Dragons

Patrick Rothfuss was 20 when he started writing his first book, “The Name of the Wind.” It took him seven years to finish the fantasy tale and then an extra four to persuade a publisher it would sell. And he was right; in 2007 the book hit the New York Times and USA Today’s bestsellers lists and was named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly and Amazon.com. Reviewers soon compared the first-time author to George R.R. Martin, who wouldn’t mind a bit, “He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” Rothfuss, now 38 and living in Stevens Point, Wis., just released his second novel, “Wise Man’s Fear,” in paperback and he’s working on his third novel. We sought him out for insights into the traps and teases that vex new writers. HC: What types of books did you grow up […]

Vampires and zombies may have invaded pop culture in 2011, but Monday marks the beginning of the lunar new year and, according to the Chinese zodiac, the year of the dragon. It’s a fitting title for a year that promises some screen time for the fire-breathing beasts of literature. J.R.R. Tolkien’s treasure-hording dragon Smaug is being brought to life in Peter Jackson’s upcoming films based on “The Hobbit.” Season 2 of the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones” shines a spotlight on Viserion, Rhaegal and Drogon, the baby dragons hatched by the exiled princess Daenerys Targaryen in George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. And the Syfy series “Merlin,” now in its fourth season, brings a new character to the King Arthur mythology: The Great Dragon Kilgharrah, whose complex relationship with Merlin, the last dragonlord, provides much […]