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The Curse of the Mistwraith
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Q&A with Janny Wurts!! [Curse of the Mistwraith BR]
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Olivia
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Jun 28, 2018 01:02AM
Jenna, there’s a bunch of us planning to re-read and a new group that plans to start at some point. If you’d like to make it an active buddy read.
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That it would be awesome. :) I asked in the "Schedule" thread last month if anyone had a plan in mind, but no one got back to me. When are you planning to re-read?
Jenna wrote: "Olivia wrote: "Jenna, there’s a bunch of us planning to re-read and a new group that plans to start at some point. If you’d like to make it an active buddy read."That it would be awesome. :) I as..."
We've had a discussion yesterday on Laura's review of the third book. I am about to post in the Buddy Read, let's see if this time a schedule can be worked out :)
And I hope, Janny will be available for questions for a second group as well? That would be much appreciated, but obviously we'd understand if you're busy and can't spare the time! Please don't feel obliged!
Mod
That it would be aw..."
Oh great! I just saw your post in Buddy Read Invite :)
Jenna wrote: "I just got a copy of The Curse of the Mistwraith in the mail. I am guessing this thread will be a big help as I read so I know it's a bit late, but thanks for answering so many questio..."Hi Jenna, welcome here, totally coo to have you aboardl! The more the merrier.
Olivia wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Olivia wrote: "Jenna, there’s a bunch of us planning to re-read and a new group that plans to start at some point. If you’d like to make it an active buddy read."That it would be aw..."
Olivia - happy to be there - believe it, the questions are helpful to me, particularly at this time. I am writing the very last volume, and looking back into earlier materiel, keeping it current in mind, keeps my focus on track. I'd be doing that work (to be sure there are no inconsistencies at the finish line!) in deafening solitude - having company is so much better fun! (you had no idea? grin).
I've been tracking my re-read and cross checking my timeline notes, right in step; feeling so blessed to have the lot of you along for the ride.
Mayim wrote: "Great news!"Welcome here too!
Hi Janny,Could you please tell me a bit about magic and the magic system? What should the new readers know about it in general?
And what about the Fellowship of the 7 and the Law of Balance? Most of us, the previous BR readers didn't quite understand that properly at first read. Too busy rushing to read read read, because the story in itself had us hooked. What should the readers pay attention to in particular when it comes to this?
And thank you again. :)
Laura wrote: "Hi Janny,Could you please tell me a bit about magic and the magic system? What should the new readers know about it in general?
And what about the Fellowship of the 7 and the Law of Balance? Mos..."
Hi Laura,
There is a very cohesive and intricate 'system' of magic in these books - but it will not be unveiled all at once. It is not like the 'game style' fantasies where the rules and the system is 'mapped out' by a cleancut explanation.
I did this series much differently.
In volume I, you will see things from the surface only....there are very very ground floor 'hints' of what is to come, but I left things deliberately 'soft' at the start - because as the layers play out and unveil, it will change your opinion of what you thought you were seeing.
There is a basic underlying key to all of it. One fabric, from which all of the disciplines derive - one fabric, which can be accessed from different angles. So what appears to be 'separate' is not; all of the magic ties into one source.
If you want to unveil that straightaway, that's fine. It won't truly spoil things - but it will throw a big spotlight on what is happening - particularly if you understand how the world works, which I know you'll be going in to.
So I have spoiler tagged the 'science' behind all of it so readers can choose to see or not see what's behind the 'hand wavy' view you get at the ground floor.
(view spoiler)
Hi Janny,We were just having a discussion yesterday on our thread and trying to make a little comparison in between WoLaS and Malazan. Would it be ok to ask for your take on it?
Could you tell us a little bit about The Curse of the Mistwraith vs Gardens of the Moon as well as the two series as a whole set side by side.
We have quite a few Malazan readers in our BR group and they are curious to know how the series compare. What should they expect?
Thank you again for taking time to be here with us.
Hi Laura, here you go.Neither one of these is a 'simple' series, so this is not a 'simple' question, but I will try to make the answer as clear as possible - inviting readers (also) who've read both to chime in if they wish to add a comment from their point of view.
