IamA Companion of Drizzt

Alright, be honest here: How did you really come up with the names of Menzoberranzan and Daermon N'a'shezbaernon? Was it really just on the fly?

it really was...on the phone, under pressure. I've spent years hoping I didn't subconsciously steal them from somewhere...

That's incredibly impressive haha. Long names like that help me remember that just because there are a lot of characters doesn't mean the name can't be imposing. I confuse a lot of my players/teammates when I create people with long names, but they're just more interesting, and you've been a big inspiration for that, so thanks!

To be fair, it was a lot easier to blurt it out than it was to write it.

I think I remember you saying somewhere that you said that last minute to an agent before she pitched your idea. What was her reaction?

An editor at TSR. She was...hesitant.

Time to run!

Thanks for coming. I'll try to get back and tidy up some questions if I get some free time!

Bye!

Why is it that when I see my favorite author started an AMA five minutes after I get home from work, and there's no comments that I cannot think of a single question to ask? I'll bet you a donut that I will have one ten minutes after this is over.

That said, Mr. Salvatore I'm a big fan of your work and have enjoyed all of your novels from The Crimson Shadow to The Companions for most of my life. The Icewind Dale trilogy was the series that got me interested in fantasy novels and opened up an entire universe for little (and big!) me. Thank you kind sir.

Well, tahnks for taking the journey beside me. See that link up above to my Facebook Page - you can always ask me questions in PMs over there. And yes, i do answer them all.

I'm sure you get the "why isn't there a movie" question a lot. From your past interviews I know it's not up to you. If it was, would you prefer a live action or animated version and why?

I'm always partial to live action.

Two questions.

I don't know how much of this is in your control, but have you considered approaching Netflix for adaptations of your works?

I feel there is too much story in many of your books to be contained within a film or even a set of films.

But, with the quality of product Netflix has been pushing out the last couple of years I think Drizzt and his company could find success on my instant queue!

Also, could you recount your favorite moment as a DM?

it's not up to me, as Hasbro owns the Realms.

And here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzpgAQpcp8o

I wasn't Dm'ing, but still...

If Drizzt was transported to our world, what would he be up to a decade after the fact? Where would he be living? What kind of companions would he keep?

Also you've been one of my favorite authors since I first started reading. I have many childhood memories of reading your books at the library on the weekends, and I've had a ton of fun catching up with my childhood friends these last few years doing a re-read (not just with the Forgotten Realms crew either!). Thanks so much for enriching my life with your works!

Edit: Guys this topic has 169 comments and the main post only has 26 points. Share R.A. Salvatore with the rest of the world; if you have time to ask him a question, please take the time to upvote this topic so others can see it.

If Drizzt came here, he'd do everything in his power to get back! If he was stuck here, he'd be playing corner for the Patriots, opposite Revis (I hope he stays!), centerfield for the Red Sox, and spending his spare moments watching The Bachelor with my wife so I wouldn't have to.

One of my favorite quotes in the series is "For life is experience, and longevity is, in the end, measured by memory, and those with a thousand tales to tell have indeed lived longer than any who embrace the mundane."

My question is, how do you come up with stuff like this? Especially in Drizzt's diary-like segments before each section of the books. Is it just a burst of creativity, or do you really have to think for a while about lines like that? Is there inspiration, outside of your own mind?

Also, if I may, who do you prefer: Athrogate or Pwent?

I watched the line at my brother's wake and funeral and I understood then that he was the most successful person I ever knew.

i think a lot...maybe too much.

Thank you for decades of entertainment!

Word? Scrivener? Something else?

Word.

Hello Mr. Salvatore! I confess I have not read your books, though I do know Mr. Do'Urden (what D&D player doesn't?), and definitely one of the coolest characters out there.

My question has to do with your work on Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The studio may have fallen, but I loved the game to death. Is there any possibility we will see Amalur again? Even in a different form, like a book, comic, or whatever ends up happening?

I loved being in the Faelands so much, and it felt like such a solid, well-put together setting, especially the references to Gaelic myth.

Cheers from a fellow worldbuilder!

Rhode Island owns it, and now the tech is getting old. I doubt anyone will buy it from them at this point. And yeah, I loved Reckoning, as well - the team at BHG did a great job of getting our IP on their engine and coming up with a story that fit the world.

If you could change one major attribute/character trait/race/etc about any of your characters, who and what would it be?

