Colin Flanigan asked Chris A. Jackson:

I like how you formed a bond other Pathfinder authors by discussing the sailing sections of their books. How is it different writing within a shared world than one of your own?

Chris A. Jackson Very different, but it depends on the shared world and what the publisher wants. In Pathfinder, I get to create my own characters, and, for the most part, my own story line. Other publishers want you to use their established characters, and have preconceived story lines. Aside from that, one thing very different is the amount of mayhem I can wreak. Shared world novels tend to be a bit less "epic" unless the publisher wants you to go there. None of my Pathfinder Tales, for instance, really change the world. They are "big stories about small characters." Also in Pathfinder, I must abide by the game rules as far as magic and other game elements go. I get to create my own magic system in my own world, but with that freedom comes responsibility and work. You have to abide by your own rules, after all.
Hope that answers the question. If anything specific comes up, or I missed something, just ask!

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