Kate Davenport
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Des is keeping Penric young(ish) but I'm assuming that while she might be able to slow his aging and keep him healthy, she would not be able to extend him past the assumed human maximum of 125. In the end it still feels like it would be hard on him to outlive everyone important in his life except Des. How do you imagine she will handle his feelings of loss and possible depression? And how will she handle losing him?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Fortunately, I don't have to imagine it yet...
I do not posit Des will be able to create physical immortality; Pen will continue to age, but very slowly. How long, well, it's magic. I can decide as I wish. And yes, the "outliving" problem will be real. Puts me in mind of Illyan and his memory chip, how what seems an enviable miracle when young can become an unbearable burden with time.
Harder for me is to come up with new, magical or magic-adjacent adventures for Pen that are different from, at present, 13 others. That's more likely to, though not kill him, bring him to an end. Though Conan Doyle managed 54 stories and 4 novels for his fellow, so, there's precedent.
I'm in no rush to get through Pen's life; I've only just got him up to about the age I first envisioned him. I'm pretty sure he'll outlive me -- but so, I hope, will all the rest of my creations.
Ta, L.
Fortunately, I don't have to imagine it yet...
I do not posit Des will be able to create physical immortality; Pen will continue to age, but very slowly. How long, well, it's magic. I can decide as I wish. And yes, the "outliving" problem will be real. Puts me in mind of Illyan and his memory chip, how what seems an enviable miracle when young can become an unbearable burden with time.
Harder for me is to come up with new, magical or magic-adjacent adventures for Pen that are different from, at present, 13 others. That's more likely to, though not kill him, bring him to an end. Though Conan Doyle managed 54 stories and 4 novels for his fellow, so, there's precedent.
I'm in no rush to get through Pen's life; I've only just got him up to about the age I first envisioned him. I'm pretty sure he'll outlive me -- but so, I hope, will all the rest of my creations.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Andrea Berta
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
My favorite book of all time is Curse of Chalion. Do you think that you'll write another sequel to it, either a full-length book or novella? I think there are lots of stories still to be told about the characters in it or in Paladin of Souls. I reread them both at least once a year and always wish for more.
Peggy B
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
For years I kept a journal and added quotes from your books that resonated with me. I don't know which book two quotes came from: #1 “The list went on and on. There was not telling, she said, what she would be next. And I thought “I want to be like that. I want to be like her. Not just one thing, but a world of possibilities. I want to find out who else I can be.” Maybe Memory? Do I have the quote right?
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