CHAT
TRANSCRIPT
Mike Stackpole
February 13, 1999
Organized by Robin Radez
Hosted by Echo Station at www.echostation.com
Well, here's the transcript from the Mike Stackpole chat...it's a bit long since Mike was gracious enough to hang out for about an hour after the moderated question and answer session ended...thanks, Mike!
Session Start: Sat Feb 13 19:23:02 1999
<Sabrina> okay everyone, our guest of honor is here! Welcome Mike! :)
<Rob> welcome :)
<Stackpole> Hi, glad to be here.
<PB> Hi Mike :)
<Rob> thanks for coming tonight :)
<Sabrina> the question lines are now open. Please message myself PB Fish or Rob with your q's
<Stackpole> Well, I really appreciate your rescheduling after I screwed up so badly last time.
<Rob> from Wayne> Are you planning on continuing any Wraith story lines in Isard's Revenge?
<Stackpole> Lucasfilm doesn't allow me to comment on specific content in the forthcoming novels, but i was aware of the ending of the Wraith books and did stay within continuity.
<PB> Is there a chance of you and Aaron doing a short story similar to Side Trip with Zahn, featuring both the Rogues and the Wraiths? <from Jevon>
<Stackpole> That's a good question. There is always of chance of that, but we've not done it yet. TIM and I just finished another collaboration for the Tales of the Rebellion anthology comingout in August, however. I would love to work with Aaron, since we're old friends and we've worked togehter in the past.
<Sabrina> Various sources are reporting out of Del Rey that you have been signed to write three paperbacks for tentative release in Mid 2000, what can you tell us about these projects?
<Stackpole> Um, I don't actually know what I can say
officially about them. Those reports are substantially accurate, and LFL has a pproved
three titles.
Beyond that, I don't know. And I"m not being cagey here -- I've been talking
with Del Rey since about this time last year and have never been given a go-ahead to
mention the project to anyone.
<Rob> from Xekk> Stackpole: "What gave you the idea to write I,Jedi?"
<Stackpole> I, JEDI was a book that I just felt needed to be written. I really didn't think that we had, aside from the DARK EMPIRE series, a story in which we got to see a Jedi struggling and exploring the force. I would have preferred to write it about Luke, but Dark Empire got there first. That left me Corran to write it about. Using first person really let me get into his skin and show what it was like to use the Force. Once that original idea was down, the rest of it just seemed to flow.
<PB> Based on the reports of the upcoming three books, will they feature the Rogues/Wraiths? <from Majordomo>
<Stackpole> Again, LFL won't let me comment on specific content, but I would find it very difficult to write a Star Wars novel in which I did not involve the Rogues in come capacity or other.
<Fish> From <Ketch_Rancor_Rep> Where does mike plan on going after he is done with the X-Wing series, or is he going to continue the X-wing series still?
<Stackpole> Del Rey's taking over of the Star Wars line from Bantam means a change in how the series will be approached. I think the change will be a very exciting one. Unfortunately it means there will not be any X-wing books per se, but you will see involvement of X-wing pilots in the stories.
<Sabrina> Sorry if it's been asked, but how do you feel of Aaron's killing of Tal'dira and putting in Donos? Did it effect Isard's Revenge in any way(Besides the obvious...)?<Vincent_16>
<Stackpole> Aaron and I tallked about Tal'dira's death, and what would happen with Myn before I ever started Isard's Revenge, so taking those things into account was no problem. Aaron cleared with me the things he did with characters I was using and I was glad to get his input on the roster. I like what Aaron did with his books and have enjoyed them very much, so working his material in was a lot o fun.
<PB> How do you feel about Lucas Licensing's idea to go back to Hobbie being called Klivian again? <from Jevon>
<Stackpole> Hey, that's the way it was in the beginning, I screwed it up, no one caught it, so we go back to the way it was supposed to be. Clearly lousy record keeping on the Rebellion's part,b ut it's been cleared up. No problem.
<Rob> from Xekk> Are you planning on writing any books with Corran Horn as the main character in the future?"
<Stackpole> As with the Rogue Squadron pilots, it would be tough for me not to include Corran in future projects. I do not think, however, you will see an I, JEDI-type focused book on Corran in the near future. After that, I don't know. It will depend on what Del Rey wants to do.
