Jennifer from Barnes & Noble.com: For those anxious fans who haven't yet devoured FAITH OF THE FALLEN, could you give us a brief synopsis -- without giving anything away?

TG: It's a story of the struggle for individuality, freedom, and the nobility of the human spririt. It's a story of the importance of volition and human survival. Have fun reading!

Jennifer from Barnes & Noble.com: Good evening, Terry Goodkind, and welcome to Barnes & Noble.com! How are you, and where do we find you tonight?

TG: I'm at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego. And tomorrow -- ta-da! -- I'm in Barnes & Noble at San Jose. Tomorrow I'll be doing a stock signing at a Barnes & Noble in San Francisco, too, at Fisherman's Wharf. I'm doing two stock signings today in San Diego -- Barnes & Noble at Mara Mesa and at Outbound Road.

Daniel Borkman from Vienna, VA: When you sit down and write, is there a particular process you follow? And also, did you start the series with a foregone conclusion of what would happen to Richard, Kahlan and company? Thanks for hours of enjoyment!

TG: Thank you for the question, Daniel. I started writing WIZARD'S FIRST RULE for my own enjoyment -- to tell myself the story without any thought of publication or the rest of the series. I know the structure of the entire book before I begin, and by process, if you mean "a day in my writing life," I begin the day by reading what I wrote the day before or maybe for the last two days, and cleaning it up, making sure it says what I want in the way I want to say it. When I get to the end of that, I want to know what happens -- so I start writing more! The only day in my writing day that I keep a pretty strict schedule is making sure I get enough sleep so I can think clearly.

Brent from Windsor, Nova Scotia: Who is your favorite character from the SOT series? If you cannot choose just one (as I cannot), to which do you most relate? P.S. I'm a member of Prophets-inc.! (Aidan Cahr)

TG: This is like asking a parent which of his children he likes best -- but I would have to say Richard and Kahlan, because they are the extension of many of my ideals and of my philosophical outlook.

Debra Puzzo from ..here? I guess I put Woodstock Illinios: Did Zedd ever have a second cousin on his mothers side? just kidding, I read your fax :) Have you read anything by Elizabeth Haydon?

TG: Thanks for the question, Debra. I'm still researching Zedd's family tree! I've heard of Elizabeth Haydon, but I haven't read anything by her.

Jason Strange from Fayetteville, AR: First I would like to say that you are one of my favorite authors. I rarely read a book more than once, and I have read yours twice since a friend introduced me to them a little over a year ago. My friends and I have had disagreements about how to pronounce certain place and character names, specifically Kahlan. Have you considered putting a glossary in the back of one of the books, perhaps the paperback edition, so that the reader will know the pronunciation you intend for the names of characters and places in your books?

TG: THank you for the kind words, Jason. I have specific ways in which I pronounce names of characters and places. My feeling, though, is that once a reader has a book, it's his to experience in his own way. Therefore, it does not bother me that people pronounce things other than the way I do. I have specifically avoided putting a glossary in the back of the book, because it sends the wrong kind of message -- it tells would-be readers that this is going to be complex, difficult, and dry. And that the technicalities are more important than the story. THat's a false impression that I do not wish to give a foothold to. The biggest question about prononciation is Kahlan's name, and it should be pronounced Kay-lun.

That one Guy from Ohio: Do you read other fantasy novels, and if so, what is your favorite??

TG: I don't read fantasy, so I have no favorites. In general, I don't like other fantasy novels. I always want to fix them! (laughs) And I think that many fantasies go drastically in the wrong direction. So I don't read them.

Jake from Atlanta, GA: I really like your character, Nathan Rahl. Will we be seeing any more of him in this book? He seems to be the only one who has substantially aided Richard in his unconscious search for control of his power. Any other mentors in the future?

TG: The part about Nathan I don't want to answer because it affects your reading experience. The rest of your question took me most of the book to answer, so you'll just have to read it!

Mark Phillips from Columbus, Ohio: The first line in Faith of the Fallen, confirms the intensity is coming that I've been looking forward to. Do you struggle with the opening line, or does it just fall in place with the rest of your story?

TG: I think that the opening line is the most important sentence you can write, speaking as an author. I work very hard to make sure the opening line sets the proper tone. Some of them are work to think up; FAITH OF THE FALLEN's first line I knew several months back. I'm glad that it caught your attention, and had the effect I hoped it would.

Marc from Baton Rouge: Do you have time to read for fun, and what was the last book you read -- fantasy or otherwise?

TG: I don't have time to read for fun. Mostly I read books for research, for what I write. Surprisingly enough, even though they're fantasy, I have to do a lot of research, much in the same way that I want the covers to accurately reflect the story -- I want my stories to accurately reflect life. This means I need to do a lot of research, so most of my reading is non-fiction.

