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'''Christopher Paolini''' (born November 17, 1983 in [[Southern California]]) is an American writer. He is best known as the author of the [[Inheritance Cycle]], which consists of the books ''[[Eragon]]'', ''[[Eldest]]'', ''[[Brisingr]]'', and an as yet untitled [[Book 4 (Inheritance cycle)|fourth book]]. He lives in [[Paradise Valley, Montana]], where he wrote his first book.
'''Ted Dekker''' (born [[1961]]) is an [[Indonesia]]n-born [[United States|American]] [[author]] of several [[fiction]] novels. His works are typically classified as [[Contemporary Christian|contemporary]] [[Christian literature]] but span a variety of [[genre]]s, from [[Horror fiction|horror]] to [[fantasy]] to [[Romance (genre)|romance]]. Currently under contract to [[Thomas Nelson (publisher)|Thomas Nelson]], Dekker's ''[[Thr3e]]'' was the recipient of the [[2004]] [[ECPA Christian Book Award]] for Fiction.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Christopher Paolini was raised in the [[Paradise Valley, Montana]] area. His family members include his parents, Kenneth Paolini and Talita Hodgkinson, and his sister, Angela Paolini.<ref name="author">[http://www.alagaesia.com/christopherpaolini.htm The Author]. ''Alagaesia.com''. Accessed 2007-10-30.</ref> [[Homeschooling|Home schooled]] for the duration of his education, Paolini graduated from high school at the age of 15 through a set of accredited [[correspondence course]]s from [[American School of Correspondence]] in [[Lansing, Illinois]]. Following graduation, he started his work on what would become the novel ''[[Eragon]]'' the first of a [[Inheritance Cycle|series]], set in the mythical land of [[Alagaësia]].
===Early life===
Most of what Dekker has revealed regarding his past can be found in his semi-[[Autobiography|autobiographical]] [[non-fiction]] title ''[[The Slumber of Christianity]]'', which concerns misplaced values in the modern-day church. The child of [[Missionary|missionaries]], Dekker had little time to spend with his parents and recounts struggles for acceptance even at a young age.


In 2002, ''[[Eragon]]'' was published by ''Paolini International LLC'', Paolini's parents' company. To promote the book, Paolini toured over 135 schools and libraries, discussing reading and writing, all the while dressed in "a medieval costume of red shirt, billowy black pants, lace-up boots, and a jaunty black cap."<ref name="author" /> Paolini created the cover art for the first edition of ''Eragon'', which featured Saphira's eye. He also drew the maps on the inside covers of his books.<ref>Paolini, C., ''Eragon'', Paolini International LLC, 2002.</ref>
After he moved to the United States and married Lee Ann Dekker, he shook off his [[Christianity|Christian beliefs]] and became successful in the [[San Diego]] business world. He eventually ventured $70,000 on Comfort Care, a risky program entirely devoted to serving adults with [[Urinary incontinence|incontinence]] by delivering [[diaper]]s to them with privacy. Though the ambition thrived, Dekker writes that he was "miserable", and, four years later, [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] stopped funding the program.


In Summer 2002, the stepson of author [[Carl Hiaasen]] found ''Eragon'' in a bookstore and loved it, and Hiaasen brought it to the attention of his publisher, [[Alfred A. Knopf]].<ref name="guardian">{{cite news| last = Spring| first = Kit| title = Elf and efficiency (Interview)| work = Guardian Unlimited| date = January 25, 2004| url = http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/childrenandteens/story/0,,1130351,00.html| accessdate = 2007-09-13}}</ref><ref>David Welch (September 29, 2005). [http://www.powells.com/authors/hiaasen.html A Kinder, Gentler Carl Hiaasen, Still Pissing People Off] ''Powells.com''. Accessed 2008-01-20.</ref> Knopf subsequently made an offer to publish ''Eragon'' and the rest of the Inheritance cycle. The second edition of ''Eragon'' was published by Knopf in August 2003. At the age of nineteen, Paolini became a ''[[New York Times]]'' [[bestseller|bestselling]] author.<ref>Liz Rosenberg (November 16, 2003). [http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/16/books/review/16ROSENBT.html?ex=1193889600&en=d50cd4304497d779&ei=5070 'Eragon': The Egg and Him]. ''NYTimes.com''. Accessed 2007-10-30.</ref> ''Eragon'' has since been adapted into a [[Eragon (film)|film]] of the same name.
===Acceptance of Christianity===
Dekker moved his family to [[Colorado Springs]] to live with his parents, where he re-established financial stability by purchasing floundering businesses, propelling them to achievement with positive motivation, and selling them. He recounts his conversion back to Christianity as his coming to a "simple realization" while listening to a cassette tape on [[Creationism]], and devotes a passage of the book to his experiences with [[God in Christianity|God]].