The obvious differences: Malazan's world was developed by gamers/more than one mind, and game campaigns that developed it were done at 'different' time periods with various characters at 'different' levels of power.
Athera was never a gamer's world, it was never a 'mass mind' creatiion: only me/over years and decades of development.
Therefore: expect there will not be this immense/sprawl across epochs and civilizations that you find in Malazan; nor will there be a gigantic cast of characters....Light and Shadows will be 'narrower' due to the world and its origins having Restrictions that you cannot (at first) grasp...they are all there for 'reasons' and those reasons will unveil, often dramatically. Where Malazan throws you in, head first/with Light and Shadows, you will learn the 'scape and scope by EVENTS/as the characters learn and develop and realize. So the story will not sprawl or widen across levels, but Spiral over the layers and levels - your perception of what you see will heighten and deepen - HUGE.
The interlocking perception of WHAT you see, the unveiling of the scope and depth and the re-ordering of your plot priorities - the two series will be similar in complexity and in parsing moral gray areas.
Where Erikson plainly states (if you read his interviews or listen to his panels) he is writing about CATHARSIS - and his readers note that he is writing about COMPASSION in Malazen....
Light and Shadows will have Catharsis and it IS indeed about Compassion and Empathy vs Justice and Logic (the POV that parses a single vantage vs ruling from the vantage of 'the many' - it will revise what this means, over and over again. The characters in Malazan who are broken due to their warfaring past - in Light and Shadows you will SEE the breaking and the mending and the rebuild.
Where Malazan looks broadscope at WAR/and huge conflict, and often pulp views of strange beings and doings and elder powers - Light and Shadows will take you there inside the characters' experience - it IS that experience, but a lot more character driven, a lot more into the experiential heads of those involved.
Oh, there are 'elder powers' and HUGE history at stake - but this will unwind a LOT more carefully - you won't see the truly powerful or the truly ancient ramificaitons until they are ready to unveil THEMSELVES - or - your reader comprehension through the characters' eyes are ready to SEE them. And your own assumptions as a reader will blind you, just as much as your characters' assumptions do.
So the Action in Light and Shadows takes longer to deliver (every single book is explosive at the FINISH/with convergency starting at halfway through each volume and arc) the set up to that action is more intricately laid down.
Where Malazan, you don't KNOW - in Light and Shadows it's in plain sight but between the lines.
Ursula LeGuin once laid down a 'challenge' to authors to come up with 'alternate systems' to our own here on earth. Light and Shadows picks up that gauntlet - but with a delicacy that allows you to KEEP your prejudices if you absolutely do not want to be moved...those who persist in 'knowing' what they are 'seeing' or those who skim past will certainly miss the experiential development of a lot of very complex ideas that are tackled layer by layer, through the characters' eyes.
That's my immediate take - I may return later to add more/before this post gets too long.
Both series deal with the ruin and impact of violence used in conflict - and point to the futility of that solution - but they handle it very differently.
The 'philosophical' moments are not going to be told or stated straight up in the narrative as they are in Malazan, but will emerge or be shown in character interactions and dialogue.
The narrative (as opposed to character insight) in Light and Shadows will always tell you straight, always be 'accurate;' but you may (read definitely) not (yet) have the vantage to SEE the depths and the heights shown....where the character vantage will most always be wrong, and your reader vantage, too, get ready for the moment of denouement where all will 'click' into place, revealing an entirely different scenario.
One last contrast: Malazan's tone is overall pretty 'dark'. Light and Shadows is both Light and Dark - it will not pull punches at the harsh moments, but equally, there will be a balance and a triumph - it is full spectrum/both ends pushed to the max/No punches pulled.
Flexibility of your own view must be fluid; because the assumptions are gonna get busted, sometimes with spectacular twists. Attention to detail and thinking about what you see will matter a lot. If you miss it, don't worry (no need to be obsessive)- the ongoing story will correct your vantage as you go.