<Sabrina> How much time does all this writing take, between the Star Wars titles, Battletech, and your own novels? (Per day?) Do you focus on one thing at a time or is it all together at once?<Simon>
<Stackpole> A novel takes about 200 hours, and a chapter a day is a good pace I can keep up without hurting myself. I tend to try to work on one thing at a time, but there are times I'm forced to double up. That's tough, but I can do it. As it is, I have no other job, so writing is my focus.
<Fish> From <Wayne> How much collaboration was there between you and KJA in I, Jedi? What did he contribute?
<Stackpole> I called Kevin and asked him if the Exar Kun temple was used in anything after the JAtril. he said no. That was it for active collaboration. I did have towork my story in an out of his books, though, so I did rely on a lot of his material for the front half of the book.
<PB> Will we see alot more from Soontir Fel? <from Hobbie>
<Stackpole> I do recall getting letters from some folks, before IJ came out, that were horrified because, at a convention, Kevin said he'd helped me with plot points. The temple was the only thing he helped with. More of Fel? Gosh, I hope so. I really like that character. There are a number of projects I'd like to use him in, but all are in planning stages waiting for publishing slots.
<Rob> *Xekk* Do you have names for Corran's future offspring? Do you plan on writting any books involving Corran's offspring?
<Stackpole> Corran's son is named Valin, and I think he'll have a daughter named Jysella,but I'm not sure about that. Anyway I don't see any stories in the immediate future that feature them, though they likely will be mentioned in passing here and there.
<Sabrina> And very related to that: Is there any chance of you doing another stand alone book, along the lines of I Jedi, telling more about Corran Horn? <Ravage>
<Stackpole> As I noted before, there are no plans for a stand-alone Corran book like I, Jedi. Perhaps, down the line, if Del Rey likes what I do and everyone demands it.
<Fish> From <Vincent_Starre> In all Star Wars Books, Movies, ect (Aside from the Games) We've always seen a Rebel- Evil Empire, perspective. What are the chances of a Book being written from a Primarily Imperial Perspective?
<Stackpole> My guess is that the chances of that are slender. I think Lucasfilm views the Empire as evil and is not terribly eager to produce work that could be seen as glorifying evil.
<PB> Do you have any plans for writing prequel novels featuring Corran's grandfather in the Jedi days of the Republic? <from Jevon>
<Stackpole> No one has asked about prequel novels from me. I'd not be averse to doing them and featuring Corran's grandfather, but I'd have to have an invitation to do that first.
<Rob> from absentia> Will we be seeing an "X-Wing" miniseries coming soon that would be picking up some of the plot threads left over from issues #1 through 35 of the "X-Wing" ongoing series?
<Stackpole> There's no plans in the immediate future for an X-wing mini-series, but Tim Zahn and I have been working on a proposal for a Thrawn/Fel mini-series for Dark Horse that would pick up someof those threads. That's all in a pre-official planning stage at this point. One of the things everyone needs to understand is that Dark Horse and Del Rey have a limited number of production slots for Star Wars related projects. While there could be a lot of demand for a Corran novel, or more X-wing comics, they have to look at maximizing the appeal for projects instead of pitching them at a niche of fandom. I personally do not think that the Star Wars fandom and their desire for an expandinguniverse is well enough understood by some of the decision makers, which is why feedback from you, the fans, is important inshaping what will be seen in the future.
<Fish> From <Winter> Were you trying to illude in "I, Jedi" that one of the Jedi's Corrans grandfather was fighting with was Obi-Wan?
<Stackpole> You mean fighting along side, right? :) You could certainly read Obi-wan into that scene. When I was writing the book none of us knew if Obi-wan would be available in that time frame to be there,so I was allowed to write that scene in a way that one could read it as Obi-wan. If it turns out that new films overrule that possibility, well, clearly that wasn't him. :)
<Sabrina> How long will you keep writing Rogue squadron books?<movitz>
<Stackpole> I'm done. I turned in Isard's Revenge a week and a half ago, so my involvement with the X-wing line is essentially over.
