Questions Specifically for Jim, Part 3

[ejchristian86]

I've got an authory question. Did Jim know how long the DF series was going to be when he started?

I heard a WoJ where he said he had the overall story mapped out from the beginning, but has let most of the details evolve as the characters grow. He also had some key scenes (or funny scenes he just wanted to use) mapped out.

[Richard_Chilton]

Here's a question:
Why didn't Kemmler become a Freehold Lord?

I'm sure that the Red Court (planning their war with the White Council), the White Court (who hate the White Council), and the Order of the Blackened Denarius would have signed off on it - giving Kemmler the protection of the Accords while he worked on his ascension.

I have couple of theories, but I'd really like to hear if Jim has an answer.

The theories?
a) All humans with mystic power are already covered by the Accord and are the domain of the White Council, or
b) Kemmler was too egotistical to think he needed protection (even after he died a couple of times), or
c) it was on his to do list and he never got around it to.

Someone has suggested that Mab wouldn't let him sign, but if she let a bunch of Fallen wearing Human skins (aka the Order of the Blackened Denarius) join then I can't see why she wouldn't let him join.

Richard

[JinElusion]

What an awesome question. Personally, i would go with the egotistical one. Somebody attempting what he was trying to accomplish has to be on that upper level of arrogance for sure.

[Mr. Ghostbuster]

I'm re-reading Dead Beat right now and from the way Mab spoke of Kemmler, a lot of the signatory nations of the accords may have viewed him as a potential threat.

[ragnrok]

What would happen if someone walked through an empowered circle without first breaking it with their foot?

[Richard_Chilton]

I'm re-reading Dead Beat right now and from the way Mab spoke of Kemmler, a lot of the signatory nations of the accords may have viewed him as a potential threat.

More of a threat than the Order of the Blackened Denarius? Those guys are bound to Fallen Angels and are trying to win the War for the Bad Side - I tend to rank them as nastier than someone trying to ascend.

I'd love to hear someone ask a question like this at the next con that Jim attends.

Richard

[sjsharks]

What would happen if someone walked through an empowered circle without first breaking it with their foot?

I'm pretty sure it just breaks it IIRC. Binder was going to throw a rock across Harry's circle so his demons could eat Harry and Murphy.

[derrick]

I'm pretty sure it just breaks it IIRC. Binder was going to throw a rock across Harry's circle so his demons could eat Harry and Murphy.

Yup.  Intent breaks the circle.  Mortal intent, at least.  If by empowered ragnrok means a (greater) circle like those that held the Loup Garou or the Archive, then it gets fuzzy.

[ejchristian86]

I'm pretty sure it just breaks it IIRC. Binder was going to throw a rock across Harry's circle so his demons could eat Harry and Murphy.

Correct. Any object that crosses a circle's barrier will break the circle, regardless of whether or not the object smudges the line itself. After all, not all circles are drawn, and Harry often has to make sure that there aren't particles of dust or hair or anything like that lying across the "line" of the metal circle in his basement.

[ragnrok]

I'm pretty sure it just breaks it IIRC. Binder was going to throw a rock across Harry's circle so his demons could eat Harry and Murphy.

Yes, but every time someone is inside a circle they physically break the circle with their foot before stepping through.  Harry even specifically tells Butters to do so in Dead Beat.  It seems kind of pointless to do that if there wasn't some reason not to walk straight into a circle.

[JinElusion]

Maybe it just determines how the energies disperse themselves: harmlessly or violently. Probably not much violence with a little empowered chalk circle, but there still might be some negative feedback if you don't break it the right way.

[HandyGandy]

What kind of keyboard does Jim use for writing?

[Griffyn612]

Personally, I want to know if Jim was getting bored writing TDF over the last few books (prior to Changes).  I can't say specifically what it was, but with Small Favor and Turn Coat, there was just something that seemed like Butcher was going through the motions with some of it.  Almost like he knew what he was going to do in Changes, but had to finish a checklist of plot points before he could advance the story.

I really felt it in certain things, like with Molly's development, then regression, and back and forth; and with the scenes with Molly/Mouse/Luccio/Morgan in Turn Coat; and even from the rumor I heard about the fact that he wanted to name Ghost Story something else, but was more-or-less railroaded back into the Two Word title.  I feel like he wants to shake things up, and if so, then it's his darn series, so let 'em rip!

[Kilroy]

and even from the rumor I heard about the fact that he wanted to name Ghost Story something else, but was more-or-less railroaded back into the Two Word title.  I feel like he wants to shake things up, and if so, then it's his darn series, so let 'em rip!

That's what Changes was, thus the title. He was going to call ghost story ‘Dead’, which they did not care for. I think the new title is better myself.

[Griffyn612]

I think the new title is better myself.

I agree that Ghost Story is a better title, but us saying that is like telling Butcher to rename his kid because we don't like his idea.  It's his creative work, and if he wanted to break the trend with 'Changes', and then continue breaking the trend with 'Dead', then I think its a shame.  Although, I also think Storm Front is a better title than Semi-automagic, so it's probably for the best.

I guess I was just saying that the title thing, combined with the mood I read into his writing, seemed to me that he wanted to break free of the norm.  I think with the Codex Alera series not being in first person, and the latest short stories being from other perspectives, he might be itching for something new.  It wouldn't surprise me too much if he keeps the first-person narrative for the 'files', and then ditches to third-person for the trilogy.