Letter from Kelsey

Hey Todd!

You reading to a recent fan of the Dragonriders of Pern books. I can’t wait to get Dragonsblood — when it will come out?

And I have some questions for you:

How is it to be Anne McCaffrey’s son?

Growing up when she published the books, did you get a taste of her limelight?

Were you able to read the books she was working for you?

And, no offense at all to you, is Anne going to write more of the Dragonriders of Pern or has she permenately handing the torch to you?

Either way,you can catch me reading what future stories you will write.

Gracias.

Hi Kelsey,

Glad to hear that you’re a recent fan of the Pern books. Dragonsblood is due out January 25th, 2005.

How is it to be Anne McCaffrey’s son? I suspect it’s a lot less spectacular than you might imagine. If you want a pretty good idea, read “Dragonholder” which is the book I wrote about Mum and how she thought of the dragons (among other things).

For all that those who’ve read Mum’s books love them and are eager to see more, Mum doesn’t really have a huge limelight, so it wasn’t too big a deal. I did get a lot of people telling me how much they liked her books but as I liked them too, there wasn’t a lot to say.

I learned that it’s a mistake to read a book while someone’s working on it. Books are fragile things, particularly when being created and the slightest criticism can put a serious damper on a writer’s fragile faith in their works. However, I did read “The White Dragon” as Mum finished each page and was eager for more (that, in itself, can be tiring for a writer, too!).

I don’t know if Mum’s going to write more or not. It takes a great deal of energy and emotional energy to write a book and Mum’s 78. Every time you read a book that makes you cry with sorrow or shout with joy, the writer lived that emotion — probably more intensely than you did. Writing takes as much out of you as it gives back. You might write to Mum and ask her yourself.

Cheers,
Todd