Ann [anncrispin@171-219-253.ipt.aol.com] has joined #senatehall

<Ann> Hello.

<kivlehan> Hi Ann :)

<Zack> hi Ann! :)

<kivlehan> Thanks for coming by Ann

<Ann> Well, Kris, it's I. How is everything?

<Ann> Hi to all.

<kivlehan> Everything's pretty good :)

<Zack> thanks for taking time to chat with us, Ann :)

<kivlehan> We are going to wait a minute or two for our other moderator to show up

<Ann> Oh, okay. Is one of you Kris?

<kivlehan> Well, I'm Chris, but Kris isn't here yet :)

<Ann> Oh. Okay. Pleased to meet you. :-)

<Zack> hopefully he'll honor us with his prescence <G>

kivlehan snickers

<Ann> This is really my first-ever internet chat.

<kivlehan> Neat :)

<Zack> hopefully we won't scare you away from them :)

<Ann> Well, I am going to be brave. <G>

<Ann> Any idea how many people to expect?

<kivlehan> Not sure, this is my first time hosting one of these things

<Ghent> Please send your questions to Zack, kivlehan or Ghent.

<kivlehan> I can start off with a few

<kivlehan> Ready Ann?

<Ann> Yes, sure.

<Ann> I can type GA for go-ahead?

<kivlehan> Han Solo's younger years seem to have been inspired by Oliver Twist.Did you look to Dickens' classic for inspiration? If so, wasthis your own decision or something that was outlined by Lucasfilm?

<Ann> Yes, that was smart of you to spot. I did that very deliberately in response to what I was told by LFL that George Lucas had said, which was that "Han Solo was raised by a bunch of sleazy traders who made him beg in the streets, pick pockets, and

<Ann> finally, learn to con and steal. That struck me as so Oliver Twist-like that I beefed up that comparison.

<Ann> GA.

<Ghent> Mstr_of_Jedi: Do you ever have writers block? And if you do, how do you overcome it?

<Ann> I sometimes have difficulty getting into a story. When that happens, I try to beef up my knowledge of the character in order to write about him or her.

<kivlehan> nice of you to show up, Kris :)

<GhentZ> sorry to be late

<Ann> And I also force myself to write even a few hundred words. If I keep pushing, it eventually becomes easier.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> Question from Jamesbond18: Have you met George Lucas?

<Ann> No.

<Zack> thought not :)

<Zack> question from Kashk and Dark_Jedi_Brakiss: Will you be doing any other Star Wars work?

<Ann> I don't know. At this point the SW license has passed to Del Rey. I am not a Del Rey author. I don't know if they will be using the "old" writers from Bantam or not. Also, Bertlesmann, the company that owns Bantam, has just acquired Random House, which owns Del Rey. How THAT might affect things, I have no idea.

<GhentZ> Cyberfett: Do you like Zahn's writing?

<Ann> Should I answer the question about Zahn's writing?

<kivlehan> Sure :)

<GhentZ> yes

<kivlehan> I'll take the next q then

<Ann> Okay. Yes, I have admired the scope of Zahn's trilogy. He really does have a sweep to his work.

<Ann> I have a few nitpicks I could make, but that's all they are.

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> One of the best aspects of your Solo books was the characterization of familiar Star Wars figures. So many authors have tried to capturethe essence of the film trilogy's characters but failed. Whatis your secret to accurate characterization?

<kivlehan> excuse the few words crunching together, I'm cutting and pasting from notepad :)

<Ann> I have a good ear for how people sound, for one thing. I can "hear" characters in my head. Also, I studied the films over and over. I also did a great deal of research on the books, the "nonfiction" tech manuals, etc.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> BailOrgana: Would you think it woud be interesting to have a game based on the events that take place in your trilogy?

<Ann> Yes, but I doubt that will happen. My trilogy, being placed "before" and in its way, a prequel, occupies a timespan in SW history that's very "sensitive." Until the prequels are out, I suspect LFL will not allow much to be done to expand on that time period.

<Ann> GA

<Ghent> From M3_SW: On the America Online message boards, you showed some interest to writing a "Young Princess Leia" series in the future. Could you share with us possible plot ideas you'd have for such a series?