Wow, interesting question...

I actually did some of that with The Companions, by the way - ask Spider.

But maybe I'd make Jarlaxle a woman...or Wulfgar - yeah, like Lagertha on "Vikings."

I'm going to naively pose a question; FR, the Drizzt series, and your work in general has helped me evolve as a DM and has given me a lot of inspiration for adventures and battles that I may not have come up with otherwise. Do you find the time to play games like D&D still? do you prefer player/DM? and are there any great adventure hooks or encounters you can think of that really stick out from your experiences?

Thanks, your fan always.

I am DM'ing a DemonWars game every Sunday night. gives me a chance to be mean...

I just wanted to say I started reading the Legend of Drizzt series back in 96 shortly after my father died and they helped me get out of a deep depression. You are by far my favorite author with a true understanding of the "human condition," and are fully able to express that understanding in your novels in and out of the DnD universe.

IF i remember correctly Wulfgar was you original intended main character. Did you ever think Drizzt's tale would get this far?

Of course not, though I knew it was his tale, not Wulfgar's very early on in the writing.

As with most people here I am a long time fan. So long that I once had all the original prints. Sadly (or maybe not so sadly) I read them through and through so many times I"ve had to replace them thrice over. Thanks for your contribution to my life and for creating something I've enjoyed countless times throughout the decades.

Edit> I would also like to add that you were the first successful author to get me to truly understand what it might be like to be an Elf. When Drizzt is exploring his life in the years following the passing of all the companions, I finally had that moment of clarity as to how lonely he must be, and how empty parts of his life will be because of how much he loved Cattibrie. I've always hated how keenly you made me feel his pain. It was quite a wonderful bit of writing.
What do you consider to be your best work ever?

Mortalis - book 4 of the DemonWars Saga.

Homeland and The Companions get honorable mention, along with The Highwayman.

Will we see more of Ambergris? I think she's amazingly fun!

Oh heck yeah - my new dwarven strike team has...oh wait, no spoilers!

What happened to Cadderly, is he still drawing his circle even after the 2 realms separated? Also with the weave having returned and so many gods resurfacing is Deinier back too?

Can't wait for my copy to arrive tomorrow.

At this point, yep.

So, what happens when Gromph casts a spell he cannot contain???

Fun times.

Hi Mr. Salvatore! I am a huge fan of both Drizzt and Artemis Entreri. I am currently writing an essay analyzing the psychology of Entreri :). I feel like, besides Drizzt and Cattie-brie, the strongest relationship that I have seen in the entire series is that of Entreri and Jarlaxle. Will they be reuniting soon? In writing the relationship between Jarlaxle and Entreri, what inspires you? Thanks!!

I will only say that Jarlaxle is taking over the world (of course) and he might need a lackey king to hang a title on (again).

if you could have not killed off one character who would it have been?

Chewie.

Lucky you! He's not dead anymore!

he's a Disney Princess!

Do you do anything special to celebrate your book release days? (Other than doing this event, which is awesome- Thank you!)

No. I actually dread them now. Not sure why. it's very strange...maybe I'll figure it out.

What was your imagination or creative power behind Tiago and his weapon set? My friend and I, who have been reading and discussing your books for years now, have a feeling that something will happen to Drizzt's iconic weapons because of this foe.

I needed a new villain that people would actually, you know, hate. I hate him, so I think others probably do, too.

I admit that I hated Entreri early on...

And i still hate Marcalo De'Unnero the most.

I have always loved Entreri, a human able to go toe to toe with Drows was just amazing. The only time I hated him was when he hurt Regis. I despise Tiago, I cannot wait for his demise. I sincerely hope Drizzt, or even Entreri, tear him apart for what he's done. Thank you for responding! OH! One more question! Will you ever travel back out to Colorado for another signing? I've met you once and I have to say it was an awesome time. If you could it'd be awesome to have you back out here!

i'd love to come back to Colorado - always had great signings there. Nothing on the schedule at this time - and really, the stores have to push the publisher for things like that.

I just totally fanboyed out right there, no joke. Thank you for years of adventure and being able to see Drizzt and everyone grow. I can't explain or tell you how much your books have helped.

You're quite welcome...and thanks for the kind words.

Hi Bob long time reader love your books. I have to say I wish there where more stories of cadderly and the bouldershoulders. I t hurt to see pikel go. Have you thought of doing some back stories possibly a short story of how pikel became a druid it's all been fairly vague. I would also like to hear more about athrogates background. How is he still alive?

