decades.

That's an extraordinarily honest answer. I am most impressed with him as a person. (Especially since I can relate completely to what he says )

dlb, I'm sorry to hear you can't make it to Portland.

[dlbpharmd]

This question and answer is a must-read for all TC fans!

JP: I have a question about the nature of personal choice as it relates to Covenant's ring. Covenant tells Linden that the reason that Foul hasn't simply possessed him with a Raver to obtain the ring is that it has to be given by choice in order for its power to be unlocked. And when Hile Troy is about to use its power, it was given to him willingly by Covenant. Yet:

1) Dead Elena is able to utilize it when it's forcibly swiped from Covenant in Power That Preserves, and

2) Linden is able to "possess" Covenant to use the ring at various times.

Are there explanations that fit these instances into the theory of personal choice?

<sigh> All of this would be so-o-o much easier if I hadn't *forgotten* that Covenant gives his ring to Troy in "The Illearth War" and has it taken from him by Elena in "The Power that Preserves." I tell ya, folks, internal consistency's a bitch.

The key points to keep in mind are "the necessity of freedom" and Mhoram's assertion to Covenant, "You are the white gold." So, taking the questions that have come up from easiest to most difficult:

Troy is able to raise power from the ring because a) Covenant gave it to him, and b) Covenant's will, his volition, supports what Troy wants to do with the ring (save Elena from dead Kevin).

Elena, of course, doesn't actually raise power from the ring, but there are a couple of reasons why she might have been able to do so. (In any case, she isn't bluffing when she threatens the Colossus. She *believes* she can exert wild magic. She has, after all, lost her mind.) Volition is a complex thing: there are unconscious as well as conscious choices. And sometimes the unconscious choices subvert the conscious ones. At that point in his struggle, Covenant must have been feeling a certain amount of "death wish" (why else would he even think about tackling Lord Foul when he believes he has no power?), and his unconscious volition might have enabled Elena to use the ring against him. In addition--on a somewhat more conscious level--Covenant has known for a while that external forces can trigger a response from the ring; and he may have been hoping (volition again) that Elena's use of the Staff would trigger a reaction she didn't expect.

Linden's actions raise even more complex issues (not the least of which is my still fallible memory) (and let's not even mention my unwillingness to spend an hour or two researching each question in this interview). She has an emotional bond with Covenant that goes far deeper than consciousness. And on those occasions when she "possesses" him, she always seeks to control him in ways with which some part of him agrees. He certainly doesn't *want* to destroy Starfare's Gem, and he isn't exactly eager to walk into the Banefire--just to pick two examples that happen to come to mind. In other words, she taps into his unconscious volition (not always wisely, I might add).

It follows, naturally, that a Raver--or Lord Foul himself--could not make use of the ring as Linden does. They don't love him; have no bond with him; share none of his impulses, conscious or otherwise. And so they cannot win the cooperation (if you will), the volition, of any of his complex impulses.

All of these points, as I'm sure you can see, depend on the identification between Covenant and the ring. Which raises interesting questions for "The Last Chronicles." Now that Linden has the ring, is *she* the white gold? Does it truly *belong* to her as it once did to Covenant? As Spock might have said (deadpan, of course), "Fascinating."

(10/02/2004)

I never realized that this quandry, long recognized and much discussed by long time Watch members, resulted from SRD's lapse of memory! That's hilarious!

I like his explanation of HT use of the ring - it is in accordance with TC's desire to save Elena. I also like his explanation of how Linden is able to use the ring. To me, SRD's explanation of Elena's proposed use of the ring is lacking.

And the questions he raises about Linden and the white gold have been discussed many times here on the Watch. What say you, Watch members?

John McCann: Stephen,

Are you ready for the onslaught of Runes specific questions, once the book is officially published?

How long after publication will you wait to answer such questions? In order to protect the innocent, will you set up a seperate gradual interview for questions about Runes?

Thanks
John

Not a simple question. After all, I don't want to create spoilers for readers who are waiting for the paperback--or who are waiting to begin until the whole story is in print. At the moment, I don't have any answer for you. I'll probably make decisions on a case by case basis--and try to provide spoiler warnings.