Here is a rough 'over view' of the series layout, which is parsed into 5 Arcs - each encompassing another level.Note: there are NO cliffhangers, each book has the same format (opening, halfpoint convergency, finale at finish) and each ARC will carry the same format in 'overview.' So each volume that opens an arc will 'gear back' to lay foundation to build the unveilings, and each subsequent volume delivers faster and faster, to an explosive finish. Arc Finishes will have the Full Punch, they are nearly all denouement.
Arc I: Curse of the Mistwraith (one vol/sets the 'stage) and introduces you to Basic characters/Basic opening of the world. It will 'look' very classical until the finish.
Arc II - two volumes.
Ships of Merior/Warhost of Vastmark - this will 'deepen' and enrich the characters tremendously/add a few secondary characters, and temper what you saw in Vol I - there will be surprises. These books were originally written as ONE VOLUME, so really, the finish of Merior is the 'halfpoint' peak, and Warhost contains the massive denouement. Please read them together if you can.
Arc III, subtitled Alliance of LIght
Five volumes long - this sequence will further characters and conflict but LIFT your vantage to 'world view' - you will START to see and understand the various factions and it will totally shift what you thought about Volume I. (this is not Earth, this is not feudal rule or 'monarchy' - the factions are NOT what you thought, as you discover their moral high ground and foundational purpose - what drives the factions CHANGES what you imagined they were about. You start to grasp that Charter Law is not anything like 'here' on earth.
Fugitive Prince opens the arc
Grand Conspiracy picks up speed
Peril's Gate is the arc tipping point (and also SERIES tipping point, all action speeds up from here forward)
Traitor's Knot slides into speed at convergency
Stormed Fortress is the Arc Finish and finale.
Arc IV, Sword of the Canon is the subtitle
Initiate's Trial opens the arc and starts STAGING for the Mysteries/planetary view (this is not earth)
Destiny's Conflict is the Arc Finale
Arc V is titled Song of the Mysteries - it is in progress; it is one volume to finish the series. HERE is the full play - all the levels, it will 'carry' everything forward, AND open the struggle to Epoch level, and also, unveil the part of the Elder Powers/deliver the finale and finish.
Each Arc - expect the characters to undergo a stage of development, reach a conclusive point or crisis in their lives, after which they CHANGE - and the next arc will reflect that impact and introduce another phase, until events impact them again at finale, and they evolve AGAIN.
Nothing is window dressing; nothing shown is for no purpose. All will get built on, later, even if at first, where the story is 'steering you' may not be apparent - it will be/and likely not in the direction you think it was heading. Wait for it.
Thank you so much Janny! Those insights were great!! They do enable us to form a clear image of what to expect.
And please do add more if more is there. It's much appreciated.
To those asking, yes, here is the online map. You can click to enlarge.It is interactive/with clickable art and captions. Please read the instructions before clicking through to the map link so that you grasp the use of the spoiler tags.
https://www.paravia.com/JannyWurts/we...
Janny wrote: "To those asking, yes, here is the online map. You can click to enlarge.It is interactive/with clickable art and captions. Please read the instructions before clicking through to the map link so t..."
Thank you so much, Janny!
Bea wrote: "Janny wrote: "To those asking, yes, here is the online map. You can click to enlarge.It is interactive/with clickable art and captions. Please read the instructions before clicking through to the..."
You're welcome!
And a discussion side note: I have a map in progress for Dascen Elur, but writing must come first....if anybody ever needed a clone assistant. Sigh.
Hi Janny,I just wanted to mention here that I've been trying to help out my fellow readers with Chapter summaries and highlights?
If you don't mind, would you take a look and let me know if they are alright? If I put my foot in the mouth or get it wrong, could you please let me know and correct me?
I'm trying my best to do this amazing series justice but it's just one reader's voice... and you are here with us... and I'm shamelessly taking advantage. :)
Hope it's ok to ask.
Thank you!!
Hi Janny,Question from the thread:
Are the Rauven descendants of a royal line of Athera who went to Dascen Elur?
And what is their connection to the Fellowship of the Seven?