Paolini's essay "It All Began with Books" was included in the April 2005 anthology ''[[Guys Write for Guys Read]]''.
<blockquote>
''"...[F]or no particular reason, the verse I was reading seemed to leap from the page and sear my mind... The words flowed into my mind with stunning power, and I began to cry softly. Heaven was raining on me... My Father was talking to me."'' <small>(''The Slumber of Christianity'', Chapter 4)</small>
</blockquote>


''[[Eldest]]'', the sequel to ''Eragon'', was released August 23, 2005. The third book in the cycle, ''[[Brisingr]]'', was released on September 20, 2008.<ref>[http://alagaesia.com/Brisingr_PressRelease_web.pdf Press release] (January 16, 2008). ''[[Random House]]'' Accessed 2008-01-16.</ref> Although the [[Inheritance Cycle]] was planned as a trilogy, the details for ''[[Brisingr]]'' had to be expanded to include a fourth book which has yet to be titled.<ref>[http://www.alagaesia.com/kvetha/paolini_announcement.pdf Press release] (October 30, 2007). ''[[Random House]]'' Accessed 2007-10-30.</ref>
Dekker was faced with the death of his brother, Danny, in 1997. Though he had been before, the power of this experience compelled him to write his first [[novel]], ''[[Heaven's Wager]]'', which hopefully analyzes death with belief in [[Heaven]]. He wrote two follow-ups to ''Heaven's Wager'', ''[[When Heaven Weeps]]'' and ''[[Thunder of Heaven]]'', not caring if they were published. Dekker believes that losing Danny has given him a different perspective of eternity and his faith. He has since been writing full-time from [[Austin, Texas]].


==Influences==
===Writing career===
Paolini's literary inspirations include the works of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[E. R. Eddison]] and the author of the epic poem ''[[Beowulf]]''.<ref name="guardian"/> Paolini said that ''Eragon'' was "specifically inspired" by the work of [[Bruce Coville]]. Other literary influences include [[David Eddings]], [[Andre Norton]], [[Brian Jacques]], [[Anne McCaffrey]], [[Raymond E. Feist]], [[Mervyn Peake]], [[Ursula K. Le Guin]], and [[Frank Herbert]].<ref name="QandA">Talita Paolini [http://www.shurtugal.com/?id=series/christopher/qanda Christopher Paolini Q&A] ''Shurtugal.com''. Accessed 2008-01-20.</ref> Other favorite authors include [[Jane Yolen]],<ref name="author" /> [[Philip Pullman]],<ref name="QandA" /> and [[Garth Nix]].<ref name="guardian" />
Dekker's ''The Martyr's Song'' trilogy was initially rejected for being "too demonic" for the Christian market (containing very depressing scenarios of hopelessness before redemption), and he introduces ''When Heaven Weeps'' with an experience in which he was confronted by an incensed woman who berated him for writing "such awful things". It was not until 2000 that he was first published, in ''[[Blessed Child]]'', which he co-authored with [[Bill Bright]]. The book was quickly followed with ''[[A Man Called Blessed]]'' and the publication of his first three books. By summer of 2003, Dekker had six novels, including ''[[Blink]]'', in print.


Nature influences much of Paolini's writing. In a three-way interview with [[Philip Pullman]] and [[Tamora Pierce]], Paolini said that [[Paradise Valley, Montana]] is "one of the main sources" of his inspiration.<ref>Dave Welch (October 2003). [http://alagaesia.com/news_interview.htm News: Philip Pullman, Tamora Pierce, and Christopher Paolini Talk Fantasy Fiction] ''Alagaesia.com''. Accessed 2008-01-20.</ref>
His breakthrough novel{{Fact|date=January 2008}} was his seventh to be published, the award-winning ''[[Thr3e]]'', a plot-driven thriller centered on Kevin Parson, a seminary student taunted by a killer who uses phone calls and riddles to determine whether or not he will detonate explosives. ''Thr3e'' was later adapted into a [[Thr3e (film)|film]], which was released in January, 2007, and was generally panned by critics.


