09-01-2015, 05:13 PM
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...
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...