Softness

Softness asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

I noticed several parallels between Hallana and Penric -- Bastard's order, physicians, sorcerers, and picked up an unintentional demon (at least by human standards). I wondered if this was coincidence? Or did Hallana have some interesting themes you wanted to dig into deeper? (Hallana is one of my favorite characters, btw.) ^^ -Kalli

Lois McMaster Bujold I mainly wanted to have some fun playing with a really powerful sorcerer character. Once I decided to set him in the Chalion universe, a lot of the parameters and limits came factory-default. Then the game became to see what all I, and he, could do to explore them. We'd seen sorcerers before in the 5GU, but never from their own points of view.

Of course, once characters are set up and initially launched, they have a way of riding off down their own roads, the more so as they have time and space to develop. This takes us both to unexpected places, which is rather the point of such a journey.

The ala carte novella structure of Penric's tales is meant to give me the maximum choice of routes.

Ta, L.

More Answered Questions

Kate Davenport

Kate Davenport asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

Sadly, the most likely thing. But it would be interesting to see people's reactions if Penric was the one who DIDN'T stand out (physically at least). Maybe someone else from the cantons will visit him and verify that his tales of mountains, and snow & ice are true. (?)

Robert

Robert asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

Does the Cetagandan Empire generically engineer the commoners directly with injections/treatments, use trickle down genetics like a ghem trophy wife/husband or are they totally ignored? I’d think they watched and at the very least gave them resistance to illness

Jan

Jan asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

Greetings. I don't have a question? I just wanted to thank you VERY much for what I like to think of as the 'Cordelia Trilogy', 'Shards', 'Barrayar' and 'Gentleman Jole'. I love all of the books in the Vorkosigan saga but these are the ones I keep going back to for Cordelia and her outlook and 'do the next thing' common sense. I came to your books late but they're regularly re-read. Thanks again!

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Lois McMaster Bujold

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