Monthly Q&A With Christopher Paolini!

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i know the question posting has finished but i want to get a fact right. in Eragon (book 1) when he kills Durza he says Brisingr and then the book says “zar’roc blazed with bloody light, heatless flames running along it” (page 491) does this mean that Brisingr isnt the true name of his new sword but maybe Eragons true name? possibly not but it does interstect, also when he is discussing the peculiar way his new sword acts Oromis says something like “maybe…”. Also just wondering if this has anything to do with what the last ra’zac says about galbatorix has nearly found “the true name”.

Just wondering if Mr Paolini will be creating another wonderful series after the Inheritence cycle? It would be great to see his talent put to use again after Inheritence is concluded (which is going to be an unfortunate event, no more new adventures with the dragon riders)

A criticism I’ve heard against the series is that Saphira isn’t her own character and all we ever hear of her thoughts are how they relate to Eragon’s. Will we see more of Saphira’s viewpoint in the last book?

We can hope, Glorfindel, we can hope, mate.

Hey, Chris, I love your books. They inspire me to write and help fire my imagination.

Anyway, quick question that’s been bugging me ever since I read it in Brisingr. When Eragon is traveling back to the Varden from Helgrind, he almost runs into and hides from some of Galbatorix’s guards. They speak of searching for Eragon, and then one mutters something along the lines of, “Unless we be looking for Murtagh. You heard as well as I what Morzan’s spawn said.” My question is… what did Murtagh say?! If you can’t say, then will we ever find out?

Thank you for your time, and I’m sorry if I didn’t get the quote verbatim.

Will Eragon return to Ellesmira for going to Vault of Souls and why?

And again i’m asking if we are going to see A rya admiting her love to Eragon.So Angela will be right wen she spoke for an “epic romance” about Eragon’s future.

Christopher, ever since I was 8 I’ve written books and they used to be silly but now I think I’m onto something. I’m only 12 but I’m working on a book that will also have a sequel to it, and by the end of the summer I hope to have finished the first draft.

It is not fantasy but I still would like some tips on writing, especially on finding a publisher and how to find them.

These are some questions I have:

-did it help you to write out how a place looks, or just imagine it and put it on paper in the scene.

– did you send a draft of Eragon to Random House Publishing or did they find you?

– I’ve always had times when I take about a week off from my writing, but is there ways that help you get inspired to go back to the keyboard or notebook?

– which do you prefer for writing, starting out with a notebook and then shifting to a computer or just a computer?

Hi guys, I want to say this idea is great. Although I think it will not be easy to select the questions, there are a lot of good ones.

I wanted to ask C. Paolini if he ever considered posting outtakes of his books on Alagaesia.com. Did he and/or will he post them?

Will the two women introduced in the chapter “Intersecting Sagas” play a role in Book 4 or will they be featured in a future series or book?

is the spine the remanants of a huge like omega dragon that has a huge eldunari also good job with the eldunari idea. Chris p.

HaylaandAndrewforever , thank you for answering my question you are very right

You know back in Eldest Brigit started a blood feud between her and Roran? Well, what is she going to do? Will Brigit kill Roran or something? (Somehow I don’t think that’s right, but it is possible, I guess)

Will Palencar draw Shruikan? I want to see how that dragon looks like! Will it be scarier than the Lethrblaka?

Even If the question-for-interview is done, we still have next month to ask questions, but they better be good!

Will we finally see galbatorix near the end of book 4 or somewhere in the middle

why does orormis refuse to keep selena’s fairth?

Hi Christopher!

In the wikipedia biography that’s written about you, it says that you were homeschooled by your parents. I am also homeschooled/online schooled. For my question, I was wondering how you handled that. I mean, what was your social life like? Did you have a lot of friends, or were you more of a loner? Did you ever feel different because you didn’t go to a brick and mortar school like almost everybody else did?

Sorry, I guess that’s more than one question. =)

P.S. Your books are some of my absolute favorites! The Inheritance Cycle has been amazing so far!

