iRC interju Margaret Weisszel

iRC interju Margaret Weis-el a #torn-on
loggolta: Scorba

(Xoanon) the chat will start now
(Xoanon) as you can notice, it is moderated
(Xoanon) and you cannot talk
(Xoanon) to chat to Margaret, simply type /msg Xoanon and your
question!
(MWeis) Thanks for inviting me!
(Xoanon) you are very welcome :)
(Xoanon) Nonsense asks: When is your next book coming out?
(MWeis) The next book is Well of Darkness, the first novel in the
Sovereign Stone trilogy and it will be out September 2000.
(Xoanon) next question
(Xoanon) rylet asks: will the next book in the `War of the Souls`
series be unleashed by GenCon?
(MWeis) No. Dragons of a Lost Star is due out April 2001.
(MWeis) We`re still writing it!
(MWeis) Next
(Xoanon) Phungus asks: There is a gep between Bothers in arms and
start of the chronicles, are there any plans to bridge that at all?
(MWeis) Yes, I plan to write a third book, but not until after both
War of Souls and Sovereign Stone are finished.
(MWeis) For you draconian fans, Don and I have a new Kang book coming
out. Draconian Measures. Due out in October.
(MWeis) My husband is here! Hi, Don!
(MWeis) Next
(Xoanon) TheBursar asks: Will a dragonlance trilogy of films ever be
considered in the near future?
(MWeis) We`d love to see a movie made, but nothing so far.
(MWeis) We keep hoping!:)
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) Lord_Sagan wants to know why you like to collaberate with
other authors so often
(MWeis) My lord, I enjoy collaboration because it`s fun to work with
Don and Tracy.
(MWeis) I can get a character into a deadly situation and they have to
get him out!:)
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) Tycho asks: Would you ever consider going back to the lands
in the Deathgate Cycle and telling future stories there?
(MWeis) No, seven books in that series was enough.
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) Gandalf asks: What character are you most proud of? and what
character mostly reflects you?
(MWeis) I love all the characters in the Star of the Guardian series.
Maigrey is the person I`d like to be.
(MWeis) I am proud of how Raistlin turned out.
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) GreyKage asks: What would you consider to be the best book
you`ve written, and why?
(MWeis) I think Robot Blues is the best book I`ve written. It had a
great plot and wonderful characters and just really came together the
way I wanted it to.
(MWeis) But that`s like asking a mother which of her kids is her
favorite!
(MWeis) I like Dragons of Winter Night and DL Legends.
(MWeis) I`d like to introduce my husband and co-author, Don Perrin.
(Xoanon) you can speak now Don
(DPerrin) Hi!
(Xoanon) Welcome :)
(DPerrin) Thanks for having Margaret and I tonight!
(Xoanon) you can both anwer these questions at free will :)
(DPerrin) I`m sure you`d rather have Frodo and Samwise, but they said
they were busy tonight.
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) Groke asks: Are there any further plans for Mag Force 7/Star
of the Guardians?
(DPerrin) We`d love to do a Mag7 book, but not until our editor at ROC
goes away. As to a new Star book…
(MWeis) We`d love to do more Mag Force 7 books. But we`re looking for
a new publisher.
(DPerrin) Margaret`s got some cool ideas.
(DPerrin) Sagan and Maigrey in hell, perhaps.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Taran: How would you describe the relationship of your work
to the work of JRRT in general? Where did he influence you?
(MWeis) I read J
(MWeis) RRT in the 60s when the books were first popular in the US.
(DPerrin) He is the father of the whole genre, so all gratitude to
him!
(MWeis) I think he influenced me by his ability to make a fantasy
world real.
(DPerrin) He made it so that we could imagine in worlds with orks,
elves and dwarves.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) I think the whole epic fantasy quest novel points to him, or
at least in my view.
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Mormegil asks: (concerning the Lord of the Rings films) if
you could change anything about the films so far, plot changes,
editing what would it be?
