Ask the Author: Drew Karpyshyn
Answered Questions (29)
Drew Karpyshyn
Most of the art I've seen for Set Harth shows him with a red lightsaber, and that feels right to me. As for more books, I'd love to work in the Star Wars universe again... but it isn't up to me. Until Lucas/Disney give me the green light, there's not much I can do - they control all the rights and characters. And right now they seem to be focused on other writers and projects.
Drew Karpyshyn
I do enjoy writing in the Old Republic; obviously I'm comfortable there, and I feel there is more artistic freedom, since you aren't as closely tied to the films. However, it would be fun to try something tied in with the current timeline... assuming they ask me, of course. :)
Drew Karpyshyn
Hi, Garry. I've always been a big fan of Stephen King, and I do think much of my current writing has elements of horror in it: macabre violence like the end of Rule of Two, the torture scene in Mass Effect: Ascension or Slayer's Minions in my Children of Fire series.
But if you want a glimpse of what my "pure" horror writing would look like, you can take a look at my short story collection - "A Minor Malevolent Spirit and Other Tales" - a handful of contemporary horror mixed in with the fantasy and sci-fi there.
But if you want a glimpse of what my "pure" horror writing would look like, you can take a look at my short story collection - "A Minor Malevolent Spirit and Other Tales" - a handful of contemporary horror mixed in with the fantasy and sci-fi there.
Drew Karpyshyn
Honestly, I don't read very much anymore. Between my work at BioWare and writing my own projects, I only read a few books each year, so I tend to wait for something that a lot of my friends recommend to me.
Drew Karpyshyn
We really didn't. And, to be honest, even if we did I couldn't really tell you. BioWare, EA and Star Wars/Disney don't like those behind the scenes things to get out, because fans will often misinterpret or distort these half-finished ideas. Also, there may be things we want to use later on if we revisit the characters, concepts or stories.
But in this case, I'm not just protecting company secrets: we really hadn't even thought about it.
But in this case, I'm not just protecting company secrets: we really hadn't even thought about it.
Drew Karpyshyn
There are certain high level restrictions: we can't change the way the Force works, or destroy a planet that appears in the movies, for example. But for the most part, they let me come up with the story and characters. There is an approvals process - I submit a very detailed chapter by chapter outline before I start actually writing. Sometimes there are small things in the outline they want you to edit or change, but once they sign off on that I have a lot of creative control.
Drew Karpyshyn
That's not my call. I don't control any of the rights to my video game books, characters or stories. Mass Effect is controlled by EA/BioWare, and of course Star Wars is controlled by Disney/Lucas.
So any new books for either of those properties will only happen if those companies decide they want a new novel, and that they want me to write it. If the right story and offer came along, I would be interested, but I don't see anything happening in the near future.
So any new books for either of those properties will only happen if those companies decide they want a new novel, and that they want me to write it. If the right story and offer came along, I would be interested, but I don't see anything happening in the near future.
Drew Karpyshyn
Nothing right now. I'm probably best known for my Bane trilogy right now, but since I didn't create the Star Wars universe I actually feel my Chaos Born trilogy is the work I'm most personally attached to.
Moving forward, though, I'm leaning more towards stand alone projects. I like to work on different things - fantasy, sci-fi, horror - and I like to stay fresh. Even though the Chaos Born trilogy was only three books, I almost felt burned out after it was finished. I think I'm more productive when I can do smaller, more focused projects and jump back and forth between different things.
Plus, as a fan it always bothered me having to wait for authors to finish a series if I was reading it while it was in progress. As a reader, I like the idea of getting a complete story rather than having to wait years to see the conclusion. So as a writer, I don't want to put my fans through that anymore than I have to.
Moving forward, though, I'm leaning more towards stand alone projects. I like to work on different things - fantasy, sci-fi, horror - and I like to stay fresh. Even though the Chaos Born trilogy was only three books, I almost felt burned out after it was finished. I think I'm more productive when I can do smaller, more focused projects and jump back and forth between different things.
