Shannara

[Drunk Monk]

MTV is coming out with a series this season:
[youtube]XDR8b1SpoSc[/youtube]

Somewhat akin to Bob's Earthsea post in this forum, I read the original trilogy (and perhaps a few more), but can't remember a damn thing about these books. I'm not overly concerned about forgetting the pulp fantasies I read so voraciously in my teen years, but I am worried that I may have forgotten some experiences from back then that were really important. Like when I went of tour with Stevie Nicks. Did that happen or did I just dream it?

Its all part of my rock 'n' roll fantasy, yeah.
Its all part of my rock 'n' roll dream, yeah.

[cranefly]

I read The Sword of Shannara back around 1978, sometime after seeing Star Wars in 1977. This seems a little embarrassing, because it's largely viewed as derivative of Lord of the Rings, which I've never read. What can I say? I read The Hobbit in a college class (required reading), and that simpler style of writing turned me off of Tolkein. Yes, I know. Lord of the Rings isn't The Hobbit.

Anyway, I pretty much enjoyed The Sword of Shannara, and learned from it about castles and other fortifications, as well as strategies and tactics in sieges -- which served as grist for thought when I later wrote my epic novel, The Fall of Deja Vu Castle, which has never see the light of day (DM is one of maybe three people who have read it).

I recall learning the word "redoubt" (a type of fortification) from The Sword of Shannara; not certain I've ever used it in my fiction. How do I remember such a thing? A strange writerly quirk...

[Drunk Monk]

(DM is one of maybe three people who have read it).

Who are these others? I must destroy them.

Oh wait, if one is LCF, I'll stand down to her growing brim.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Crappy derivative fantasy, no loss for not remembering it. That was state-of-the-art back then. I guess everyone wants their Game of Thrones now.