| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mournblade |
Posted - 07 Mar 2013 : 20:59:03
I got my Last Threshold signed by him. I have to say it is always a pleasure when you meet someone you have been a fan of for a long time and they turn out to be great people.
The line was not long, but it took a while to get through because Bob talked to everyone that wanted to talk to him. Sure if you just went for the signing and handshake that was it, but if you wanted a conversation, and not a curt short one, he was giving that to people.
For me it went from thanking him, Cadderly, and Drizzt for getting me through the Military Years away from home, then how cool Michael Moorcock was (to which he recited the last line from Stormbringer: AWESOME:)), to what I teach in my Environmental Science classes.
He signed 4 books for me not just the Last Threshold and on each one he wrote something different. Specifically I told him that I was trying to get my wife to read his books, so on the Homeland collection he wrote "Please read my books!"
We also talked realms a bit, which he projected so more people could hear and this is what he had to say:
The creators were told what to do for 4e realms by the developers, so if you don't like what happened it is not the various authors' fault, they just play in the realms.
The authors all have creative input in the 5th edition realms.
If someone does not like 5th edition realms, then they can write to him and tell him why because he has a hand in creating it... and it will be great.
He also said as a group they insisted to WOTC that Ed be at the helm, and I was under the impression that Bob told him the new Forgotten Realms has to have input from Troy Denning as well. Maybe that is how Troy got back to the project? I don't know, but Bob was enthusiastic to work with him again.
He described the Sundering books as one large event that each author is writing a part of. Example: if sundering was equal to WWII, then one author is writing the Battle of Britain, The other is writing the pacific, the other writing what happened in Africs, etc.
Fans like us only get to know our creators through their work, and some quick panels at cons or whatever. RA Salvatore took time with every individual last night, he rushed no one through, and engaged in genuine conversations.
I am proud to be a die hard fan of a shared universe with creators of RA Salvatore's quality.
Thank you
I had no idea that Christmas present I opened in 1987 would have such influence on my life.
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| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| PhilBlit |
Posted - 16 Mar 2013 : 02:25:28
geekandsundry talks with R.A. Salvatore - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLf1hBUr9M4&feature=youtu.be
Some fascinating history there. |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 10 Mar 2013 : 19:36:20
quote:
Originally posted by Mournblade
The authors all have creative input in the 5th edition realms.
Note that refers mostly to the SUNDERING authors. I believe other FR authors--like Jaleigh, Bruce, myself, etc.--have had limited input at best.
I was part of a team that gave certain key inputs into the Sundering event, but I haven't really been much involved in the planning for 5e overall.
I would certainly LOVE to be more involved, but there you are.
Cheers |
| CorellonsDevout |
Posted - 09 Mar 2013 : 05:33:11
Oh, and it's amazing how much the Realms has impacted our lives. I know it's a big part of mine. Seriously, sometimes events that take place keep me up at night... |
| CorellonsDevout |
Posted - 09 Mar 2013 : 05:29:11
I'd love to have more regular contact with some of the FR authors. If not in person, than through email or something. But I don't want to bother them... |
| The Masked Mage |
Posted - 08 Mar 2013 : 17:06:42
quote:
Originally posted by BEAST
I totally agree. After exchanging e-mails with Bob for years, I finally met him here in Houston, TX, last year. The small convention staff seemed to be tripping over themselves a little bit to make sure he felt at home, but he was the most gracious guy you could hope to meet. And he was here following through on his tour commitments, despite the fact that his mother had just fallen ill back at home.
It's not just him--it's his wife, Diane, too. Tracy and Laura Hickham were here in Houston that weekend as well, and I noticed that Diane and the Hickhams kept calling Bob "Bobby". Just before they gathered their stuff to head out for lunch, and Bob was posing for a few last photos with fans, I asked her about that nickname.
quote:
BEAST: "We always read or hear 'R.A.' or 'Bob' in public communications about him, but I noticed you were all calling him 'Bobby', just then."
Diane: "Oh, yeah, it's an Italian thing. Everybody gets a nickname like that, no matter how old you are. Like, you're Steven, so you'd be 'Stevie.' See? It works!"
B: "My dad, Daniel--
D: "Danny. See? It's great!
B: "So my other little brother, Craig: Craigie . . . Craiggy?
D: (Blank look and silence.)
B: "Or my brother, here, Justin: Justie . . . Justy?
D: "Oh, he'd probably just be called 'Joey Marbles', or 'Joey Bag o'Doughnuts', or something like that!"
Justin: "Hey, I can't wait to tell the guys at the bar about that. That just might catch on!"
Joey Bag o'Doughnuts is classic. |
| BEAST |
Posted - 08 Mar 2013 : 16:26:15
I totally agree. After exchanging e-mails with Bob for years, I finally met him here in Houston, TX, last year. The small convention staff seemed to be tripping over themselves a little bit to make sure he felt at home, but he was the most gracious guy you could hope to meet. And he was here following through on his tour commitments, despite the fact that his mother had just fallen ill back at home.
