Q's and A's

## Q's & A's

Questions and Answers - Frequent and Otherwise     (On going, add it to the list.)

### Author and Writing

**What are Terry's literary inspirations?**
Terry: My biggest Fantasy influences were Tolkien, Zelazny, Brust, and Gygax. (June 2020)
**What is Terry's academic background?**
Terry attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in Religious Studies. Find out more here.
**What's a day in your writing process look like?**
Terry: I get up about 5:30 am and write for about 4 hours before the rest of my family gets up. If I'm on a roll, I'll keep writing all day. If I'm on deadline I'll keep writing until I'm exhausted. But it beats the hell out of working for a living. (Sept 2022)
Terry: I write EVERY DAY if I can. Starting early in the morning. After 5pm whiskey gets involved. After that . . . well, it can get whacky. But it keeps the dialog fresh. (Sept 2022)
**How much research do you put in some elements of your books, any things you spent way more time on than you'd expect?**
Terry: As much as I possibly can, honestly. I pride myself on writing in a way where you can really smell the peasants, and part of that is having as complete an understanding of what I’m writing about as possible. My research extends beyond reading to experimenting and taking workshops. Currently, I’m on a cheese binge, but before the series is over, I will have spent *more time than expected*. (May 2019)
**If you could cast one spell in real life, what would it be? How about a sport talent?**
Terry: The one that made me a famous fantasy author. Oh, wait . . . And my sport talent? Omnipotence. I think you see a pattern, here . . . (May 2019)
**How do you keep track of so many plot threads and details?**
Terry: Good question. I obsess about it. And I keep a lot of maps and excel spreadsheets. And I still get a lot of things wrong. (May 2019)
**Do you know everything about your world or are you discovering it with the reader?**
Terry: Honestly, knowing how much to tell y'all is a constant struggle. I have to give you just enough to stay interested and drive the plot along, but not so much that you figure out all the details long before I give them. It does take some work on plotting, but also on perspective. Indeed, a lot that you think you know will be challenged dramatically in Book 13. Mystery leads to suspense which keeps the reader engaged. I know things about the characters and the series that won't be revealed until the final book. And I'm completely OK with that. (June 2020)
**Where did the idea of humanity origins come from? I was impressed with the foreshadowing that went over my head until the second read through.**
Terry: Thank you! That’s high praise, and precisely what I was shooting for. Every Fantasy story has an origin, and it can either be realistic or mythic. I went with realistic, beginning with “what would happen if a space colony came to an inherently magical world?” and went from there. That idea isn't original, both Anne McAffery's Pern and (to a lesser extent) Steven Brust's Taltos series flirt with that, but I wanted to make it more central to the long-term plot. (June 2020)
**How does Terry name his characters? How does he pick interesting, original names (like Astyral) are there any rules (apart from the rule that children's names are a combination of their parents), does he use any name generator? With the Journeymage peeling back linguistic roots on high perwynese, I notice some references to other cultures and languages (e. g. Asterix & Popeye, Linta and Leska being Finnish names), but the placement of Russian derived names seems very deliberate - a Sea Mage (Moudrost - Wisdom), a Nemovort (Nadziratel - Overseer), a Rat boss (Uzhas - Terror), as well as Ukranian (likely) with Perwyn - First. Is that supposed to hint at the multicultural part of the expedition, or is that more of a byproduct of your literary process of selecting names?**
Terry:  Outstanding observation! Yes, those names were chosen for a couple of different reasons, and some of them do hint toward the composition of the original colony. Others were borrowed, sometimes altered, from a particular language for a particular reason. I do a fair bit of research into some of my names. Others I choose because they sound cool. Many of the Nemovorti names come from Eastern European languages because (to the English-speaking world) they have delightfully sinister consonants. But some of the names are descended from the original colony. There's a story, there . . . (May 2019)
**In your writing I notice some characters are mentioned and later insert themselves into the situation as a problem arises, but I have seen clues to the problems before the characters get mentioned too. So, I am wondering which comes first in your writing character or problem they solve?**
Terry: It can go either way. Usually, I have a good idea about the problem and the character who will solve it and will try to introduce both in ways that aren't too obvious. Other times, I write myself into a corner and call on one of my faithful torchbearers to develop enough character to get me out. (May 2019)
**Did Terry write the story about Tyndal and Rondal first encountering Ruderal while adventuring with the Kasari?**
Terry: Great question. Yes, I will. It's a character issue, which is why I'll probably finish it and release it around the time of the next Cadet novel, which will focus on the Kasari. Title will be Windmaster. (Sept 2022)
**Are there any plans for a prequel series about the original humani settling of Callidore?**
Terry: Yes, I plan a stand-alone novel set in the Colonial period on Perwyn dealing with the collapse of the main colony. It will probably be from Lilastien's POV, though she might just be a major character in it. (Sept 2022)
**Interplanetary?**
Terry: This is EPIC FANTASY. We'll probably just go orbital. MAYYYYBE lunar, but THAT'S IT. (May 2019)
**Did you know where this series was headed when you started, or did events overtake you and the story grew of its own accord?**
Terry: More or less. I figured an epic-er fantasy series needed a long, involved plot and a thunderous conclusion. We're halfway there . . . (Sept 2022)
**How far have you thought out the plot of the novels with some certainty?**
Terry:  I would say that I’ve thought out the plot of the series with certainty, but each individual novel, while designed to do a particular thing in service of the series, is its own book. While Arcanist (Book 12) is essentially a continuation of Thaumaturge, it will be its own novel. I know generally how it will go, but I wait until composition to see how the plot lays out. (May 2019)
**Do you have plans of a book or maybe a trilogy about the colonization and what led up to the sinking of Perwyn?**
Terry: Not a trilogy, but a stand-alone novel featuring Lilastien. (Sept 2022)
**Thaumaturge was written in a different style to all previous books. In addition to Min, we now have added Tyndal/Rondal, Pentandra and Dara as significant 1st person viewpoints. Do you intend to write from more than Min's perspective in future books (ala GoT) to tell the parallel stories? and/or Are you exploring different perspective writing styles?**
Terry: Great question. Min will always be the primary character, but it seems a shame to build such a cool world for only one man. The other perspectives give the reader a chance to enjoy Callidore with different eyes, from different ages, and such. Otherwise, it's like learning about the Civil War only from Rhett Butler's perspective. A LOT is going on, and I want you to get a taste of it all. And of course, I am constantly experimenting with writing styles. I might fail occasionally, but I won't be boring. (May 2019)
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### Publishing

