This is an edited transcript of the chat with Sara Douglass that took place on Friday 21 April 2000, at SwanCon 2000.

<saradouglass> Hi host

<saradouglass> Today I finished a novel and I am sitting here with BIG glass of wine. I'm not sure how I will cope!

<Erika> If you have any questions to ask of Sara Douglass, please message me as the channel is moderated. Your question will then be asked in channel. /msg Erika Question for Sara.

<Erika> Sara Douglass is the writer of many novels, starting with her Axis trilogy and now with the follow up trilogy and other standalones

<ChUcKiE> Hi Sara How long have u been Writing for ?

<Erika> Sara, recently you've had your website www.saradouglass.com put up; has this helped you interact with your readers?

<saradouglass> Aha ... the website. Actually, the BB has been the best feature of the new site. It's helped a lot. Love the technology! And I also love playing about with computers ... perhaps I interact more with that then the readers!

<Erika> Sara, you have a fondness for wines?

<saradouglass> Love wines, but I must say I don't normally drink at this time of the day. Really.

<saradouglass> Oops - just saw the how long have I been writing for. Sorry ... Been writing since I was nine. Long time now! Writing seriously for about the past 10 years though.

<saradouglass> Just remember I'm sitting here getting through the wine!

<Erika> Sara, when you have finished answering a question, if you could say "GA" for Go Ahead, it would make things a lot simpler

<Erika><rubygene> Sara you writes so calmly about the ghost that haunts your house. Why doesn't this scare the bejesus out of you?!? Also you wrote that you were having a film crew visit you house. Did they capture poltergeist activity on film or was the ghost annoyingly subdued. Also I'd like to award you with a prize for the chattiest author's site (you deserve it!).

<saradouglass> the ghost scared me at first ... but we've grown used to each other by now.

<saradouglass> Actually she has been really quiet lately. Sometimes she just seems to go to sleep for months at a time. GA (you could have told me earlier!)

<Erika> Sara: sorry, I disconnected (oops)

<Erika><`Tanya> Do you have a favourite character in your books?

<saradouglass> My favourite characters are almost always the secondary characters. In the Axis books it was Belial and Rivkah's husband (whatever his name was! My memory is getting awful!). In Threshold is was most definitely Isphet (such a strong woman) and Zabrze (my, what a man!), and in my current trilogy, "The Crucible", it is a character called Margaret who you don't really get to meet until halfway through the books.

<saradouglass> As you must all know by now, I really, really hated Faraday. GA

<Erika><rubygene> Sara you write monstrously sized novels. Have you any shorter tales to tell, or are you strictly of the 'epic' mindset?

<saradouglass> I worry about how short my books are!!!

<Erika><`Tanya> Sara, are there any books you regret writing?

<saradouglass> No - I don't regret writing any, and that goes for my unpublished horrors as well. All my books are worth living (and to me they DO live ... but some I might not have spent as much time on as I ended up doing. GA

<Erika><ChUcKiE> Sara to answer a Question on your web site the FBI headquarters in Virginia are Located in Langley.

<saradouglass> yeah, but they got agents everywhere ... (she looks over her shoulder ...) GA

<Erika><Tracey> Sara, I know I read somewhere that you like to give your characters historical names. Belial was a name for the devil. Was this intentional to make the reader think he was going to be the one to betray Axis?

<saradouglass> No, that was a dreadful mistake!! I got many of the names for the Axis books out of a medieval poem called The Song Of Roland and Belial was a knight in that. Only later did I find out his true meaning. Still, it kept the readers guessing and everyone thought I was really clever (laughs). GA

<Erika><`Tanya> Sara, have you ever been told that Threshold may send the wrong message to battered wives? : )

<saradouglass> Um, I was careful with that ... and worried about it I knew that whatever his name was (it's the wine) was being a little rough at times ... but ... I dunno ...

<saradouglass> but yes, I know it left me open to criticism. I make up for it in The Crucible where a woman (Margaret) who gets raped has her rapist die in a very nasty way (just wrote that scene this morning!). GA

<Erika><Tracey> Sara, in an article in the Good Weekend (I think) a few weeks ago, you spoke about maybe trying another career and giving up writing. Were you serious about this? I'd hate to think you were.