Thank you.
Laura wrote: "Hi Janny,I just wanted to mention here that I've been trying to help out my fellow readers with Chapter summaries and highlights?
If you don't mind, would you take a look and let me know if they..."
You are doing an absolutely splendid job, Laura - if I see anything I would put it in as a 'side note' here - not to comment in the readers' threads - their experience is their own, and it's less disruptive for them not to have an author presence - they can come here if they want to/or avoid at their pleasure, leaves them the option to keep the experience their own.
Laura wrote: "Hi Janny,Question from the thread:
Are the Rauven descendants of a royal line of Athera who went to Dascen Elur?
And what is their connection to the Fellowship of the Seven?
Thank you."
Yes. Rauven's descendants are the s'Ahelas royal line. There is a huge significance in this connection. It will be illuminated by the main story as you read along; and further defined in the short story Child of Prophecy.
The opening hint, here that Sethvir trained one of the ancestors in the arts of power is your first, ground floor clue.
Side Note on Alithiel:The sword will not 'glow' when drawn. The blade has 'no designated owner' - its powers will rise for the CAUSE of its wielder - but only if the cause is just....this is not something the human wielder determines, but the sword, by the properties imbued by the forgers.
Note: it was carried through West Gate by the s'Ffalenn heir, but NOBODY saw it engage during that period of exile on Dascen Elur....funny that: no cause was just, determined by the blade's properties...this says a whole lot by not saying.
There is a very surface 'history' of the sword in Mistwraith, in a subchapter; but when you read it you must bear in mind: 'a spirit trained to power will not volunteer the unnecessary,' UNLESS ASKED. And even then....so - if you examine what is not said: do you think Asandir told EVERYTHING he knew? (at any time, this is a valid question).
The sword will not glow in the presence of 'enemies' - it is a CAUSE based and not FOE based response. This is all you need know at the moment; more comes later.
A word (said with wry fun) to the reader: be wary, oh so wary: when you think you see a Trope, watch out!! (it's a trap! of assumption so so easy to make). I have said this series is a doubly baited hook: you will fall prey both to the characters' lack of awareness and depth of knowledge, and ALSO your own. Wait for it....it's not a 'test' but assumptions of any sort are gonna trip you, that is part of what this series was designed to do. Black and white - always - are determined by the level of understanding involved and there is always another level; and another; and another. You can only grope at the level you have.
The fun comes when they blow up, and you land on new ground.
Alithiel is just one of the little mines planted....it is going to open up way more as the series progresses. This is ground floor/surface appearance time.
Good hunting!
Thank you for clarifying that Janny. I had gotten a few details wrong about Alithiel also.
Hi Janny,We were wondering (as non-native English speakers) about the word geas.
We were thinking that:
The subject of a geas is compelled to
[1] Achieve a goal or mission, or
[2] Avoid something.
They will devote their life to the content of the geas.
Are we correct?
Hehe, you're asking all my questions for me, that's practical :)
Laura wrote: "Hi Janny,We were wondering (as non-native English speakers) about the word geas.
We were thinking that:
The subject of a geas is compelled to
[1] Achieve a goal or mission, or
[2] Avoid somet..."
Achieve a goal or mission - fits it pretty closely, but I'd add: not a goal or mission chosen by the character. Figure it as an 'imposed directive' but that there are Laws of the Major Balance so it isn't what you'd assume to be 'direct coercion/against the character's will....the word use is correct; the implications behind it (relative to Athera) have deeper nuance.
Hope this answers your question.
Bea wrote: "Hehe, you're asking all my questions for me, that's practical :)"Hi Bea, she did, and I answered - see the response.
Thanks for clarifying, Janny!
Bea wrote: "Thanks for clarifying, Janny!"You are totally welcome!
Hi Janny,Question from the thread.
I have seen people posting about different people and cultures. I am 75% in, and have only seen one “religion”. At least, in using the terms “Ath”, “Dharkamon” “Avenger”, even the Fellowship and the Prime use them. “Ath Creator” is the god. So are the part of their creation myth and religion? Or a spiritual story of sorts?
