Christopher Paolini Releases Video Looking Back on Journey From Eragon to Inheritance

By Mike Macauley September 29, 2011 Christopher Paolini, Inheritance (Book 4) 110 Comments

Christopher Paolini and Random House have released a video looking back at Christopher’s journey from writing Eragon at age fifteen to self-promoting the book across the country before being discovered by Random House, re-published, and the journey since — including Eldest, Brisingr, and the upcoming release of Inheritance. The video offers an interesting glimpse at the work Christopher and his family went through to first get the word out about the first book, including his costumes and presentations. The author also discusses inspirations, writing style, his feelings after writing the final scene in Book 4, and more. Keep reading to watch the video!

  • Hunter

    Looking forward to the ‘last’ Inheritance book. Kinda sad. I remember meeting Chris in 2003 (man time flies) in Glen Rock NY and took a sick day from work. CNN was even there to do a small bit. I had to dodge the camera so I wouldn’t get caught – Ha! Got my books signed and even had time to talk and get a picture with him. No chance of that now. Hope we all have a great adventure reading Book 4!

  • jimmy

    which character had the different colored eyes? I didnt notice anything and ive read the books about 6 times each..

  • Jirioxy

    i keep reaching for the book
    but the computer screen keeps getting in the way :((((((((

  • The Green dragon

    Did someone die?

  • Irock13198

    Ha! that new Doctor who made my day!

    Anways?

    Doctor who?

  • Irock13198

    IS THE PODCAST GOING TO BE ON I-TUNES FIRST?

    • Irock13198

      sorry for the caps, didn’t notice

  • The Green dragon

    Where is the podcast? Is Mike still sick? Soooo many questions!!

  • Feisty-fitz

    Where’s the Big Twenty/Podcast/Interview?????????????????????

    • Anonymous

      Well considering Mike is sick, I assume they are all being delayed. It’ll be up as soon as they can (or want), and asking isn’t going to change that!

      • Feisty-fitz

        Oops sorry Mike wasn’t aware of that! Hope it’s not too serious!

      • Feisty-fitz

        Oops sorry Mike wasn’t aware of that! Hope it’s not too serious!

      • Feisty-fitz

        Oops sorry Mike wasn’t aware of that! Hope it’s not too serious!

  • Samuel

    If the book release day is correct (which to my calculations it isn’t) the it’s 11 day’s after my birthday.

    • Samuel

      1 day early unless the book comes out nov 7, is it nov 7 or 8

      • Anonymous

        it’s the 8th

    • The Green dragon

      um you just made no sense.

      • Samuel

        the “the” right before it’s is supposed to be then (I  typed to fast)

  • Matt

    I just got all 3 books signed by CP at bath today, so cool.

    • Anonymous

      I am so jealous

      • DragonsAreAwesome

        Me too!!!!!!!!!!

    • Anonymous

      I am so jealous

    • Anonymous

      Awesome! Whats bath tho? lol

      • Arya<3

        a place lol

    • Coasterking

       ive had them all signed for3 years

      • The Green dragon

        Way to make Matt and the other dude feel special.

    • mgb

      same! 🙂

  • Arowen

    OMG! I can’t believe its almost over!! This is really a great book series, its one of my favorites, it may be the favorite book series but Lord of the Rings is really good too. Christopher should feel releived proud and satisfied with everything he has accomplished, by the way I’m jealous of the costume he got to wear. Hope he has another great series coming out or I’ll be mad at him!  

  • Dbkersch

    Christopher should be really proud. He has achieved so much, and to think he was only 15 when he started this. This journey he has taken us on was incredible, and I’m sure book #4 will be just as good or maybe even better than all of his other books. The Inheritance Cycle is defiantly joining Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter as some of my favorite fantasy novels ever.  

    • Perseus

      “Defiantly”? How so?

  • Anonymous

    Christopher is braver than me, I could never walk into my high school or any school wearing a medieval costume!

  • markn12

    Paolini is fantastic. Love his books. If you’re interested in reading a new fantasy author, check out Ross Lawhead’s new book The Realms Thereunder. He’s the son of well-know fantasy author Stephen Lawhead. I would definitely recommend this book. Here’s a link: 

    http://dld.bz/aqJtg

  • markn12

    Paolini is fantastic. Love his books. If you’re interested in reading a new fantasy author, check out Ross Lawhead’s new book The Realms Thereunder. He’s the son of well-know fantasy author Stephen Lawhead. I would definitely recommend this book. Here’s a link: 

    http://dld.bz/aqJtg

  • Rubydragon

    This may be unrelated, but when will the next podcast be out?

    • Coasterking

       think they said saturday i want to know where the big 20 is

      • Sallystar6of7

        i want to know when the next part of the interview will be out.