<kivlehan> good question :)

<GhentZ> I love it

<Ann> Well, I doubt such a book could be written before the prequels came out. But if I could write it, I would love to explore what growing up as a princess was like, what it was like to live in the empire and try to remain law-abiding while Palpatine crushes worlds, etc. I would also love to explore how Leia met all those famous people -- Vader, Tarkin, Palpatine. She obviously knew them all. And I would love to know how a gal from a world with

<Ann> GA

<Zack> question from xene: where did you get the information on Wookie culture and language, and did it have to be approved by Lucasfilm?

<Ann> Everything I wrote had to be approved by Lucasfilm. I got a lot of material from the yet-unpublished Wookiee Sourcebook by Craig Robert Carey, who is now the Editor at West End Games.

Kashk [kashk@as5200-2-36.clt.wi.frontiernet.net] has joined #senatehall

<Ann> Craig vetted my Wookiee material. I also took stuff from the last book of the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy, and, of course the Zahn books.

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> If you were asked to cast a movie version of the Solo book trilogy, which actors would you pick for your originalcharacters?

<Ann> Oh, my. I'd have to think about that.

<kivlehan> we can come back to that :)

<Ann> Well, I think Leonardo Di Capria might be good as Jarik Solo.

<Ann> He's the right age, and he can act.

<GhentZ> Oh boy.

<GhentZ> ;-)

<kivlehan> Ghentz!

<GhentZ> Z

<kivlehan> Ghentz isn't a DiCaprio fan

<kivlehan> <G>

<GhentZ> Dark_Jedi_Brakiss: when han says in ESB "That was a long time ago, I'm sure he's forgotten about that...", did he mean Bria's con-work at the attack of Ylesia?

<Ann> Of course.

<Ann> GA

<Ghent> From weezer: Why were the events surrounding Chewbacca's escape from the empire left out of the novels?

<Ann> I don't know why, exactly. George Lucas himself decreed that I could not cover Han's Academy years, or his rescue of Chewie. He doesn't have to give a reason for his decisions.

<GhentZ> He's funny that way.

<Zack> question from Dexter: are they going to make figs made by Kenner/Hasbro based on the book?

<Ann> Dexter, I don't know. Nobody would tell me if they did.

<Ann> Actually, I'm still mulling that actor question over...

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> Which of your non-Star Wars works would you recommend to readerswho enjoyed your Solo trilogy?

<Ann> If they like Star Trek, many readers have liked my book Sarek. If they are s.f. fans, I'd recommend any of my StarBridge novels. The first 5 are OP, but can be found on the internet or in used bookstores. Books 6 and 7, Ancestor's World and Voices of Chaos, are in print.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> Cyberfett: did you read SotE? enjoy it?

<Ann> I read Shadows. I enjoyed it, but I really missed Han.

<Ann> GA

<Ghent> From SWD_Archie: If George Lucas asked you to write the trilogy 7-9 with him, would you and why?

<Ann> Of course I would!

<Ann> In a NY minute!

<Ann> Why? Number One reason: it would make me rich.

<Ann> Number Two reason: it would be kick-butt FUN.

<Zack> heheh :)

<GhentZ> Here we go again, no noble cause for aspiring writers to think about.

<GhentZ> Stackpole and Allston are the same way. Cool. <g>

<Zack> question from xene: how much input and/or restriction did Lucasfilm have on your trilogy? Do they give a set list of 'no-no's' or is it done by offering your concepts subject to their approval?

<Ann> Well, I know I'm creative and could think up kewl things to have happen. Is that better?

<Ann> LFL told me that I must not go against established SW canon -- that is, what's in the films (primarily) and also in the books -- fiction, etc.

<Ann> LFL (and eventually GL) went over my proposed outlines several times, and they made suggestions. Then I'd produce a new outline. I did at least three drafts of the outline for the trilogy. And dinked with it again after that.

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> From M3_SW: After reading the final meeting between Lando and Han in Rebel Dawn, since you handled Lando so well in the trilogy, could you provide your own speculation on what caused Lando to think of Han as a friend in ESB?

<Ann> Okay. I think Lando was faking his friendly response to Han at first. He's a gambler. Keeping his emotions from showing comes naturally to him.