<PB> Stackpole: Have you heard of the Holocaust of Endor? (aka ... the Deasth Star 2 pieces falling planetside and causing planetwide destruction) ... do you believe that such thing occured after ROTJ? Would you include that in any of your books? <from AvgJoe>
<Stackpole> I've heard of the Endor Holocaust theory and the fact is that it's not official from LFL, it's not reflected in the books that have visited Endor after the last film, so I don't have to account for it and have not.
<Rob> from BLuk> Question for Stackpole: How successful have the X-Wing books been compared to the other SW novels from Bantam considering they are focusing on a group of pilots and not Luke, Han, and Leia?
<Stackpole> I don't have all the numbers, but last time I checked, the X-wing books were running about 100,000 units behind the mainstream SW novels. That said, however, EVERY X-wing novel has hit the New York Times bestseller list, which can't be said of all the mainstream novels.
<Sabrina> How do you go about selecting character names? (ie, Valin/Jysella?)<artemis>
<Stackpole> Name selection is more of an art than a science. For alien names in SW I tend to look at what others of that species are called and make something up that's close. For humans the process is similar. I do try to avoid having major characters with the same first initial since folks tend to read a name only as far as they need to before moving to the next word. Having unique first initials means folks can read faster.
<Fish> From <Vincent_16> How did you convince LFL/Bantam/and whoever else you needed to on how Hobbie and Wes would return to Rogue Squad(They were in "The Last Command")
<Stackpole> Well, because they were present in the thrawn books, we knew they'd have to return. I was more worried about getting them out and said that I needed them gone so I could bring in more pilots who could potentially die. LFL and Bantam were sympathetic to that point.
<PB> Do you have any tips for a writer, in terms of thinking out plot, character personalities/descriptions/names, etc? <from Vincent_16>
<Stackpole> Um, sure, I have lots of tips but we've only got, what, all night here?
<Sabrina> hehe
* PB giggles.
<Rob> <g>
<Stackpole> The best thing for an author to do is to read other authors critically. What I mean by that is this: look at what you're reading, pick out what you like and don't like about what the author is writing. Learn how to do the stuff you like, learn why you don't like the others tuff, and figure out how to fix it. There is no magic formula to being a writer, but there is one huge secret: you have to write. Anyone can listen to writers and read all these "how to write" books,but if you don't write and don't revise, you'll never be a writer.
<Rob> from absentia> How do you feel about the "new" Rogue Squadron (flying in B-Wings, etc.) that debuted in the first "Crimson Empire" comics miniseries?
<Stackpole> Clearly a momentary anomaly.
<Sabrina> This one will probably make the LFL implant itch a bit, but: Will we see any more character development of Ooryl in Isard's Revenge, he's one of my favorites.<Ravage>
<Stackpole> OOOOWWWW!!!! Sorry, let me stop the bleeding here for a sec.
<PB> lol
<Sabrina> bleeding!!!
* Sabrina hands Mike some gauze...wow, didnt think theyd turned up the power setting on ya
<Stackpole> Ooryl is in the book and does some cool stuff, but his development arc pretty much ran through the first four X-wing novels. I had to bring some other characters along in that novel, so Ooryl didn't get as much page time as he might have otherwise. Ooryl is a fav of mine, too, by the way.
<Fish> From <BLuk> How do you feel about Rogue Squadron the PC/N64 game? Have you played it, and if so, any comments?
<Stackpole> No comments. I've not played it and didnt have anything to do with it. I don't have an N-64 unit and have enough work stacked up that I couldn't be playing if I did.
<PB> "This is completely off-topic ATM, but what is your favourite Imp starfighter?" <from Majordomo>
<Stackpole> I think the TIE Defender is pretty spiffy myself.
<Rob> from Xekk> Will you be touring anytime soon?
<Stackpole> Touring, as in a signing tour? Nope. I will be going to Australia for Force Three, their convention this summer in Melbourne. As for the fanfest in May in Colorado, I'm not planning to be there either. To the best of my knowledge none of the book authors have been contacted about attending that gathering. I do attend conventions regularly, though, and tend to hit any portion of the USA at least once every 3 years or so. And I always hit Gencon in Milwaukee in August -- and usually run writing semimars there.
<Sabrina> Given the roller coaster of release dates that plagued Solo Command, will Isard's Revenge be released on time, as far as you know?
