Monday, May 01, 2006

Faerie Lord

Just got in a piece of fan mail from a 12-year-old who said that if she were a crowd she'd give my imagination a standing ovation. With a turn of phrase like that, that one should be writing books herself.

Meanwhile, Faerie Lord continues apace and has taken on a very archetypal structure. Christopher Booker in his The Seven Basic Plots makes a strong case for the notion that ALL fiction is archetypal at root because the human imagination just can't function any other way. (He makes the point, for example, that Jaws, Peter Benchley's hugely popular movie, had exactly the same plot as the saga of Beowulf, created 1,200 years earlier.) I suspect this is largely true, but sometimes the archetypal content is more overt than others and it's beginning to surface big time in Faerie Lord. This has happened to me a couple of times before, accompanied by a very creepy feeling.

Took time off yesterday to attend one of Jacks's crystal workshops. (Jacks is a psychotherapist and crystal healer.) It was a big day for her because she's managed at long last to persuade someone to establish an accredited crystal therapy training course in Ireland. Attendance at her workshops now count as credits for this course and as a result she introduced a few new exercises yesterday. One of them sparked a fascinating burst of psychism among participants. Always interesting to watch that sort of thing manifest, especially when it's unexpected.

62 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Faerie Wars chronicles are action packed thrillers filled with science,romance,and adventure. I just love them. I may be young but I have a good sense about books and Herbie you have outdone yourself with this.


- Jared Pham,one of your biggest fans. -age 12

Anonymous said...

I would also love to see a movie about the chronicles..

Anonymous said...

I just can't wait.
-Jared

Anonymous said...

In the first sentence in the first comment I meant these books.
-Jared sorry

Anonymous said...

oops i meant this I may be young but I have a good sense about books and Herbie you have outdone yourself with
these books

Jared said...

This is my email.

Jared said...

jigglyjam@yahoo.com

Embarassing

Jared said...

or use google.

Jared said...

just use yahoo

Herbie Brennan said...

Thank you, Jared. 'Faerie Lord' is due out in the States at end December; and in the UK beginning February. There are negotiations going on about a movie at the moment.

Anonymous said...

Mr.Brennan,
I just have to say, I think your Faerie War series is amazing. Its my favorite series,and I absolutley cannot wait for Faerie Lord to come out. I have a question if you wouldn't mind answering. Do you know anything more about the movie? Is it still in negotiations? I would love to see Faerie Wars as a movie production, although it can never be as good as the original.
Thank you so much for writing this brilliant series!

Herbie Brennan said...

Thank you, Jared. 'Faerie Lord' is due out in the States at end December; and in the UK beginning February. There are negotiations going on about a movie at the moment.

Herbie Brennan said...

Thank you Iya. Not too long to wait for Faerie Lord now: hope it doesn't disappoint. The movie deal is still in negotiation -- we're hassling about some subsidiary rights at the moment -- but it could take some years between contract and production, I'm told by those who know the movie business.

Anonymous said...

Hello mr.Brennan . my name is Daniel and I love your sereis. I am a book fanatic I go through a couple a week .I would like to know if there are going to be any more books in this sereis.If so when do they come out? what are they about? bye.

Herbie Brennan said...

Thank you, Jared. 'Faerie Lord' is due out in the States at end December; and in the UK beginning February. There are negotiations going on about a movie at the moment.

Herbie Brennan said...

Thanks Daniel. Faerie Lord is the last in the series, but there's a graphic novel set in the Faerie Wars universe due out late in 2009. It's called Boy Brimstone.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Brennan,
I think that the Faerie Wars series is so far the best fantasy book series I have read. This weekend my mom is taking me to buy Faerie Lord and I am absolutly, out of my mind excited to read it !!!! I would love to see your books become a movie. I really think they would be great as a motion picture!

Herbie Brennan said...

Thanks Emma. Hope you enjoy the book.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr.Brennan,
Wow. Thats all I have to say to the last book. words cannot even BEGIN to express how much I loved this. ((dont worry for anyone who didnt read it, I wont say a thing ^_^ promise!!))
I litterally cried at the end because I was so upset it was all over and at the ending ((it was adorable)). Maybe in the future you can make a continuation of sorts? Anyway, thank you so much for writing this series.You really were the first author that really got me into reading books. I've even started to write a bit as well.
Thanks again,
Iya

Anonymous said...

Also, I would love if you can tell me how to make a blog or if you could make a post just so people could discuss Faerie Lord. I would LOVE if us, being the huge fans of yours, could actually talk about the book with the actual author himself.
thank you!!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Brennan,
I have finally finished Faerie Lord!!!(YAY)Very Brilliant job Mr. Brennan. And Iya I would have to agree with you about being sad at the end. I loved the last book but at the same time I hated that Henry's journey was over. I really liked how the series turned out though. Mr Brennan I would love it if you would write something else about this series. PLEASE do!!! I was also wondering if you have heard anything about the movie?? And if you do not mind me asking, but what is your opinion on this series becoming a movie?
Happy Holidays,
Emma

Herbie Brennan said...

