Star Wars Presents: A Writers Roundtable

At the Star Wars Writer’s Roundtable at NYCC, Star Wars author Chuck Wendig said that a small group of people are capable of changing the entire galaxy.

This is true of our favorite heroes from a galaxy far, far away, but also of the select group of authors who are documenting the history of an expansive galaxy through their latest Star Wars novels. These authors’ work impacts a whole world of Star Wars stories each time they pen the tales of fallen Jedi, harrowing battles, and intergalactic leaders.

Star Wars authors Timothy Zahn (Heir to the Empire, Thrawn), Chuck Wendig (Aftermath, Life Debt), Jim Luceno (Tarkin, Catalyst), E.K. Johnston (Ahsoka), Charles Soule (Lando, Obi-Wan & Anakin, Poe Dameron) and Kieron Gillen (Darth Vader) came together for a Star Wars Writers Roundtable to chat about a galaxy far, far away…

On their Inspirations

During the panel, each writer was asked to talk about their biggest influences, and what they find most inspiring about the Star Wars saga.

Wendig said that one of his big sci-fi influences was (and still is) author Timothy Zahn, who wrote Heir to the Empire. James Luceno named Elmore Leonard and Thomas Pynchon as his influences, while E.K. Johnston said that she enjoys the work of Anne McCaffrey.

When Heddle asked about how Star Wars inspires them, James Luceno said he was inspired by the music. Wendig is inspired by how much his son loves Star Wars, and how Star Wars is passed on from generation to generation.

E.K. Johnston shared how she was 14 years old when The Phantom Menace hit theaters in 1999, and that she was inspired by Padmé’s sense of style as well as her ability to fight.

On Star Wars Characters

When asked about character’s that they would like to write for, Luceno said he would like to try to write Watto. Johnston said she would love to write about Sabine Wren, and Timothy Zahn hopes to write Palpatine again one day. Charles Soule would like to try to write about the unexplored eras of Luke Skywalker’s life. Gillen would love to write HK-47 and more Leia.

When the authors were asked about which character was or would be the hardest to write, Gillen said Boba Fett and Johnston said it was writing Ahsoka for her book Star Wars: Ahsoka. For Soule, it would be Emperor Palpatine, Luceno said that it would be difficult to write C-3PO. Chuck Wendig said it would be difficult to write Han Solo, and referred to the complexity of the character.

On the Fans

Zahn said that, to him, the fans embody Star Wars, and Soule said he is impressed with the speed that stuff is updated on Wookieepedia, and can’t believe that Wookieepedia is updated almost as soon as new information is released about a character or series. Gillen said the range of Star Wars fans really inspires him.

On What’s Coming Soon for Star Wars

The panel also released titles related to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, including a young adult novel about Felicity Jones’ Jyn Erso written by Beth Revis, and a middle grade novelization featuring the characters Baze and Chirrut written by Greg Rucka.

Other titles include:

The Art of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
From Abrams Books
By Josh Kushins; Foreword by Doug Chiang, Neil Lamont, and Gareth Edwards
On Sale: December 16, 2016

Star Wars: Rogue One: Profiles and Poster Book
From Egmont UK
On Sale: December 16, 2016

The Art of Coloring Star Wars: Rogue One
From Disney-Lucasfilm Press
On Sale: December 20, 2016

Star Wars Rogue One Rebel Dossier From Disney-Lucasfilm Press
On Sale: December 20, 2016

Lucasfilm will also be teaming up with Marvel, Disney-Lucasfilm Press, Del Rey, Hachette, and more to offer a variety of titles that celebrate next year’s 40^th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope. More information on what’s to come for the 40^th anniversary will be announced soon.

For more, read up on all of the upcoming Star Wars novels over at the official Star Wars website, and check out a full video of the Roundtable here!

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