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Originally posted by Seravin

Hi Elaine,

I'm going to start reading your wonderful novels based on so many recommendations. Are there any plans to make an omnibus collection of your early works? I know you recently said that eBook versions were coming out, but I'm a paperbook kind of person.

Many kind regards!

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Originally posted by Kajehase

Been meaning to show off this for a while - thought you might enjoy seeing it. (And don't worry, I don't keep the books next to the window unless I'm photographing them.

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Originally posted by Kajehase

That's no question to ask a lady, Fellfire! And quite insulting to her husband to boot.

spoiler: Yeah, couldn't resist. Sorry Elaine.

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Originally posted by Fellfire

Any update on the TSD, Elaine?

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Originally posted by ElaineCunningham

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Originally posted by Kajehase

That's no question to ask a lady, Fellfire! And quite insulting to her husband to boot.

spoiler: Yeah, couldn't resist. Sorry Elaine.

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I think you're thinking of an STD, Kajehase. But I'm mildly dyslexic, so what do I know?

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Originally posted by Kajehase

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Originally posted by ElaineCunningham

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Originally posted by Kajehase

That's no question to ask a lady, Fellfire! And quite insulting to her husband to boot.

spoiler: Yeah, couldn't resist. Sorry Elaine.

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I think you're thinking of an STD, Kajehase. But I'm mildly dyslexic, so what do I know?

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It wouldn't be a very good parody of looking-for-any-reason-to-act-insulted internet behaviour if it'd been the right abbreviation, would it?

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Originally posted by Zireael

I wanted to say I finally got my hands on "Dark Journey" in a local library. The chapters from the Yuuzhan Vong and Chiss and Hapan perspective were excellent!

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Originally posted by Fellfire

Elaine, I am deeply disappointed that TSD seems to be on hold indefinitely. I was looking forward to reading more about Tincheron. Are there perhaps any short stories you have composed about this character that you would be able to share, other than what's been published? Even just a brief history? Or dare I ask, 3.5 stats? As always, thank you for your time and dedication to your fans.

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Originally posted by Sightless

I have found a interesting tendency for female authors, who have female leads to be often asked if they have imposed some of their own personalities into their character, does this conception, or perhaps misconception happen to you with some degree of frequency?

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Furthermore, what part of the writing process do you find most enjoyable?

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Originally posted by Fellfire

Thanks, Elaine. I have begun to re-read Windwalker and question has come up, when Danilo goes to Blackstaff tower to meet with Khelben to discuss Liriel's impending arrival we are briefly introduced to Sharllara of the Vindrith clan. Laeral goes on to state that she is NOT a gold-elf, despite appearances and the assumptions of the archmage. Has it been revealed just what she IS? I admit it has been a long while since I've read this particular book and I'm not nearly done.

edit: Despite a different spelling of the surname, the FR Wiki names her as a star-elf. Is this correct? Is she a character that you created?

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Originally posted by The Sage

As I recall, though, Sharlarra was never exclusively named as such.

We know star elves were first introduced in 3e FR, namely the Unapproachable East tome. However, Elaine has also told in the past that she obtained a copy of the manuscript for the tome from WotC and read it for continuity. I'm assuming that's also because Elaine wanted to research ways in which she could to tie the novel more closely with the new lore on the star elves. Though, I could be wrong...

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Originally posted by Barastir

Dear Mrs. Cunningham, yesterday I was reading again about Lord Erlan Duirsar in Elfshadow, and found this wonderful text:

"Erlan Duirsar gazed out the window to the courtyard below, a vast square ringed by buildings of enspelled pink crystal. Elvencrafted with the whimsical asymmetry and solid practicality that characterized the work of moon elves, the buildings housed most of the lords and ladies who sat on the council. Both the duties and privileges of government were shared by all in Evereska, and the common elves frequently gathered in the square for ritual, festivity, or contentious town meetings. It was his voice, however, that issued the final word on such matters as now confronted the city. Erlan Duirsar kept this thought before him as he strode into the meeting hall to address the council. A powerful and proud group, the elves studied him with varied degrees of curiosity and impatience.
'I know that you all have important business elsewhere, but I must ask that you remain here in counsel this night. Evereska may need the special talents of each elf here.'
'What's going on?' demanded the head of the College of Magic.
'Bran Skorlsun has come to the Greycloak Hills', said Erlan Duirsar simply.
It was explanation enough."

After reading it, I realized that those elves are not cited anymore in the book, and so I ask: what have they done that night? Which talents were needed, and were they used, after all? Or have Khelben so much influence that the elves decided not to interfere for some reason (although I think they would actually help Arilyn and Danilo)?

Other questions: how much of this story was passed along to humans and people in general by Danilo's songs? How could he tell his story without mentioning the Elfgate? How much about the moonblades became general knowledge? I assume it was not widely known by non-elves before his tales.

Thank you in advance, and I hope life is treating you very well!

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Originally posted by Barastir

Thank you, Mrs. Cunningham. I thought he transformed and adapted some bits of that story (well, he mentions the episode in the Marsh of Chelimber), and that maybe he could have told his version of the whole happening, even to help cleaning Arilyn's name.

Just found a mention in Elfsong about the ballad of the Harper Assassin, what does it tells, then? In this passage Arilyn tells him that someone sung the ballad there in Tethyr, and they got worried, even considering that "The facts were well and truly disguised, and although it did not identify either Arilyn or him as Harpers".

I thought I read somewhere that moonblades got infused in the human people folklore (with awe) after that incident, but then I'm probably mistaken. Are they still basically unknown to average humans, or to adventures?

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Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Some humans know about moonblades, yes. They've been around for centuries, and humans have observed moonfighters over time, so there are stories and legends floating about, some of which contain actual nuggets of truth. For the most part, though, humans know little about the swords, other than that they are elf-crafted, elf-wielded weapons that contain powerful magic.

Yikes, I'd forgotten about the Ballad of the Harper Assassin! I'd have to reread that passage, but as I recall, Dan created a story that bore little resemblance to the actual events. Several harpers were murdered before the events of ELFSHADOW, so there would be rumors of a "harper assassin." Once the situation was resolved, it would made sense to create a story that gave people closure, but disguised sensitive information.

I'll be re-reading the Songs & Swords books later this month to refresh my memory, so I might have more to add later.

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