1. Will the girl unknown girl angela introduced to Eragon play a bigger role?

2. Will Katrina’s and Roran’s child play a bigger role?

let me just say the first the books have been fabulos

i have a coulpe questions:

-why does oromis keep so many secrets?

-what happens to the bodies of dead riders and their dragons?

-does book four give us the full story of the riders’ fall, i mean, what happened when galbaltorix’s dragon was killed?

-are we going to learn a little more about eragon’s past?

Okay, I know this one is not really about the books, but here is one:

What all is going to be in the Guide book that is coming out soon?

Are the spirits from Brisingr going to be explained more in Book 4?

One more: Does a dragon get their color from one of their parents or are their colors a sort of mix between the parents’ colors?

When you were writing the 3rd book, when you it was still the Inheritance Trilogy, did you have Eragon make a sword and name it Brisingr, or was that just an excuse to name the book Brisingr?

piki112,
It is possible, maybe the 4th book will get too long.

When Eragon takes the Eldunari from Galbatorix–if he succeeds–will he use them himself? Even without the Eldunari Galbatorix is still strong, with years of experience. Perhaps Eragon will ask nicely if he could use the dragon’s strength.

In Eragon, when Angela cast the bones for Eragon, and said that one day he will never set foot on Alagaesia again, will he literally never set foot on Alagaesia again, or die, or change the name of Alagaesia? Those were all the reasons I could come up with.

Will there ever be a part in book 4 where roran and murtagh will cross paths. I for one would love to see the two of them fight, i mean if mutagh decided not to use magic or if roran baited him into it.

where can we watch those interviews

Hi, I have another 2 questions, this time about Shades:

1) I know that a Shade is created when somebody summons evil spirits and they host on the sorcerer…however, what would happen if the sorcerer summoned only good spirits (if there are such things?) Would it create a good Shade that could help the Varden in some way? If so could this happen sometime/has it ever happened?

2) What would happen if the spirits overtook the body of a Rider? As Shades arent included in the Blood-Oath, would they cease to be a Rider? I love the idea of a rider that is a Shade, and once had an opinion that Galbatorix may be a Shade (nobody has seen him for nearly 40 years, he may have experimented?)

Is there a chance that the movie Eragon might be re-done?

Will we ever learn the seven words that Brom said to Eragon on his deathbed/deathfloor (haha!)? Hey, no one said I couldn’t have a sense of humor!

Ok i also want to ask what did menoa tree took from Eragon.?

We do know menoa’s tree story that it was a woman ,if i remember correct.So i think that she was satisfied from Eragon’s true love for Arya.

p.s. Iam sorry for my english i dont speek the languachy very well.

I love your books and your writing.

How much can an elf alter their body? Is the limit like Blodgram or can they change so much that they can look like a different race, such can one turn theirselves into something similar to a dragon?

Ruydragon, hahahaha, brillant question, mate! ;D

Is it a common dragon trait to have Ivory colored spikes and talons? Sapphira is hues of blue with white spikes and talons, Thorn is red with white claws and spikes, ect. Is this a common trait among all dragons? Does one ever see, lets say, a purple dragon with gold spikes, a green dragon with blue spikes, and so on?

Mr. Paolini,

Can you give us any hint at all as to what the Menoa Tree took from Eragon? Thanks for your time!

Question:

I know after finishing the Inheritance Cycle, you will take a vacation, but being that you drew inspiration for IC from yours surroundings, will you vacation somewhere that will inspire you, if so, where?

Will we ever learn Arya’s true name in the fourth book?
Can you tell us anything more about Tenga?

Can we get a piont of view from Murtag?! Please, he is one of my favorite characters (right next to Brom R.I.P.) and I woulde love to get inside his mind. Anyone eles agree with me? Or am I just crazy (no one answer that)

Hi,

1) How did Eargon scrying Aray when he didnt even know who she was or had never seen her before? Will it be reviled in the 4th book?

2) Will you write in any other point of view besides Roan and Eragon?

3)How did you think of the languages? Are they based off other languages?

P.S. I love your books, its my favorite series/ Inheritance cycle.