Will we see other spiritual/religious beliefs?
Thank you. :)
Laura wrote: "Hi Janny,Question from the thread.
I have seen people posting about different people and cultures. I am 75% in, and have only seen one “religion”. At least, in using the terms “Ath”, “Dharkamon..."
Hi Laura,
There is a reason why 'organized religion' as we know it here on earth did not take root in the same way on Athera....the details will emerge slowly as the series progresses.
The big opener to that question will start to emerge in Ships of Merior and gradually become 'redefined' deeper and deeper as the series goes forward.
There are differing cultural views: the tribal culture in San Pashir has a different mythos/there are reasons for that, too....
The White Adepts or White Brotherhood are another access.
The 'mythos' attached to Dharkaron/Daelion Fatemaster are another - view - if you will. The glossary will define that a bit better.
The Athlien are the 'living bridge' and as the series goes forward you will come to see what that means.
Organized religion in the absence of that presence - given you have people, then, you have fertile ground for a different (not directly connected) style of interpretation.
A lot of why 'religion' is different on Athera has to do with the properties of the planet itself, and the way it interacts with the population living there.
I cannot go further into it here - unless you want it all laid out before the story delves into those layers. Let me know.
As a side note: I got a big kick out of Graeme's comment regarding the infinite/loss of definition of selfhood - he was BANG ON....he'll see how bang on, later in the series. Good spotting, Graeme!
Laura wrote: "Hi Janny,Question from the thread:
[spoilers removed]
Thank you. :)"
Here you go: there is absolutely nothing but nothing laid down in this book that will not be developed later on in the series.
Nothing.
Don't expect, either, that events will necessarily play out as a straight up extrapolation. There will always be extenuating pressures; and always more depth to the matter; if the matter is what you think it is, at all.
This little reference will build - you will have to read on to find out just how. There will be another, more in depth scene in Ships of Merior.
A still bigger one, in Peril's Gate.
And a huge moment (coming) in the finale, all directly related to this tiny reference.
What you see from the 'outside' surface view, here, you will encounter in intricate depth, defined to a far deeper level that will take apart 'how' these wardings were set.
If every question was defined here at ground zero, the book would have read like an encyclopedia....boring to boot. Encountered in direct action - an experience.
I hate to give you authorial duct tape on this one: ;X.....but truly, it's a read on and find out sort of moment. (Among MANY, buried in this little subchapter/which say a lot about how the Fellowship operates, too).
I can say this: being 'able' to do a thing does not supply a motivation for such a deed....'What is possible does not always coincide with what is wise.' and: what is 'wise' would surely depend on what angle of vantage you were viewing the question from.
Janny wrote: "Laura wrote: "Hi Janny,Question from the thread:
[spoilers removed]
Thank you. :)"
Here you go: there is absolutely nothing but nothing laid down in this book that will not be developed later ..."
I already thought it would probably be a read and find out question based on what Laura said about the series. If it's mentioned at the end of a chapter it's probably important :)
Anyway, thanks for the answer! :)
Hi Janny,I was trying to give a little insight into Talera's story as Bonus Material at the end of the chapter summaries. Should I add there the explanation you gave us here on this thread, during the Q&A for the last BR, or is there any other resource I can approach?
What would be best for this?
Thank you again for your time and for being here with us. :)
As my chapter summaries are also complete now, I would like to ask your opinion on them. Because it is YOUR BOOK and I am not sure if I did it justice.
Is the job well done? Do those post get your blessing? Do you think they would be helpful in allowing readers to grasp the finer nuances of the story as it unfolds? Are you ok with them? (*cringing in wait for a possible ear boxing because … not good girl!! - and hoping said ear boxing might be replaced by a pat on the head*)
Again, thank you so much for your time and for being here with us.
Janny wrote: "As a side note: I got a big kick out of Graeme's comment regarding the infinite/loss of definition of selfhood - he was BANG ON....he'll see how bang on, later in the series. Good spotting, Graeme!..."Thanks Janny, much appreciated.
