Christopher Paolini - [Inheritance 01] - Eragon.html
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14. Do you write with an overall theme in mind? Explain
I had more of a feeling in mind, rather than a theme. For me, great stories have the power to transform lives through the strength of their vision. I can’t count the number of times I’ve reached the end of a book or movie and felt a cold tingle worm its way through my body because I know that what I’ve just experienced was great. Not good, but great.
With Eragon, it was my goal to capture that sense of awe and wonder. So when a reader finishes the last scene, the last page, and closes the book, they’ll just go, Everything I did in Eragon was designed to evoke that reaction at the end.
15. Who is your favorite character and why?
That would be Saphira, the dragon. Why is a bit harder. She was always the genesis of Eragon’s transformation and growth—I was thrilled by the idea of a young man (Eragon) becoming linked with a dragon. As I wrote Saphira, I made her the best friend anyone could have: loyal, funny, brave, intelligent, and noble. She transcended that, however, and became her own person, fiercely independent and proud. I love writing about dragons, especially Saphira. Part of what makes her so appealing is that Eragon cares for her from the moment she hatches. That makes their relationship very different than if he had suddenly joined up with an age-old dragon. This way, they’re both young and exploring the world for the first time.
Saphira is so intelligent, there were times I felt like she was looking out at me and saying, do you want!It’s bit frightening to be at the mercy of an imaginary creature within your own head. You have no defenses.
16. Have your characters ever surprised you? Explain
Most of my characters don’t ever surprise me, as they’re so serious. Epic fantasy tends to be like that. However, I did put my sister, Angela, into Eragon, as an herbalist who loves frogs. Fortunately, she has a good sense of humor, or else I wouldn’t be writing this! Every time I write about her, though, I have no idea what she will do next. I know my sister extremely well, but when I attempt to translate that knowledge to page, it’s impossible to predict what might burst forth next, since I have such a rich store of memories to draw from.
17. What’s the oddest thing one of your characters has done?
This could also be an answer for the previous question: when Saphira ate a group of Urgals in Eragon! I couldn’t believe she had done it, but there it was. It’s one of those events that pops out of your subconscious when you’re working intensely, and afterward you just sit back, shake your head, and say, grief. I wrote that?
18. Is there anything a character has done that you’ve regretted?
No. I don’t plot a novel with things that offend or upset me. And if something does creep in that I don’t approve of, then I either rewrite it during the first draft, or cut it during editing. On the other hand, there are plenty of word and sentence choices in Eragon that I do regret, and that I hope to better in Eldest.
19. Tell us about how you promote your book.
Mainly by book signings in bookstores, grocery stores, and farmers’ markets, and presentations in schools and libraries. Additionally, I make a constant effort to personally contact people who would be interested in my story, whether through book distribution companies or magazine articles and interviews. My public appearances are done in medieval costume—billowy red swordsman’s shirt, black pantaloons, and black lace-up suede boots—which helps garner attention.
Some of my most interesting experiences have occurred during signings. I’ve met candidates for public office, a Tibetan monk visiting Montana, other writers, professors, students, fathers, mothers—the whole spectrum of humanity. In addition to signing books, I’ve also signed hands, arms, necks, backs, and even a couple of chests.
An interesting thing happened while I was in Boise, ID. At a signing, I met a young Hispanic man who professed not to read English, though he was quite articulate otherwise. He was very interested in Eragon and all I’d accomplished.
A few minutes later, he bought Eragon as a present for his girlfriend!
Another time I arm wrestled a hefty fellow for the book. I won. And he, too, bought it for his girlfriend.
20. What is one aspect of being a published author that you weren’t prepared for, that surprised you, that made you think, I didn’t realize I’d be doing this
All of it, actually. You may realize intellectually what a book signing is, but to really do one is very, very different. I wasn’t prepared for all the wonderful comments readers have had for Eragon. Nor was I prepared for being recognized whenever I walk around town. I’m still getting used to both of those, and in a way I hope I never do. Being a public personality changes your view of the world. Whether for the better or worse, I’ve yet to see.
21. Tell us about your web site.
Factsource.com is the web site started and run by my father, Kenneth Paolini. It is the site for our family’s publishing company. On my section of the website, you’ll find a blog of my adventures, pictures, an excerpt from Eragon, a list of upcoming events, articles and interviews, and my thoughts on art and writing.
Visit my sister’s section to read book reviews that are spicy, scathing, and—occasionally—full of praise. Highly recommended.
22. Tell us about your art work.
I always doodled as a child, often to my mother’s dismay when she looked at my textbooks. However it never occurred to me to try drawing or pursue any sort of artistic activity. In fact, drawing assignments were often the ones I hated the most. Then one year, a boy about my age stayed with us for a month. He drew a small mountain. For some reason I took this as a challenge and promptly said, I can do something better than that!And I did. First I drew a couple of mountains of my own, then I copied a dragon from a Tolkien book. Before I knew what was happening, I saw myself as an This of course only made me work harder at it.
The next few years were filled with discovery as I continued to explore my abilities. It was incredible to uncover a talent within me that I had never suspected existed. I tried working with chalk pastels, oil and acrylic paint—though this did not always work out because I am partially colorblind—colored pencils, and ink. I always returned to regular pencils though, as it is the medium I’m most comfortable with.
As you can see if you visit www.factsource.com, I particularly enjoy drawing people, animals, and sometimes things from my own imagination. I use two mechanical pencils—.3 mm and .9 mm—and I’m told by the local art supply store that no one but me buys those sizes. Too small and too large I suppose! Either way, I seem to get good results with them.
23. What is your best piece of advice for aspiring writers?
I can’t inspire passion—that unquantifiable spark that separates B-grade writing from writing that captures you utterly. What I can do is say this, everything you can about your craft. If you have the will and desire to tell a story, wonderful. Now you have to master the medium, else you’ll remain an amateur. Read about the craft. Grammar books will help you edit your work. Educate yourself until you can tell with certainty the difference between good and bad writing. You will know you’ve succeeded when you can’t read a novel without questioning the author’s choices, because you are aware of the alternatives, and when your own writing is confident and assured, because you know you can provide whatever the story requires.
24. What are you reading right now?
Let’s seeI’m in the middle of Conan of Cimmeria, Tolkien’s Ring, Islandia, The Masterharper of Pern, and The Integral Trees. In the past week-and-a-half, I finished Conan, Grendel, The Butcher’s Wife, Elric of Montilbian, Chronicals of the Lensmen Vol. 1, Knight Life, The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, a volume on the art of William Blake, and a book on criminal organizations and their psychology. And also a pile of assorted magazines and newspapers.
25. What would you like to be doing in ten years?
In ten years I see myself sitting before a blazing fire with a beautiful wife, a black Oriental Shorthair purring on our laps, and behind us, on the floor-to-
ceiling bookshelf, the complete volumes of the Inheritance trilogy, and one or two more novels besides.
26. Do you have any closing thoughts you’d like to share with the Writing Etc. subscribers?
Avoid eating earwax, beware boiled cabbage, don’t slip on discarded pronouns, and above all, order Eragon from your local bookstore, or on-line amazon.com or factsource.com. If you do, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary adventure—one that will sweep you into an exotic land full of mystery, passion, and wonder. While writing Eragon, I often felt like a child surrounded by undiscovered treasures and I hope you share that experience.
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