        • Anonymous

          As soon as they can

        • I want to know when the flu I have will go away so I can actually get out of bed and work.

          • The Green dragon

            I thought that I ha the flu for a while to but then I got tested and it was salmonella so that should be over by this weekend though.

          • Varahil

            Get well soon, then!

          • Kaylee

            Oh, I’m sorry, Mike… That sucks. Speedy recovery! =)

          • Samuel

            Mike I know your sick and all but i have to ask you said that the next part of the interview would come out in September, well it’s October may I ask when will it come out.

            (P.S. get well soon)

          • Sallystar6of7

            hope you get well soon! 🙁

          • Anonymous

            Get well Mike (I know how you feel)

      • Yeah, it’ll most likely be either Saturday or Sunday.

        By the way…4 hosts this week!

        • Irock13198

          ummm, its kinda sunday night

    • Coasterking

       think they said saturday i want to know where the big 20 is

    • Anonymous

      As soon as they can

  • daniel

    the eye colour.. solembum?  his first answer was  ‘he can shapeshift from a cat into a human, dont you think he can change his eye colour?’ i wonder what b4 has got to say

  • hoke

    so i had a dream last night that i was chillin with Eragon and Saphira and we met a very familiar foe.. Durza!! but he was more of a trickster and not evil since he came back. in my dream i realized that durza would be the shade who takes part in book 4

  • iLoveDragons

    This is really unrelated but I am watching this video on my birthday. 😀

    • Sallystar6

      happy b-day!

      • iLoveDragons

        Thanks. 🙂

      • iLoveDragons

        Thanks. 🙂

      • iLoveDragons

        Thanks. 🙂

    • Anonymous

      Yeah, Happy Birthday!!

      • iLoveDragons

        Thank you! 

      • iLoveDragons

        Thank you! 

  • Arya<3

    so theres a main climactic scene in book 4… lol

    • StillWaiting

      goddamn
      i never would have guessed

      • bigmike

        Please dont use that word on here. Some people find it insulting when someone uses that name in profanity.

        • XxxX

          Most people find it absolutely hilarious…..:P
          Trololololol

          • Perseus

            Load of bull.

    • StillWaiting

      goddamn
      i never would have guessed

    • Coasterking

      i never would have gused if he did not say anything 😛
       

  • DragonsAreAwesome

    OMG.  He looked so young!!  Loved the pictures.  I wish I could meet him in person.  🙂

  • trumanwest

    wow. id really like to see those files…

  • trumanwest

    wow. id really like to see those files…

  • trumanwest

    wow. id really like to see those files…

  • Irock13198

    did you record the podcast yet?

  • bromandsaphira

    wow…that was so inspiring for me, as a teenager who has written a fantasy novel that I want to publish someday, and as a reader and teenager and general. Christopher is just so amazing, and I love to hear him talk about his writing I hope I can meet him someday, or at least have a conversation with him. Can’t wait for Inheritance and the “big climactic scene at the end” aah, so amazing 🙂

    • Anonymous

      Same for me, I’m in the process of writing a fantasy story but what surprised me was he went to High schools and talked about it. I could never even let my friends read what i write never mind total strangers, especially teenage ones. Waaay to scary.

      • Anonymous

        You have to let people read it, if you really want to get published. I’ve written two novels so far in my series. One of the best ways to improve your work (because it always needs improving) is by letting people read. That’s the whole point of writing, after all. You get so much invaluable advice and feedback. Your friends will look at your work in a different light to how you see it, which in turn will have an affect on your writing, and who knows, they might even really enjoy it and demand more! If they don’t like it or they laugh at it, it’s their loss, and you can always make it better. It’s your universe. Keep it up.

        • bromandsaphira

          good point George_7. I am on a writing support group website and all the people who read my work really help improve my writing. Although I would be scared to go to highschools like Christopher did…:)

        • bromandsaphira

          good point George_7. I am on a writing support group website and all the people who read my work really help improve my writing. Although I would be scared to go to highschools like Christopher did…:)

        • bromandsaphira

          good point George_7. I am on a writing support group website and all the people who read my work really help improve my writing. Although I would be scared to go to highschools like Christopher did…:)

          • Anonymous

            That’s cool 🙂 Yeah, I suppose it would be pretty nerve wracking going in front of all those kids in strange clothing, and fair play to Christopher for doing it. If it’s for the sake of your art, then a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do!

      • Perseus

        I’ve been writing the same story for almost two years, world-building and…slacking off.  It’s fantasy, and the first of seven books.  I’ve come up with lots of back-story though, but my advice to all you out there writing?  Don’t slack off.  You’ll regret it.

        BY THE WAY THE SON OF NEPTUNE COMES OUT OCTOBER 4TH 2011!