<Stackpole> To the best of my knowledge IR will be out in April/May. I expect all ofyou to buy it and hold it up for the cameras panning the lines of folks waiting for Episode I. :)
<Fish> From <Simon> Any chance that you'll do a personal cameo in the X-wing or later books, a la "Gus Michaels" in the Blood of Kerensky trilogy?
<Stackpole> Good question. Nope, I won't appear in any SW novel. The Gus Michaels thing in BattleTech came because of the original "About the Author" bits in the first three novels I did for them. Didn't have that luxury/problem with the Star Wars books, though.
<PB> A lot of fans, myself included, would love to see some stories pre-Jedi about Red/Rogue Squadron. How big are the chances of something like this happening anytime soon? <from Jevon>
<Stackpole> I believe there are chances for such projects, but they would likely be in comic form. None are scheudled for the moment to my knowledge, however.
<Rob> from Winter> Have you ever considered writing a novel telling the staory about Tycho concerning his capture, imprisonment, and escape from Imperials prior to the tame "Rogue Squadron" takes place?
<Stackpole> That's one piece of a story that a lot of folks want to see. I'd be happy to tell it, if I had the chance AND (big if here) I actually could come up with something good. As it is, the story is pretty straight forward: he goes, he gets captured, he escapes. If Icame up with something cooler (maybe with more of a romance with Winter tossed in) I think it would be fun to do. Still focusing on Tycho, who is a secondary character ina secondary line in one half of the universe is going to be a tough project to get approved.
<Sabrina> Slightly related to a previous q: Will you be at I-Con on LI, NY, and if so, would you sign stuff there?<Jenn>
<Stackpole> YES, I will be at Icon in April and I will be very happy to sign material there. I'm always happy to sign things at conventions -- that's part of the reason Igo to them.
<Fish> From <Ketch_Rancor_Rep> do you ever get confused writing the Star Wars titles, Battletech, and your own novels at once?
<Stackpole> Nope, I'm pretty good at compartmentalizing stuff like that. Each book, each area has distinct characters that lock me into that world.
<PB> Do most of the story ideas originate from the writers? how much of it is the publisher "meeting popular demand?" <from Simon>
<Stackpole> Popular demand determines directions the publishers are wiling to look at, but the story ideas come from the authors. No one has told me what I will write, but they have asked me to think about exploring various areas. With the Rogue books, for example, all they said was we want fighter pilot stories, a linked series of books that stand alone, and it has to be post-Jedi. I supplied the rest.
<Rob> from me, of all people> i assume you've seen the acknowledgements of Solo Command...any plans to meet that in IR? and what do you think of it?
<Stackpole> The acknoweldgements? I did know how it ended and worked with it in IR, if that' what yo mean.
<Rob> well, the acknowledgements page up in front
<Rob> the netizens of alt.fan.wedge, ......
<Stackpole> Ah, okay, I get it. Don't mind me... Actually, I did my piece for the AFWers in the last X-wing comic set when I brought in the "Wedge for President" campaign. I did take the liberty in IR to address, in passing, some issues that folks have raised on thenet and in letters, however.
<Sabrina> Is there any chance of a signing somewhere up here in Canada? <Ravage, among others <G>>
<Stackpole> The closest I'm likely to get to Canada this year is Vermont, next September. Publishers don't fund signing tours very often for a writer of my level, and stores and I really can't afford to fly me places.
<Sabrina> Vermont: only about a 9 hour drive or so <G>
<Stackpole> If there is a local convention and they bring me in as a guest, that's another kettle of fish. I do attend conventions as time allows. Basically, though, I have a choice: I can travel a lot, or I can stay home and write, and the latter pays the bills. :)
<Fish> From <Ketch_Rancor_Rep> what is/was your favourite character to create and write about?
<Rob> 6 hours for me ;)
<Stackpole> Sabria: you're in Ottawa?
<Sabrina> Toronto actually
<Stackpole> Okay. I've done the Vermont to Ottawa buss trip and thought it took that long.
<Sabrina> but we've done the Toronto - Vermont trip once already...wasnt that bad
<Stackpole> My favorite character to create and write about. Tough call, that. I"m partial to Corran and Tycho, and Gavin and Ooryl, but Wedge was probably the toughest assignment and the one I enededup enjoying so so much rode on getting it right.