<Ann> He had Vader already there. He knew Vader could kill him at a moment's notice. Lando was playing along, trying to save himself and Cloud City. For that, he was willing to give up Han.

<Ann> But his conscience got to him, and in the end, he couldn't do it.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> never thought of it that way :)

<GhentZ> <BailOrgana> Is there a possibility that you would be interested in writing a series involving Luke's Tatooine adventures. Maybe about him and Biggs, and Toshi Station.

<Ann> Oh, okay. Well...maybe. But I would be more interested in writing about Han's Academy days, or Navy service, or Leia's backstory.

<Ann> GA

<Ghent> From Mstr_of_Jedi: When you wrote your first book, did you have to interact with Lucasfilm to get the rights to publish?

<Ann> Mstr, nobody gets to write a Star Wars book by their choice -- the book(s) are always assigned to the writer. It's "work-for-hire" so THEY come to YOU. (Or your agent.) So it's never the writer's choice.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> question from Jamesbond18: Have you, or will you be interviewed by the Star Wars Insider?

<Ann> Funny you should ask that, JamesBond! I was interviewed by them yesterday!

<Ann> Don't know when the article will appear, tho.

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> Are there any sci-fi or fantasy authors who's work you read religously?

<kivlehan> And that isn't a scientology pun <G>

<Ann> Oh, yes. Vonda McIntyre, who's a great s.f. author. George RR Martin.

<Ann> Ursula K. LeGuin. Tim Powers. Michael Bishop. Barbara Hambly.

<Ann> That's a few of them.

<kivlehan> As a fan of Vonda's did you enjoy The Crystal Star?

<Ann> Well...I enjoyed some facets of it. I liked the parts with the kids.

<Ann> It's hard to get into a child's mind, and I thought she did that well.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> <JediPhil> who would she consider to cast as han solo in a solo trilogy movie adaption, if there was to be one?

<GhentZ> she being you. ;-)

<Ann> ARgggghhhhh!

<Ann> What a question!

<Ann> I am such a Harrison Ford fan that I don't even want to think about anyone else playing him!

<GhentZ> ROTFL!!!

<Zack> yeah! :)

<kivlehan> Hopefully Lucas will break out the big bucks if Han is need for the sequels (if they make them)

<GhentZ> He won't be

<Ann> I do have an answer for you on who should play Bria. That woman who plays La Femme Nikita could do the older Bria.

<GhentZ> I'll guarantee it. <said w/Scottish accent>

<GhentZ> Peta Wilson <sp>?

<kivlehan> yup, that's her

<Ann> And I think maybe the young girl who plays Buffy could do her at 19.

<Ann> But they'd have to color their hair.

<Ann> GA

<Ghent> From SWD_Archie: Do you have any plans to combine with any writer to write a short story? Such as Zahn or Stackpole?

<Ann> Not at the moment. I am working on a Star Trek short story, but it's a solo effort.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> question from Zack(me!): Have you seen the two Ewoks made for TV movies? If so, what did you think? :) (I'm watching the first one right now <G>)

<GhentZ> Oh no!

<Ann> I thought they were...okay. Better than the Holiday Special. But nowhere on a par with SW.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> heheh :)

<GhentZ> Somebody hit Zack!

<Zack> they make me remember my childhood *tear in the eye*

<kivlehan> CaveFish: Do you have anything in the works for new Star Wars books or anthologies?

<kivlehan> err From CaveFish that is

<Ann> No.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> Cyberfett: who is your favorite SW character?

<GhentZ> if you say Han, who's next.

<GhentZ> my addendum

<Ann> Like I said, it's never the writer's choice, remember?

<Ann> Obviously, Han. Always Han. Han now and forever.

<Ann> Secondly...either Leia or Lando.

<Ann> I like both of them. Actually, a three way tie between Lando, Leia and Chewie.

<Ann> gA

<Ghent> From Mstr_of_Jedi: Which is your favorite version of the Trilogy... Original or Special Edition, and which is your favorite episode.

<Ann> ESB is my favorite. I do like the Special Editions, but I absolutely hated the change to the Greedo scene. It was silly and confusing.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> question from M3_SW: What time-frame did Han and Dash Rendar first meet? They obviously knew each other by the end of Rebel Dawn.

