More Questions from an L.E. Modesitt Fan

[Demonsword314]

I have two more questions. I would like to know where you come up with the names for yoru charcters and why did the highways become unused after the fall of Fairhaven (such as the one Lerris found)

[lmodesitt]

I developed or adapted names as I saw necessary, but I've always tried to follow the general rule that most names be no longer than two syllables and be easily pronounced.

As for the roads... some are still used... as the one Justen followed to lead Lerris through Fairhaven[Frven]. Others were blocked by the cataclysm that accompanied the fall of Fairhaven, and others were abandoned because they didn't go where people wanted to go.


L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[Winship]

Just started reading Flash (finally) and I noticed a reference to another city Bozem, is this short for Bozeman MT or another city? If so is there any reason behind it, such as a personnel history there?

Second question: in Adiamante there was a brief reference to a battle site, is this the Little Bighorn battlefield?

Third question: Chaos has been represented in the different Recluce novels as energy. Example Chaos fire, light and even sound in a back handed way (Lerris going slightly deaf), while in the two Cyador novels it comes across as more like electricity. I guess this really isn't a question but more a speculation. If Chaos is just another name for energy why can other aspects of it be used. Couldn't a White or Grey speak over long distances by using the radio spectrum? Maybe not the mages after the fall of Cyador, but the Rats surely understood the principles.

[Kvetch]

Couldn't a White or Grey speak over long distances by using the radio spectrum? Maybe not the mages after the fall of Cyador, but the Rats surely understood the principles.

In a way, don't mages already - Justen in particular kept getting mental messages (from the druid lady - Dayala, or however its spelt), although the connection seems more order based.

[gollum]

...Justen in particular kept getting mental messages...

Justen+Dayala seem unique. Can't recall - my limited memory! - any other mage able to do this except Justen in tMoR, tDoC, tOW.
Though Lerris was able to receive, that warning also came from Justen.

Others appear limited to impressions/feelings from those with a strong emotional connection. Cerryl+Leyladin, Gunnar+Justen etc.
Maybe mental messaging is a Balance ability.

[Hilodorf]

I have a question, in the first of the two Cerryl books, we find Cerryl trying to steal a horse from a stable. In that scene you meet two stable hands that are talking about "getting it" after losing the horse. What I'd like to know is, how is it that this tiny nonsignificant moment in the book has stuck with me since the moment I read it? Is there a technique to that style of writing? I am constantly wondering what ever happened to those two? If you have any input on the matter, it would be greatly appreciated.

[lmodesitt]

My memory is doubtless failing, because I don't recall the scene you mention. I do recall a scene in the second book where Cerryl steals a horse in Hydolar and the two stable boys are more than concerned.

I use such details because they're true to life. The stable boys don't care about Cerryl's "great" mission. All they care about is not getting beaten because a horse is missing. That's true of most of us as well, in that the details of our lives are more important than what's happening in Washington or London or Ottawa or Canberra -- unless those acts in the capital cities directly impact our lives.


L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[Hilodorf]

Perhaps I had the wrong book in mind, it has been a while since I've read those. But that one scene has stuck with me. I really enjoy all of the Recluce series, as each novel seems to leave its own lasting impression. Thanks for writting such great books

[Demonsword314]

I just finished Gravity Dreams and it was absolutely incedible! One of the best books that I have ever read, perhaps the best. I was wondering if there was a posiblity of a sequel or even another book based in the same universe?

[lmodesitt]

At present, I have no plans for another book in the "universe" of Gravity Dreams. I am, however, working on another SF novel which readers who liked Gravity Dreams may also enjoy/appreciate.

L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[supervic]

Does this new work have a title yet?

[lmodesitt]

Not one that I'm prepared to share with the world yet.


L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[Hilodorf]

Which side of the genre of Sci Fi Fantasy do you enjoy writing the most with?

[lmodesitt]

I enjoy writing in both genres, because each genre has aspects that I appreciate and like. I really don't have a preference, and I'd miss writing in each if I didn't.