<saradouglass> Aha, That article ... what happened was that the interviewer noted my many changes of career and asked me what was next. I said I didn't know but that I probably would not continue on writing for ever ...I'd hate to be tied to my word processing programme when I am 98. But I won't be giving up for a very very long time! I have so many books left in me. So many ideas. So ... no ... won't be giving up writing just yet (hear the tax man give a sigh of relief!). GA

<Erika><mikeyaway> What is the symbolism of the axe being reached for by a hand on your website?

<saradouglass> How long have you got? My great good luck charm is the axe I found one day in a shop which led me to write BattleAxe which led to success ... so that explains the axe, and the hand reaching up for it is a sign that you must always be prepared to seize chance whenever it drops on you from the heavens no matter how scary it looks. I hope the hand grasping the axe is a strong and powerful feminine image. Earth motherish, almost. GA

<Erika><`Tanya> And to add to MikeyAway's question about the "hand and axe" logo, why is the hand so childlike?

<saradouglass> Because that's the way I draw grump grump grump ... GA

<Erika> ChUcKiE> Sara, The Map of Late Medieval Europe on your web page tells me so much, Where did u gather this map and your other information on Medieval Europe ??

<saradouglass> Where did I get this map? Which one do you refer to? I get most of my info from my many years spent as a medieval historian and the ancient and wonderful books I collect. GA

<Erika><`Tanya> Sara, do you like men with long hair? I seem to remember that Axis, Drago and Boaz all had ponytails or queues!

<saradouglass> God, I had a husband with long hair, but I don't want to get into that now (and he is the reason I am constantly on the lookout for the FBI). Perhaps I just find long hair sexy! My accountant has wonderful long hair but I must hasten to add I don't find him all that sexy. Sorry, Peter! GA

<Erika><Tracey> Sara, are you still teaching history in Bendigo and, if not, do you miss it?

<saradouglass> No, I don't teach history and no, I don't miss it. I feel I should explain ... and it reminds me of the way I felt when I was a nurse. You constantly get young students in and you teach them and watch them grow but then they leave and you never see what they grow into. It was really frustrating (like watching patients go home from hospital before they were really well). Teaching was hard because of the cutbacks and the workload and, for me, the constant repetition. I won't ever go back to it. GA

<Erika><`Tanya> Sara, why is rape such a prominent feature in "fantasy" writing?

<saradouglass> Oooh! Okay ... let me take a deep breath ... When I first started to write fantasy it was because I was so frustrated with much of the fantasy on the market. I wanted to write something that addressed real issues, the real world, which is a very violent world. but also ... there was this rape scene (of WolfStar) that constantly got shifted from book to book by an editor who thought it inappropriate. When I got a new editor she said all the rape/sex/bad word stuff was okay, so I sought of broke out. I hope it doesn't depict anything very dark in my mind, but you never know ... GA

<Erika><mikeyaway> about the symbolism of the axe and hand, --rather reminds me of the old ussr flag, with the sickle and the hammer, seize your fate and you get what you work for!

<saradouglass> Well, yes! (Dammit, I should have had the sickle!!!) GA

<Erika><SinnerStar> Q: What is the name of Cloudburst's wife (WolfStar's brother)?

<saradouglass> Oh God, SinnerStar ... I can't remember. It was so long ago ... was it in the book? If not then I never had one for her. GA

<Erika><karmyst> Sara do you plan on involving your ghost Hannah in any future plot lines, and has she inspired you to research the world of ghosts?

<saradouglass> Um, no I never plan to write anything on Hannah, and she hasn't inspired me much re writing or researching the world of ghosts. I come from a very strange family - my great grandfather, for example, was court medium to Queen Victoria, and I was brought up with ghosts (quite literally). No wonder I gravitated to a house with a ghost! I had enough of ghosts in my childhood to do much more on them now. GA

<Erika><SinnerStar> Q: How do you pronounce Warneke properly?

