Month: June 2005

Letter from Alex

Letter from Alex

Dear Todd,

I wrote you recently with more questions about the dragon colors. Thank you for providing a more detailed response as to why there are no other colors than the ones mentioned in the books.

I also asked you how you come up with the dragons names. I recall writing your mum a few years back and told her then that if I had a dragon, it’s name would be Alaranth. I noticed in Dragonsblood (which I finally finished and enjoyed very much, though I was distraught to learn that Arith’s life had to be sacrificed) that Torene’s dragon went by the same name. I wonder if this is a coincidence?

I just had to smile and wonder if in some small way I was able to contribute to the wonderful Dragonriders of Pern series.

I look forward to reading much more from you in the future!

Best,

Alex

Dear Alex,

My pleasure. I hope it helps.

As for your question regarding Alaranth — I honestly don’t know. If so, I’d have to agree with you that it’s kinda nice to get your own dragon name put in a book!

Cheers,
Todd

Letter from Becca

Letter from Becca

Dear Todd,

It’s only been recently (in the past few years) that I’ve discovered the magic of sci-fi as a genre and Anne McCaffrey’s books. I fell in love instantly and have been hooked since….all of her books are ones I can reread over and over again. Thank you!

Now for a question. It has been raised in a PBeM (post by email) club recently about the idea of a queen communicating with a hatchling of hers. What I mean by communicating is actually having a conversation with the hatchling, much like a mother would to a child. Is this really possible and would it happen on Pern?

Thank you for answering all our questions on here. I hope to read Dragonsblood soon so I can come and rave about how awesome it is!

Cheerio!

Becca

Hi Becca,

I’m glad you’ve found sci-fi (or s-f as Mum calls it) and that you enjoy Mum’s books. Welcome to the fold!

As for your question, dragons are egg layers and tend to have the same sort of propensity for child-rearing as egg layers here on Earth. You wouldn’t have a conversation mother-child as you would with humans or even some mammals. On the other hand, Ramoth (or was it Mnementh?) did say of Ruth, “Ruth will prosper.” So we know the dragons have some continued attachment for offspring.

But on the whole, I doubt you’d get any of the conversations mothers have with their children.

Cheers,
Todd

Letter from Erin

Letter from Erin

Thank you for a wonderful tale about one of my favorite worlds. I just wanted to let you know that it was very well done and I loved all the odds and ends that you were able to tie together in Dragonsblood.

Thanks,

Erin

Hi Erin,

Thank you! I was pretty pleased to be able to tie up all those loose ends! Of course, now I have loose ends to tie up myself!

Cheers,
Todd

Letter from Diana

Letter from Diana

Dear Todd,

I think it’s safe to say your new Dragonrider books are a hit. That’s all I see in your fanmail! But I wanted to add my cheers to the crowd and say that you did indeed succeed with Dragonsblood and the co-written Dragon’s Kin. And the reason I know you succeeded is that I get just as choked up aching for this fantasy world as I ever did with your mother’s books.

I also really wanted to say thank you for continuing the series. I was heartbroken to think that it might end when your mom decides she needs a rest. And a rest she does deserve; everyone should be able to retire without people constantly hounding them to get back to work! That being said, take your time on the rest of your ideas. I’d much rather read well thought out, well written books than some of the speed writing I’ve read from other authors. I like the directions you can take it.

-Diana

Dear Diana,

Thank you! I’m glad to hear that you like my writing, it means a lot to know that I’m getting it right.

Thanks also for realizing that Mum needs a rest. I’m still hoping she’ll surprise us all with many more books — and she and I are working together on Dragon’s Fire.

Cheers,
Todd