# What Should The Next Discworld be about? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 15, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214 "2005-02-15T16:45:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/21 "2005-02-15T20:29:56Z")
Although, to address the OP, I would like to see a catastrophic event of some description. Something to bring some new life into the geography. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/22 "2005-02-15T20:31:44Z")
Heard Pterry speak once. In the Q&A period he was asked if he had any further plans for Esk (Eskarina - the young female wizard in Equal Rites). He said he had some ideas and kept meaning to get back to her. For myself, I’d like to see some adventures for Sean Ogg. The poor guy gets stuck doing everything. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/23 "2005-02-15T20:42:56Z")
I like the sports idea. Only Pratchett could give professional sports the send-up they really deserve! ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/24 "2005-02-15T20:47:22Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Actually, I really like the Mort books. I don’t know why. So, my answer would be, **MORE MORT BOOKS**. Mort’s dead, remember? Just ask Susan. > [@Voyager](#): > > A Granny/Susan/Death book would be good. Well, you have **Theft of Time,** which gave us Susan/Nanny Ogg. Though I can imagine that a Susan and Granny Weatherwax wouldn’t be much – maybe a quick cup of tea, a few short exchanges, and then a “Well, I must be going.” > [@Anaamika](#): > > I hate Granny Weatherwax & I loathe, positively _despise_ that horrid bitch Susan Sto Helit. Never never never never. > > I wish this was a Pit thread so I could properly justify myself. Grrr! Start one – you’ve piqued **my** interest. And IMO, there are still big chunks of the Disc geography that haven’t been touched, like Howondaland. Or how about a return visit to Djelibabi, Ptraci, and Teppic? Vimes is fun, but it seems like Pratchett’s been overusing him a bit lately… ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/25 "2005-02-15T20:49:11Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > I like the sports idea. Only Pratchett could give professional sports the send-up they really deserve! (deep breath) No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! No Sports! NO SPORTS! I like the idea of Vimes’ story, when he was Brung Low. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/26 "2005-02-15T21:01:41Z")
In wish I could say ‘Terry, Please, No more childrens books’ because Every time he writes one that’s longer I have to wait for the next ‘grown up’ book. But that would conflict with my full support for the idea of Discworld for children, and… I’m kicking myself for not thinking of Hatfull of Sky and Wee Free Men as presents for my nieces. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/27 "2005-02-15T21:44:40Z")
I have bought multiple copies of **WFM** and **HFOS** for all of my friends children, whether they are old enough for them or not. The books will be there when they can read them. We have to hook the next generation early! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/28 "2005-02-15T22:01:32Z")
I have to second **Anamika’s** “no sports” sentiments! But will disagree with her on her hatred of Susan. Susan rocks. I want Susan’s sense of style, her no nonsense attitude, her ability to stop time. Dear Og yes, her ability to stop time! I’d quite like to see either more Watch books or more Lancre books – maybe something on how Agnes Nitt is now faring… ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/29 "2005-02-15T22:33:19Z")
Perhaps it’s just me, but I really think it’s time that Unseen University faced competition from an unaccredited rival. Also, the low-budget airlines popping up in Europe could probably provide fodder for a book or two. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/30 "2005-02-15T22:44:23Z")
Nanny Ogg’s role in **Thief of Time** was important, but not long. I think having two very stubborn characters butting heads would be interesting. BTW, I agree about no sports. That one could write itself. I don’t think it’s against the rules to pit fictional characters, is it? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/31 "2005-02-15T23:20:40Z")
The first Discworld novel I ever read was _Equal Rites,_ which I got as a freebie in my membership pack for the 1988 WorldCon in New Orleans. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to read about the Further Adventures of Eskarina the Female She-Wizardess! (And her loyal sidekick Simon, whose presence in her life just might end up testing the principle of the celibacy of the magy! 😉 ) I mentioned this to Pterry at a panel discussion at the 2003 WorldCon in Toronto; he replied that he couldn’t make any promises, the stories happen when they happen. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/32 "2005-02-15T23:27:52Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Pratchett’s filled in most of the geography of the top side of Discworld. What’s on the bottom? A turtle’s ventral carapace. See _The Last Hero,_ in which Carrot, Rincewind and the Librarian fly a spaceship (invented by Leonardo da Quirm, of course) to the Gods’ home at the Hub (Dunmanifestin), stopping by the Moon on the way. They get a good look at the Discworld from space – and so do we, thanks to Paul Kidby’s illustrations! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![\_xiao\_wenti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/b782af/32.png) [@\_xiao\_wenti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_xiao_wenti)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/33 "2005-02-16T00:04:56Z")