No back stories in the lineup right now...but keep reading.

Hey there, I love your work in novels and video games and basically everything! I wanted to know how long do you spend planning the story of a book before you begin to sit down and start writing?

Anywhere from a month to a year.

Hello Salvatore. Are there any "homebrew" D&D rules on some of the characters you've created that we don't know about?

Not really - i keep my gaming and my writing separate for the most part, especially concerning characters. If I try to play mine from the books, my Dm kills 'em dead.

What do you think of D&D 5th Edition so far?

I liked what I saw - a lot. But I still like DemonWars better (active defense), so I'm playing that. besides, my group won't change.

Been a fan for many years. I am sure you have been asked this many times, but what is the proper pronunciation of Drizzt? My second question, will you be attending Gen Con 2015 and maybe doing book signings? My third question, what was your first story and how hard was it to get it published? Thank you for your time in responding and for giving us such amazing stories for over 20 years, it has been an amazing ride. By the way, if Chewie had to die at least a moon was dropped on him, any other death would have been unworthy, but it was a fictional death that actually brought tears to my eyes, so much so I had to put the book down and couldn't pick it back up for a few days.

dritzt

or drizzit or drizzzzzzz or drizzle or (my favorite) f-r-e-d

I will be at GenCon, I believe, but nothing's confirmed yet. I want to be there, since Terry Brooks is a guest this year and I haven't seen him in far too long.

It was, and remains, very hard to get published. I spent nearly 5 years working for nothing, every night until early in the morning (then going to a paying job each morning).

Hi, Bob! I had the day off today, so I've been engrossed in VotID all day and am enjoying it very much! I especially enjoy reading about Regis and his newfound confidence and skills. Which of your reborn heroes did you enjoy rebuilding the most?

Yeah, Regis was a blast.

i'd go with him, but I can't say that I'm not having fun with all of the gang.

Greetings. I've read all your realms books and love them! Quick questions. Will Entreri ever get his dagger back? Or will something at least happen to it other than it sitting under the eves there forever?

You went from Elmore doing your cover art- who was the most amazing ever to Lockwood- who was also amazing with a couple others thrown in there- to a bunch of super closeup selfies of Drizzt. Could you please bring back the awesome cover art that has been on most of your books? I'd be so grateful.

Will you do more book signings near your house? I live a few towns away, but rarely get to drive too far to see your signings.

You need to catch up...you're several books behind, i take it.

I have no say int he cover art - authors rarely get any input into such things, other than suggestions that won't get followed!

And yes, I hope to, but there's nothing on the schedule right now (probably why people have shown up at the softball fields with my books!).

Isn't the dagger tucked under the eve of a house in port llast that Spider Parrafin sits on top of in rise of the king?

Read "The Last Threshold."

Threshold

I am as confused as hiddikel. I read all the books and from recollection, Entreri left the dagger in the eases of the house before he got taken by Tiago and this was after The Last Threshold.

Port Llast to Luskan...Beniago... No more hints!

I am glad to see you are still at the top of your game with writing new books. My current question is this: As of right now who is more skilled Drizz't or his late father?

We'll never know, but I wouldn't bet against Drizzt...

Quite true indeed sir.

Okay next question: Who would win between Cadderly (prior to "The Ghost King") and your top clerical monk from Corona in a none soul gem clerical powers match only?

Coronan monks kick butt. Sorry Cadderly, but DemonWars is my thing (including the RPG!).

If his wife decides rpwise to kill me, I guess I earned it with that last question XD.

Next question: Who in all of your series would you say was the toughest good vs evil fight against demons?

Ho ho what?

Which fight vs demons was the hardest one you ever wrote about in any of your book series ever?

The lower chamber in "The Archmage" (and no, it won't be out until September).

I am a HUGE fan of your books. Have the whole series and audio books as well. I Also love the Spear Wielder's Tales. Do you ever intend to do another series like this? I loved jumping into a completely new world that you have created with an amazing story as always.

Crimson Shadow is probably the closest thing I've done to Spearwielders...and yeah, I had fun with Mickey, you bet.

Since Cadderly ended up being taken, can I marry Rorick Bonaduce? ( when he's a bit older, anyways! )

All yours.