Laura from BC: Are you planning to bring Gratch back in this, or any following books? I like him :)

TG: I never know myself what I'm going to be writing down the line. And I obviously had a really good time including Gratch in the story, and who knows? At some point, he may be back.

Moderator: Thanks for all the wonderful and informed questions that have come in! The quality of our chats depend on the quality of audience questions and so far this has been one of the best chats of the summer. We hope you all are enjoying it as well.

Aaron Brown from Abbotsford, BC, Canada: Are there any limitations opposed upon the magic of the character Shota? As far as I can see she can do basically anything she wants. Also, is her magic additive, subtractive, both, or something different? Please help because she is my favorite character :)

TG: Shota is one of my favorite people, too. And part of the reason why she is one of my favorite characters is because of the mystery that surrounds her. I'm not going to destroy that element for either one of us! (laughs)

David from Boston: What do you think of the parallel's drawn to you and Robert Jordan?

TG: Last question: And for right now, I'm having a great time writing about Richard and Kahlan! This question: I don't consider any of them valid.

Jesse Grubbs from Lynchburg,Va.: Will this be the last installment of the "Sword of Truth" series and if not when can we expect the next installment?

TG: As I've already said, Tor bought book seven. So book seven will be coming out probably in the autumn of 2001.

Jim Canaday from Halifax, MA: It's a pleasure to see the real Terry Goodkind in an online chat. Can we ever expect to see a coffeetable book of the paintings of Terry Goodkind? Looking forward to seeing you in Boston.

TG: That's a really good idea! I'll have to talk to Keith Parkinson. I know the prints are very popular. We're presently in the planning stages for DEAD OF BONES, which probably will come out next summer, and we're hoping it will have 10 or 12 Keith Parkinson illustrations. Also, sometime in the spring, WIZARD'S FIRST RULE will be coming out with a new Keith Parkinson cover. See you in Boston!

Shar from Prophets Inc: Is there any particular question or comment from someone concerning your books that's quite memorable to you and made your day (so to speak)?

TG: I appreciate all the comments I receive from readers. And I value people's interest. There have been many excellent questions and comments, and wonderful things that people have had to say that have made my day many times over. It would be doing a disservice to all of those if I were to pick out one or two. For example, the people who write in questions today -- people are saying very intelligent, very respectful and very kind things, and those all make my day.

Joe from South Carolina: Thank you so much for being here and answering our questions for us tonight. In Soul of the Fire, was it a coincidence that Bertrand and Hildemara Chanboor shared the same initials as our President and First Lady or is a statement being made about our society and government?

TG: (laughs) Thank you for coming to the chat, Joe -- I think you know the answer to that question!

Tom De Smedt from Belgium, Europe: Dear Mr. Goodkind, I'm still frantically biting my nails here in Belgium, waiting for FOTF to hit the stores, but I thought I'd still my hunger for the moment by asking this hopefully answerable question. Isn't Richard (and Kahlan for that matter)sometimes a bit too stupid (naive?) to be believable? They think highly of themselves though.

TG: If I wrote a story about people who knew everything -- and always knew what to do and the answer to every problem -- it would be pretty boring, now, wouldn't it? I disagree that Richard and Kahlan are too stupid to be believable. I think that their nobility is their application of intellect to the problem at hand. Other than that, I'm not entirely understanding what the question means.

Alfredo Cantu from Dallas, TX: Mr. Goodkind, I know that you mentioned before that you were not writing to build a world, I was just wondering if you were ever going to write more about Chase or about the Boundary Wardens? Maybe something in the past like you did about Zed in Legends.

TG: That's always a possibility; but at the moment, I have no concrete plans for doing anything other than writing this series. As a matter of fact, I've sold book seven to Tor, and I'm looking forward to writing it now. I can't say specifically what it will be about, because I don't ever reveal what I'm going to write about. And also because I haven't worked out the whole story yet!

Jason from Lexington: When you wrote the wizard's rules, were they meant to apply to real life and your books, or strictly to your fantasy world? If they apply to both, is the wisdom of the rule more suited to the series or real life?

TG: I believe that fantasy for fantasy's sake is not valid. Fantasy is only valid if it's used to illustrate importance to human beings. That's a very good question! The rules are illustrations of human beings that absolutely apply to real life. And the stories themselves are human beings that the books are inseparable from real life. Everything we see, hear and do can only be judged in the context of reality, anything I write or anything ANYONE writes can only be judged in the same context. Because there's only one reality: and it's that which we perceive.

Evelyn from Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Terry, you're a powerful writer. When I read your books I become completely immersed in them. They are abolutely wonderful. I always find myself trying to figure out the next Wizard's Rule and I'd like you to comment on them. How many rules are there and are they a sort of code you yourself live by?