He has been doing more with the Igors. I think that there is a whole book there. Maybe Igor and Reg? That would be interesting interplay. No, I have it. Igor and Doughnut ?Willie (the horsedoc) starting a hospital in A-M. ---
**Author:** ![c\_carol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@c\_carol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_carol)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/34 "2005-02-16T00:17:28Z")
> [@\_xiao\_wenti\_](#): > > He has been doing more with the Igors. I think that there is a whole book there. Maybe Igor and Reg? That would be interesting interplay. No, I have it. Igor and Doughnut ?Willie (the horsedoc) starting a hospital in A-M. Read _Going Postal_ yet? There’s already a new hospital in A-M . Wouldn’t surprise me if it gets developed further in a future book. And speaking of Discworld geography (discography?) I’ve thought for a long time that Pterry might do something someday with the Muntab Question. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/35 "2005-02-16T00:34:22Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Nanny Ogg’s role in **Thief of Time** was important, but not long. I think having two very stubborn characters butting heads would be interesting. We’ve already got Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg for that. 😃 Susan’s big thing is against incompetent idiots. Granny, being far from incompetent and in no way an idiot, would make a terrible foil for her. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/36 "2005-02-16T00:42:45Z")
His next book is called “Thud!”. The Discworld fans recently created a Discworld game, I think it’s a sport of some kind, called “Thud!” which was invented long before this upcoming book was known about. My guess is that “Thud!” may indeed be about sports. Personally I want to see what happened to Eskarina Smith, who if we judge by Susan’s aging (and I’m not sure if we should, as she and Time don’t seem to travel in the same circles), should be around 25 years old now, and I wonder if maybe she’s caught the eye of one Ponder Stibbons… ---
**Author:** ![c\_carol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@c\_carol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_carol)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/37 "2005-02-16T00:55:37Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Personally I want to see what happened to Eskarina Smith, who if we judge by Susan’s aging (and I’m not sure if we should, as she and Time don’t seem to travel in the same circles), should be around 25 years old now, and I wonder if maybe she’s caught the eye of one Ponder Stibbons… The [L-Space Timeline](http://www.co.uk.lspace.org/books/timeline/dw-timeline.html) puts _Equal Rites_ in 1964, and _Last Continent_ (in which IIRC Ponder is about 24) in 1988. So she’s probably eight or nine years older than Ponder. Nice thought, though. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/38 "2005-02-16T01:34:57Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > A turtle’s ventral carapace. See _The Last Hero,_ in which Carrot, Rincewind and the Librarian fly a spaceship (invented by Leonardo da Quirm, of course) to the Gods’ home at the Hub (Dunmanifestin), stopping by the Moon on the way. They get a good look at the Discworld from space – and so do we, thanks to Paul Kidby’s illustrations! 🙂 They were not the first to make the trip, remember. Some poor soul fell around the bottom, and on returning said “My god, it’s full of elephants!” 😃 My favorite pTerry line. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/39 "2005-02-16T01:46:36Z")
> [@c\_carol](#): > > The [L-Space Timeline](http://www.co.uk.lspace.org/books/timeline/dw-timeline.html) puts _Equal Rites_ in 1964, and _Last Continent_ (in which IIRC Ponder is about 24) in 1988. So she’s probably eight or nine years older than Ponder. Nice thought, though. I didn’t know somebody had constructed a timeline. Interesting. No mention of Small Gods though. And is about 15 years since the last update. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214/40 "2005-02-16T01:51:50Z")
I tell a lie, there is mention of Small Gods. In what has to be totally the wrong place. It should be at least a hundred or more years before the main novel timeline. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-next-discworld-be-about/290214.md?page=3)