<saradouglass> In English it would be warn-a-key ... in Polish it would be Varn-eck-key. Warnekes were peasants who lived by crossroads and such in northern Europe and who 'warned' travellers of dangers ahead. GA

<Erika><karmyst> Yes I read that somewhere and I could not help wondering that perhaps you too would follow into your great Grandfather's footsteps, maybe you are part Gypsy?

<saradouglass> Not according to my father (laughs) ... but you never know! Anyway if we all go back about 300 years then just about anyone of European ancestry shares much the same bloodlines. GA

<Erika><SinnerStar> Q: Are you going to tour the US for the release of your novels there?

<saradouglass> I doubt it, at least not for the first one. However, Tor seems very enthusiastic ...that deal was just so fantastic. It took so long for me to break into the US. Thanks, Tom! GA

<Erika><Driftglass> Sara, do you intend every to rework those unpublished horror novels and try to sell them?

<saradouglass> No. 1) they are truly awful (when I said horror novels I meant they were dreadful...)and 2) because I've found that I've reworked much of the characters and plot lines into my published work now anyway. I never realised that I was doing that (using past work again) and it is one of the major reasons I won't read anyone else's work now (in the fantasy genre) just in case I find myself reusing someone else's ideas. GA

<Erika><Tracey> Sara, your plots are so big and you have so many characters. How do you keep track of them all?

<saradouglass> Sometimes it is really hard. I mean REALLY hard ... for the axis and wayfarer books I had huge flow charts. And for all my books I have very detailed scene cards so that I know where I am, and how long I have to get a set of characters somewhere. But it is really a nightmare sometimes. GA

<Erika><karmyst> How do you feel about taking on the American market, are YOU feeling positive or hopeful?

<saradouglass> I am feeling positive, but it is going to be very very hard trying to re-enthuse myself to promote books that are for me 5 or 6 years in the past. I actually quite dread that - as you can see, I have heaps of trouble trying to remember names of characters! When I write I tend to so immerse myself in my current books that everything else goes out the window ...

<saradouglass> When I did my Aussie tour to promote Crusader last year I remember on the first day getting into a taxi with my publicist and suddenly realising that I had no idea what Crusader was about (it had been something like a year since I'd written it by then). And we were on our way to a live radio interview! I had to browse that book damn quickly in the back of the taxi! GA

<Erika> Okay, to wrap things up, this is going to have to be the last question.

<Erika><ChUcKiE> Sara, Do u get out much and spend time in your Garden ??

<saradouglass> Not enough time (she says, thinking of the compost waiting to be spread out). Thanks to everyone for dropping in! GA

<ChUcKiE> Thanks a lot for your time Sara.. *smiles*

<ChUcKiE><karmyst> Thanks Sara, you are as legendary as your writing!

<saradouglass> I can hang around for a bit if anyone else wants to ... or do you want me to go? GA

<Erika> thanks for giving your time to drop in and chat. Thanks everyone for your questions. Sara, you can hang around

<saradouglass> fine with me.

<saradouglass> she pours herself some more wine ...

<Tracey> I've seen you speak at the Melbourne Writers Fest and at Aussiecon, and done a workshop with you in Bendigo, and you always seem so cool and collected. Do you get nervous about doing interviews, PR tours etc?

<saradouglass> Cool and collected??? Me??? No, nervous as hell!!

<ChUcKiE> please note the chat room is now open for free chat :o))

<Tracey> How do you deal with your nerves?

<saradouglass> Oh, I sort have4 got used to it by now, and to be honest, there's not a great deal that makes me really nervous but that does take time to get used to.

<`Tanya> Sara, did you know that your name means "princess" in Hebrew? A lot of your characters also have Hebrew names. Do you ever have trouble pronouncing them? (eg Tirzah)

<saradouglass> yes, I knew that sara meant princess. Gave me a real superiority thing when I was a kid. And as for character names, some AI would have no idea how to pronounce.

<`Tanya> How about Tirzah : ) ?

<saradouglass> Ter (as in her) za.

<SinnerStar> Do your fans ever (not allowed to use expletive) you off?