<PB> what was the most fun/hillarious thing you've ever writen? <Ketch_Rancor_Rep>
<Stackpole> Ah, the most funny thing I've ever written was my portion of the FOREVER AFTER project which Roger Zelazny put together before he died. It's still available and I heartily recommend it. In the Star Wars work, I think the funnies thing was Corran's panic after the Hutt incident in I, JEDI.
<Rob> from Xekk> Q: What is your fav rebel starfighter? Besides that, do you have a certain liking for any of the other ships in the SW universe?
<Stackpole> I'm partial to the X-wing, actually. It's a good all-around fighter. Other than that my favorite ship inthe universe is the Errant Venture.
<Sabrina> Do you ever read your books when you have the novels?<Vincent_16>
<Stackpole> From time to time I will read over the novels in final form. You have to understand, though, that by the time a book comes out, I've read it over at least four times inside a year to six months and I DO know how it turns out. :) If time allows I will reread a novel, but mostly I read it in bits as I'm working onnew things.
<Fish> From <BLuk> Has George Lucas read your material or have you met him? If so, did you gain any additional insight into the SW universe?
<Stackpole> I don't know if he's read my stuff and I've not met him. I did pass within 2 feet of him on day at Skywalker Ranch, but he was having a lunch meeting so I was not introduced.
<PB> For Mike: Assuming Del Rey asks you to write a series of novels set in the Prequels similar to the Xwing series (starfighter/campaign feel), what would your reaction and thoughts be? <from MCalamari>
<Stackpole> I'd certainly consider the assignment very strongly, but it would depend on whether or not I could fit it into my schedule. I know that sounds odd especially to folks who would likely carve out a kidney to have such an opportunity. While I love the Star Wars universe and love writing in it... I also have a career to manage. I have to balance working in other folks' universes and my own. If I can continue to do that, I'll do the work that's offered to me. If I can't, I'll side in favor of my own work in my own universes.
<PB> Do you have X-wing vs TIE fighter? If not, could you go get it and play on the Zone ( http://www.zone.com )? I'd *reallly* like to vape the author of the X-wing books. <from Vincent_16>
* PB giggles.
<Stackpole> Unfortunately XvT has not come out on the Mac, so I don't have it and you can't vape me.
<PB> lol
<Stackpole> then again, IF I were to get it, do you actually think I'd put myself in a position to be vaped? Geez, I'd practice up so I could smoke anyone, or never acknowledge I had the game. :)
<Rob> heh
<Rob> from absentia> Will we ever learn the fate of Leonia Tavira from "I, Jedi"? Or is she still wandering the spaceways with pirates?
<Stackpole> She's out there playing around. I left that end dangling in case we wanted to pick it up for a comic series and finish her off in the medium where she was born.
<Sabrina> Any possibility of more Rogue-themed merchandise popping up? [What kind of Rogue/Wraith Merch. would you like to see?]<Simon> (ie, patches, T-shirts, bumper stickers, caleanders <EG> etc)
<Rob> well, bumper stickers have sorta been done already ;)
<Rob> just thought i'd point that out
<Sabrina> well, yeah, but im talking about licenced by LFL ones <G>
<Stackpole> That's a good question. I've only heard of the leather flight jacket taht neiman-Marcus did. The SW fan club had the leftovers and I bought one. That would be up to LFL, though. Suggest it.
<PB> Since you're known for your continuity patching, would there be a chance of you using the Rogues to stop the Endor Holocaust, which might introduce them to Isard and jump into the comics? <from Jevon>
<Stackpole> Again, since the Endor Holocaust is not official canon according to LFL, I can't touch it.
<PB> What got you into the Star Wars writing, was it a previous love for Star Wars? <from Ketch_Rancor_Rep>
<Stackpole> Oh, the love for Star Wars was there, definitely. what got me in was my having a contract for other books (including ONCE A HERO) with bantam, and Bantam needing someone who could write military SF. I had told my editor that I would love to write a Star Wars novel and she up and gave me four. :) I guess I oversold myself, huh?
<Rob> from Xekk> In I, Jedi Corran has a relatives lightsaber, which is silver. When he later makes a new one, it is also silver. Did you have a reason for making both sabers silver?
