Alan Dean Foster Interview (TAS Spoilers?)

DEL REY TALKS TO ALAN DEAN FOSTER, AUTHOR OF STAR WARS: THE APPROACHING
STORM

DEL REY: Writing a novel in the STAR WARS universe must be a great deal
of fun but it must also be a complicated job. What was there about the
project that made it easy for you? What made it difficult?

ALAN DEAN FOSTER: What made it easy? Like any spin-off, you're dealing
with at least some existing characters and an existing universe. That's
a looonggg way from having to begin with a blank page. Makes getting
started infinitely simpler. On the other hand, your ability to invent
and improvise doesn't allow you to go beyond established parameters.
The more developed the universe/storyline you are working in, the less
leeway you have to mess with it. Obviously, with something like Star
Wars, nothing can be allowed to contradict what has gone before your
story. When you're dealing with a storyline that now involves several
motion pictures and dozens of spin-off books, it becomes very
complicated.


DR: There are a number of strong historical references here; Shu Mai and
her cohorts could have been Byzantine courtiers, Ansion is viewed as the
key piece in a domino effect much like Vietnam. Were you using specific
times and places in earth's history as models?

ADF: Not specifically. But I'm intrigued by the possibility that an
essentially primitive society could maintain its traditions and way of
life while still reaching a beneficial accommodation with a more
technologically (and militarily) superior political entity. In the case
of THE APPROACHING STORM, I'm referring specifically to the Alwari
nomads. There are few, if any, instances in terrestrial history where
this has proven to be possible. The kustom culture of the islanders of
Tanna, in the country of Vanuatu, are one of the rare examples. The
Himba of northern Namibia are attempting something similar, with (so
far) mixed results.

As to Ansion being a "key" in a much vaster political conflict, history
is replete with similar examples. Many great conflicts have small and
seemingly insignificant beginnings that cause events to spiral out of
the control of all the involved parties. World War I, for example. A
forest may look imposing and invulnerable until somebody strikes one
tiny match at the wrong time and place.


DR: What do you think made the islanders of Tanna and the Himba peoples
able to withstand the onslaught of a superior culture? Did you use that
in the case of the Alwari?

ADF: Yes, a little bit, though I used these ideas more extensively in a
novel, THE HOWLING STORM, which was directly based on the history of the
Tanna. In TAS I was intrigued by the idea of a nomadic culture that had
found a way to preserve its customs when faced with a technologically
superior group. Usually, a primitive people desperately tries to keep
everything intact...and fails. In the Alwari, I wanted to create a group
of people who had a strong identity, a solid notion of who and what they
were. And, by the way, who were able to make a pact with the devil. The
Alwari want to keep the familiar rhythms of their life, the structure
that defines them and enjoy the benefits of being in the Republic at the
same time. They were able to survive because they were able to join the
"modern" world on their own terms. These are the people that give
imperialists all manner of trouble.

DR: THE APPROACHING STORM takes place between THE PHANTOM MENACE and A
NEW HOPE--and features Anakin and Obi-Wan. Was this somewhat daunting?
Were there special problems? Was it scary to meet people's expectations
head-on like that?

ADF: Not at all. I love the opportunity to develop and add to
characters, whether they're mine or someone else's. I'm particularly
attracted to the character of Obi-Wan and his Jedi-Samurai code,
training, and background. Only to the character, though. The ascetic
life never had any personal appeal to me. For one thing, I like
chocolate too much.

As for meeting people's expectations, there is more I wanted

 

Why do people always post things that are the same as on the news from TFN...

 

This is the COMPLETE interview. TF.N News only has an excerpt of it. Some have not joined DRIN, but still might be interested in that, that's why I posted it here.

Now if you're not happy with that, well, I DO NOT CARE.

 

That's the same interview from TOS. Was there anything new you didn't post, Dark Prince Xizor?

 

I see someone else got the Feb DRIN.

 

Sturm... Well, I actually didn't really read it. - And that's all there was in DRIN, so no, nothing new...

I just read between the lines and it seemed different from TOS interview...

I don't really care about TAS right now - not until it's out in PB - that's why I read it really fast... Well, I just wanted to be nice... That'll teach me...