Thank you Iya, thank you Emma. Right. First of all Iya, I've taken your advice and opened up a separate post (called Comments on Faerie Lord) for anybody who wants to discuss it. Secondly, if you want to set up your own blog, go to www.blogger.com and they'll tell you how to do it. Thirdly, Emma, there's a movie option for the first Faerie Wars in negotiation at the moment and it looks as if there's a good chance a movie might actually be made. But that's not certain and if it happens, it'll take years. Whether this expands into movies of the whole series will probably depend on how well the first one does. Fingers crossed.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Brennan,
Thank you for replying to my comment and for making the Faerie Lord post!!!
~Emma

Anonymous said...

And Good luck with the movie negotiations!!! I hope everything works out!

~Emma

Anonymous said...

Okay, first of all, YOUR BOOKS ARE FANTASTIC!Secondly, I have a question. Does Blue have butterfly tattoos? Why isn't her head shaved because ?she's head of the Church of Light? Amazing series.
-R

Herbie Brennan said...

Clever questions. Blue does have an official tattoo which she got on becoming Queen, but it's rather more discreet than the ones Pyrgus had.

The priests wanted to shave her head, but she put her foot down and they eventually backed off. You know how stubborn she can be.

Herbie

Anonymous said...

I daresay, MR. Brennan. I just loved the series, especially the romance. i would like to congratulate you for this marvelous wok of art. i very nearly cried when i finished faerie lord, yes, nearly cried. my only reques, ignore it if you mar, you must be a very busie person. i would really be exhilerated for you to write more books about this, it was just mesmerizing,

Thank Mr.Brennan

Juan Mateo Rosario, age 13, one of yourd most captivated fans

Anonymous said...

Mr. Brennan,
I just have to say I love the Faerie Wars Series, I kinda took my time reading the first two books (Faerie Wars, and The Purple Emperor) But as soon as I bought "The Ruler of the Realm" I read it as fast as I could, I finished in about 2 1/2 Days or somewhere around that. I can't wait to read "Faerie Lord"

Herbie Brennan said...

Thank you kindly. Hope Faerie Lord doesn't disappoint...

Anonymous said...

OMG!!!!!!OMG!!!!!!OMG!!!!!!OMG!!!!!!OMG!!!!!! This is the best series I have read since Eragon!!! I am so attached to the characters!!!!!!!! Espesaly Henry. He is everything in the anoluge world I am. The Faerie Realm is my day dream destination!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU MR. BRENNEN

Anonymous said...

Joseph here. I am a huge fan of you. You never say the ages of Henry, Prygus or Blue. How old are they as of the end of Ruler of the Realm

Herbie Brennan said...

Hi Joseph,

I'm not quite sure. Working back from Faerie Lord, I'd guess Henry was just about 16 at the time of Ruler of the Realm, but only just because I'm fairly sure he was 15 when the whole thing started. Blue is about 18 months to 2 years younger. Pyrgus is about 8 months older. But you have to be careful about faerie ages, because time runs differently in the Realm.

Herbie Brennan said...

Hi Joseph,

I'm not quite sure. Working back from Faerie Lord, I'd guess Henry was just about 16 at the time of Ruler of the Realm, but only just because I'm fairly sure he was 15 when the whole thing started. Blue is about 18 months to 2 years younger. Pyrgus is about 8 months older. But you have to be careful about faerie ages, because time runs differently in the Realm.

Anonymous said...

Ok. I was having a hard time picturing some scences/chapters because of ages. And the Henry-Blue relationship I wasent sure if Blue was older or younger.

Joseph

Anonymous said...

Me again. Do you have any pictures of any characters? If so could you tell me where they are. Thanks.

Joseph

Herbie Brennan said...

Hi Joseph,

I don't, I'm afraid. The closest you'll get is on the back cover of the first edition of the UK hardback where they did a little montage which included faces of Blue and Beleth, but none of the other characters. There was a picture of Pyrgus (with wings) on an early version of that cover which was never actually published, but it looked nothing like him.

Anonymous said...

ok. Didnt you say a Faerie Wars graphic novel was being realsed in 2009?? Joseph

Anonymous said...

ok. Didnt you say a Faerie Wars graphic novel was being realsed in 2009?? Joseph

Herbie Brennan said...

Yes I did. But the other day I received an advance copy of the publisher's catalogue and there was no sign of it. The editor in charge of the project is on leave and I'm having difficulty finding out what's going on. I suspect publication has been postponed. The author, as always, is the last to know.

Anonymous said...

I hope my library will order it. They have the Cronicles up to Faerie Lord so I am buying a copy online.

Anonymous said...

