Erin Hunter Answers Your Questions Summer 2011

This article is not a part of the Warriors universe and is from the real world.

Erin Hunter Answers Your Questions Summer 2011 was a session in which Vicky Holmes answered various fans' questions on the Warriors Official Forum on July 27th, 2011.

Information revealed

On the characters

ThunderClan

Question:	I've noticed a lot of evil characters aren't actually evil, just misguided. Where do cats like that go after they die?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Are you thinking of Ashfur? He's in StarClan. Only the really dark-hearted cats end up in the Dark Forest.
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will Jayfeather ever find out about SkyClan? I mean, he can see cats' thoughts, so he can read Firestar's mind, so I find it a bit strange he doesn't see anything about SkyClan.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I haven't included this in OTS anywhere, but you're right, it does seem likely that at some stage Jay would glimpse those memories and say, Oi! What aren't you telling us?!
Outcome:	None

Question:	Is Hollyleaf going to be a big part of the fifth and sixth books of the fourth series?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, I don't think it's a secret any more that Hollyleaf is going to have a big role to play at the end of OOTS.
Outcome:	True.

Question:	how many lives does Firestar have left?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: At the start of OTS6, he has 2 left.
Outcome:	None

Question:	I don't really get how Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovewing were part of the ancients? Did they like reincarnate like Cinderpelt did? I'm really curious!
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I feel a bit nervous about using the term "reincarnation" because it is used in a very specific religious context most of the time. But I do think the spirits of Jay, Lion and Dove were present in ancient cats as well as the cats we see in the modern Clans. It's worth adding at this point that the beliefs in this series do NOT reflect my own beliefs!
Outcome:	None

Question:	I was wondering, did Cinderpelt ever have feelings for Fireheart/Firestar?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes! Cinderpelt was very much in love with Firestar, but she knew nothing could ever happen because (a) she's a medicine cat, so forbidden to have relationship, and (b) Firestar is Sandstorm's mate. Cinderpelt is one of the few medicine cats to play by the rules!
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will we ever see Thornclaw with a mate?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hmmm. I think Thornclaw is kind of focused on being a Great warrior, and doesn't have time for romance!
Outcome:	False. Thornclaw becomes mates with Blossomfall.

Question:	Why would Cinderheart break up with Lionblaze? She said it wouldn't work out because his destiny doesn't leave room for her, but she doesn't know that! She's being a little bit naive. Also, since you have said that Cinderheart WILL find out about her past as Cinderpelt, will she reconsider and become Lionblaze's mate again?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Cinderheart was overwhelmed when Lionblaze told her about his destiny and his superpower. Suddenly he didn't seem like a regular cat - he's like a hero, singled out by StarClan for Great Things. Cinderheart is so loyal to her Clan that she feels she can't distract Lionblaze from his destiny by something as ordinary as romance. Yes, she's a little naive, but really she's making a sacrifice for the sake of her Clan. As for what happens when she discovers her own secret, I'm not going to spoil the surprise!
Outcome:	True, Cinderheart does find out about her past life.

Question:	Who would you personally like to see become leader of ThunderClan?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Is this a cunning ruse to get some information out of me? Because I'm not going to tell you what happens at the end of OOTS6! However, if it was entirely up to me, and I ignored ALL of the stories so far, I think I'd put Cinderheart in charge. I like the idea of a leader who was originally a medicine cat, who would seek any path that didn't involve battle, and who put the welfare of cats above pride.
Outcome:	None

Question:	I was wondering if Hazeltail or Mousewhisker will ever get a mate.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I think there's some romance in store for Hazeltail! Not sure about Mousewhisker, sorry. There's been so much going on in the Clans lately that I keep forgetting to fit in some hearts and flowers for the younger warriors!
Outcome:	False for Hazeltail as she dies from greencough and it was never shown that she had a love interest.