**Have you considered implementing a beta reader program, like Michael J Sullivan and some other self-publishing authors have, to help with editing? Do you feel that the errata we compile on here post release is a more effective method of accomplishing that?**
Terry: Good question. I do have a professional editor (NOT a proofreader) and I do employ a few volunteer beta readers. But no matter how hard I try to eliminate errors, there are always some that get through. But here's the thing: writing like this is an iterative process. Almost everything gets fixed by the time it goes to the audiobook, and by that time I've had a few dozen people give me corrections. And not all the same corrections. So it's a trade-off between getting the book to you perfectly (which is impossible) or getting it to you expediently. I suppose I could make y'all wait longer . . . (May 2019)
**When a book is finished, how much of a process is there to get it ready for audiobook format?? How did you choose your excellent narrator, and how long does it usually take between the release of a book and the release of the audio book?**
Terry: Excellent question. It takes me at least a month to go through, re-edit, correct and develop a pronunciation guide for all of the weird fantasy names. Sometimes longer – I’m planning two months for Necromancer. Podium Publishing chooses the narrator, and they have been sterling at that. After that, usually a month for production, a month for post-production, and then it goes up on the site. But at any stage of the process any number of things can delay that and push back the date. As it is, I’m pretty impressed with how quickly and well Podium has managed the series. Serious props. (May 2019)
**How many books will be in the series?**
Terry: There will be 30 main series novels plus unlimited stand-alones, YA books, short stories, novellas, cookbooks, atlases (atli?) and such. It's a big world! (Sept 2022)
**Cookbooks?**
Terry: I actually have at least 2 different cookbooks in progress: One for traditional medieval fare, and one for the Kasari. I'm a huge foodie, I will not lie. (Sept 2022)
**Where can I get paperback copies of all the books in the series? Is there a hardcover set of the books planned?**
Terry: You can get the first six main series novels, the Dara cadet series and the Gatina legacy and secrets series in paperback from Amazon, but eventually all will be out in both soft cover and hard back, including the anthologies, etc. And yes, everything will be released in paperback eventually. (Sept 2022)
*As of March 2023, 12 paperbacks from the main and cadet series are available on Amazon.*
**Is there anywhere I can go to see larger/ more detailed versions of the maps released on the e-books?**
Terry has shared that he has engaged several artists to create the maps of Callidore. In the meantime, you can head to the Maps Category for available official and fan maps. (Nov 2023)
**Will the e-book be released before the audible?**
Terry: All e-books and audiobooks are now released on the same day.
**I notice some spin-off series; could you please explain those in relation to the main series?**
Terry: I write the spin-offs and YA stuff and shorts because I think they add to the world building and character development of the series. After all, there was more to the Civil War than what just Rhett Butler witnessed. There's a lot of Callidore out there, and a lot of people, which gives me a lot of stories to tell.
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### Callidore