It's not just him--it's his wife, Diane, too. Tracy and Laura Hickham were here in Houston that weekend as well, and I noticed that Diane and the Hickhams kept calling Bob "Bobby". Just before they gathered their stuff to head out for lunch, and Bob was posing for a few last photos with fans, I asked her about that nickname.
quote:
BEAST: "We always read or hear 'R.A.' or 'Bob' in public communications about him, but I noticed you were all calling him 'Bobby', just then."
Diane: "Oh, yeah, it's an Italian thing. Everybody gets a nickname like that, no matter how old you are. Like, you're Steven, so you'd be 'Stevie.' See? It works!"
B: "My dad, Daniel--
D: "Danny. See? It's great!
B: "So my other little brother, Craig: Craigie . . . Craiggy?
D: (Blank look and silence.)
B: "Or my brother, here, Justin: Justie . . . Justy?
D: "Oh, he'd probably just be called 'Joey Marbles', or 'Joey Bag o'Doughnuts', or something like that!"
Justin: "Hey, I can't wait to tell the guys at the bar about that. That just might catch on!"
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| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 08 Mar 2013 : 07:21:05
After reading Mournblade's post, I kept looking around for the 'like' button so I could click it.
Then I remembered this isn't Facebook.
But you better believe if it was I'd share his post with others. Good stuff. |
| Kris the Grey |
Posted - 08 Mar 2013 : 04:41:27
@Mournblade - My wife and I also met Bob at a local book signing and had an experience very much like the one you describe. He was affable, engaged, knowledgable, open, and most of all, humble. That's one of the best characteristics you can get in a celebrity author - real humanity. Bob (and Ed who was the same way when we met him at GenCon) will always have my respect and admiration for that.
@Seravin - Hey now, I get that some might prefer Jeff's stuff to Troy's, but Troy is a hell of a guy as well (we also met him), he has produced solid FR materials (many in concert with Ed), is THE expert on Cyric (so you can't really do an important canon book on him without Troy's input), and what is more important to me and the three of my players who were with me, so fan friendly that he took the time to sit down and actually play with a group of us for a few hours at GenCon last year! So, Troy gets our 'cool celebrity author of the year' award in a walk. Lol. |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 07 Mar 2013 : 22:45:58
Thanks for this Mournblade, Salvatore does sound like a great guy.
quote:
Interesting stuff re: 5th edition; I wish they brought back Jeff Grubb to help instead of Troy Denning though. Not such a big fan of Troy's work; to me if Ed and Jeff were authoring the Realms I would sleep happy knowing it was in great hands.
Mr. Denning isn't so bad but I do agree that Jeff Grubb would have been the better choice along with, perhaps, the James brothers. Still, with Ed at the helm I think all should be well. I'm assuming that his being at the 'helm' means nothing goes through without his approval first.
My plans for 5e are to read everything in the bookstore prior to any purchases...just not going to give WotC anymore money until they start moving in a positive direction again...otherwise my hopes are that Paizo will take over the brand in the future. |
| Mournblade |
Posted - 07 Mar 2013 : 22:44:10
quote:
Originally posted by Caladan Brood
Thanks for the writeup. R.A. sounds like an awesome person to his fans. This post even made me curious about 5th FR to an extent :) Cheers. I was also reminded of my own meeting with my favorite author Steven Erikson.all right time to log off and get some reading down before I fall asleep.
If you go to dndwizards youtube channel you can find good videos on the discussion of the 5th edition realms.
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| Mournblade |
Posted - 07 Mar 2013 : 22:43:06
quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
Bob is a great guy, I've spoken with him at a few book signings and he always makes time to discuss with fans.
Interesting stuff re: 5th edition; I wish they brought back Jeff Grubb to help instead of Troy Denning though. Not such a big fan of Troy's work; to me if Ed and Jeff were authoring the Realms I would sleep happy knowing it was in great hands.
I'm a big fan of Jeff Grubb, I mean I love FASERIP. I think it is in good hands even without Jeff Grubb though.
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| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 07 Mar 2013 : 22:03:19
Thanks for the writeup. R.A. sounds like an awesome person to his fans. This post even made me curious about 5th FR to an extent :) Cheers. I was also reminded of my own meeting with my favorite author Steven Erikson.all right time to log off and get some reading down before I fall asleep. |
| Seravin |
Posted - 07 Mar 2013 : 21:58:54
Bob is a great guy, I've spoken with him at a few book signings and he always makes time to discuss with fans.
Interesting stuff re: 5th edition; I wish they brought back Jeff Grubb to help instead of Troy Denning though. Not such a big fan of Troy's work; to me if Ed and Jeff were authoring the Realms I would sleep happy knowing it was in great hands.
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