<Stackpole> Um, I like the color silver. I wish I could say it was some subtle hint at the Lone Ranger and his silver bullets, or the mystical power of silver being able to slay all sortsof magical beasts... but the fact is I just like silver. :) And no one else had silver, so there you go.
<PB> for Mike: So, do you have TIE Fighter and/or X-Wing? Which do you prefer? (I'm a TIE nut...) <from Majordomo>
<Stackpole> I have both games and I think TF is a better game from the design standpoint. I like both of them, though, and tend only to play when I'm working on a book and need the feel of flying.
<Sabrina> ok, time for one from me: Ive noticed that wolf imagery is very pronounced in alot of your non-SW work, especially Eyes of Silver and of course, your Btech works, why is this?
<Stackpole> Well, I wish I could say it was something about the mystical nature of wolves...:) Actually, I'm a dog person and find wolf/dog iconography very strong. In the FiddleBack trilogy one of my heroes is called Coyote...
<Sabrina> ah..have yet to read those
<Stackpole> And in Wolf and Raven one of my characters thinks he's a werewolf. All of this likely stems from the fact that I'm violently allergic to cats.
<Fish> Just out of curiousity, what type of joystick do you use when playing X-Wing or TIE?
<Stackpole> Ah, I wish I knew. I think I have a Thrustmaster on tehre now, but I've burned through four joysticks over the years.
<PB> I'm not sure if this has been asked yet but... "How do you feel about the way Tim Zahn ended the Batam (sp?) arc of the books?" <from Bethannee>
<Stackpole> I thought Tim did a great job ending the arc. I very much enjoyed the Hand of Thrawn novels. Was there something more specific you wanted commented on?
<Rob> from absentia> Any chance of you collaborating with Tim Zahn on ANY project, comics or novels, in the future, including Star Wars? Maybe a sequel to your "Mara Jade" comic book miniseries, which I enjoyed immensely?
<Stackpole> Aside from the Thrawn/Fel comic project (which has not been approved or even sbumitted at this stage) and our collaboration that will be in Tales of the Rebellion (August/Bantam) nope.
<Sabrina> Do you have a personal theory on how Wedge got involved w/the rebellion &/or his early years and does it affect how you write him. (We'd ask you what that theory is, but I think We've inflamed the LFL implant enough for one day)<Tyria>
<Stackpole> Actually the officials bios of Wedge suggest that he was trying to make an honest buck shipping things, found he coudln't, ran some cargoes for the Rebs and joined them after that. I've not thought much more deeply about his coming over beyond that, but there's probably a story there to be told. :) anyway, that explanation works fine for me, and seems to be in keeping with the sort of man he is: honest, loyal, dedicated and, able
<Sabrina> Do you like writing over force users or non-force users in the SW universe? Do either seem more favorable when thinking up a character?<AvgJoe>
<Stackpole> I really have no preference one way or the other. I like non-Force users because they're just plain folks working hard. Force users can be fun because they come with their own set of problems to deal with. I think the mix of one Force sensitive to the dozen is about right for me, too.
<PB> what do you think about me featuring you on my Star Wars site? <from Ketch_Rancor_Rep>
<Stackpole> I"m flattered, of course. the depth of response to the novels has really be overwhelming.
<Rob> from BLuk> How do you feel about the Prequels being the 'last' trilogy as George Lucas has stated in various interviews? Will this have an impact on future books considering now it is a 'fact' that you (writers) are etching in stone pretty much what happens after the original trilogy?
<Stackpole> Star Wars is Mr. Lucas' baby and I think whatever he wants to do with it is wonderful. I am in awe of his talent. If what we're writing is let stand, great. If he decides to come back and do more that invalidates the lot of it, that's cool, too. I'll just be happy for the chance to have played there while I could.
<Sabrina> Will you sign material sent to you in the mail with return postage and package?<RogueWraith>
<Stackpole> yes, i will. My web page has instructions on where to send things. It takes a little while to get it back, since I hit the box about once a month, but it will make it back eventually. :)
<PB> Greetings, Mr. Stackpole. This migth sound silly, but in TIE Fighter which is your favorite craft? <from {SWEN}_Chip>
<Stackpole> I like the TIE Defender. I also like flying the squint.
<Rob> from Xekk> What is your fav alien species?
<Sabrina> *****Just as a followup to that question, Mike's homepage is http://www.flyingbuffalo.com/stackpol.htm
<Stackpole> Sabrina, thanks.