If two dragons who already had riders mated, would the baby dragon wait in his or her egg until he or she felt the prescence of his or her rider, or would he or she just hatch?

I hope that makes some sense.

Can dragons of different colors have children that are all different colors

1.What happened to all the dragon eggs in galbatorix’s rise to power? You said they could’nt be broken and it’s hard to beleive there was only 3 at the time galbatorix came to power.

2. Will anymore shades come into the book? It’s intersting seeing them.

What is the yawe symbol that Arya has? It got her banished, so it must be important. What does the symbol mean?

What century is the Inheritance cycle set in? There are several hints in the story (e.g. what they do, technology they use, things they have, …) that can be traced down to some time between the 14th and the 17th century. Did you actually choose a specific year the story is set in or are those hints just coincidental?

1)is Galbatorix close to discovering eragon’s true name? the Ra’zac mentions something of that sort before eragon kills it. and even if Galbatorix finds it, would he be able to use it against eragon from his capital?
2)will eragon find some more Eldunari in the vault of souls?

How did the Riders know when an egg had chosen its rider? Eargon had Saphira’s egg for a period of time before she finally hatched.

Why is Eragon so unpowerful when Murtagh is like, a god or something”

Because it’s always Murtagh that is feared, but Eragon can hardly make a difference in a battle. The Varden say that they don’t stand a chance against Murtagh. What’s with that?

After a shade has been created, would that shade have any worries of summoning more powerful spirits than itself.

If so, would summoning more powerful spirits make the shade stronger, or create an entirely new and more evil shade?

If this process created a new shade, would the original shade’s selfish lust for power keep it from summoning more powerful shades?

And finally, would a shade be able to summon spirits freely, without worry, to a point where the shade would become nearly invincible?

Wow, AHEM……. 😮

-What is your favorite book or book series to read?

-Do some Dwarven women have beards?

-How did you first come up with the character Eragon? And Brom?

I have noticed that the Inheritance books bear many similarities to Star Wars. Eragon works and a farm and his uncle is killed by his enemies (similar to Luke Skywalker.) The “Morzan is your father” revealation reminded me of Darth Vader. Why is this, and what do you feel makes your books unique in comparison to other, similar works?

Ok these are my quastions:Why does Eragon has to leave alagaesia?

How far are you with the book?

p.s I love your books ,and also i love the idea Arya stays with Eragon!!!!!

Katja has a good question I would also like to know the answer to it

How far are you in the 4th book??????

Here’s a few more:

1. If Murtagh was freed of his vows, what do you think he would rather do, go independant with Thorn or join the Varden(supposing they would let him.)?

2. Before they became immortal, where elves always very powerful and very magical, or was that after they became immortal?

3. Is the man being left behind in Eragon’s dream of the ship leaving in the Chapter Deathwatch, in Eragon, already introduced in the story?

Hey!

Pertaining to book four:

– Will we be seeing more of Az Sweldn rak Anhuin?

-Obviously you can’t tell us, but would can you say about Naegling’s future? It clearly contains emense power, and many people were hoping to see it in good hands (with Eragon).

A little off subject:

– I am very (obsessed?) with writing, and reading your books have given me inspiration. However, I’d like to know if you could give me any advice?

Thanks!

We caught a glimpse into Arya’s past in Brisingr. Could there possibly be more insight in Book 4?

heres a few

-can cp tell us anything more about himself (religon, things he like etc)

-Does he ever look on shurtugal or any other of his fan sites?

-does he find it trickey when changing from charectar to charectar and if so how does he deal with it?

-We know that Angela is slightly modeled on ur sister and eragon started off being you but are there any others who are modelled on those around you?

-What keeps you interested in your books?

Hey CP i got a question for you. why did you kill off Ormis and glader(sorry not sure how to spell it) it dosn’t really make sense.

I also have another question is saphira going to get any bigger in book four. i realise she’s gotten pretty big in books 1-3.

ok, i have a few questions.

what colour was galbatorix’s first dragon?

can you tell us the names of other dragons and riders of the old?

what happened to Nasuada’s mother?

where did Angela get the dragon knucklebonnes from?