      • Perseus

        I’ve been writing the same story for almost two years, world-building and…slacking off.  It’s fantasy, and the first of seven books.  I’ve come up with lots of back-story though, but my advice to all you out there writing?  Don’t slack off.  You’ll regret it.

        BY THE WAY THE SON OF NEPTUNE COMES OUT OCTOBER 4TH 2011!

  • Anonymous

    That made me so happy 😀 I want to meet Christopher so badly! He seems like an amazing person! I want to thank him for taking the time to write my favorite books xD

    • Ebrithil

      Same here. I can’t wait to meet him December 1st!

      • Anonymous

        I’m so jealous! I wish I could meet him 🙁

    • Andrea

      So do I. He seems like someone you can talk with for hours without getting bored:)

      • Anonymous

        Agreed! I bet he would have so many great stories to tell 🙂

      • Coasterking

        he is

  • Coasterking

    that was very intersting

  • ItsEminem

    I might be wrong; but I thought Chris’s parents own Random House. Or do they own a different publishing company?

    • Christopher’s parents do not own Random House, nor do they own a publishing company. Eragon was originally published through the family’s small business, Paolini LLC, but it was not a publishing house (nor is it now).

      • ItsEminem

        Oh right, I wasn’t sure, I read it somewhere a long time ago and it left me confused.

      • Samuel

        Hey mike is this part 2 of the interview if not when is it comin, also i think i read in an interview that he said tha there was a part with a soldier in book 4 that got edited out he said thet it might be in a somthing version of the book what version was that.(please mind my spelling)

      • Samuel

        Hey mike is this part 2 of the interview if not when is it comin, also i think i read in an interview that he said tha there was a part with a soldier in book 4 that got edited out he said thet it might be in a somthing version of the book what version was that.(please mind my spelling)

  • Dlmarvin05

    Finally got to watch and I must say it was very enlightening! He grew up in such a beautiful place it would be hard not to get inspired by it. The way him and his family promoted the books was pretty incredible. Question though, the version of Eragon that he had from back when they were self-publishing, the one with the eye of the dragon. Can you still get those? I’m assuming there aren’t a lot of them but I liked that cover quite a bit.

    • Dlmarvin05

      by the way, if anyone has problems loading just refresh the page a few times and it comes up eventually 😀

      • Jwelde

        Well, only 1500 of them were made. If you want a pristine copy, it’s gonna cost anywhere from $600-2000. However, I just recently bought one online for only $95! It’s old, beat up, and has library markings on it, but it should be awesome to read the original story before the massive editing to publish it with Random House. I heard it’s about 20,000 more words.

  • Its funny, it took me fifteen minutes to watch this video. My stupid phone isnt working right lol. Its cool that he is addressing the eye color thing, I wonder if he will address the missed payment of Hoarst in Brisngr I pointed out to him too. This was a great vid, I really feel him on the difficulty of self promoting a book. It is far more difficult to get into a highschool in California to speak to students. I wonder when they will release the video of the questions they will ask him today from yesterdays facebook post.

    • Me

      He said in an interview that he just forgot to put Horst’s payment in there. 

      • I know that because I originally pointed it out to him in a week long discussion held online by random house. I just want to see if he wrote it in too. I never noticed the difference in solembum’s eyes until I read it in a post a while back. I just think its cool that he is addressing it.

        • Me

          Ah yes. I missed your point cause I hadn’t gotten the interview to load yet 😛 I get it now.

    • Me

      He said in an interview that he just forgot to put Horst’s payment in there. 

    • Lil Uhura

      Interesting catch about Solembum’s eyes. I missed that until I read your post and started thinking about it.  I can’t wait until I read about the explanation for the color change.

  • Dlmarvin05

    it wont let me watch! it says “Http/1.1 Service Unavailable” :/
    I have all the newest flashes and javas and everything so Im sad 🙁

    • I think Youtube is having some problems today.

      • Dlmarvin05

        I think so too, I finally got it (and the song I was listening to on youtube) to work I had to refresh a bunch of times though. Hopefully they fix it soon!!

  • JonCypher

    Wow, crazy to see how simple it started from Eragon, to the fan based it has now. Its unbelievable, seems like this doesn’t always happens with books. 

  • Josch13

    NICE! can’t wait for book 4 😀

  • the one and only

    veary COOL

  • That’s an impressive afro in the video thumbnail.

    • Anonymous

      hey mike brill video,wat gorgeous scenery!! n yes a very impressive afro,was that the second part of the interview or is there more to come,if so how ,ong do u think

    • JonCypher

      IT IS!! Crazy how young he looks too. 

    • Leon Trotsky Trout

       does anybody else think that girl’s head looks like it’s growing out of the blonde dude’s shoulder? weird.