**Would a jevolar necklace allow a dragon to think?**
Terry: They always think. But it might help them communicate.
**Would a jevolar crypt hold a god?**
Terry: No. Gods cannot manifest in proximity to a strong jevolar.
**Was Earth always in the 'light', and if so, where did the myths of dragons, the various Alon-like races we know of, and gods come from? if they were not always in the light, as I suspect, does this mean that we had previous interactions with the Alon races on Earth before we drifted from the darkness?**
Terry: Great question. Yes, Earth is in the Light . . . but it has had brief periods of being in the Realm of Darkness. Believe it or not the answer lies within quantum physics. The other races in our memory are traces from this time, and from times when other races have intruded on our world. More of this will be revealed toward the end of the series. You know, a dozen or so books from now.
**While I know magic and wizards are the focus of the books, why do all non-magical characters seem incompetent and unable to see the bigger picture?**
Terry: It’s not that they’re incompetent, its that their competence is limited by their experience, education, and perspective. Imperially-trained wizards are educated people, and even wild magic imparts a certain knowledge of the universe that mundane folk lack. Minalan surrounds himself with competent people, and wizards are often competent people. They are also often screw-ups in other ways.
**Will there be technological development as well as magical?**
Terry: Yes, but don't expect it to flow nicely like regular Medieval>Rennaissance>Industrial Revolution. S@!t's weird on Callidore.
**Is the almanac almost done?**
Terry: Working on it. It takes time. But it is coming along. (Oct 2022)
**I watched an episode of modern marvels the other day called wiring America or some such and it made me think it wouldn't be hard to setup a telegraph system. If you can make steel, you can make copper wire right?**
Terry: Why go to all that trouble when you can use a network of sympathy stones or mind-to-mind communicators?
**When are you going to give us a Gutenberg press?**
Terry: Something like that will evolve soon. But it won't be as effective on Callidore as it was here, for reasons that I will explore.
**What would be the most important printed object? A map? A book of the hands? A history book?**
Terry: The CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.
**Wouldn't an education system run by Kasari give people something to do? And special skills?**
Terry: Perhaps. But there are only so many Kasari, and they want to be rangers, not teachers.
**Will a patent system going to be setup?**
Terry: Nope. IP is stealable in the Five Duchies. A tragic oversight of Narasi common law.
**Does Luin's day actually fall between months? Are other holidays like that as sort of "season dividers? Or does Colitasmas have 29 days with Luin's day on the 29th?**
Terry: Yes, Luin's Day is one of the 8 intercalendrical days of the year. (Sept 2022)
See: Callidoran Calendar

