I’ve been busy working on a number of projects: first and foremost has been Book Four. I don’t want to give away too much, but what I’ve been writing involves a flaming spear, a duel to the death, magic, elves, and werecats. Fun stuff! I’ve also been drawing Glaedr’s eye and editing deleted scenes for the deluxe edition of Brisingr that will be coming out later this year.

It’s strange to finally be working on the final installment in the series. After so many years spent thinking about this world and these characters, I sometimes find it hard to believe that I’ll be saying goodbye to them before too long. Still, it gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction to write out scenes that I’ve been envisioning for over a decade now, and I can’t wait for you to be able to experience them as well.

The weather here in Montana has been spectacular, alternating between ferocious, whirling blizzards that fill the valley with large, heavy snowflakes, and brilliant, sunny days, such as this one. Right now, a purple shelf of clouds hangs low over the Beartooth Mountains, while rays of pale sunlight slant underneath, illuminating the tan foothills and the dazzling, snowcapped peaks. Living here is a wonderful gift for me as a fantasy writer. If ever I need inspiration, I just look out my window at the landscape, and I feel as much awe and wonder as if I were looking at a dragon.

A very nice reader sent me a quill pen recently, which I write with occasionally. I had never used a quill pen before, so I was surprised by how much ink it can hold; with a single dip I can write a paragraph at least as long as the longest one in this newsletter. Pretty amazing! The only problem with quills is that you have to sharpen and reshape the tip every now and then, and eventually they wear away completely.

In these challenging times, it’s important to keep a sense of humor, so I leave you with this joke: Why is it so hard to get a Dragon Rider to listen to you? . . . Because his head is always in the clouds!

Oh that’s bad.

Anyway, I hope this finds you and your family well. And may your swords stay sharp!


Christopher Paolini

Why is it so hard to get a Dragon Rider to listen to you? . . . Because his head is always in the clouds!

editing deleted scenes for the deluxe edition of Brisingr that will be coming out later this year.