How much control do you have over major events in the Silver Marches? Do you write a giant war with a kingdom of orcs that then gets added to the lore, or do the higher-ups say that they want a giant orc war, which you then write?

I get all of it. i work with the guys, but they let me run wild, and I love it!

Thanks for being such a prolific writer. I really enjoy your stories and recently got my son to start reading them.

The reference to you on the D&D 5th edition character creation chapter was a wonderful addition to the book that really made it feel like D&D.

Did you have any influence on the creation of 5th edition D&D?

Have you enjoyed playing 5th edition with your group? Are there any fun gaming moments that you can share with us?

No, I didn't have anything to do with it. Love the team who did it, though.

But alas, i still play DemonWars.

Mr. Salvatore,

At what age did you decide you wanted to write, and what is the best advice you can give to someone who wants to write, but doesn't k ow where to start?

Honestly, it was after college. I started when I was 23.

Nothing to ask bob, just want to say thanks for the 20 or so years (since I 1st discovered your book in the school library) of entertainment...... I suppose I should ask a question though, how'd you get so good at writing the actual combat scenes? many authors (while writing great plots) tend to go over combat lightly. Yours however is like reading an action movie, it's brilliant and meaty.

I play hockey.

As a Canadian, I approve.

Also, go Habs.

I still have nightmares about Ken Dryden stoning the Bruins...

Should be a good playoff year for both clubs, though I'm hoping we'll get a little further than we did last year...

Not sold on the Bruins right now, but we'll see.

Do you ever plan on coming to Australia? I would love to sit in on a panel that you were doing or a real life book signing!

Perhaps I could tempt you with a spot at the table with my gaming group running a home written Menzoberranzan campaign? Huh? Huuuuuuuh? Hahah.

it's a possibility...but a really long flight. Did I mention that I don't like flying?

I really hate it too. Like, a lot. Maybe I'll just track down if you're doing any signings or appearances while I'm in America early next year. But, if I'm brave enough to come over there, you should come here. I mean, I get extra brave points for being Australian, but I'm still a girl :P haha

yeah, but as someone who writes Catti-brie, Jilly, Brynn and Elysant, I know that girls don't need extra points.

Do you speak any foreign languages? If so, do you read in any of them? There are some pretty interesting tricks of writing you can do in other languages that are just straight up impossible in English, and as someone who enjoys reading, I think that's really cool.

The only foreign language I speak to the point where I can read novels in it is Japanese, so my example will be from Japanese: The language has multiple first person pronouns, each with its own different flavor of nuance. In one particular book I read, the main character was narrating the story. It turns out that the main character was possessed by a demon halfway through the book, but this isn't explicitly mentioned to the reader until the very end. If you're paying attention, though, you'll notice the narrator's style change slightly, with one of the cues being that he changed which first person pronoun he uses.

I (sort of) understand French and can pick up Italian (both of which I heard a lot in my house when I was very young).

I do play games with languages in the books though - Pericolo Topolino is Italian for "Danger Mouse," which fits the halfling grandfather of assassins. (Colloquially, it also refers to Mickey Mouse, but meh)

And in the newer books, ancient Delzoun looks a lot like Scottish/Gaelic. Language is fun and tells you a lot about a culture, and with the new understanding of language and colors, it's important, too.

Do you think that nowadays if a new author spends the time to write a novel to the best of their abilities - is it smarter to try to get traditionally published, or risk getting lost in the sea of self published titles?

I think getting published traditionally is better - and it's really next to impossible. Self-publishing is a ton of work that is not writing!

Why would you say it's next to impossible?

Getting through a non-existent slush pile in a New York house now is quite a feat.

Looking forward to the "Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf". Gonna start it as soon as I finish rereading "Rise of the King". My family has been reading since the early 90's. Hope you keep the great books coming for many more decades. As for the AMA part of the post, any chance of you coming to Pensacon in the coming years?

You never know. I travel to a couple of conventions a year...wherever the publisher points me.

Hey, thanks for your excellent work! I noticed a major change in writing style from your earlier books, where you had several sentences in paragraphs, to later books where each line might start its own paragraph. Was this intentional? From a writing for the web class, I learned that people read down the left side of the page like the shape of a capital F, and I thought your later works really fit this web method of reading. Hopefully this isn't too personal, but does drinking a little help the craft? I know like Hemingway and other authors drank a little to help with writing. You know I loved your Drizzt novels as a teenager, and they read so different now. I only read the Cleric Quintet as an adult, but gosh, what a treat! Thanks!!

it's nothing I do consciously (except I shorten sentences to speed the pace in fight scenes), and sometimes, it's the editor's heavy fingers.