<Ann> Interesting question, M3. I'm not sure where they met. I did check out the fact that they HAD met, but if it said where I don't remember at the moment.

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> What actor do you think gave the best performance in the trilogy? I say it's Peter Cushing. He was deliciously evil as Tarkin!

<GhentZ> She'll say Ford

<Zack> heheh

<GhentZ> <g>

<kivlehan> nahh

<kivlehan> One cannot deny the truth of Cushing's greatness

<Ann> Jabba. So there.

<Ann> GA

<Ann> I just did that to be evil.

<GhentZ> YIKES!!!

<kivlehan> Bah! :)

<Zack> heheheh

<Ghent> Can the peanut gallery keep it down. ;)

<GhentZ> JABBA is not an actor! You get another try.

<Ann> Oh, then I definitely have to say HF.

<Ann> GA

<Ann> Actually, I'd give Frank Oz kudos on Yoda. Yoda, for his time, was a marvel.

<GhentZ> YEAH!

kivlehan grins.

<GhentZ> Dark_Jedi_Brakiss: would you do a Lando trilogy?

<Ann> Yes, I would. I like Lando. I know a lot of people don't, but I think he's neat. I would have been broken-hearted if he and the Falcon had been blown up.

<Ann> The way they were in the test showing.

<Ann> GA

<Ghent> From weezer: Did you read every starwars novels published? What are your favorites? Do you read the SW comics?

<Ann> I've read or skimmed all the adult SW novels. I read only a couple of YJK books, and none of the Galaxy of Fear books.

<Ann> I read most of the old Marvel comics, and a few of the Dark Horse ones.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> You didn't really need those anyway.

<GhentZ> YJK and GoF, that is

<Zack> question from (I forget, sorry!): Would you be interested in writing about LUke as a Jedi master and the new generation of Jedi?

<Ann> Zack, to be honest, I'm not as interested in the Force as I am in the other aspects of the SW universe.

<Ann> I find the smugglers and the Rebels and the Imperials and the criminals more interesting than the Jedi with their magical powers.

<Ann> Call me wacky, but that's the truth.

<Ann> I'm sure I could handle the Force if I needed to, but it's not my No. 1 interest.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> I'd tend to agree :)

<kivlehan> From CaveFish: What made you want to write your Solo trilogy and what do you think of Brian Daley's Solo books?

<Ann> Kiv, I wanted to write the Han Solo trilogy for two reasons: (1) they invited me to, and I knew the money was good, and (2) I adore HF and have loved Han Solo for 20 years. I considered it an honor to be asked to write about him.

<Ann> Regarding the Brian Daley books. I thought they were terrific adventures. I did the best I could to be faithful to that continuity.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> Dark_Jedi_Brakiss: who is Bria's character/personality based on? if you got to choose, how does Lando get Lobot, gambling?

<Ann> Dark Jedi...Bria's character came about, in part, because I wanted to write a sort of reverse Mara Jade. A female character who started out good and got darker, the reverse of Mara.

<Ann> Also, I wanted to write a woman who was a good soldier, tough and capable.

<Ann> But someone who had a haunted past.

<Ann> I needed to write about a woman who would (1) give Han a big chip on his shoulder about women and the Rebellion, and (2) be someone readers would find sympathy for, even as they deplored her actions in the last book.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> erm, Lobot is a human, and an employee of Lando's, he just has cybernetic enhancements :)

<Ghent> From SWD_Archie: Is it a requirement for writing SW books that you have to read enless amounts of books and watch all the movies?

<Ann> Archie...yes.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> question from Dark_Jedi_Brakiss: Do you play CCG and do you think they'll make a CCG set of your books?

<Ann> No, I am not a gamer. I doubt they will do a CCG of my books -- at least not until the prequels are released. The time is too "sensitive."

<Ann> (I did have some gamers who gave me advice.)

<Ann> GA

<Zack> comment about the CCG: Decipher will be making sets based on Star Wars best sellers after the current trilogy sets.

<kivlehan> You've now written in three of the major sci-fi franchises: Alien, Star Wars and Star Trek. Are there any other franchises you'd like to lend your talents to?