If magic is limited to the energy of one’s body or an amount he can get or ‘borrow’ how can Saphira (When she is repairing the jewel of the dwarves) can conjure up so much energy? I mean should the energy not be limited to the energy in her body? and so should it not be the same amount (limit) that she usually ‘lends’ to Eragon when he is needy?

And a commonly asked question.
You once said (obviously during an interview) that you would really like to write books after the Inheritance cycle, you said something like writing a novel in about a month. Is that still on?

And We all must applaud this outasite idea! Itz really brilliant!!(Loud applause) I would praise you a bit more but isn’t that more for you to read(More work)?

Not related to Inheritance, how do you manage to place yourself in the feet of each of the characters? As a writer, to keep switching between characters, particularly during long conversations without making them lose their identity must be a tough job.

A GOOD QUESTION!!!!!

NOT CONNECTED TO BOOK FOUR

y did saphira take so much time to hatch for eragon(in days!!!!).???

how much time does it take for a dragon to hatch for a person.if it isnt fixed hw did the varden or the elves know that it wudnt hatch for a particular person(when saphira was ferried beween them)

–Do the Ra’zac play an important role in Book 4, or is their role over with Brisingr?

–Will you be exploring the history, culture and society of the comparatively unknown races – the Urgals, the Ra’zac, the werecats? And will the Grey Folk have an important role, or are they over and done with after their mention in Eldest?

–Who are your favourite fantasy authors in general?

–What kind of music do you like listening to? Does music ever give you inspiration in any way?

–What are your hobbies in general, apart from writing?

–Do you plan to write “prequels” to expand the history of Alagaesia, and all the races? For example, why did the elves migrate from Alalea? Does Alalea have an important role in Book 4?

–Some people, including myself, are concerned that there may be too many loose threads to be tied up in the space of one book, and that you should expand the series into five books? What is your opinion on this?

Brief Question:
if the source of the magic is limited to the energy of the wielder how come do the elundanari (ok i butchered that spelling) have like endless engery. Reasoning: Sapphira cant seem to hold any spell for too long, and neither can thorne or the gold dragon, so why do thier rock thingys provide so much energy. they got to deplet sometime. and when they do, how to they regain back thier energy if there bodies are dead. they dont eat etc. so ya. basically how do the rocky things give off so much energy
How come they dont deplete
How to they regain back their own rocky energy.

– Will Alalea, the ancestral land of the elves, have a role in Book Four?

– By any chance, is the last dragon egg, Saphira’s sibling?

– Does Thorn have his Eldunari in his body, or does it remain in Galbatorix’s collection?

Do you have anyone special in your life such as a girlfriend? If so do you draw off that relationship in your writing?

What has been the best thing a fan has given you?

Was your dog, your only infuence for Saphira or was there someone else?

Hello Christopher Paolini!

The grass boat Arya fashioned in Brisingr has received almost a cult-like following from my friends and myself. Part jokingly and part seriously we suggest writing Book 5 for what we dubbed grass as “Floaty Boat”. Floaty Boat is actually one of my favorite characters, honestly.

Will Floaty Boat make any further appearances, per chance any significant debuts? That would be awesome and ensure complete and loyal servitude. Thanks!

Were any of the Fornsworth elves? FemLe?

1. Will there be new creatures in the 4th book?
2. Do you think you’ll write other books about the Inheritance series, and what kind of books? (The Fall, Brom’s story, Selena’s story?)
3. If not, do you think you’ll be able to branch away from the Inheritance series?
4. For the book 4 tour, will you be coming back to Toronto? I chickened out and couldn’t say anything interesting last time you were here./ where will you be appearing on your tour route?
5. Will we find out more about the Lethrblaka?
6. What helps you keep focused on the series/ what is your inspiration and what makes you not give up?

Dear Mr. Paolini,

First of all, I would like to say that you are an amazing writer. I really enjoy your books.

1. I am impressed on how you take the chance to sacrifice many of the fantastic characters( such as Brom, and turning Murtagh to the dark side.). Is this hard for you to do even though it is nessicary?