L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[Hilodorf]

I have another question for you Mr. Modesitt, I was wondering when an idea for a story hits you, do you have a pattern in which you get to work on it? such as set apart some time each day to write, or is it more spontaneous? I ask because there are many how-to books out there, but they seem to be by authors who haven't produced much in the market, or atleast not that I can find. Each though offeres different ideas on how best to write out a story. Since you have many good novels published, I thought I would ask you what works best for you?

[Kvetch]

Well, this question in our improvised FAQ might answer some of that (the answer also appears in a thread somewhere - I'm not sure where though...)

[lmodesitt]

As I've said more than a few times, and pardon me if this is repeating, all stories come from a simple question: What if?

IF... if you ask enough "what ifs", you can generally find the ideas for a story. For me, that's the easier part. Making it all real is what's harder.

As for writing times, I write as much as I can fit in between the interruptions from roughly 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.


L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[Demonsword314]

Who were the Immortals in The Parafaith War? I think that they were people who had discovered immortality like Tristen and Van, but needed more resources so they tried to take over all habitabal planets.

[lmodesitt]

In the "universe" of The Parafaith War and The Ethos Effect, there are very few immortals, and they're all somewhat scattered.

They're also very careful not to reveal who they are.

L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[ironwill96]

Not really a question, just a comment. I'm reading your Ecolitan series now (finally) and really enjoying it

On a side note, you need to slow down the speed at which you are writing books Mr. Modesitt, I can't keep up! I'm trying to buy every single one of your books and read them all as well, but I always seem to be about 7-8 books behind your latest works!

Thanks for all the countless hours of enjoyment, i'll keep reading/buying if you keep writing.

Nathan

[Hilodorf]

Myself when I collect books in a series I make sure I get them all the same type. Either Hardcover or Mass Market. With the recluse series I got the first book in Mass Market, so I have each copy in that publishing style. As I'm a slow reader it never really took me too long to find the next one. It wasn't until the later books in the series that I had to wait for them to come out. I'm still waiting for my bookstore to get Odermaster on Mass Market. I find that in most cases the wait for the book to come out makes it that much better. My question comes out of the difference in Hardcover vs Mass Market paperback, is it the publishing company that controls when its released, or do you have a say in the matter?

[lmodesitt]

The publisher determines when a mass market follows the hardcover, but the timing is usually between nine and and sixteen months after the publication date of the hardcover. I don't get any say in the matter.


L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[gollum]

Mr Modesitt, I've been re-reading The Spellsong Saga (in the interests of inclusion in an expanded archive of your works) and have gained a new appreciation for Anna and the difficulties she faced.

At the time of first reading (1998+), I must admit I didn't like her character nor did I enjoy the series very much.
6 plus years later, I'm embarrassed by my lack of understanding at that time, and my less than informed critcism of the saga.

On with the question;

In The Spellsongt War Anna and Jecks are discussing Wendella and how Wendella, while travelling from her brothers hold (Morra), came to be captured by Alasia.

The sorceress grinned. "Did she put on finery to do it?"
Jecks' laughs and says "I'll wager she did, though she talked little of it. She said it needed to be done. Barjim was not wholly pleased"

I assume Wendella wanted to be captured (saved from Dencer)?
What's the bit about 'putting on finery' about?
And why wouldn't Barjim be pleased to have a hostage from a heavily defended - and politically ambivelant - Stromwer?

Anna seems to find the episode funny.
As is usual for me, I feel I'm missing something here (surprise, surprise).

[chickenbuttlips]

I have tried to search for the answer in this board without success.

Mr. Modesitt, do you have an agent and mind if I ask the name of the firm?

Also, can you tell us your success story to publishing? You're an inspiration to us corporate types who work crazy schedules, go to school full time, and try to have a family life.

[lmodesitt]

The "she" referred to in the quote is Alasia, who was Barjim's consort and who preferred to dress in battle clothes, rather than woman's finery. The implication is that Alasia wore clothing she detested in order to get close enough to Wendella to capture her. Barjim was not totally pleased with Alasia's subterfuge.


L. E. Modesitt, Jr.