<mikey> where are you from originally saradouglass?

<saradouglass> No, but journalists can sometimes. I have been known to slam down the phone and there are journos I refuse to speak to now.

<saradouglass> Where am I from originally? Penola, South Australia, then Adelaide for a long while, then Bendigo.

<SinnerStar> What music do you listen to? Any whilst writing?

<mikey> have you ever been to canada?

<saradouglass> Love classical, mainly baroque, and have been known to have a very very soft spot for Cat Stevens. But I don't listen to music while physically writing, only when I need ideas!

<saradouglass> Have _I_ ever been to canada. No.

<mikey> well come on over and say gday... we got heaps of compost :-)

<saradouglass> you also got trains, and I love trains.

<`Tanya> BTW, Sara, I was surprised that I didn't get email daggers after my comment on Crusader on the BB. I should apologise : )

<Tracey> Sara, do you get down to Melb often? I live in the west and driving from the city along the Westgate and looking across at the new city link, there's a new bridge with a light focussed upwards and at night it's full of birds. The first time I saw it I thought it must look like the star dance on the Island of Mist and Memory (only it's not blue). Next time you drive down there you must have a look.

<saradouglass> No need to apologise re comments re books. So long as they sell I don't mind!!!

<rubygene> Sara what's the number of sales you get in Australia? It's such a small market I can't imagine any SF/ Fantasy writer making a living out of it here in Oz alone.

<saradouglass> I don't get down to melb much, and almost never at night. And I don't drive! (I am very very strange.)

<saradouglass> I've sold about 300,000 books here in Australia - for the axis books about 70,000 each which is fabulous.

<SinnerStar> what program do you use to write your web page? I personally prefer Dreamweaver..

<Tracey> Congrats on the sales, Sara. But wait until the US figures come in!

<saradouglass> yes! Dreamweaver and fireworks (only just discovered them.)

<`Tanya> Sara, do you speak any other languages? Are there any you'd like to learn?

<saradouglass> Um, I once could speak a bit of french and a very few words in Finnish. But spoken language is my second language (to be cont)

<rubygene> Sara I have a medieval question for you. Can I e-mail it to you? Or can I ask you now?

<saradouglass> as I was deaf for the first 8 years of my life. I find spoken language very very odd - strange I should have taken up a career as a writer in it!

<SinnerStar> why were you deaf?

<saradouglass> ask me anything medieval you like.

<Tracey> How did you get over your deafness?

<saradouglass> something wrong with my ears (grin)

<saradouglass> an operation and some radiotherapy. But other than that I don't know.

<rubygene> Sara I need to know what areas of Europe they would use the term "my lord"--apart from England.

<saradouglass> most would have used some form of it in their own language. BTW ... did you know that in the original Hebrew God had a name like Teacher ...

<saradouglass> but come medieval translation time they gave him the name Lord to reflect their own speech patterns.

<SinnerStar> Where did Jehovah come from then?

<Karmyst> Sara isn't that why the early Jews referred to Jesus as Teacher..

<saradouglass> Got me ... I just used up all my biblical knowledge.

<rubygene> Sara in what country would a castle owning king expect you to kiss his heraldric ring if you greeted him?

<saradouglass> would any king let you get that close???

<rubygene> Sara so it's not feasible for this to happen then?

<rubygene> What if you were a guest at his banquet?

<saradouglass> Oh, yes, I guess so.

<SinnerStar> Did your nursing life help with the gory descriptions?

<saradouglass> There are long lists for polite behaviour at banquets - see my website.

<rubygene> Thanks Sara that helps stacks!

<saradouglass> nursing life - yes, the text books helped enormously. As did my imagination!

<rubygene> So Sara I could have a character from any European country so "my lord' and that would be ok?

<saradouglass> All you have to do is convince your readers that you know what you are talking about. read shakespeare for good titles.

<rubygene> okay, I'll keep that in mind. Taa muchly.

<SinnerStar> Would you ever consider releasing a book over the Net like Stephen King did recently?

<saradouglass> They could also call each other by their last names: John Duke of Lancaster could be LAncaster, my lord, My Lord of LAncaster, Gaunt (his birthplace, and other variations. Even his grace because he was also a titular king.