<Sabrina> anytime :)
<Rob> heh
<Stackpole> My favorite alien species? Hmmm. I like the Gand a lot because I got to develop them. I also am partial to the Quarren, but for reasons I can't fathom.
<Sabrina> I know Mike has mentioned he at one time wanted to be a history teacher. Is there a historic era that particularly influences his storylines for SWU?<RogueWraith>
<Stackpole> Nope, not really. I think all that I
learned about history just kind of boils around in my brain in this great stew of politics
and stuff, and I ladle it out as needed. You get to see a lot of political stuff in my
BattleTech novels, too, but nothing is based ona particular era. The reason for that is
simple: any idiot can copy history, change the names, and deliver it as a story, but
where's the challenge in that? It doesn't take any understanding or hard work. I'd prefer
to boil things down to where I understand the connections, then build them back up as
appropriate for the unvierse I'm working in.
http://www.kombo.com/irc/dakiller.exe }= ()
<PB> What would Cesi 'Doc' Eirriss' name in real-Twi'lek form be (ie Nawara Ven - Nawar'aven)? <from Jevon>
<Stackpole> Good question. I don't know. Maybe Cesieirr'Iss. Never gave it a thought before.
<Rob> from Vincent_Starre> Do you expect that any of the Mains (Luke, Leia, Han, ect) Will ever die? Or will everyone just neatly jump back to making prequels once all time slots for the next 80 years have been filled?
<Stackpole> Good question. I know I've not been asked to kill any of them, and Ithink I'd blanche if I were. I guess it will depend on how far into the future we can push things.
<Sabrina> What's the difference between Ooryl and Zuckuus. THere are both gand, howcome Ooryl can breathe normally but Zuckuss needs the helmet? <Ravage, who apologizes for that incident with the LFL implant on his last question>
<Stackpole> The Gand race difference is explained in Alien Encounters, a West End Games project. Suffice it to say... They are of different evolutionary branches that have made different demands on them, which is why one breathes and the other does not, etc.
<Fish> From <SWEN_JediZ> of all your books which was your favorite to write
<Stackpole> Hmmm, probably Once A Hero or Talion: Revenant. The X-wing books were the msot fun to do as a SET. And I did enjoy the heck out of writing I, JEDI.
<PB> For Mike: What are your thoughts on Ewoks? ;) <from Majordomo>
<Stackpole> Well, with fresh pepper and sauteed with garlic and scallions....
<PB> lol
<Stackpole> Ah, I tend not to think too much about Ewoks, actually.
<Rob> <bg>
<PB> My feelings exactly!
Rob> from absentia> Have you and Aaron Allston talked about ideas or plot threads that might get picked up in his upcoming X-Wing book "Starfighters of Adumar", since it involves Rogue Squadron?
<Stackpole> Yes we have. I think you will all enjoy that book very much.
<Sabrina> Sort of related: Will you include any of Aaron's humor in IR now that Wes is back with the Rogues? <Jenn>
<Stackpole> Oh, I think you will see that I picked up on Aaron's running gags pretty easily, yes.
<Fish> From <Simon> One of the letters in Mara Jade #6 asked if there was a chance that Dark Horse would do a BattleTech comic based on Mike's work. Is there any chance of that at all from FASA? (Considering how the last BT comic turned out...)
<Stackpole> I've not heard any plans for a comic based in BattleTech. I know FASA would love to do such a project. I think if there was enough mail from readers that Dark Horse could be talked into it.
<PB> what is your favourite passtime? <from Ketch_Rancor_Rep>
<Stackpole> Well, I play soccer on Sundays (8 am tomorrow morning, yuck), and read and watch TV. I also ride my bike and go to the gym to work out. Mostly I vegg in front of the TV when I'm done working, or read.
<PB> And Ketch says that your comment about the Ewoks was funny since his name is of an Ewok.
<Stackpole> Glad he has a sense of humor. An angry Ewok is not a nice thing to behold.
<PB> I know...my backyard is full of 'em.
<Rob> from Vincent_Starre> Will any more books, to your knowledge, feature 'Moon-Sized Ore-Processing Plants'? :) (aka: Death Stars, sofar we've seen 4..that I Know of)
<Stackpole> I couldn't tell you if I knew, but Ido know you won't see them from me.
