Christie Golden Interview Writer of Warcraft: Lord of the Clans
Blizzplanet: Does Blizzard tells you what time-frame of Warcraft you should write about, or do they hand to you the Warcraft bible and let you pick? Warcraft history spans 16,000 years. Lot of topics and time-frames to choose from for a book.
Christie: Since my only experience has been this rather unique one, I was definitely given a framework. I don?t know if that experience would be the same in the future . . . we?ll just have to wait and see!
Blizzplanet: Can you tell us how was the approach from Blizzard? Did they contact you and give you the material? Or did you offer them your services as a writer?
Christie: It was a rather unusual situation actually. I was doing work fairly regularly for Simon & Schuster (Pocket Book) on their STAR TREK: VOYAGER line and there was a nice, quiet lull between projects where I had thought to just kick back and relax. I got a call from an editor saying that there was a bit of an emergency on their end and she happened to know I was between projects . . . seems that the original author they had contracted to write a WARCRAFT novel was not able to complete the book (To this day, I don?t know who, and I don?t know why) and they needed the book written. Really fast. In six weeks. Yikes! At the time, I knew nothing of WARCRAFT, but my husband and friends who were familiar with the game sang its praises. I had my editor send me some information about the world and I liked what I saw. I was also told that due to the rush nature of the project, Chris Metzen of Blizzard would be available to answer my questions. And he was ?Chris was fantastic, Blizzard was fantastic, and the entire experience was like a roller coaster ride?thrilling and fun!
Blizzplanet: Any fan will be proud of the great work you did for Lord of the Clans and admire your courage to write it under six weeks. My first impression when listening you say this was ... OMG! I mean it was a quality book for such a short time. Usually books like this one take 4 months to write.
The book you wrote is very essential to the background story of Thrall, who became a very important figure of three worldwide acclaimed games: Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne(expansion pack) and World of Warcraft MMORPG. What of the story behind Lord of the Clans was part of the material given to you by Chris Metzen, and what was created by you?
(Note: I liked how Thrall learned mercy, kindness and honor qualities from Sergeant and Taretha. These were characteristics that changed him and were pivotal to his destiny. From a leader of bloodthirst as Blackmoore planned, he instead became a leader of compassion and honor.)
Christie: Yes, the basic story of Thrall was based on a game that had actually not ever come out. Chris Metzen liked the story line and wanted to see it ?live? in some format. I was given an outline (a godsend, as I usually need three months to write a book!) and together we discussed what parts of that outline worked in novel format and what needed to be modified from game to novel. Taretha, Sergeant, and much of Blackmoore?s character development were my own. One of my great strengths was a problem during this tight deadline . . . I can never crank out just a ?decent book? . . . I always want it to be really good, give the readers more than they were expecting. I didn?t want the Thrall/human relationship to be black and white, because those things never are. And, because I knew the races would have to work together in Warcraft 3, I wanted to lay the groundwork for that being plausible. I loved Thrall and Tari?s relationship, and many of the readers who have kindly sent me letters and emails tell me that was one of their favorite aspects about it.
Blizzplanet: Your Website's FAQ mentions there is no plans for a Warcraft book, but there is no dates in the FAQ to know how old the page is. Has the status for a new Warcraft novel changed? Any plans for a new Warcraft book?
Christie: I would absolutely love to work with Blizzard again, and they know it . . . I am currently very busy with a five-book original fantasy series that I am loving writing as well as continuing the VOYAGER relaunch, so it is simply a matter of time rather than interest. So currently, there?s nothing contracted, but in the future I would love to do another one.
Blizzplanet: If you were given an opportunity to choose a Warcraft Story, what would you like to write about or which character would you like to develop-- this question is hypothetical. (Note: I am assuming you know some of theOfficial Warcraft history.)
Christie: Um . . . well, I?m actually playing World of Warcraft right now (Junkie, I am an absolute junkie) and it might be a blast to take some of my own characters and work them in . . .
