Ask the Author: Lawrence Watt-Evans
Answered Questions (22)
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Sorry I didn't reply sooner; I was away on vacation.
My most recent book came out in January 2023, not ten years ago -- Charming Sharra, from Wildside Press. I've slowed down since my wife retired, but I'm still writing; not sure when the next will be.
My most recent book came out in January 2023, not ten years ago -- Charming Sharra, from Wildside Press. I've slowed down since my wife retired, but I'm still writing; not sure when the next will be.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Yes, it's really me. (Sorry I didn't see your question sooner -- holiday travel.)
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Charming Sharra is supposed to be out by Christmas, but I have my doubts -- Wildside hasn't provided a ship date or shown me any cover art yet. They're short-staffed, like so many businesses.
But it shouldn't be too long.
(This is a short, light one, like The Sorcerer's Widow. The next one, which doesn't have a title yet, should be more substantial.)
But it shouldn't be too long.
(This is a short, light one, like The Sorcerer's Widow. The next one, which doesn't have a title yet, should be more substantial.)
Lawrence Watt-Evans
There are no mysteries in my life.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Well, I won't say his work is much like mine, but L. Sprague de Camp was a major inspiration, especially stories like "Three Yards of Dragon" and The Unbeheaded King, and the "Compleat Enchanter" series he wrote with Fletcher Pratt.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Haven't seen it, though I have friends who love it. I should check it out.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Nope. I think the shortest I ever managed was about 100 words.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Other four? There were only three more.
Anyway, at present I don't have any plans for more in that series; sorry. Glad you liked it, though.
Anyway, at present I don't have any plans for more in that series; sorry. Glad you liked it, though.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Stone Unturned isn't out yet; in fact, the folks at Wildside say they want revisions and I'm waiting for details.
These days I'm mostly being published by Wildside, but some titles are Misenchanted Press or FoxAcre Press, and I currently have a proposal at Tor. It all depends.
These days I'm mostly being published by Wildside, but some titles are Misenchanted Press or FoxAcre Press, and I currently have a proposal at Tor. It all depends.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
It's odd -- I've been asked this sort of question a lot lately. Guess it's just something in the zeitgeist.
I still haven't come up with a great answer, though; there are too many variables. Visit a fictional book world when -- before, after, or during the story we know? What could I take with me? What could I bring back? Would I know the language, assuming it's a world where no one speaks English? Would I still need the medication I take? Would my money be good?
All that aside, right now (and you might well get a completely different answer on a day I'm in a different mood) I'd go for the world of Asimov's Lije Bailey robot mysteries, The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun.
I still haven't come up with a great answer, though; there are too many variables. Visit a fictional book world when -- before, after, or during the story we know? What could I take with me? What could I bring back? Would I know the language, assuming it's a world where no one speaks English? Would I still need the medication I take? Would my money be good?
All that aside, right now (and you might well get a completely different answer on a day I'm in a different mood) I'd go for the world of Asimov's Lije Bailey robot mysteries, The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
I hope so, but it's not a very high priority. Right now the Obsidian Chronicles are in the works -- Dragon Weather is complete and being vetted for release, and The Dragon Society is just getting started. Wildside is working on the Ethshar series, with The Misenchanted Sword almost done. When those are finished, the Lords of Dus is probably next.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Captain Alatriste, by Arturo Pérez-Reverte -- it's an old-fashioned swashbuckler translated from Spanish that I've been meaning to get around to reading for years.
Not sure what else; there are hundreds of books on my "to read" list.
Not sure what else; there are hundreds of books on my "to read" list.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Hi -- sorry I missed your question, I had some issues with my notifications.
Three stars is good but not great. Dune's single star means I found it so tedious I didn't get past Chapter Two; I tried, but found it deadly dull.
Influences? Rex Stout, L. Sprague de Camp, C.L. Hales, Robert E. Howard, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Forester, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber Jr., Anne McCaffrey, Dorothy Sayers, Katherine McLean, Phyllis Gottlieb, Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Lin Carter... I could go on for pages.
Three stars is good but not great. Dune's single star means I found it so tedious I didn't get past Chapter Two; I tried, but found it deadly dull.
Influences? Rex Stout, L. Sprague de Camp, C.L. Hales, Robert E. Howard, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Forester, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber Jr., Anne McCaffrey, Dorothy Sayers, Katherine McLean, Phyllis Gottlieb, Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Lin Carter... I could go on for pages.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Sorry it took me so long to respond; I was traveling.
Yes, I always have a pronunciation in mind; when I invent a name, I almost always come up with what I want it to sound like first, then try to devise a spelling that will get most English-speaking readers close to what I was thinking.
I've provided pronunciation guides a few times as appendices. I know there's an Ethshar one, and one of the Lords of Dus series, but right now I don't remember which specific volumes they're in. Generally I try to make my spellings as phonetic as I can, with the exception of silent E's at the end of a few.
I try to have a feel for what each invented language sounds like. For example Domdur, from Touched by the Gods, should be pronounced as if you're speaking Russian with a bad cold, while Ethsharitic has almost an Irish lilt to it. There isn't any good way to convey this to readers, though.
In the end, it doesn't really matter -- pronounce the names however you're comfortable. As long as you can keep them straight, they're doing their job.
Yes, I always have a pronunciation in mind; when I invent a name, I almost always come up with what I want it to sound like first, then try to devise a spelling that will get most English-speaking readers close to what I was thinking.
I've provided pronunciation guides a few times as appendices. I know there's an Ethshar one, and one of the Lords of Dus series, but right now I don't remember which specific volumes they're in. Generally I try to make my spellings as phonetic as I can, with the exception of silent E's at the end of a few.
I try to have a feel for what each invented language sounds like. For example Domdur, from Touched by the Gods, should be pronounced as if you're speaking Russian with a bad cold, while Ethsharitic has almost an Irish lilt to it. There isn't any good way to convey this to readers, though.
In the end, it doesn't really matter -- pronounce the names however you're comfortable. As long as you can keep them straight, they're doing their job.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Not really. For some, the audio rights are tied up; for the ones I control, I haven't gotten around to doing anything about it. The ones I've released haven't made much money so far, and I don't listen to audiobooks myself, so it hasn't been a priority for me.
But it's something I should do; thanks for the reminder.
But it's something I should do; thanks for the reminder.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
I doubt you'll find it in a brick-and-mortar bookstore at this point, but it's available from all the usual suspects online. Or you could go straight to the publisher: http://wildsidepress.com/the-unwelcom...
Lawrence Watt-Evans
I'm afraid not. I did plot out a prequel about ten years ago, but I doubt I'll ever write it.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Interesting question. Novels with female protagonists: Nightside City, Realms of Light, Ithanalin's Restoration, and The Spell of the Black Dagger -- embarrassingly few. The Blood of a Dragon has a split lead, but Dumery (male) gets more attention.
I'd have to go with Carlisle Hsing, from Nightside City and Realms of Light, as the most active and important.
I'd have to go with Carlisle Hsing, from Nightside City and Realms of Light, as the most active and important.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
That's up to HBO, I'm afraid. I'd love to see it happen.
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Far too many different things. I need to settle on one and get it done.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more