(MWeis) I credit Homer with the epic quest story.:)
(MWeis) Not having seen it, I can`t say!
(DPerrin) Well, Homer is busy with the Simpsons, so we have to defer
to JRRT.
(DPerrin) I`d say that the movie (from the spoilers, et al) looks
awesome!
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) Don`t think I`d change anything without seeing the whole
vision on film.
(Xoanon) Althea asks: any chance we`ll be seeing Raislin in WOS?
(MWeis) Can`t answer that. Top secret. Sorry.:)
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) Which can be inferred as ….. :)
(Xoanon) ah ha, but this is a site where we reveal secrets :)
(DPerrin) Shouldn`t that be `half-human,` just to be fair?
(MWeis) I think Wizards might be upset if I did. Not to mention Tracy!
(Xoanon) :)
(MWeis) Hi, Chris!
(Xoanon) Rylet asks: Do you enjoy role-playing or writing more?
(MWeis) Fellow Dragonlance author Chris Pierson.
(jincey) welcome chris : )
(CPierson) Hi, all.
(DPerrin) I like writing RPGs, but novels is where my serious future
lies.
(MWeis) I enjoy writing. It`s not a job, it`s my life. But I have fun
role-playing, especially our new Sovereign Stone RPG.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) TheBursar asks: Do you think at some point you will
collaborate with Mr. Hickman and Mr. Perrin?
(DPerrin) No, I`d never work with the likes of THEM!!
(CPierson) Never. Scoundrels, the lot of them.
(Xoanon) lol
(DPerrin) Margaret`s doing the YMCA arm-movements while chatting. Very
bizarre.
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) GreyKage asks: What advice would you give to an aspiring
writer?
(MWeis) Keep reading. Keep writing. Keep your day job.
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) Taran asks: Is there any author of Fantasy/Sci Fi genre who
has developed his/her own style independent from Tolkien?
(DPerrin) To get published, you need an agent. To get an agent, you
need to be published. To break the cycle, try magazine stories and
articles.
(DPerrin) Yes, but we refuse to tell you who.
(MWeis) Yes, I think all of them have!
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Taran asks: Is there any author of Fantasy/Sci Fi genre who
has developed his/her own style independent from Tolkien?
(MWeis) We answered that one.
(DPerrin) Glen Cook?
(Xoanon) oops sorry
(Xoanon) Tanis asks: What effect were you striving for when you left
the ending to the Rose of the Prophet tril to the reader to figure
out?
(MWeis) I think most astute readers could figure out what happened
next.:)
(MWeis) I`d like to return someday, though, and get Pukah out of the
mountain.
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) WebDruid asks: What fantasy authors do you enjoy reading now
and why?
(DPerrin) I like George RR Martin. He`s made a heck of a world in Game
of Thrones. Also, Glen Cook with the Black Company is excellent.
(MWeis) I don`t read fantasy. I need to hear my own voice in my head.
(CPierson) I`m a Guy Gavriel Kay zealot. He captures setting and
complex characters incredibly well.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) He`s a Canadian, and we all know about Canadians!
(CPierson) ;)
(Xoanon) ahem
(DPerrin) next.
(DPerrin) Okay, I`m a Canadian, too.
(Xoanon) we don`t eat whale blubber
(Xoanon) Sara_D: Does Ms. Weis plan on writing anymore DL short
stories in the near future?
(DPerrin) You don`t?
(Xoanon) not since new years
(MWeis) Yes, Don and I are currently working on a Kang short story for
Dragon magazine.
(DPerrin) Me neither (at least since New Years.)
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Ulmo asks: What Tolkien creation has most influenced your own
writing?
(MWeis) Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.
(DPerrin) To me, it was the Hobbit. Such a simple story to create such
a universe. Truly extraordinary.
(Xoanon) 4 To ask any of the three Dragonlance scribes a question,
simply type: /msg Xoanon and your question!