**I'd love to see a book in the style of Mad Mage of Sevendor following the king and his rise to power and his internal thoughts on everything that happens especially with his son. Do you think you may ever write something like that?**
Terry: Sort of. Book 16 will involve something like that, sorta. An examination of sovereign power and its ramifications.
**Will we ever find out what happened to Earth?**
Terry: Yes. But not for a long time, yet.
**How did the Alon discover other planets and travel between them?**
Terry: The simple answer is "magic". The more complex answer is a major plot point. Probably for the 3rd 10 books.
**Are Huin, Duin, and Luin anthropomorphic ducks?**
Terry: No. But it's amusing to think about.
**Is Narasi based on earth language(s)? If it is, which language is it based on?**
Terry:  Narasi is the polyglot result of a few different Western European language strains which were forced together over an extended period of time along with a "common" tongue. So are most of the languages on Callidore. Some are Catalan, Welsh, Irish, Finnish, etc. mixed with one or more of the others, within a greater linguistic context. Over time, drift brings them into a single language.
**Was the Narasi a camp for equine enthusiast?**
Terry: No, but almost as interesting. It was the Northern Area Research and Survey Institute. They had a few horses. Things got complicated.
**Where did the Narasi come from? There doesn’t seem to be any acknowledgement of a shared ancestry from Perwyn as there is with the Kasari but presumably they must have arrived with the other colonists?**
Terry: Excellent questions! The Narasi are the descendants of a survey and exploration camp in the far north-eastern steppes which was forgotten when Perwyn sank. They were a mixture of colonists, originally, but when they lost their technology they adapted to a primitive herder/rancher culture. That included horses, raiding each other’s camps, and eventually the fertile valleys of Vore, in the south.
**The Valley People! Are they human? Alon? A mix of the two?**
Terry: The Valley People are a separate question. Their secret will be revealed in a future book, but they are definitely human. Heavily genetically engineered, but definitely human. They are not Alon, though the Tera Alon bodies are based on Valley People genotypes.
**Which book will the kingdom take back Farise?**
Terry: Probably in book seventeen.
**Where is Cormeer? Is it a sovereign nation?**
Terry: Cormeer is a region under Merwyni rule on the southeast coast of Merwyn. They're not particularly happy about it. (May 2019)
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### Minalan

**Is Minalan still totally mad at the end of Mad Mage?**
Terry: Yes. But he'll get better eventually. A little.
**I'm curious about the parallel between Alya's mental affliction with Min's. Min went to the depths for Alya to get the hand maiden; will there be something similar for Alya in the future?**
Terry: They are both a unique kind of crazy. But they make it work. Cheaper than couple's counseling. And yes, the Handmaiden and the Snowflake will be involved.
**Whose voice told Min he must get back up after he nearly died in the battle of Cambrian Castle?**
Terry: That was Briga. She was annoyed.
**Can anyone use Allyfan Alimpinor or did Min make sure to add blood coral so that he and his blood line are the only ones to use it?**
Terry: Blood coral. On purpose. For Reasons.
**Is it possible we will see Min extend his lifespan in some fashion?**
Terry: This is a complex question that will be dealt with toward the end of the series (3rd decalogy). Ageing is an essential part of humanity. It's one of the things that defines us.
**Once Min becomes too powerful, won't he have to be side-lined?**
Terry: Nope. There are evil dark lords of untold power we haven't even met yet.
**Is there a possibility that Minalan and company could make a trip to the Met Sakinsa's green moon?**
Terry: Much later in the series, that is a possibility.
**With Minalyan getting older do you see him or any of Minalan's other children playing more of a role in the story? Perhaps some of the children Min hasn't met?**
Terry: Yes and yes. Look for that to start happening more about Book 17.
**We get a few lines hinting at Minalan’s kids’ personalities; are we going to get more development from them as time goes on?**
Terry: Yes, as the books progress (and the kids get older) we'll see more from them. Then there are his other kids . . .
**Min’s three other bastards, that Ishi’s mentioned, who are they and when is Iyugi going to find them?**
Terry: We'll find out. At least one or two of them. But it won't be Iyugi who finds them. The gods are involved. And you know how THEY are.
**Can you please keep Minalan human?**
Terry: Min will always be human. That isn't always a good thing. But the role of the wizard, unlike the priest, is to take metaphysical action in a humanistic cause.
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### Characters

