Horror stalked the Four Lands as the Ildatch, ancient source of evil,stirred to new life, sending its ghastly Mord Wraiths to destroyMankind. To win through the vile growth that protected the Ildatch, the DruidAllanon needed Brin Ohmsford -- for she alone held the magic power ofthe wishsong, which could make plants bloom instantly or turn treesfrom green to autumn gold. Reluctantly Brin joined the Druid on hisperilous journey. Then Brin's younger brother Jair learned from themysterious King of the Silver River that Brin was doomed - unless Jaircould reach her in time! So Jair set out through the very heart of evil. And ahead, the Ildatchwaited, nursing its plans to trap Brin into a fate far more horriblethan death!

In 1977, the New York Times Trade Paperback Bestseller list--back then the exclusive province of self-help guides, cartoon collections, and any number of cat books--played host to its very first work of fiction: The Sword of Shannara, an epic quest through a mythical land, by first-time author Terry Brooks. Nineteen New York Times bestselling novels later, it would be easy enough to just say: ". . . and the rest is history." But when it comes to quests, everyone knows that getting there is half the fun. Now, Terry Brooks tells the story of how he got there--from beginner to bestselling author--and shares his secrets for creating unusual, memorable fiction.Writing is writing, whether one's setting is a magical universe or a suburban backyard. Spanning topics from the importance of daydreaming to the necessity of writing an outline, from the fine art of showing instead of merely telling to creating believable characters who make readers...