I was entranced by the Legend of Drizzt series, and flew through them from Homeland through Gauntlgrym in about a year. One thing that struck me is how fitting all your characters' names seem to be, whether they're part of the main cast or more of a background player. This is something I've always struggled with when I write; do you have a method for coming up with names that fit?

I close my eyes, hit the keys and hope enough vowels come up.

Seriously, names are brutal. I use placeholders so they don't hold me up. Eventually, the character will tell me his/her name.

Hey Bob,

I was wondering how you got into roleplaying games? Also are you currently running or participating in an campaigns? Thanks for doing this AMA.

my brother got me into D&D with some of his friends from work in 1980. I was in college at the time and it proved a perfect creative outlet. I still play - DemonWars - every Sunday night.

Thank you for letting us share in the adventures with you. If you could expand Drizzt to any other media, what would you choose? Maybe a Netflix series perhaps?

I think DemonWars would make a great series, but the Drizzt books might do better as movies. I don't know - at this point, I'd just be glad to get a bite on any of them.

Did you read the hunger games?

Nope - enjoyed the first two movies, though.

Ok! I feel like there was a very sudden shift in your writing style from traditional fantasy pulp stories to a much grittier and realistic system of character development. Is there something that happened to you that impacted your writing and caused this? also: obligatory huge fan comment.

Nothing particular. I just settling in and had fun with it.

I'm not sure how fair of a question this is to you, but will this book be available in stores in Australia? I've not been able to find any of your books since The Hunter's Blades, which is pretty darned upsetting.

I don't know. You can get it from RASalvaStore.com, but shipping is brutal!

I just finished reading the first Demon Wars book and really enjoyed it. You've hinted before that the Demon Wars Saga and the Crimson Shadow trilogy happen on the same world if you think of it as a globe. Does this mean that the Elves in Avon and Eriador are in some way related to the Touel'alfar?

If that happens, and it might, they would not be related...now Oliver and the powries...

but Oliver doesn't like getting blood on his fancy clothes...

So the dwarves would wipe it off for him...

That would sure be a hilarious scene. I loved Oliver, imagining him with an exaggerated French accent just made it better.

He's the little French guy on the wall in Monty Python's Holy Grail...

How do you force yourself to sit down and actually write something long form?

Writing is all about discipline - getting started is the hardest part. I know that once I get rolling, I will fall in love with it, so I force myself to get going!

Have you ever been surprised by anything that you've written that you were 'unhappy' or 'disappointed' about at the time that fans just loved?

And a quick follow up; If so, did the fans loving it cause you to change your mind about being unhappy with it?

I'm often surprised by the little things that get a lot of buzz, and more so by the things I think are really great that don't get mentioned, ever!

i don't have enough time between writing and release to be unhappy about anything. And I don't go back and re-read very often because I'm afraid I'll hate it!

Would you think of starting another lengthy series like dizzt? Also would you think of doing a series on bruenor 's background?

Noooooooooo!

Seriously, I doubt I have that many years left! i didn't consciously start a long series with Drizzt. it just sort of happened.

Lol!!! But I would like to hear on bruenor's back story I think other people might also(One of my favorite characters). One more thing do you think if you didn't finish the series who would you want to finish it for you, if you had a choice?

My son Geno.

Will there be anymore licensed weapons from your series produced?

No idea. Would love it, but I haven't heard anything.

Hi Mr. Salvatore, big fan of your books. I'm currently reading the third book of the Two Swords series. Not sure if that's the correct name because I read them in spanish. So muy cuestión is: when is this new book going to be availabke in spanish?

There seems to be problems with the translations lately. I have no idea what's going on, honestly. You can get them in English, worldwide on e-book. Other than that, I honestly don't know.

Thank you very much and sorry for my bad spelling, but i'm on the phone. So, I will be looking for e-book with much anticipation.

Typos on the internet? Who'd believe that?

Hello Mr. Salvatore, i've been a huge fan of yours for years and i was wondering, what, other than personal experiences i suppose, inspire you to create the characters, worlds, stories that we all love and immerse ourselves in? Please keep up the good work and keep'em coming, i never have enough of those books!

I get my inspiration from everything around me - the people i meet, the music, the books, the movies, the sounds, the smells...life.