Plus, as a fan it always bothered me having to wait for authors to finish a series if I was reading it while it was in progress. As a reader, I like the idea of getting a complete story rather than having to wait years to see the conclusion. So as a writer, I don't want to put my fans through that anymore than I have to.
Drew Karpyshyn
I'd love to do a screenplay if they asked - either on something tied to my own work (Bane, Revan) or something original. But I'm not holding my breath.
Given the size and budget of any Star Wars film, I understand why they might prefer to go with someone who has more experience in the industry, so I don't blame them. But in the back of my mind I'm always hoping they'll call. ;)
Given the size and budget of any Star Wars film, I understand why they might prefer to go with someone who has more experience in the industry, so I don't blame them. But in the back of my mind I'm always hoping they'll call. ;)
Drew Karpyshyn
Right now I think they are focusing on more contemporary timelines, but I really don't know. I'm not involved in those kinds of discussions, so I'm just guessing like everyone else. I'd love for them to do something with Bane - and hire me to help! - but I don't foresee that happening anytime soon.
Drew Karpyshyn
Right now I think they are focusing on the film era timeline rather than the Old Republic. Down the road anything can happen, but they've basically announced their schedule for the next 5 years or so, and Bane doesn't seem to be involved.
But I don't have any insider knowledge about this at all... maybe he ties in somehow and I'll be just as surprised as the rest of the fans. :)
But I don't have any insider knowledge about this at all... maybe he ties in somehow and I'll be just as surprised as the rest of the fans. :)
Drew Karpyshyn
Actually, that's not quite what happened. The Old Republic stuff has been moved to Legends status. I actually have a blog post about this from a while ago that goes into more detail: http://drewkarpyshyn.com/c/?p=679
Drew Karpyshyn
Genetics. Although below the neck I'm much pudgier than him.
Drew Karpyshyn
I like to give myself a couple months to decompress after I write the book - usually go to Vegas to celebrate then start working on the next one. Since it usually takes six to nine months from completion for the book to actually hit shelves, I'm typically working on a new book long before the previous ones reaches bookstores.
Drew Karpyshyn
I am working on Knights of the Fallen Empire, but season one is already done - so you won't see my work on the update coming in October because it's already done and just being bug tested and polished right now.
Drew Karpyshyn
I'm going to be part of the SWTOR writing team. I'm only working part time, but I'll be writing and helping design story lines and plots.
Drew Karpyshyn
I've got a few things going on. First, I've started working at BioWare again as part of the Star Wars: The Old Republic writing team. I'm also working on couple new novel ideas, but they're very early in the process. One is a contemporary sci-fi novel set in Las Vegas; the other is an alternate history thriller set in Elizabethan England. I'll be announcing more about them as I get further along. Be sure to follow my news blog at www.drewkarpyshyn.com for all the latest on what I'm working on!
Drew Karpyshyn
I'm working on a few things, but I haven't decided which one to focus on yet. I'm kicking around a historical novel, as well as a more contemporary sci/fi story, but I can't say too much about either project yet. But if you follow me on Twitter or follow my NEWS blog on www.drewkarpyshyn.com you'll always get the latest news and info on what I'm doing.
Drew Karpyshyn
My most recent book is Chaos Unleashed, the third book in my Chaos Born trilogy. It continues the story that began in Children of Fire and The Scorched Earth and brings the entire series to an epic conclusion. The Chaos Born story is one I've been working on and refining for many, many years - ever since high school, really. But it's changed a lot over time as I've gained experience and maturity as a writer. It took a long time before I felt I was ready to tackle it properly, but now that it's done I can't wait for fans to read it!
Drew Karpyshyn
I'm a big believer in inspiration coming from perspiration. In other words, I sit my ass down in my chair, open up Word, and force myself to start writing. The ideas and words will come if you put in the time, but it's very easy to get distracted. So the best thing is to set a schedule. Pick a specific time - in my case after my wife goes to bed - and try to write on a regular basis. Even if you only do 2 hours a night 3 nights a week, in one year you'll probably have an entire novel.
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Apr 05, 2024 12:27PM