<Erika> Sara, yeah, that's one hell of a piece of advice. Get good titles that way ;)

<saradouglass> Re net books - yes, am thinking of it (My agent screeches as she sees her commission go out the window.)

<`Tanya> Rubygene, there's a passage in "The man who laughed" by Victor Hugo that mocks the English for calling God "My Lord". I take it that the french didn't use that term then?

<saradouglass> No. They just said something unmentionable.

<saradouglass> Actually, they said something that my wine-fuddled mind won't allow me to remember!

<SinnerStar> Red or white? (I'd guess red)

<saradouglass> Nope, white. I can't drink red. Actually, I am imbibing a nice drop of Marsanne.

<`Tanya> How much _have_ you had? Not that it matters since you don't drive... Unless you pass out of course!

<saradouglass> About a third of a bottle in the past hour and a half. Only just started. As I said, this is only because I am celebrating finishing a book this morning (a really good excuse that I just thought up.)

<SinnerStar> How many cats do you have?

<saradouglass> I know I am going to be called The Cat Lady! people keep giving me their unwanted cats ...

<saradouglass> I have three: martin, Luther, and (out of sequence) Mollie.

<SinnerStar> Do you go to the movies much Sara? ( I saw Erin Brokovich today, very good film)

<Karmyst> Sara do you get into movies?

<saradouglass> Not very much at all. The last thing I saw was the mission to mars movie, and that only because I think the lead character/actor was really cute. Didn't think much of the movie.

<rubygene> Sara, in my story a boy mistakes a god for a nobleman says "help us my lord" and someone thinks he's praying. Does any of this mean I have to locate the story in a particular part of Europe, given the usage of the terms "lord". Sorry for prattling on about this!

<SinnerStar> Gladiator should be your style eh? lots of blood and guts

<saradouglass> I am going to confuse you - even bishops and abbots etc were called my lord! Everyone in some vague form of power was a lord of something or the other. Locate the book in England and be done with it!

<Karmyst> Sara, why else see a movie... but for the actor in it... my personal fave is Antonio Sabato Jnr..

<saradouglass> who?

<Karmyst> Sara.. a very unknown actor... but VERY easy on the eye.

<rubygene> Sara have you seen Gattaca? great film! Written and directed by the same guy who wrote The Truman show.

<`Tanya> Sara, a friend of mine and I were trying to cast an imaginary "Threshold - the movie". But we gave up when we couldn't find Boaz - no-one was sexy enough!

<saradouglass> saw gattaca - took too long to get moving. I have a short attention span.

<SinnerStar> A greta Boaz would be Gary Oldman, he's a legend

<Karmyst> Nah not sexy enough... Boaz has to smoulder!

<saradouglass> personally, the sexist guy around is that guy who played the mummy in The Mummy. That mouth ... (she faints away).

<Karmyst> Brendan Fraser... me thinks... George Of The Jungle Man

<saradouglass> No o no NOT the george of the Jungle man! No!!!

<SinnerStar> The actual Mummy you mean?

<saradouglass> yes! Unwrapped, of course (smirk)

<Karmyst> He looked a tad like Billy Zane.. but it wasn't him.

<SinnerStar> Now Billy Zane would be good Boaz

<saradouglass> except for that mouth of course. Now, if only we could transplant mouths.

<`Tanya> Billy Zane would be a good PICTURE of Boaz, but he has zero personality

<SinnerStar> While you still write Sara, would you consider releasing a non fantasy novel?

<saradouglass> no no fantasy - my publishers would shoot me first - but the latest trilogy is more historical than fantasy.

<SinnerStar> yer that's true, but it does have fantasy cast yeah?

<saradouglass> Crucible has magic and enchantment and a couple of very nasty surprises and book 2 is just a tad controversial.

<`Tanya> Oh, I keep meaning to ask - Sara, is "The Betrayal of Arthur" fiction or non-fiction. I couldn't figure it out from the blurb.

<saradouglass> non fiction, but it has an entire chapter on sex, so please buy it.