In the book ''Eldest'', Paolini described his Elves as [[vegetarians]]. When asked about his own diet, Paolini answered, "No, I am not vegetarian, although I lean in that direction."<ref>Christopher Paolini. [http://www.alagaesia.com/talktrilogy.html Talking Trilogy] ''Alagaesia.com''. Accessed 2008-01-20.</ref>
In [[2004]], Dekker released the ''[[Circle Trilogy]]'', the novels ''Black'', ''Red'', and ''White''. All three books were launched throughout the same year. The arc tells the story of Thomas Hunter, who lives in two different realities, and combines suspense, political intrigue and [[C. S. Lewis]]-inspired, Christian analogy-infused worlds, with some influence from ''[[The Matrix]]'', as well.


In the acknowledgments of ''[[Brisingr]],'' Paolini acknowledged the influence of Leon and Hiroko Kapp's ''The Craft of the Japanese Sword'' for his description of the forging of [[Eragon (character)|Eragon]]'s sword. Additionally, Paolini admitted he is a [[Doctor Who]] fan, which inspired his reference to the "lonely god" (the [[epithet]] given to [[the Doctor (Doctor Who)|the Doctor]] by the [[Face of Boe]] in season 2, episode 1, "[[New Earth]]").
In [[2006]], he revamped one of his earlier novels, ''[[Showdown (Dekker novel)|Showdown]]'', and released two additional sequels, ''[[Saint (novel)|Saint]]'' and ''[[Sinner (Dekker novel)|Sinner]]''. All three books loosely follow the ''Circle Trilogy''. [[House (2008 film)|A film based on ''House'']] was released on November 7, [[2008]].


==Notes==
Dekker's most recent works have been ''[[Skin (novel)|Skin]]'', released on [[April 3]], [[2007]], [[graphic novel]]s based on the ''Circle Trilogy'' drawn by [[Matthew Hansen]] and Bob Strachan, and the ''[[The Lost Books (YA Fiction Novels)|The Lost Books]]'' series, which continues the ongoing saga left off by ''Saint''. Four of the ''[[The Lost Books (YA Fiction Novels)|The Lost Books]]'' were released in April 2008, with two more, co-authored with newcomer Kaci Hill, due out in 2009, and the entire story arc by an enigmatic fourth entry in the ''Circle'' series, called "Book Zero". Little has been revealed in regards to ''Green'' other than that it will bring the series to a "full circle".
<references/>

==Writing style==
Dekker's earliest novels were largely influenced by his brother's unexpected death and his experiences as being "filthy rich"; ''Heaven's Wager'' contains a mostly pessimistic stance on life devoid of Christianity through the story of a man who achieves his goal of earning twenty million dollars but ultimately loses his family to freak accidents, and ''When Heaven Weeps'' explores the more hopeful side of death found in ''The Slumber of Christianity''.

Recently, Dekker's novels have contained much less blatant Christian content and "darker" themes. Other Christians have protested the inclusion of graphic violence, language ([[minced oath]]s such as ''[[wikt:crap|crap]]'') and explorations into evil, but Dekker has defended his new position by stating that, to fully understand the power of the Christian God, it is necessary to understand the power of the evil that he conquered.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}

Dekker has been described as "upsettingly precise" in his details and Frank Peretti has commented on his "dry wit that makes me laugh". One notable aspect of Dekker's novels, particularly his latest, is the psychology of the villains; he often fleshes their thoughts and motives and eccentricities, in keeping with his theme of understanding evil.

Dekker's agent, Dan Raines of Creative Trust claims that Dekker is a writer with amazing velocity, referring to the fact that he can write a novel in sometimes 6 weeks.

==Bibliography==
===Novels===
'''The Blessed Series'''
*''[[Blessed Child]]'' (March 2000) (with [[Bill Bright]])
*''A Man Called Blessed'' (April 2000) (with [[Bill Bright]])

'''The Martyr's Song Series'''
*''[[Heaven's Wager]]'' (October 2000)
*''When Heaven Weeps'' (May 2001)
*''Thunder of Heaven'' (February 2002)
*''Martyr's Song''

'''Other'''
*''[[Blink (novel)|Blink]]'' (January 2003)
*''[[Thr3e]]'' (September 2003)
*''[[Obsessed (novel)|Obsessed]]'' (February 2005)
*''Blink of an Eye'' (November 2007)
*''[[Adam (2008 novel)|Adam]]'' (April 2008)
*''Kiss'' (January 2009)