Laura wrote: "Hi Janny,I was trying to give a little insight into Talera's story as Bonus Material at the end of the chapter summaries. Should I add there the explanation you gave us here on this thread, durin..."
Hi Laura, go on ahead and post forward the info on Talera given in the last thread. I honestly can't recall how detailed it was - but if there's more to add to it, once you get it in here, I can respond directly.
Most always, the 'backstories' of the characters or events are a lot more intricate and involved than the surface take provided in the novels - there just wasn't room for more on the page. The notes, back history, and material I draw from is immense. You are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
If you have a particular curiosity about what may be missing from that prior post, by all means, mention your interest.
Laura wrote: "As my chapter summaries are also complete now, I would like to ask your opinion on them. Because it is YOUR BOOK and I am not sure if I did it justice.
Is the job well done? Do those post get you..."
You get full credit and kudos - any author would fall over themselves to have a reader this devoted and willing to spend time and effort to help the new readership with a work. For that you get tremendous gratitude and applause.
You did a particularly great job of NOT SPOILING - because so many things unfold to a huge degree in the later volumes - many old readers have a very hard time 'discussing' the earlier books due to premature reveals about what the material truly contains. You navigated this extremely well - all the surprises are waiting, intact, and the person pursuing your summaries will (still) have no idea what's in store.
That took a lot of care, restraint, and finesse, and I thank you for it. So will the readership, when they get there, and realize what you were sitting on!
Thank you.
Thank you so much for being here with us, Janny. Loved it even more during my second read-through and am currently just finishing the Cycle of Fire trilogy :)
Hi Olivia - you are totally welcome, and yes, a second read from the bigger perspective always opens things up...the final volume will blow all the markers, all over again - as you'll see.Hope you enjoy the finish of Cycle of Fire! At the time, genre hybrids like it were extremely rare.
Janny wrote: "Most always, the 'backstories' of the characters or events are a lot more intricate and involved than the surface take provided in the novels - there just wasn't room for more on the page. The notes, back history, and material I draw from is immense. You are only seeing the tip of the iceberg...."I'm not surprised. Your world building displays deep preparation.
Janny, I loved the genre straddling. I’ve seen some people didn’t but it’s what my made me enjoy it so much more. I wish there was more science fantasy.
Graeme wrote: "Janny wrote: "Most always, the 'backstories' of the characters or events are a lot more intricate and involved than the surface take provided in the novels - there just wasn't room for more on the ..."Ah....you are at the 'stage setting' point, finishing Curse of the Mistwraith....regarding the depth to Athera - you have not yet scraped the surface (it would have overloaded the story to blow all the 'assumptions' in Vol I)....just you wait....the shoes will drop like the hammers.
Olivia wrote: "Janny, I loved the genre straddling. I’ve seen some people didn’t but it’s what my made me enjoy it so much more. I wish there was more science fantasy."There are certainly more books doing that now - some day I hope to write the last volume (Starhope) which takes the story back into space...seriously.
Hi Janny, as soon as I saw the terms 'genre straddling,' I figured we'd be seeing Clarke's 3rd law in action, re advanced technology and magic.I'm looking forward to the next book which I expect to start this month.
Graeme wrote: "Hi Janny, as soon as I saw the terms 'genre straddling,' I figured we'd be seeing Clarke's 3rd law in action, re advanced technology and magic.I'm looking forward to the next book which I expect ..."
That remark was referring specifically to the Cycle of Fire trilogy; what awaits you on Athera is a great deall deeper than that...you'll see....take a look backwards to here, when you (if you) complete the fourth Arc.
Thank you so much for your reply Janny!And thank you for your kind words and approval. Knowing my summaries get your blessing is amazing!! (*doing a happy dance here*)
I appologise for not posting sooner but I am travelling and have limited internet connection.
As soon as I get back home, hopefully on Friday, I'd like to post over here all the information I gathered about Talera from both Paravia and what you told us on the thread last year and ask you to fill in the missing details, if that is ok.
Again a heartfelt THANK YOU!! 💕❤
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