I-I-I... I don't have a question, but I wanted to post anyways. I AM A HUGE FAN (all caps so it must be true). Oh wait, after 15 minutes of contemplation I came up with one.

Do you ever do visits to school libraries to meet avid fans among the student population? For example, my mother is a high school librarian and has hosted a few of these kinds of events and would certainly love to have you pay them a visit should you feel like it on a whim.

I used to do it all the time - haven't much lately.

If you had to retire dizzt how would you do it?

I don't know - but I would want it either heroic or at least, upbeat. There's nothing wrong with a feel-good ending to a series in the midst of dystopian and gritty genres.

Greetings once more Mr. Salvatore! Thank you for all of your fine works. My question for you, from my father and i, is: where did you get the idea of Drizzt? Was it like a thought on the john one day? And why did you go with the whole renegade drow idea?

Thanks again for you time and effort! I look forward to the new book!

off the top of my head, on the phone with an editor who was late for a meeting. The whole rather funny story is told in the forward to the Dark Elf Trilogy.

I'll be investigating promptly!

One last question, who would play Drizzt the best in a live action movie?

I would never answer that. if they cast someone else, everyone would say he wasn't my first choice!

Hello and thanks for your time. I have been a fan since I was 13 and my mom brought the Dark Elf Trilogy home for me. Your stories inspired me to express myself not through the art of writing, but the art of music; thanks for that. Now the question. Are you ever afraid of the series becoming too long winded and are you ever upset with the limitations placed on you by WotC?

When it's not fun for me anymore, I'll walk away. it's really that simple at this point.

And not really regarding WotC. They let me get away with a lot, honestly.

Hello, Mr. Salvatore! Obviously, you are a big time novelist for The Forgotten Realms, but if WOTC ever asked would you consider writing something set in Greyhawk? Thank you!

Possibly - I love the setting. But then again, if I wasn't writing the Companions right now, I'd probably be living in DemonWars.

Hey Bob

Are you ever going to find yourself in Milwaukee?

I used to get books signed by you every year. I've traveled to Philly, to Connecticut, i've seen you in San Diego at the greatest book store known to man (mysterious galaxies) but now that i moved here to Milwaukee i haven't been able to wait eagerly in line to shake your hand and tell you Semper Fi.

Also will your wife have signed books in her store? I missed the e-signing.

-Nick (loyal fan, and has Icing Death and Twinkle tattooed)

Well, I get to Indy every year for GenCon - that's not far.

And yes, the link is up above. We have the books!

This is most likely a long ago answered question but, was there any outside interference to ally Dwarfs with Orcs, as you wrote many years ago in one of the Drizzt novels? Or was it a personal choice to start a new era so to speak.

it was a personal choice about a particular area, a particular set of circumstances, and a pair of brave individuals.

A question about you as a writer. What is your safe writing environment? As in do you have any unique or interesting habits that are tied to your ability to write and what was most instrumental in finding your "writing place" where you can comfortably write?

I often put on music - George Winston, Jon Serrie - and let the sounds and the words on the screen take me far away. When I'm on a plane (I hate flying), I bury myself under the headphones nad into the screen and sometimes forget I'm on a plane.

Hi Mr. Salvatore, I've poked through some of your AMAs and never posted, but the burning intensity of this question has now reached critical mass: I'm going to go ahead and preface it by adding that I'm queer and have queer friends in the fandom, so this is not just a matter of idle curiosity, but is there any specific reason you've been so evasive in discussing Jarlaxle's sexuality? Because when you say "Jarlaxle breaks all the boundaries" and is "ambiguous and adventurous" I feel like what you're trying to avoid saying is "bisexual," and I'm...not sure why all the winking and nudging is necessary?

I don't think Jarlaxle is bisexual, but it wouldn't surprise me. I'm not being evasive - characters tell me their stories in bits and pieces, almost like I'm getting to know them as I write them.

Brother Afafrenfere, on the other hand, is openly gay. And no one cares (negatively, I mean). And that's the point. And I cannot tell you how rewarding it is to me that these few years later, after thousands of e-mails, I have never heard a bad word about that choice.

Very different than when I started and got horribly misogynistic e-mail about Catti-brie, simply because it was wrong to have female heroes.

Gives me hope for the world.

