An interview with Christopher Paolini

September 2003

TRC: Tell us how you created the land of Alagaësia. How long did it take you to develop the history, glossary of terms, and the names of your characters?

CP: I roughed out the main history of Alagaësia before I began writing ERAGON. Beyond that I usually created the details and information as needed. For example, I did not draw the map until it became important to see where Eragon was traveling, although once I did, I started to get history and plot ideas from seeing the landscape depicted.

The names of my characters and places are derived from Old Norse, German, Old English, and Russian sources, as well as from my invented languages. Picking the right name is a process that can take days, weeks, or even years. If I have difficulty choosing the correct moniker, I use a placeholder name until a replacement suggests itself.

The glossary took a few hours to compile, after ERAGON was finished.

TRC: Who is your favorite character in ERAGON? Why?

CP: 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 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, "What do you want!" It's bit frightening to be at the mercy of an imaginary creature within your own head. You have no defenses.

TRC: Can you share what readers can expect from the next two installments in this trilogy?

CP: The same breathtaking locations, thrilling battles, and searching introspection as Eragon, in addition to true love.

TRC: Why did you decide to self-publish ERAGON? How did you go about doing this?

CP: My family and I chose to self-publish ERAGON because we wanted to retain financial and creative control over the book. Also, we were excited by the prospect of working on this project as a family.

TRC: You made headlines in several genre-oriented publications for the sale of your first book and two follow-ups to Knopf/Random House. What can you remember about the day you were told Knopf wanted the books? How did you celebrate?

CP: I first heard from Knopf --- specifically my editor-to-be Michelle Frey --- while I was in Seattle at the Northwest Bookfest, promoting the original edition of ERAGON. My first reaction was one of disbelief, since I had no idea how Michelle could have heard about ERAGON. This was quickly followed by cautious optimism; after all, I had no idea what terms Knopf was willing to offer. Once I did, My family and I were screaming with excitement, a feeling that we still retain every time we look at the new ERAGON.

TRC: Your book was reviewed as a self-published title and more reviews are expected to pour in since the books is now available from Knopf. Do you read reviews of your own work? Why or why not?

CP: Yes, I read reviews of my work, although sometimes I wish that I hadn't, even when it is a good review! Why? Because everyone thinks about your work in a slightly different way, and if their views don't correspond with yours, it can be unsettling to see how your writing is interpreted. It can even make you change your writing style in an attempt to emphasize the elements that you think readers have ignored. Despite this, I continue to read reviews because I believe that it's important to know how people are affected by ERAGON, because I sometimes learn something valuable about my writing, and also because of the wonderful stories that I often hear from fans --- such as the woman who enjoyed ERAGON so much, she named her pet tarantula Saphira, after the dragon in my book!

TRC: What fantasy writers inspire you? Why? What other genres and authors do you enjoy reading?

CP: Philip Pullman, Mervyn Peake, J.R.R. Tolkien, E.R. Eddison, Garth Nix, Octavia Butler, and many, many more. I enjoy reading these authors for their interesting takes on fantasy. Peake and Eddison both use incredibly rich, inventive language; Tolkien created one of the first immersive fantasy worlds; Nix has created a great world and story; Butler's ideas are second to none; and Pullman has it all. He is a master storyteller.

I also love science fiction. DUNE, by Frank Herbert is a favorite, along with mysteries, horror, thrillers, the classics . . . anything so long as it's good!

TRC: What is it about fantasy and science fiction that speaks to so many readers on a number of levels? What does the genre "mean" to you?

CP: It's hard to attribute the success of science fiction and fantasy to any one element. Both genres are far too diverse to be able to point to just one thing and say, "This is why people love these books." However, I believe that a large part of their appeal comes from the exercise of pure imagination and flights of fancy, as well as the intellectual delight of attempting to extrapolate the evolution of technology.

I enjoy fantasy because it allows me to visit lands that have never existed, to see things that never could exist, to experience daring adventures with interesting characters, and, most importantly, to feel the sense of magic in the world.

TRC: When did you "know" you wanted to write professionally?

CP: I've known for a long time that I wanted to tell stories, with books, movies, or theater. In fact, ERAGON was originally an idea for a movie. I never intended to become an author; writing ERAGON was just a wild challenge for myself, an attempt to produce a book-length work, without any intention of publishing it. Of course, since it worked out so well, I've continued to pursue it.

TRC: What has surprised you the most about being a published author?

CP: The number of people around the country who have embraced and supported ERAGON with their incredible enthusiasm.

TRC: How have your friends, family, and local community reacted to your status as a published author?

CP: My family has done nothing but encourage and help me throughout the course of writing and promoting ERAGON. They are delighted with the book's success. Our friends and community were surprised at first when I was published, then more than happy to have another local author . . . especially one so young!

TRC: What has been your most memorable fan encounter so far?

CP: I'm particularly fond of the time when I arm-wrestled a young man to get him to read ERAGON. Fortunately I won! The most memorable event, though, has to be when Carl Hiaasen's stepson bought a copy of ERAGON in Montana and loved it so much, Carl recommended it to an editor at Alfred A. Knopf. This one incident has completely changed my life.

TRC: Due to your age and your accelerated publishing career, you have a unique history as a novelist! What writing/publishing advice do you give to aspiring writers of any age?

CP: Three simple things: Write about what excites and moves you the most, otherwise your enthusiasm will never sustain you through an entire novel; be persistent and disciplined, otherwise someone more determined will take your place; and be humble enough to accept editorial criticism and learn all you can about your craft.

TRC: In your opinion, what is the hardest part of writing a novel? Why?

CP: The hardest part is maintaining the two points I mentioned above: persistence and discipline. It's far too easy to get distracted from your work, or tire of it and find a simpler project. The true sign of a professional writer is that he or she can-and does-write every day, even without feeling inspired. Writing is not a gift from the gods. It does not spring fully formed from the author's brow. Writing is a craft, and, like any craft, you must practice, practice, practice to hone your skills. This can get boring if you feel that all you must do is connect with your muse and a new best-seller will flow forth. Alas, no. And even if you are a seasoned author and acclimated to the work of writing, it is still dangerously easy to become engaged in minor tasks that-like insidious, scaly carnivores-consume your precious minutes.

TRC: We live in a time when young people have numerous choices for entertainment. What would you like to say to people who may be hesitant about reading a book for "fun?"

CP: Books are the greatest device for transporting you into another person's mind. Movies excel at depicting action with a bit of talk, theater excels at depicting talk with a bit of action, and radio is all talk. But books can take you deeper into people's thoughts and feelings than any other media. Until we invent telepathy, books are our best choice for understanding the rest of humanity.