<rubygene> sara do you hang it in chatrooms often? Like one for writers or something?

<saradouglass> no. I've been to about 3 chatrooms in my life.

<kntz> do you have any say in the way they do your covers of your books

<saradouglass> yes! After the original cover of Battle axe (everyone groan at once) I got a great deal of say.

<saradouglass> Still, I'm not entirely happy with the cover of the nameless day - the angel has got a real dental problem.

<SinnerStar> needs braces?

<saradouglass> no - has a flash light in his mouth or something.

<`Tanya> That's a _dental_ problem???

<saradouglass> It is the moment you bite down.

<`Tanya> I'll gladly trade in my plates for a flashlight!

<kntz> do you enjoy living in Bendigo

<saradouglass> yeah, Bendigo is great - it is really friendly.

<rubygene> sara I'm with you--small towns/cities are the best. I live in ballarat and it's the perfect size.

<kntz> before you saw this ghost you live with did you believe in ghosts?

<saradouglass> yes. but ... that's long ago and far away and I'm not willing to talk too much about the ghosts in my closest.

<SinnerStar> Sara have you seen the trailer for Lord of the rings yet?

<saradouglass> No, but HarperC sent me the cd of Tolkein reading excerpts fofrom the book - brilliant! Tolkein even sings all the ballads and songs - wow!

<saradouglass> Don't ever expect me to do that.

<SinnerStar> no singing voice?

<saradouglass> Too polite.

<`Tanya> Well, you do draw, and write, so why not sing as well?

<saradouglass> I am afraid to admit I have my limits.

<`Tanya> I can't believe that, Sara!

<saradouglass> Sad to say, but true.

<rubygene> Sara why the contempt for short stories? Fair enough you don't have to write them, but surely you like reading them?

<saradouglass> I don't like reading them either. I like to get really absorbed and out of it for days.

<rubygene> Sara do you hate it when people send you their tawdry fiction?

<saradouglass> No one send me their twdry fiction. They wouldn't DARE.

<SinnerStar> what about non tawdry non fiction

<saradouglass> Sigh. No. Unless you are ruth rendell.

<`Tanya> Sara, are there any q's you always wish an interviewer would ask, but they never do?

<saradouglass> Who is on hext here? Sean williams at 6 AET, right?

<rubygene> I think so. Gunna hang around?

<SinnerStar> and shane dix

<saradouglass> Just to say hello - I like Sean.

<saradouglass> I remember one interviewer sitting down and saying, "What do you want me to ask you?" I just glared at him.

<rubygene> Hmmm sara you should have been paid his wages if you were expected to do his job.

<ChUcKiE> The Interview with Sean Williams and Shane Dix will begin very soon people

<SeaStar> Where are you doing this from, Sara? is someone feeding you wine while you type?

<saradouglass> I have the bottle and the ice and the glass. I need not move. But the bottle is empty, so I shall shortly have to go, folks.

<SinnerStar> When Askam grew his arm back, was it coz of the Star Dance?

<saradouglass> No, because I bloody forgot it was suposed to be cut OFF!!! We cut the arm off in reprints!!

<`Tanya> I never even noticed the missing arm. Sad, huh? It was hilarious. MY editor and I just howled when we realised. It was only when I was doing a booksigning when someone came up and said.

<SinnerStar> What about when Azhure is remembering a battle in Crusader in the completely wroing place?

<`Tanya> I did notice that in Threshold when Druse tries to say "Ysgrave" he says "Is..."...

<saradouglass> same thing. You try and remember what happened 6 books ago!

<saradouglass> 'Is' was the phonetic pronounciation.

<`Tanya> Ok then : )

<ChUcKiE> Thanx again for your time Sara hope u enjoy the rest of your weekend. :o) Feel free to stay for the next chat

<saradouglass> OK guys. I am out of wine, my ice has melted and the cats need to be fed. Someone say a big Hi to Sean and Shame for me! Bye!!

<seanwilliams> hi, sara! bye. sara!

<saradouglass> And bye Sean, I'm off. Enjoy your chat! Bye.