**Is Ruderal going to finish school like Rondal/Tyndal did? Will he pick up on warmagic?**
Terry: More like it will evolve around him. And he's going to learn some warmagic, but his specialties will lead him elsewhere.
**Why is Ruderal the best character in Spellmonger?**
Terry: Because he's hopelessly idealistic in a world where he can literally see people lying to him. That takes a certain level of character sophistication that will be difficult to adequately express in his upcoming Cadet novel.
**I have particularly enjoyed the Rondel and Tyndal development and of course their interaction. I look forward to more in the next books.**
Terry: They are on different journeys, but the strength of their friendship will be vital to the series.
**Do you see any more books centered around the boy's adventures and any more Hawkmaiden books?**
Terry: There will be another Hawkmaiden book, but likely a longer, more in-depth novel than the Cadets. Dara has grown up a bit, after all. Expect to see other characters (and some new ones) get their own Cadet books, though. And I can’t talk about any deals.
**Will we see any of Liliastien's perspective on the Yith madness she is experiencing?**
Terry: You'll see Lilastien's perspective, but she's keeping a tight lid on the voices . . . thus far. That won't last.
**Does the two headed monster Aza’methet get affected by hawking radiation?**
Terry: Yes . . . kind of. He's a level or two beyond mere magic. A perk of being an Elder Being.
**How do the formless travel? Do they have client species or just servants? Could they call a client species to the world?**
Terry: They use dimensional magic more than anything, but they cannot in the prisons the Vundel have set them in. And they still have a few client species on Callidore, hiding in the shadows. Expect them to start making the occasional appearance.
**What happened to Iyugi?**
Terry: He's still around. He will be back. Promise.
**What’s Iyugi’s other half? He’s a half-breed but I can’t tell what that means.**
Terry: They are a semi-civilized tribal people descended from Eastern European stock. There's a story there . . .
**When will Heinrich Gerling be utilized?**
Terry: I'm waiting for the right moment.
**Why didn’t Dara get any military training like the boys did? Will she ever? In Necromancer & Thaumaturge she seems handicapped as a leader.**
Terry: Dara's training was commensurate with her ability and position. Being a Sky Rider is military training. Her leadership was, indeed, hampered by the split between the Wings, but she will overcome it. Her personal life may not be pretty, but she'll go on to be a solid military leader. Remember, she's a teenage girl. She doesn't automatically snap into leadership equipped with a full set of skills. Neither does anyone else.
**What was the inspiration to include a character like Caswallon?**
Terry: He's a bit of a parody of the Heroic Warrior meme, but there is a backstory and deeper character insights. He's someone who's really good at what he does, knows it, and then annoys other people by talking about how he's really good at what he does. Without realizing he's done so. Kinda like the Tick.
**Will Sir Whiskers from the Iris be important?**
Terry: In a minor but important way. He's technically some other author's creation, I'm just filing off the serial numbers and giving him a new coat of paint. I don't want to overuse him.
**Will the IRIS ever steal from the mercantile guild?**
Terry: No. Despite its criminal nature the Iris isn't as concerned with wealth as you might think. They have a deeper purpose.
**Will a retired member of the company that sold the Alshari soldiers into slavery ever be a part of the story?**
Terry: Interesting idea. The short answer is yes.
**Around how far into this series might we have a clearer understanding of the Valley People, not looking for a definite answer?**
Terry: The Valley People won't be explored until at least book 17. But the revelations they hold will shake Min's understanding of humanity on Callidore. Again.
**The Valley People's bracelets, described as metal... are they tekka?**
Terry: Originally, yes. Now they are mostly weapons, though a few older ones have tekka.
**Will we ever find out what happened to Sir Surbural?**
Terry: Yes. But not just yet.
**How important of at all is Zagor? I cant help it but I really enjoy the characters major and minor.**
Terry: Zagor is important, again, in a minor way. Consider that he's one of the only High Magi who did not give his oath to Min. His witchstone pre-dates Min's. That's important.
**What happen to Reylan?**
Terry: Reylan is still around in Wenshar. It's coming . . .
**When will Min come toe-to-toe with the prince and just put him in his place?**
Terry: Min's clash with Tavard will be front and center in books 14 and 15. It will be epic. It will be a watershed moment for the kingdom.
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### Magelaw

**What is the coinage system? What are the exchange rates for coins?**
Early in Thaumaturge, Minalan establishes the currency of the region, with help from Banamor, using gold, silver and copper bullion from a previous trade deal with the Vundel and the skill of the Karshak Alon lapidaries. They were enchanted to reduce wear or tarnish from use and resist re-melting and minting at a lower quality. They replaced the non-monetary lead food tokens Gareth had distributed to the early workers of Vanador.