<Ann> Four. Don't forget V. It was a million-copy bestseller.

kivlehan apoligizes for the oversight

<Ann> IF Chris Carter was more generous with his book approvals, I'd love to write an X-Files book. I am an X-Files fan par extraordinare.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> M3_SW: Is there any one thing you'd like to see in the upcoming Prequels?

<Ann> Yes. Han. <g>

<Ann> But it won't happen. The timing is wrong. He'd only be 9 years old.

<GhentZ> Golly.

<GhentZ> What *else*???

<kivlehan> Maybe they'll show him begging in the streets of Corellia while Vader hunts down Corran Horn's grand pappy or something ;)

<Ann> Seriously, I would like to see some stuff that will really give us the sweep of the rise of the Empire, and some insight into the Clone Wars.

<Ann> GA

<Ghent> From weezer: Do you consider events that happen in books and comics canon, and that George should take that in consideration in making the prequels and (if it happens) the sequels?

<Ann> Weezer, I would LOVE it if George Lucas would pay attention to what I and the other writers wrote in the novels, but realistically speaking, I very much doubt that will happen.

<Ann> I don't believe that GL reads the novels.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> question from xene: How does one qualify to write in the Star Wars universe?

<Ann> Xene, when I was asked to do the Han Solo Trilogy, I had a track record. 15 or so s.f., fantasy and tie-in books. 5 NY Times bestsellers.

<Ann> Some of the writers chosen have won Hugo or Nebula awards.

<Ann> So a track record is essential.

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> From CaveFish: How did you get your start as a writer?

<Ann> I wrote a Star Trek novel called Yesterday's Son, submitted it to Pocket Books, and three years later, they bought it. It became the first ST novel that wasn't a movie tie-in to make the Times bestseller list.

<Ann> A week later I was offered the novelization of V. I quit my job and never looked back.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> Cyberfett: What do you think of all the SW websites going up?

<Ann> Oh. Regarding the SW websites...I have looked at a few of them. I enjoy them. Especially the ones that say nice things about my SW books. <G>

<Ann> GA

<Ghent> From Artoo: In the SW timline, when do you think is the best time for a novel about someone, if it was up to you, and WHO?

<Ann> Well, ARtoo, I would love to see a post ROTJ novel that focused on Han where he was more than a house-husband or a prisoner.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> question from Cavefish: How do you get ideas for characters, settings, plots, etc?

<Ann> Cave...writers get ideas all the time. It's like exercising "idea muscle groups" -- with reps, they get stronger.

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> What scene aside from the Greedo scene would you change in the films?

<kivlehan> that's from M3_SW and me :)

<kivlehan> half and half

<GhentZ> Change the darn Greedo scene! Great idea.

<kivlehan> Too easy!

<Ann> Kiv...I would put back the "Yub-yub" Ewok-song for at least a few bars at the end of ROTJ so Wedge doesn't look like an idiot jiggling to non-existent music. I'd switch to the new theme AFTER a few bars of Yub-Yub.

<kivlehan> HAHAHAA!

<Zack> heheh

<GhentZ> LOL

<GhentZ> I was always annoyed by "Yub-Yub"

<GhentZ> the new one was way better

<Ann> Well, a couple of bars would be better than Wedge jiggling to John Williams.

<Ann> I did like the new theme, though.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> Artoo: Which character in the history of Star Wars has the most shaded background to you right now, and would you be able to come up with a history for them?

<Ann> Okay, I'll take a crack at that. Shaded means what?

<GhentZ> blank spots

<GhentZ> where back stories could be written

<Ann> Not being a dark Jedi or something?

<Ann> Okay.

<Ann> Lando is the biggest mystery now that the Han Solo Trilogy has been written. We actually know more about Boba Fett in some ways than we do about Lando.

<Ann> I'd be game to try and fill in the gaps for either of them.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> question from muuurgh: How would one go about contacting you in the future?

<Ann> Uh...would it be a good idea for me to just give out my email address here?

<Zack> you don't have to if you don't want :)

<kivlehan> probably not

<GhentZ> Let's skip that and discuss it later

<GhentZ> ;-)

<Ann> Kris, would you forward an email from Muuurgh to me, then, please?

<GhentZ> You bet!

<Ann> I think that's fair.

<GhentZ> Of course

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> CaveFish would like to know if you'd be interested in writing a book that focused on Kashyyyk and Wookiees

<Ann> YES!