Blizzplanet: Although you are a very busy writer, we wonder if you got time for playing MMORPGs. Have you played World of Warcraft? A recent unofficial census showed that the majority of players of this game are age 21-50. I myself am age 32. If you have played the game, what would you have changed of the game or added based on the knowledge you got from the book you wrote?
Christie: I am sorry that there are not ways for Horde and Alliance characters to interact. There are some ways, but not many. I understand that from a game perspective, it keeps things interesting, but as someone who created the Taretha/Thrall friendship . . . hey, I?d love to be able to have Horde and Alliance characters working together and being friends! That?s really about it. I am in awe of WoW . . . the care and attention the developers have given this game makes it a real experience to play.
Blizzplanet: What books are you working on right now(non-Blizzard) and what's your book schedule from 2005-2007 -- if its available so that fans who wish to keep reading your books and like your style are able to keep track of your work?
Christie: I am working on a five-book fantasy series from new fantasy imprint LUNA Books right now and having a wonderful time. The series is based on the Elements. The first book is called ON FIRE?S WINGS and came out last July in trade paperback. It?s still in print, but might be a bit hard to find on the shelves?readers can ask the bookstore to order it or of course, there?s always Amazon.com. The second book, IN STONE?S CLASP, will be out in September of 2005. I?m hard at work on Book 3, UNDER SEA?S SHADOW, right now. The LUNA line features strong female characters with a romantic subplot (SUB-plot now, these are NOT romance novels!). I have always been about strong character development, so you can imagine how much I?m enjoying the line. It?s being marketed to women, but I am delighted to report I?ve heard from a lot of my guy readers who are enjoying it as well?I never write for a ?target audience,? I write what calls to me, so do not fear fellas, I?m not writing ?chick books!? I do think those readers who particularly liked the character relationships in LORD OF THE CLANS will like these new series as well.
I?m also doing the STAR TREK: VOYAGER relaunch, taking the characters beyond where the show ended, and that?s been a lot of fun as well.
Blizzplanet: Any anecdotes you had with Blizzard and Chris Metzen during the writting of Lord of the Clans that bring you a chuckle?
Christie: Ah, been so long and I am growing ancient with days . . . I do remember that sometimes I?d hit a stumbling block (?What color eyes do Orcs have?? ?What kind of religion has been established??) and I?d fire off an email to Chris and hear back sometimes within an hour . . . amazing! Such cooperation is unheard of in this line of work. We did talk about Thrall?s eyes being blue, which was easily worked into the story. I remember when I saw the ?preview trailer? I actually got a lump in my throat when I saw Thrall and his blue eyes?I exclaimed to my husband, ?That?s my boy!? Because, you know, I DID raise him from an infant . . . lol . . . When I started playing WoW I had to drop Chris a line and rave about it . . .we agreed that we really did feel like Thrall?s ?parents.? Fun!
Blizzplanet: Any special message to those Warcraft fans that read Lord of the Clans and any recommendation to those fans who have not yet read your book?
Christie: This is not a big, thick, doorstop book of deep history and glorious battles. This is the story of one character, Thrall, and how he came to be who he was. I actually kind of sit back and marvel at how many people have really enjoyed it, because it?s not a typical ?gaming? book. If you really want to get to know some people and spend time with them, as well as have insight into one of the most pivotal characters in all of Warcraft, buy the book, pull up a chair, and settle in.
Blizzplanet: After this interview I got to know you more and I am pleased. I think you are a blast, and a fun woman. And your personality really reflected in the book. I enjoyed reading Lord of the Clans, and it is a pivotal story for the last 3 Blizzard games Lore. I look forward someday to read more Warcraft books written by you. Thanks for the interview and for letting Blizzard fans get to know you and your work. It is great to know you are playing World of Warcraft too.
Christie: Thanks for this opportunity, Tom. If you have any follow on questions, feel free to ask. Color me a big fan?few things in my professional life have been as delightful and rewarding as my relationship with Blizzard and my experience with this game. Take care!
Christie
Buy Warcraft: Lord of the Clans pocketbook at Blizzard Store
This book is based on the game Blizzard cancelled few years ago, Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans. Gamespot wrote a full review years ago. Read it Here