Previous Wilderlands coinage

 "Slug"
 "Starling"
 "Copper penny"
 "Bell"
 "Silver Penny"

See Coinage and Currency

**I don't understand the coinage or money - how much is an "ounce" of gold, and how does this reflect in the coinage?**
Terry: Consider an "ounce" of a precious metal to be one troy ounce . . . but that isn't reliable. Even in the middle ages weights and measures were a fairly subjective thing, and purity was always a concern. Nor does a stated value reflect a "blue book" value of anything in particular. The market is always at work, and prices fluctuate pretty strongly based on supply and demand. And yes, I'm working on the Atlas of the Five Duchies for better maps, art, and other tidbits about Callidore culled from the series and my private notes.
**What cheese(s) would be closest equivalent?**
Terry: Right now I’m experimenting with a Welsh Caerphilly, but I think I’m getting a good idea for what it will be like. With perhaps a few variations.
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### Magic

**Why doesn't everyone just go around sucking all the Nemovorti, including Korbol, into hoxters and then figure out a way to launch the endpoint into space?**
Terry: That’s going to get more and more difficult for reasons that will begin to become clear in Marshal Arcane but won’t fully be explained until after that. It sounds like an easy fix. Like most things, it’s trickier than it appears.
**What are enneagrams?**
Terry: They are essentially copies of a person’s self-awareness at the moment of impression.
**Can magically inert materials like the Smokey the Bear statue go into Hoxter pockets?**
Terry: Why, no. No they do not.
**How did Mycin Amana die, then come back knowing everything that's going on?**
Terry: The Nemovorti are special. Korbal has affected their enneagrams during the original process in such a way as to preserve their immediate memories as a consequence of the process. It makes them more effective servants.
**Will the enneagrams inside the wizard’s tools gain more agency in the future?**
Terry: Yes, but don't expect them to be entirely beneficial. Ghosts of ancient sea creatures might not be as benign as you - or Minalan - imagine.
**The gods seemed pretty quiet outside of attempting to restrain him near the end of MMoS.**
Terry: Expect it to get more heated in books 16 and 17.
**If I hated magic and wore a piece of the jevolar on a necklace, could magic still affect me? What's the affect rate? Does it affect hoxters?**
Terry: Not nearly as much, if at all. But the effect is dependent upon the mass of the material in your proximity, so you might have to wear a fair-sized chunk to eliminate all magical forces. That stuff gets heavy.
**Is magical cloth a thing? And with the Bans lifted with a new class of magical crafters emerge? Not just enchanters but new ways in which magic is incorporated into the economy?**
Terry: Yes. Stay tuned.
**I’m sort of imagining magical cloth that has special properties, sort of like the fabric equivalent of snow stone.**
Terry: Yes.
**Could that pewter pot affected by Dunselen's experiments that drinks magic energy be fashioned into a knife?**
Terry: Yes, but it would be a s@!itty knife.
**Does the tekka recovered from Anghysbel work in the rest of the world? Or does magic interfere with it too much.**
Terry: Yes . . . mostly.
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### The List

We will aim to collate NEW questions periodically, send them to Terry to get answers in batches!
Simply click edit and change the text below with a copy and paste or free type your question.

**Questions to be added**
1. The human colony that is in the middle of the Alon kingdoms, were they manipulated into being servient species like the Alon, and if so, did their subconscious created a deity that obeys the Alka Alon Kings like the humans there do?
2. Trygg said to Armandra that she should ask Luin about the future of her baby son, does that mean that Luin’s sphere of influence is also predicting the future?

**Questions to be added**