====Books of History Chronicles====
'''The Circle Trilogy'''
*''[[Black (novel)|Black]]'' (February 2004)
*''[[Red (novel)|Red]]'' (May 2004)
*''[[White (novel)|White]]'' (September 2004)

'''The Paradise Novels'''
*''[[Showdown (2006 novel)|Showdown]]'' (January 2006)
*''[[Saint (novel)|Saint]]'' (October 2006)
*''[[Sinner (Dekker novel)|Sinner]]'' (September 2008)

'''The Lost Books'''
*''[[Chosen (novel)|Chosen]]'' (December 2007)
*''[[Infidel (novel)|Infidel]]'' (December 2007)
*''[[Renegade]]'' (May 2008)
*''[[Chaos]]'' (May 2008)

'''Other'''
*''[[House (novel)|House]]'' (April 2006) (with [[Frank E. Peretti|Frank Peretti]])
*''[[Skin (novel)|Skin]]'' (April 2007)

===Other Titles===
*''The Slumber of Christianity: Awakening a Passion for Heaven on Earth'' (July 2005)
*''The Martyr's Song'' (September 2005)
*''The Promise'' (September 2005)
*''The Drummer Boy'' (October 2006)

===Graphic Novels===
*''Black'' (2007)
*''Red'' (2007)
*''White'' (2007)
*''Chosen'' (2008)
*''Infidel'' (2008)

===Films===
*''[[Thr3e (film)|Thr3e]]'' (2007)
*''[[House (2007 film)|House]]'' (2008)
*''Blink of an Eye'' (unknown)
*''Showdown'' (unknown)
*''Martyr's Song'' (unknown)
*''Blessed Child'' (unknown)

===Works In Progress===
*''The Boneman's Daughters'' [previously "Angel"] (April 14, 2009)
*''Lunatic'' (June 2009) (with Kaci Hill)
*''Elyon'' (June 2009) (with Kaci Hill)
*''Green'' (December 27, 2009)
*''Burn'' (January 2010) (with Erin Healy)


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.teddekker.com Official website]
* [http://www.alagaesia.com/ Official website], which includes [http://www.alagaesia.com/christopherpaolini.htm autobiographical comments] from Paolini
* [http://book.literaryawards.info/en/christopher_paolini.html Christopher Paolini's complete bibliography]
* [http://www.projectshowdown.co.nr Project Showdown, a Ted Dekker fan-site]
* [http://www.TheCircleTrilogy.com Preview and information on Ted's Graphic Novel Trilogy]
* [http://www.brisingr.com.au/ The Official Australian Brisingr website]
* [http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375890369 ''Eragon'' summary], from [[Random House]]
* [http://linktrack.info/fQlkJe4 Official Site for Adam]
* [http://www.shurtugal.com/ Shur'tugal] - one of the biggest fan-sites
* [http://www.teddekker.com/site.php?em817=190854_-1__0_~0_-1_7_2008_0_0&content=news_news Interview]
* [http://www.fantasy-fan.org/christopher_paolini Christopher Paolini] on Fantasy Fan
* [http://www.teddekker.com/site.php?em817=190802_-1__0_~0_-1_2_2008_0_0&content=news_news Second interview]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keCP-k756o8 Interview with Will Dawson on The 700 Club]
* [http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Authors/Default.aspx?Page=Author&ID=Paolini,%20Christopher Christopher Paolini at Random House Australia]
*[http://www.houseoflegends.com.au/Author-Detail.aspx?Author=Paolini,%20Christopher Christopher Paolini at House of Legends]
* [http://wiki.elyonscircle.com The Circlepedia, an unofficial Dekker wiki]
*{{isfdb name|id=Christopher_Paolini|name=Christopher Paolini}}
* [http://books.google.com/books?rview=1&lr=&as_brr=3&q=ted+dekker&btnG=Search+Books Limited Preview of the books]


{{TedDekker}}
{{Inheritance}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Dekker, Ted}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paolini, Christopher}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American children's writers]]
[[Category:American fantasy writers]]
[[Category:Writers from California]]


[[Category:Christian novelists|Dekker, Ted]]
[[Category:Inheritance cycle]]
[[Category:Graphic novelists]]
[[Category:Italian-Americans]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Writers from Montana]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Writers of young adult literature]]
[[Category:American child writers]]


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Revision as of 13:59, 18 February 2009

Christopher Paolini
OccupationAuthor
GenreYoung adult literature
High Fantasy
Notable worksThe Inheritance Cycle
Website
http://alagaesia.com

Christopher Paolini (born November 17, 1983 in Southern California) is an American writer. He is best known as the author of the Inheritance Cycle, which consists of the books Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and an as yet untitled fourth book. He lives in Paradise Valley, Montana, where he wrote his first book.