(10/02/2004)

[Revan]

JP: I have a question about the nature of personal choice as it relates to Covenant's ring. Covenant tells Linden that the reason that Foul hasn't simply possessed him with a Raver to obtain the ring is that it has to be given by choice in order for its power to be unlocked. And when Hile Troy is about to use its power, it was given to him willingly by Covenant. Yet:

1) Dead Elena is able to utilize it when it's forcibly swiped from Covenant in Power That Preserves, and

2) Linden is able to "possess" Covenant to use the ring at various times.

Are there explanations that fit these instances into the theory of personal choice?






<sigh> All of this would be so-o-o much easier if I hadn't *forgotten* that Covenant gives his ring to Troy in "The Illearth War" and has it taken from him by Elena in "The Power that Preserves." I tell ya, folks, internal consistency's a bitch.

The key points to keep in mind are "the necessity of freedom" and Mhoram's assertion to Covenant, "You are the white gold." So, taking the questions that have come up from easiest to most difficult:

Troy is able to raise power from the ring because a) Covenant gave it to him, and b) Covenant's will, his volition, supports what Troy wants to do with the ring (save Elena from dead Kevin).

Elena, of course, doesn't actually raise power from the ring, but there are a couple of reasons why she might have been able to do so. (In any case, she isn't bluffing when she threatens the Colossus. She *believes* she can exert wild magic. She has, after all, lost her mind.) Volition is a complex thing: there are unconscious as well as conscious choices. And sometimes the unconscious choices subvert the conscious ones. At that point in his struggle, Covenant must have been feeling a certain amount of "death wish" (why else would he even think about tackling Lord Foul when he believes he has no power?), and his unconscious volition might have enabled Elena to use the ring against him. In addition--on a somewhat more conscious level--Covenant has known for a while that external forces can trigger a response from the ring; and he may have been hoping (volition again) that Elena's use of the Staff would trigger a reaction she didn't expect.

Linden's actions raise even more complex issues (not the least of which is my still fallible memory) (and let's not even mention my unwillingness to spend an hour or two researching each question in this interview). She has an emotional bond with Covenant that goes far deeper than consciousness. And on those occasions when she "possesses" him, she always seeks to control him in ways with which some part of him agrees. He certainly doesn't *want* to destroy Starfare's Gem, and he isn't exactly eager to walk into the Banefire--just to pick two examples that happen to come to mind. In other words, she taps into his unconscious volition (not always wisely, I might add).

It follows, naturally, that a Raver--or Lord Foul himself--could not make use of the ring as Linden does. They don't love him; have no bond with him; share none of his impulses, conscious or otherwise. And so they cannot win the cooperation (if you will), the volition, of any of his complex impulses.

All of these points, as I'm sure you can see, depend on the identification between Covenant and the ring. Which raises interesting questions for "The Last Chronicles." Now that Linden has the ring, is *she* the white gold? Does it truly *belong* to her as it once did to Covenant? As Spock might have said (deadpan, of course), "Fascinating."

(10/02/2004)

heh, if you remember the first time he answered that question, he didn't remember any of them bearing the ring... I posted to him, saying when and where the Rings were used by Elena and Troy... I guess he listened.

[wayfriend]

Help me!

Well, the subsequent story describes how Terisa discovers her own reality as both a person and a woman *while* the culture of Mordant undergoes a profound redefinition of gender roles, predominently as that pertains to the permissable/available roles for women. King Joyse (get it?) sets in motion events which eventually enable his daughters, his wife, and Terisa herself to assume unexpected roles which transform their society.

I don't 'get it' ...

BTW, Bam! He keeps posting things that blow away my supposed understanding of his work.

[duchess of malfi]

He has said in the past that he deliberately chose a feminine name for the King in his story about the empowerment of women.

[wayfriend]

He has said in the past that he deliberately chose a feminine name for the King in his story about the empowerment of women.

Thank you thank you.

Since I have always pronounced it to myself "Joy-zee", that wasn't apparent to me. Plus, I have to admit, I was looking for something more complicated.