How's the movie negosations going??
Joseph

Herbie Brennan said...

Hi Joseph,

There's an option contract now in place. They have 18 months to make the movie or renew the option for another 18 months. I understand a screenplay writing team are currently at work on the script. Keep your fingers crossed.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully they dont do a repeat of Eragon. LOL. Dont let them. I am looking forward to it.

Joseph

Allie said...

I'm twelve. I read all your books. Very intriuging indeed. Of all the 1,000 books I've read{aproximatley}
yours are some of the best. You have very unique ideas. I read about a book a day. I get made fun of for it. Just wanted to tell you I love your books, especialy Faerie wars and its sequels. By the way, I have twelve cats.

Anonymous said...

Hey! I found about your books last year and I love them. I just finished reading Faerie Lord just a few minutes ago. It was amazing. I love how you right it so you don't want to stop reading. It keeps you hooked. I am really hoping a movie will be made cause I'm disappointed this was the last book. I will probably re-read them a million times before the movie comes out.

-Imani

Herbie Brennan said...

Thank you Allie, thank you Imani. There is now one more faerie book to come: the Faeman Child. (See my Bookshelf Web site at www.herbiebrennan.com.)

Anonymous said...

Have you gotten any more word about the Faerie Wars Movie? Or is it still in negotians. Would you please keep me updated? Thanks.
-Imani

Herbie Brennan said...

Hi Imani,

The negotiations are over and there's a deal in place, but the way it works is that the studio first takes an option to make a movie and then they have a couple of years to decide whether to do it or not, depending on stuff like raising the money. At the moment they have people working on a screenplay, but what's happening beyond that I don't know. But I plan to announce it on Herbie Brennan's Bookshelf once there's anything definite. Could take a couple of years though...

Leonardo said...

I truly enjoy the Faerie Wars series. Sheer brilliance on so many levels. The humor was one of the factors that influenced me to create my own blog.


Fey on, man, fey on.

Anonymous said...

you are my favorite author rite now becuz youa re the only author i have read were in the books my favorite character has not been killed off i thot that was awesum i was like mman yes nobody awesum died i wsa about to stop reading cuz thtat alays happend and was getting majorly t.o. ed but you rock

Anselm said...

Mr. Brennan,
The Faerie Wars Chronicles are the best books I have ever read. I recently got Faerie Lord and gave myself a headache by reading it for several hours. My sister has also read some of the series. She likes cats so I wanted to ask what breed of cat Hodge is.

Herbie Brennan said...

Thank you, Anselm. I've just started work on another faerie book, 'The Faeman Child' set 15 years after 'Faerie Lord.'

You can tell your sister Hodge is a black and white short-haired mog of no specific breed. He was based on The Maggot, my late tomcat who was also a black and white short-haired mog of no specific breed.

Aaron said...

Hello I am 26 and I just finished reading your faerie wars book series... I loved them. I think a movie set would be great. Even at my age I really enjoyed you books. Bravo!

Aaron said...

Hello I am 26 and I just finished reading your faerie wars book series... I loved them. I think a movie set would be great. Even at my age I really enjoyed you books. Bravo!

Herbie Brennan said...

Glad you enjoyed them Aaron. Age doesn't seem to be much of a barrier: the books were originally published as adult titles in Germany (with children's aditions coming later) and there are mass market adult editions of the first two available in the States.

Precious T. said...

Hello, i'm new at the whole bloging thing, however it shouldn't be much harder than 'just writing'. Mr. Brennan you are one of my favorite writers and your novels are the most imaginative I've read yet.

You are my inspiration to continue writing;i'm a writer too;though i haven't published any thing yet. I'm a working on a story that i would like to get published. I've been feeling pretty down lately because i've heard stories are hard to get published.
Any advice for an inspired young writer?,
Thank You;Your Fan
Precious
age 15

Herbie Brennan said...

Hi Precious,

Thank you for the kind words. Best advice I can give you is keep at it. It is hard to get anything published, but I've found the writers who get into print are most often the ones who keep trying. It beats just about everything else, even talent.

Good luck with the story!

Take care,

Herbie

Anonymous said...

this will sound like its coming from an utter headcase but i love the kind of...
stigma attached to the books. so cool.
the plots and the fantasy and all the layers of 'dimension' are really, well, amazing.
Indie, aged 13 (nearly)

Herbie Brennan said...

Not sure what you mean by 'stigma' in this case, but I'm delighted you enjoyed them.

Anonymous said...

Hello I'm Alex Morgan, I have read all your wonderful to amazing books, I think if they do not make a movie I would. If that is alright with you of coarse?

Herbie Brennan said...

You'd have to talk to my agent about that, Alex, but it's nice to have a fall-back position.

Mazey said...

Ooook, this is the first blog I will try to be a part of (like the books). Maybe someone has ideas so I can find this again..or will it email me...I guess we will find out :)