<Sabrina> <{SWEN}_Chip> I dont know if this is proper to ask, but do you think that there will be 9 Star Wars movies in the end???
<PB> from: <Ketch_Rancor_Rep> Thank you Mike and if you want to see my site featuring you, the spot lite on you will be up in two days at http://fly.to/RancorPit
<Stackpole> From what I understand, six will be it, not nine. Ketch, thanks.
<Rob> from a chat with KJA, we've heard he was climbing a mountain when he got some inspiration for his books, where do you get your inspiration?
<Stackpole> Usually in the shower, or some other place where Ican't write itdown immediately.
<Rob> heh
<Sabrina> LOL
<PB> lol
<Stackpole> Actually, I take inspiration where it comes. Just rolling ideas around in my head tends to produce results, so sometimes I'll head out on the bike, or think about it after lifting weights, etc. Something about physical activity that frees up the brain, I guess.
<Fish> <SWEN_JediZ> Mr. Stackpole, Do you do alot of "net-surfing"
<Stackpole> I net-surf a little, but not over much. Since my workday consists of staring at this monitor for long periods oftime, sitting here to recreate is not high on my agenda.
<PB> To Mike: If you had to make a lightsaber (er, you just had to, okay?) what colour and/or style would it be? <g> <from Nert>
<Stackpole> Oh, I think I'd have one that looked very much like Corran's from I, JEDI -- sans the extension technology, given its trickiness. :)
<Sabrina> if you could be in the SW universe, who would you be? <Iella_Wessiri>
<Stackpole> Tough call. I think I'd be some flunky working with Karrde, probably.
<Sabrina> :)
<Stackpole> I'd love to be a Jedi, but I think the chances of that would be slim. Maybe I'd like to be corran's grandfatehr, Nejaa, save for how he ends up. I'd rewrite that ending.
<Rob> OK everybody, we're about to close the question lines, so please message Fish, me, or Sabrina with questions.
<Rob> from Jademan> How many times a year do you get together with other SW writers?
<Stackpole> Depends on the writer. I see Tim Zahn once or twice a year. The others maybe once a year. Depends if we're at conventions together. I am looking forward to hanging with Tim and his family in Australia. That will be a hoot. Hmmm, need to check of there is an extradition treaty with Australia...
<Sabrina> And our last q of this wonderful night: did you ever drink blue milk?[er ok....]<Iella_Wessiri>
<Rob> heh
<Stackpole> Once once. On April fools day years ago I put blue food coloring in milk I knew my brother would drink/pour on his cereal. He wasn't quite awake when he did it, and that shocked him. My folks made me consume the food, but this was well before SW. :)
<PB> when if ever (praying it is never) do you plan on retiring? <from Ketch_Rancor_Rep>
<Rob> turns out we've got a couple more questions...
<PB> Strange question....
<Stackpole> Me, retire? When my retirement fund hits 2.2 mill. Should take about 20 years.
<PB> Can we expect guides or similar stuff in the tradition of the X-Wing Rogue Squadron handbook by DH? Perhaps about the novel Rogues with wing # info or something? <from Jevon>
<Stackpole> West end was working on such a guide. I hope that whoever gets the game license will bring it out. I do think DHC is doing more guides, though, for their stuff.
<PB> <Xekk> Mentioned earlier was the funniest SW moment that Mike has written. The hutt incident. I'd just like to reflect on that. Corran had to defeat the hutt, so he used a sort of mine detenator device method. When the detenators went off, Corran used the force to protect himself, but not his clothing. He notices when he gets outside that he is completly nude. ROFL!
<Stackpole> Quite the embarrassment for him.
<PB> Wait, is another company even going to get the game license? I'd heard LucasFilm was trying to kill it. <from Sal>
<Stackpole> I believe LFL is willing to grant the license to a company, yes. That's all I can say, though.
<Rob> OK folks, we're about to unmoderate the room...please don't msg Mike or flood the room
<Rob> Mike has graciously agreed to stick around for a bit :)
<Sabrina> And now, it begins <G>
<movitz> woho :)
CLICK HERE FOR PART 2: THE UNMODERATED CHAT SESSION
Fetching Results...