An unfortunate trend I've noticed in fantasy novels: authors seem to have no problem fetishizing/hypersexualizing lesbian relationships, but shy away from both a) male homosexual relationships and b) healthy/loving homosexual relationships in general. As an author, why do you think this is?

Probably a million reasons dating back to less enlightened times. I see the same thing in movies and tv, until recently.

I have no problem with either in my work. I'm writing about people - all the various incarnations of people.

I just finished reading "Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf" and am craving for more!

Some teasers for "The Archmage" please?

it has a wizard in it!

First let me preface what a great book The Companions was I especially loved Bruenor's story.

Now what was your primary goal when redesigning the companions more specifically Regis?

With Drizzt being a chosen of Mielikki are the companions his only boon?

Who says Drizzt is actually a chosen of Mielikki?

my goal with the companions was asking myself what it would be like if I could do it all over again, knowing what I know now.

Then I took the three logical paths: anger for feeling cheated (Bruenor), redemption for failings (Regis), and a pure dedication to a desired end (Catti-brie).

And then added a fourth course: this time's for fun (Wulfgar).

Any authors you admire?

Terry Brooks. And many others - but starting to name them will get me into deep, deep trouble.

I love all of your fantasy books but something I was wondering was whether you write other mediums of writing such as essays or poetry ever? Have you ever tried these types of writing? If so how did you enjoy them or dislike them?

I've done a few poems - I was quite proud of the sonnet I did to start the Sundering series. I've been so immersed in the novels for so long that I haven't really had the time to explore other types.

that will change soon.

Can you give us anything about what these other projects will be? I love reading the secondary genres that authors write in. I feel that it is a window into another aspect of that person's life that you don't get when you only read one type of writing from someone.

Not yet - I'm still putting thoughts together.

I met you when you came to talk in Lansing, MI and I wanted to thank you for being so kind and gracious to me. I was so nervous to meet you and you were so nice. So thank you. :)

So, since I have to have a question...what's going to happen to Allheart since it didn't get funded? Are you going to try again?

I don't know yet. I'm looking for ways to lower the COGS, but I really don't want to cut quality. I'm very proud of the Reformation book because of the high quality all around and I don't want to cheapen it.

Any plans on penning another video game?

Not at the moment, but I've done some work on one that will be out soon, I hope...and I can't say any more than that.

I see you like signing books so often.

But I must ask, when are you going to start signing our Audiobooks?

P.S. - I got into Audible around September and was stoked to finally catch up on the last 8 or so books that college made me have no time for. I am so happy to see you and Audible so tight!

P.P.S. - What should we name our daughter?

Someone told me that they were working on a way for an audio signing of and audiobook...that wold save on the hand cramps.

And you should name your daughter something that will remind you that she owns you...because she will.

Hey, Bob. Thanks for doing another AMA. Huge fan, and have been since I found a copy of Streams of Silver at a used book store.
Here's my question:because of the nature of the setting Drizzt is in, if you had to write a flashback scene (or novel!) Would you allude to the rule set that the scene (or novel!) was set during? Like a Zak scene (or novel!) using allusions to 2nd? Thanks.

I still write in 1st Edition, putting just enough new flavor into it to make the editors think I'm writing in the newer editions. The probably curse me a lot up at WotC.

Hey Bob, I am in a Drizzt fan group and there were several posts of people able to purchase the book before the release date. Many people were upset over this due to the fact that they were waiting for it to be released or that they had ordered it online. Does this happen very often in your experience? Who is responsible for the mix up? Thanks :)

Stores are given an official lay-down date. This is because you want the big week to happen everywhere all at once for some bestseller lists. Some stores don't honor that (Canada always seems to have the book early).

At this point, I just shrug. I don't care about the lists. I just want people to enjoy the journey with me.

With the direction that the Sundering has you taking, would you/have you considered bringing back other characters from earlier in the series? Zak? Mooshie?

You never know.

A lot of your main characters have really gotten a power-up in the recent books, and of course Jarlaxle always has new toys... what about Entreri? Is he due for some new items/tricks soon??

Power up? I hate the term. The old crew had 20 years to prepare for the road, so of course they came well-practiced. But a knife in the back will still put them to the ground.

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Well, very kind, adn thanks for that. I thought Entreri's story was fully told in "Road of the Patriarch," but I got so many letters asking me to play it out that I couldn't drop him.

What sort of music helps get the creative wheels turning?

Instrumentals - George Winston, Jon Serrie.