Biography

Christopher Paolini was raised in the Paradise Valley, Montana area. His family members include his parents, Kenneth Paolini and Talita Hodgkinson, and his sister, Angela Paolini.[1] Home schooled for the duration of his education, Paolini graduated from high school at the age of 15 through a set of accredited correspondence courses from American School of Correspondence in Lansing, Illinois. Following graduation, he started his work on what would become the novel Eragon the first of a series, set in the mythical land of Alagaësia.

In 2002, Eragon was published by Paolini International LLC, Paolini's parents' company. To promote the book, Paolini toured over 135 schools and libraries, discussing reading and writing, all the while dressed in "a medieval costume of red shirt, billowy black pants, lace-up boots, and a jaunty black cap."[1] Paolini created the cover art for the first edition of Eragon, which featured Saphira's eye. He also drew the maps on the inside covers of his books.[2]

In Summer 2002, the stepson of author Carl Hiaasen found Eragon in a bookstore and loved it, and Hiaasen brought it to the attention of his publisher, Alfred A. Knopf.[3][4] Knopf subsequently made an offer to publish Eragon and the rest of the Inheritance cycle. The second edition of Eragon was published by Knopf in August 2003. At the age of nineteen, Paolini became a New York Times bestselling author.[5] Eragon has since been adapted into a film of the same name.

Paolini's essay "It All Began with Books" was included in the April 2005 anthology Guys Write for Guys Read.

Eldest, the sequel to Eragon, was released August 23, 2005. The third book in the cycle, Brisingr, was released on September 20, 2008.[6] Although the Inheritance Cycle was planned as a trilogy, the details for Brisingr had to be expanded to include a fourth book which has yet to be titled.[7]

Influences

Paolini's literary inspirations include the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, E. R. Eddison and the author of the epic poem Beowulf.[3] Paolini said that Eragon was "specifically inspired" by the work of Bruce Coville. Other literary influences include David Eddings, Andre Norton, Brian Jacques, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E. Feist, Mervyn Peake, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Frank Herbert.[8] Other favorite authors include Jane Yolen,[1] Philip Pullman,[8] and Garth Nix.[3]

Nature influences much of Paolini's writing. In a three-way interview with Philip Pullman and Tamora Pierce, Paolini said that Paradise Valley, Montana is "one of the main sources" of his inspiration.[9]

In the book Eldest, Paolini described his Elves as vegetarians. When asked about his own diet, Paolini answered, "No, I am not vegetarian, although I lean in that direction."[10]

In the acknowledgments of Brisingr, Paolini acknowledged the influence of Leon and Hiroko Kapp's The Craft of the Japanese Sword for his description of the forging of Eragon's sword. Additionally, Paolini admitted he is a Doctor Who fan, which inspired his reference to the "lonely god" (the epithet given to the Doctor by the Face of Boe in season 2, episode 1, "New Earth").

Notes

  1. ^ a b c The Author. Alagaesia.com. Accessed 2007-10-30.
  2. ^ Paolini, C., Eragon, Paolini International LLC, 2002.
  3. ^ a b c Spring, Kit (January 25, 2004). "Elf and efficiency (Interview)". Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  4. ^ David Welch (September 29, 2005). A Kinder, Gentler Carl Hiaasen, Still Pissing People Off Powells.com. Accessed 2008-01-20.
  5. ^ Liz Rosenberg (November 16, 2003). 'Eragon': The Egg and Him. NYTimes.com. Accessed 2007-10-30.
  6. ^ Press release (January 16, 2008). Random House Accessed 2008-01-16.
  7. ^ Press release (October 30, 2007). Random House Accessed 2007-10-30.
  8. ^ a b Talita Paolini Christopher Paolini Q&A Shurtugal.com. Accessed 2008-01-20.
  9. ^ Dave Welch (October 2003). News: Philip Pullman, Tamora Pierce, and Christopher Paolini Talk Fantasy Fiction Alagaesia.com. Accessed 2008-01-20.
  10. ^ Christopher Paolini. Talking Trilogy Alagaesia.com. Accessed 2008-01-20.
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