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Anglachel asks: Tolkien drew alot from mythologies, do you
ever look back to those texts for ideas and themes?
(MWeis) I look to all books I read for ideas and themes. You don`t
have to read only mythology.
(MWeis) I read Dickens, Austen, Doyle, Dumas, Chaim Potok, Mary
Renault. To name just a few.
(DPerrin) No, I look back to Tolkien. He did all his homework :)
Actually, I think you have to, at least a little.
(MWeis) I write about the human experience and that crosses all
borders as far as genres are concerned.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) prochaine
(Xoanon) Perceval asks: Do you find inspiration in music? if so, what
music?
(MWeis) I love classical music and opera (big influence in Star of the
Guardians) and I like blues and jazz and rock and roll pre 1980.
(DPerrin) Yes. I came up with a whole wonderful sci/fi story listening
to `Paper Moon` by Def Leppard, but when I thought about it, it
turned out to be Battlestar Galactica
(DPerrin) oooops.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Tookish asks: As authors, what are your most favorite things
about writing, and what are your least? what challenges do you find
the most daunting?
(DPerrin) Different from Margaret, I like having been a writer far
more than writing. Still, it all comes in one package.
(MWeis) I enjoy writing. I write every day–holidays included. My
favorite part is when I`ve written a scene
(DPerrin) To me, the discipline of writing is hard, and something I
have to work on.
(MWeis) and I know that I nailed it. That I said exactly what I
wanted. That`s the best.
(MWeis) The worst is when the book is going wrong and I know it`s
going wrong and I can`t figure out why.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Calisuri asks: If one of your books was to be made into a
major motion picture, how involved would you like to be with the
actual process of filmmaking. would you like to be on set? Directing?
(Xoanon) and a big rassie to cali for the longest question yet :P
(MWeis) I`d like to be involved in the writing. I wouldn`t be much
good at directing! That`s another art form entirely.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) I`d like to be a consultant, but not mess with the
Director`s vision. Film is very different from novels, so I don`t want
to mess in a world I`m not familiar with.
(DPerrin) next
(MWeis) You know, it`s hard to type with a cat laying across your
forearms.
(DPerrin) Oh, and I`d like to be in on the money collecting.
(Xoanon) I`ll direct it then :)
(MWeis) Sounds good to me!
(Xoanon) Rylet asks: was is hard to get a writing job with TSR?
(DPerrin) Me too!
(MWeis) If you`re interested in writing for TSR, go to the Wizards of
the Coast website. They have guidelines there.
(MWeis) You need to follow the guidelines.
(DPerrin) I cheated. I got to know the insiders at TSR before I wrote
a piece for publication. Many times, it`s best to meet them at cons
before attempting to solicit work.
(MWeis) You can also start by writing articles for the magazines like
Dragon and Dungeon.
(DPerrin) The magazines are the best way to get known at TSR as a
writer.
(MWeis) They usually hold seminars at Gen Con for aspiring writers.
(CPierson) I found an open call for stuff on alt.fan.dragonlance, and
got in that way.
(DPerrin) next
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) The Bursar asks: Will we see Fizban again any time soon?
(MWeis) Can
(MWeis) `t answer that! Secret! You no tell!
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) Hey! There`s a Tycho in the room tonight!
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) IceWolf asks: When both you and Don work together, how do you
divide the work between you?
(DPerrin) I write all the vowels.
(MWeis) Don does the military bits!:)
(jincey) welcome back chris : )
(DPerrin) Margaret writes from one voice, and I provide scenes to drop
in. We hate it when you can tell where one started and one left off.
(DPerrin) next
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) Tycho asks: What is your opinion when your fantasy worlds are
compared positivly or negativly to Middle-earth?
(MWeis) Well, if it`s positive, I think it`s great! If it`s negative,
I don`t mind.
(DPerrin) It`s quite an honor to be compared at all! Still, we do get
to learn from Tolkien and avoid some of his pitfalls.