<Ann> I love Wookiees. I think they're very cool.

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> YAY!!!

<kivlehan> I want a book that focuses on Tarkin myself

<GhentZ> Most definitely

<Ann> Kiv...<g>

<Ann> I liked Admiral Piett, myself.

<GhentZ> LOL

<GhentZ> Brakiss: what/who were the Togorians based off of, particularly Muurgh?

<kivlehan> I know the answer to the first part of Brakiss's question :)

<Ann> Brakiss, the Togorian race came directly out of the West End Games book on Alien Races.

<Ann> GA

<Ghent> From Parabola: Was Dark Forces taken into account when writing the scenes of the stolen Death Star plans?

<Ann> Parabola...I read Dark Forces, and I tried not to contradict it. But I mostly based the stuff regarding Red Hand Squadron and their fate on the SW: ANH Radio Drama.

<Ann> Because Toprawa and Raltiir were in there.

<Ann> GA

<Zack> question from EX_Arch_Iaz: What do you think of how the SW universe is expanding so rapidly

<Ann> Iaz...I think they're diluting the pond so there are fewer fish to go around. Fish=sales.

<Ann> Used to be fans could get everything in the universe. Now there's so much stuff you'd have to be rich to get it all.

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> This is from me: Let's talk Tarkin. What do you think makes him so evil? If you had to write about Tarkin, how would you explain him?

<kivlehan> <G>

Zack gives Kiv a shiny Tarkin action figure :)

<kivlehan> got one already

<kivlehan> :)

<kivlehan> one of the few I bought

<Ann> Kiv...I would go to the source. I would read up on Hitler, Goebbels, Himmler, Idi Amin, Attila, and any other evil dictator I could think of.

<Ann> Then I would try to put my mind inside Tarkin's skull and see through his eyes.

<Ann> GA

<kivlehan> Sweet

<GhentZ> CaveFish: Would you like to see more light shed on the Ssi-Ruuk? maybe another novel or distant sequel to The Truce at Bakura? JediPhil: for or against changing the theme for E1?

<Ann> Oh, dear. Things are getting squished again.

<Ann> Regarding the music...I would love to hear new music for E1, but I would be disappointed if there was not at least a brief reprisal of the familiar SW them.

<Ann> theme.

<GhentZ> what about the first q?

<Ann> Regarding Truce at Bakura...that's one of the books I skimmed. Don't remember too much about it.

<Ann> (I read it two and a half years ago, too...)

<Ann> GA

<GhentZ> Any further questions for the witness?

<kivlehan> I have one last one

<Ann> Whew!

<kivlehan> From JediPhil:

<kivlehan> What other actors do you like aside from Ford and DiCaprio

<Ann> Actually, I'm not a DiCapria fan.

<GhentZ> o

<Ann> He's kinda cute, but he's a baby.

<kivlehan> Did you enjoy Titanic? :)

<GhentZ> grrr

kivlehan grins at Ghentz, the DiCaprio-Winslet hater

<GhentZ> heh

<Ann> I like Sean Connery, Mel Gibson, Patrick Swayze, and Robin Williams. Tom Cruise in some things. Jeff Bridges.

<GhentZ> YAY!!!

<GhentZ> Pretty much all my faves. Cool!

<GhentZ> Did you see THE BIG LEBOWSKI?

<kivlehan> Charlton Heston is mine

<kivlehan> my fav that is

<GhentZ> The GREATEST!

<Ann> I liked Titanic fine. The special effects were great. I thought the love story was rather callow, but I understand the reason for including it.

<GhentZ> heh

<Ann> I love Chuck Heston.

<kivlehan> Wouldn't he have made a great Jedi Master in Episode One? :)

<GhentZ> :)

<Ann> No, no Big Lebowski yet.

<GhentZ> You must

<Ann> Yes, Kiv, I believe he would.

<Zack> it's good :)

<GhentZ> It was filmed in my valley

<Ann> My favorite film...well, one of them, is The Fisher King.

<GhentZ> Last one: Brakiss: so Han's family past (other than cousin and aunt) are still a mystery? will we ever learn more?

<Ann> Brakiss...GL said, "Han does not know who his parents are, and probably never will."

<GhentZ> And there you have it!