2. In Brisingr, the Menoa Tree asks for something in exchange for Eragon’s brightsteel. In the same chapter, as Eragon recieves the metel but feels a sharp pain in his stomach. Has the Menoa Tree already taken something or is it yet to be revealed in Book 4?

Thanks so much for your time.

will we see the woman and the girl eragon blessed in brisingr? or we they have there own story told in a different series?

r u planin on comein to the uk on your book tour? and if so yorkshire?

1. Was there ever a time when you thought about giving up the inheritance story?

2. In the 4th book, will Glaedr be able to talk to Eragon, and have his grief over Oromis be swept away? I know that there’s alot of things behind his Eldunari.

3. I find it amusing that even though Eragon has a new sword, he is still eligible to be called Firesword by the Urgals.

4. Can Eragon be one time on the dark side for once?

5. Will we see that flying ship of grass in a far-away land?

6. Where did they Lethrblaka come from?

if a new rider appears and he or she is on the good side will eragon teach him/her to be a rider?

Do egg fragments loose there color after years beacuse you mentiond some eggs fragments in eldest?

Will you write about the Fall?

Can you give us any hints about the new rider?

Will ther be wilid dragons in book 4?

i was wondering r u an atheist? also what do u say to critics about the similarities between ur books and other fantasys

1. Have you considered bringing wild dragons into book 4?

2. Is there any creatures that have not been in the past books that you might bring into book 4?

3. Are there other drangon riders from over seas that might help in the war?

4. Is the next rider an already known character or an unknown character?

5. What did you think about Palencar’s View of the Lethrblaka?

6. Will all of Brom’s secrets ever be revealed?

7. Will we find out more about the Grey Folk?

8. What exactly are the Grey Folk like?

9. Will you make a book explaining the history of Alagaesia?

10. Are any of the characters a representation of you?

Chris

How many chapters were in Brisingr be4 the unexpected extenision?

Were any of the Forsworn elves? We know that elves do not fully trust humans because of what happened during the Fall, is this confirming that all of the Thirteen were humans?

Dear Chris,

What do you think of Eragon the movie? As you may have read about the fan’s disappointment in the movie. Do you plan to buy back the rights so that you can make a more accurate verison of the book, or something like that?

Also, do you plan on making a stop in Georgia on your US tour?

Thank you,

Cally

Oh, as an addition to my previous question: How is Birgit’s name pronounced?! (It’s hard being a fan of her character when I don’t know how to say her name out loud.)

are there such things as female Shades?

Mr.Paolini, we hear often on the Sf3 forumns that your Alagaësia’s history is very sketchy and holey, will you plan on creating some sort of history for Alagaësia?

also- what is your name in mind for the green dragon? May I suggest Emeruade? [/end shameless fangirlishness]

What do you think of the criticism of the Cycle i.e. similarities to other fantasies, plot line of Star Wars, etc.?

What books or type of books do you like to read in your spare time when you are not writting or couse?

Will we see what is beyond allagasia? Or is there anything beyond the sea?

Will Elva’s curse ever be fully removed?

After book 4 will you continue writing in the fantasy genre or try some thing new,if so which new genre will you try?

Will we learn more of Angela’s past? Like how Oromis knew of her and why she could enter the Varden without having her mind examined?
Can Angela use magic?
What determines a dragon’s color?
Is there anything a dragon can’t eat?
Can dragon’s dream?
Why were Durza’s parents called oath breakers?
Why don’t elves sleep?
Who taught Garrow how to read and why did he not teach Eragon and Roran how to?
Are there any inanimate objects other than crystals that can hold energy?
If Galbatorix created the Helgrind illusion with magic why didn’t Brom or Oromis know? Surely both of them had been to Dras Leona before the Fall and afterwards noticed it’s strange appearance?
Has there ever been any female riders?
Who was the healer that kept Murtagh alive after his back was laid open by Morzan?

i think eragon could blunt galbortorixs blade considring that he and brom did this with zaroc this could give him and give him a advantage in a sword

How do you view Eragon and Arya’s relationship following Brisingr?