(DPerrin) That`s not to say that we don`t make many of our own :)
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) Our RPG (Sovereign Stone) is described as `Tolkienesque` but
no one agrees on what that means!
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Berendir asks: Who is the genius who created Tas Burrfoot?
And why is everyone so mean to him when he has saved all their lives a
dozen times each?
(MWeis) Roger Moore, former editor of Dragon magazine, was the first
to write a short story involving Tasslehoff. Roger came up with his
character.
(DPerrin) Because he`s a KENDER!!
(CPierson) It`s fun being mean to kender.
(DPerrin) true enough!
(DPerrin) next
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) Mormengil asks: Have any of you read The Silmarillion? do you
think it could make a good film?
(MWeis) No, I haven`t read it. I started it, but I didn`t like it.
Wasn`t the same.
(CPierson) I`ve read it, and it would have to be about 10 films.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) I did, and no, I think it would be aweful. Too broad a
scope, and covering too much material.
(DPerrin) next
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) Perceval asks: How many pages do you manage to write in a
day? Do you have any `conditions` to work?
(MWeis) Sometimes if the writing`s going well, I do lots of pages. Or
if it`s a difficult scene, I may only write two or three.
(DPerrin) I can do a maximum of 2500 words in a day, I find.
(MWeis) I work in the mornings from 8:00 to 11:00 at my computer which
is in my office in a loft in our barn.
(CPierson) I once did 8000 in a day. Nearly killed me, though. :)
(CPierson) Words, not pages.
(MWeis) We live in a converted barn. I don`t type with cows.:)
(DPerrin) I have to beat myself into not avoiding the work, and
finding any excuse not to. Once I`ve started, thjough, it goes very
well.
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Silverst asks: Do you plan to stop writing for Dragonlance in
the near future? (God forbid!)
(MWeis) We have to finish War of Souls. Then we`ll see what comes
next. What happens with Third Edition will be a big factor.
(DPerrin) Yes, I plan it all the time. I never do, though. My plans
never succeed.
(MWeis) Also we`re interested in working with Sovereign Stone. It`s a
great world.
(CPierson) Heh. Our editor`s very persuasive about pulling us back in.
:)
(MWeis) next
(DPerrin) 3rd Ed of Dungeons and Dragons, that is.
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) TE00 asks: Does religion (or spirituality) play a role in
your writing?
(DPerrin) Yes, but not in an overt way. I don`t like to put my views
into my characters, unless appropriate. They have to stand on their
own.
(MWeis) Yes, I enjoy working with spirituality. It`s part of the human
experience.
(MWeis) next
(CPierson) I`m not a particularly spiritual person, but my new trilogy
about the Kingpriest (plug plug) requires a bit of religious thinking.
Not necessarily my beliefs, though.
(DPerrin) next
(Xoanon) Berendir: You mentioned you have learned to avoid some of
Tolkien`s pitfalls, what are they?
(DPerrin) Our orks don`t sing!
(Xoanon) ah, but can they dance?
(CPierson) That`s Nelvana, Don, not Tolkien. More blasted Canadians.
(DPerrin) Oh well. Silly Canadians.
(MWeis) next
(Xoanon) Althea: Any plans to do an annotated edition of the Legends
Trilogy?
(MWeis) Yes, we plan to do an Annotated Legends, but not until after
War of Souls is completed.
(Xoanon) we will be chatting for another 5 minutes, and if our good
guests want to stay on, I`ll open up the floor and un moderate the
room
(DPerrin) We can`t stay, I`m afraid.
(MWeis) But we`d love to come back!
(MWeis) And if anyone has a question, they can write to me at
mweis@mag7.com.
(MWeis) You can find information about Sovereign Stone at
www.sovstone.com.
(DPerrin) I can be reached at dperrin@mag7.com.
(Xoanon) well, we`ll arrange another chat down the road! :)
(DPerrin) That would be fun!