<kivlehan> Thanks, Ann!

<Zack> Thanks for coming, Ann!

<Ann> Wow. I typed a lot...

<GhentZ> Thank you to everyone for being here.

<Ann> <flexing fingers>

<GhentZ> And a million thanks to you, Ann, for putting up with us. <g>

<kivlehan> Thanks to VaveFish for supplying half the questions asked <G>

<Ann> I enjoyed coming.

<kivlehan> err CaveFish :)

<Zack> Sorry to anyone who didn't get their questions asked

<GhentZ> LOL

<Zack> We may be able to arrange something for that

<Ann> I would be happy to come back some other time.

<GhentZ> E-mail them all to me!!!

<GhentZ> YES

<Zack> We'd love to have you, Ann :)

<GhentZ> We must have you back!

<Ann> I have a question...may I ask it?

<Zack> sure thing

<kivlehan> Sure

<GhentZ> Go right ahead!

<Ann> What's the general lowdown on my trilogy. Do the fans like the books? Do they hate Bria now?

<Ann> I worry that they'll hate her. I love her. She had so much pressure on her...

<Zack> I loved the whole thing :)

<GhentZ> Generally, people love it.

<kivlehan> I disliked Bria like you dislike an ex-girlfriend who screwed you over by the end

<MasterLuke> i loved them!!!!!!!!!!!

<Dark_Jedi_Brakiss> like Bria's kick-@$$ attitude...LOVED everything else

<GhentZ> Yeah

<Austin> I have just started book one, and so fare I like it.

<WAR_XO_NK_CaveFish> I loved it!

<GhentZ> here we go

<Parabola> from ratings sent to me, it's about the same as X-Wing ... behind only Thrawn Trilogy

<EX_Arch_zipping> I loved your Trilogy personally

<WAR_XO_NK_CaveFish> and I thought Bria and Han turned out OK in the end

<M3_SW> The trilogy was one of the best I've ever read... and I still liked Bria.

<kivlehan> But you know what I thought of your trilogy from my review on Cinescape Online :)

<Ann> Oh, it's you!

<kivlehan> :)

<GhentZ> hang on

<kivlehan> yup, its me :) Filling in for a buddy at Jedinet

<Ann> Well, that's very reassuring. I've gotten kind of dumped on in Amazon.com lately.

<GhentZ> for those who wish to send a question for Ms. Crispin through me:

<Zack> screw them, you're a great author, and they're VERY good books

<GhentZ> send them to ghentz@jedinet.com

<GhentZ> Don't listen to people like *Dunc,* Ms. Crispin.

<kivlehan> Funniest review I read one Amazon.com once was where a guy gave his professor's book a 7.9 of 10 because the prof gave him a C+ in class

<Ann> One guy hollered on me because I wrote a book that was "predictible" because it contained all the stuff we knew happened -- Han winning the Falcon, dumping the spice, etc.

<Zack> lol

<kivlehan> bah to him

<GhentZ> a lot of people think you are all in it for the money, but we know better, right? *wink*

<kivlehan> that was what I liked abou it. Connecting the dots

<Zack> Anyone who says it's bad obviously is an uncultured fool :)

<Ann> Heh. I did have to laugh. That's like saying Episodes 1-3 will be predictible because we know that Anakin becomes Vader.

<GhentZ> yeah

kivlehan grins

<GhentZ> Un-moding now

<Zack> I LOVED all the tie ins with everyting

<kivlehan> I guess that guy is up for a let down, eh?

<GhentZ> One last announcement from me

<GhentZ> Barbara Hambly has graciously agreed to hold a chat here!

<Ann> Hey, kewl!

<GhentZ> No date set yet.

<GhentZ> Maybe you could come back for that one, Ms. Crispin.

<GhentZ> <g>

<Ann> Well, you can tell her from me, her fingers will get tired, but otherwise everyone is great!

<Zack> yeah, come back any time you want :)

<GhentZ> I'll try to get McIntyre here then too.

<Ann> Well, Kris, stay in touch. I have enjoyed this, and you've all been very nice. I am laughing at how nervous I was, now.

<Ann> So I'll say bye, and MTFBWY All!

<Zack> Bye! :)

<kivlehan> And also with you :)