TG: Thank you for the comments. I deliberately make the Wizard's Rules of varying degrees of importance in each book; in some books, they're less important -- in FAITH OF THE FALLEN, the Wizard's Rule is central in the plot and theme of the book. Each book has a rule, and probably each one will -- although I'm not going to swear to that. They are a kind of code I live by, and if I live by any of them, I live by the Wizard's sixth rule.

Marsha Raymond from St. Petersburg, Florida: My husband, son and I are huge fans of the series! Does Faith of the Fallen bring back the "night wisps"? Also, any plans to do a book signing in the Tampa Bay area? I think I remember hearing someone said your mother lived down our way.

TG: I don't have any present plans for a Tampa signing, not in this tour -- but I'm sure I'll get down there in the future. Regarding the night wisps, I don't want to spoil the story for you! *** In regards to what's in this book, I think it's important to read the story as it is written, and it's a lot more fun if you don't know the things that are going to happen. And in that regard, I would ask everyone -- please do not read the jacket copy on this book! Trust me in this.

Ja'meil from Boston: Where did you get the idea for the Richard's character, the Seeker?

TG: That's a question that's so complex I couldn't begin to answer it in this forum -- it would take me hours. Richard embodies those qualities of a human being that I think are important, and allows me to tell a story of a heroic individual.

Eli from Indiana: I love this kind of books and i am considering buying it. What would you say is your favorite part in Faith of the Fallen?

TG: The first sentence, because it leads to all the rest.

Peter Kanka from Sydney, Australia: Good evening Terry, thanks for taking time out to answer your readers' questions. I just found out about this Q&A session yesterday, and I'm one who enjoys knowing about the truth. I just read your answer on what your latest novel The Faith of the Fallen is about, in general terms. I noticed that you said that one thing it is about is the importance of individuality. I'd just like to know, if I may, what exactly you think is the importance of individuality in a person. And, if it wouldn't reveal too much, how is this reflected in your latest writing? Thank you for your time.

TG: Thank you for the intelligent comment. The importance of individuality in a person is the importance of the difference between life and death. IT's the importance of whether or not you pass unthinking through your single chance at existence or whether you live your own life and be the person you can be. It's an issue of central importance to what it is to be human. If you simply take books as one minor example, as readers we all look for stories that are individual expressions of excellence on the writer's part. The world would be a very drab and dead place if not for individuality -- and such is the struggle for life and freedom and this is at the heart of it all.

Matt McNall from Telluride CO: I will be in New York around the time that you are doing your book signing tour. I was wondering if the list at TOR is complete.

TG: Since I don't go on line, I don't have any way of knowing for sure, but I believe that Tor's list is complete. I think they left off a few places where they hadn't yet gotten confirmation, but I would say check the tour site or Prophets, Inc. Prophets, Inc. is www.prophets-inc.com.

Brian Yost from Boulder, Colorado: Did you plan from the beginning of the series to explore certain social issues important to our society, or would you say that as the story of Richard and Khalan unfolded in your imagination the events of the story naturally lent themselves to such comparisons?

TG: In the beginning, I didn't think about the scope of the series -- I was just writing WIZARD'S FIRST RULE for myself. As I write more books, it gives me the opportunity to tell more stories, which naturally involve the same issues that we all face in our own lives. Even if they are set in another world.

lisa from san antonio tx: since the move do you find yourself missing your cabin in maine?

TG: Missing our home in Maine -- a little bit. Missing the trails through the forests -- greatly. This autumn, I will be on those trails through the forests, thinking about book seven and working out the plot in my mind, and beginning the writing.

Music lover from Here and There: Do you still make Violins and if so, do you sell them. Also, you must play, so do you have a recording of your music or anything? I know this isn't about the books, which are great. I was just wondering after reading your Bio.

TG: LAST QUESTION: If I were to put all the places on the maps that were mentioned in the books, it would soon be a very dense document -- and then it would cease to be useful, because it would be so complex. So it's necessary to strike a balance between simplicity and completeness. THIS QUESTION: I write 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week. So I don't have time to make violins! One of these days, I would like to find the time to make a cello. I don't play the violin at all. I began making them as an exercise in technical ability. But the people who have played them like very much the quality of the sound they produce.

Dave from Corona, Ca.: Why don't you update the maps in your books with so many new locations for the reader to learn?

TG: The maps are a compromise between me and my publisher. While I know that many readers greatly enjoy the maps -- and use them -- I personally dislike having maps in the book, because they're a distraction from the story. I believe that the story is geographically simple enough to follow without a map. I go to great lengths to expalin in the story, in a clear fashion, where things are -- so that readers should be able to be oriented within the world.

Jennifer from Barnes & Noble.com: Thank you, Terry Goodkind, for joining us this evening for a terrific chat! Best of luck with FAITH OF THE FALLEN. Before we sign off, do you have any parting words to share with the many fans who are online tonight?

TG: In closing, I'd like to thank everyone for coming to the chat. I'm very impressed and gratified at the very i