Todd!!!!!!

It has taken me a couple of days to recover from Dragonsblood. It was fantastic! I laughed, cried, ached for Lorana, Arith and all the rest. I was one of the fortunate ones at Dragoncon last year and heard you read. That glimpse of the book made me cry along with you, but it didn’t compare to the emotions that rang through me when reading the final version. The mystery, the song, the traditions, old and to come. Thanks for keeping Pern alive in my heart!

Teannette

Oh, Teanette, I’m glad to hear you say that!

I’m glad that Dragonsblood worked for you.

Cheers,
Todd

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LOVE THE NEW BOOK – I was extremely happy to tear through your new book. I have to say I your Mom has every right to be proud as a parent whose son has just impressed his bronze. I look forward to your next book.

Janet

Hi Janet!

I’m glad that you liked the book. Mum and I are working on a sequel to Dragon’s Kin right now.

Cheers,
Todd

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As far as the PNA situation goes, my lack of mention should not be interpreted as condonation. I’d have to go back and see what you have so far published (knowing there is more written and unpublished) to make a better comment here. From what I recall, the important factors in the double helix can all be addressed in a triple helix, except for the polarity issue. The polarity issue derives from the phosphate backbone of DNA/RNA. The analogy is that the phosphate backbones are like the sides of a ladder with the base-pairs like the rungs of the ladder. The subtle and critical issue for DNA that doesn’t jive with the triple helix of PNA is that the sides of the ladder for DNA are oriented in oppposite polarities (anti-parallel). So if each strand had an arrow, one would be pointed up and the other would point down. Looking at the top rung of the ladder you see the 5′ end of one side and the 3′ end of another side. I can’t see how the triple helix would work, since you’d always have two strands with the same polarity to one strand opposite.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Fortunately, we’re not working with the exact structure of nucleic acid. It’s a bit of a misnomer, like the use of ‘spirit’ for things containing alcohols. On Earth I’m given to understand that we’ve identified three different materials used for genetic encoding (threose, RNA, and DNA). So I’m proposing that whatever is the fundamental building block of Pernese Nucleic Acid — the misnamed ‘nucleic acid’ avoids the polarity issue.

But I’m glad that the issue didn’t throw you out of the book!

Cheers,
Todd

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::speechless, give me a moment::

I am an avid fan of the Pern series, in fact I own every book. (With the exception of ‘Skies of Pern’, but that issue will be resolved shortly) Three short days ago I picked up copies of both ‘Dragon’s Kin’ and ‘Dragon’s Blood’, I haven’t been the same since. Your mother is the only author that I have read who can command my attention and emotions so completely, until now. I just this moment finished ‘Dragon’s Blood’, and the few tears that aren’t drying on my cheeks are still blurring my vision as I try to write this letter to you. Dragon’s Blood had me completely enveloped from the first page, I simple could not put it down. Hesitant as I am to admit it, it’s been a long time since I have cried so long for so many different reasons, both elating and devastating. The reason I write you know is to tell you one thing; in my oppinion, you have done you mother, the world of Pern and its inhabitants, and all the fans of the afore mentioned, incredibly proud. My imaginative appetite hungers for more, I sincerely hope and wish that you continue to bring us more from the world of Pern.

You newest fan,
Patrick

Patrick, you made my day! I was hoping that people would connect with Dragonsblood the way you did. It’s incredibly gratifying to know that the book worked for you.

Dragonsblood was a labor of love written through some very difficult times — sometimes the pain that the people on Pern were experiencing in the book was a solace when compared with what I was going through. I cried too, and I’m proud of Lorana, Wind Blossom, Kindan, Tieran, M’tal, Ketan, and Salina — in fact, I’m proud of them all.

I’m glad the book worked for you. If it’s any consolation, I guarantee that I cried in every place you cried — and my copyeditor says that I owe her a box of tissues.

Cheers,
Todd

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