Question:	What caused Blossomfall to want to train and continue to train in the dark forest?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Blossomfall is NOT evil, or disloyal, or remotely hostile toward the Clans. But she feels neglected by her mother Millie, who is so focused on Briarlight and her injuries. Blossomfall just wants someone to notice her, pay her attention, and give her praise for being a good warrior. Sadly, she has found what she needs in the Dark Forest...
Outcome:	None

Question:	IS HOLLYLEAF ALIVE?!
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes.
Outcome:	True, until her death in The Last Hope

Question:	I was wondering If Scourge is related to Firestar.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, Firestar is Scourge's half-brother. They have the same father, Jake, who appears briefly in Bluestar's Prophecy.
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Hollyleaf is the Forgotten Warrior right? I know shes coming back, but is she THE Forgotten Warrior? if not, it was/is a cat in ThunderClan right?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hollyleaf IS the Forgotten Warrior!
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will Briarlight ever be healed?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Briarlight's injuries are permanent, sadly.
Outcome:	None

Question:	I was wondering if after Jayfeather goes to StarClan (nooo!!!), will he be with his true love Half Moon again?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Ooh, interesting question. I guess if Jay finds her, and Half Moon is still there, then they might get close. But StarClan is huge, so maybe they wouldn't find each other?
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will Brightheart have kits again?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: YES, Brightheart will have more kits!
Outcome:	True.

Question:	If Longtail wasn't blind, would him and Mousefur might have become mates? I've payed attention really well to the context and they went a a few patrols together, and when the fire happened in Rising Storm he was helping her with Willowpelt's kits.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: No, Longtail and Mousefur wouldn't have been mates. Mousefur was never interested in having a mate.
Outcome:	None

Question:	When Cinderheart goes to StarClan ( D: ) will she go as Cinderheart or Cinderpelt?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I think she'd go as Cinderheart - but maybe Cinderpelt would be there separately, to represent their two very different lives?
Outcome:	Likely as Cinderpelt has reached StarClan.

Question:	I was wondering, is Brightheart going to get an apprentice?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I don't think Brightheart will get an apprentice in OTS, because she's just found out she's expecting more kits! Great news for one of the older queens.
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Will Brambleclaw ever forgive Squirrelflight?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I don't think Brambleclaw can forgive Squirrelflight. Even though she acted with the best intentions, what she did to him was really dreadful. She should have trusted him enough to tell him the truth!
Outcome:	False: they make up in The Last Hope.

Question:	Erin, I'm kind of wondering why most of the ThunderClan cats /from the first series/ aren't elders yet. They have to be very old by now.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Firestar is almost six years old, not that old in regular kittypet terms but close to being "old" for a feral cat. None of the cats are ancient!
Outcome:	False: Firestar is seven years old. See: Events timeline

Question:	How do you feel about Jayfeather having millions and millions of fangirls who would be crazy and foaming from the mouth if they met him?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I am thrilled that Jayfeather is so popular! I can't imagine him being very gracious if he met all his fans, though. He's not a great one for crowds.
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will Lion and Jay forgive Leaf and Squirrel?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Lion and Jay have a lot of ground to cover before they can truly forgive their two mothers. I'm not going to say if all is truly mended!
Outcome:	None

Question:	I have just been wondering if Brambleclaw is truly finished with the Dark Forest, or if his argument with Squirrelflight would be enough to send him back, since there have been rumours that he won't be the next leader of ThunderClan.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Brambleclaw has unfinished business with certain cats in the Dark Forest, but that doesn't mean he'll end up there.
Outcome:	True: Brambleclaw doesn't return to the Dark Forest and kills Hawkfrost a second time.

ShadowClan

Question:	So, uh, what were you thinking when you found out you mistakenly turned her into a tom, who had kits with Tawnypelt? (I for one like the male Rowanclaw.)
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Clearly I WASN'T thinking about Rowanclaw! Maybe I was thinking about cookies?
Outcome:	None

Question:	When Tigerstar was killed in one blow by scourge, Was that because he was not accepted by StarClan and only had one life?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Scourge may have struck Tigerstar just once, but in fact Tigerstar loses NINE lives, one after the other, in very quick succession. Tigerstar was welcomed by StarClan because he had great leadership qualities, and he made ShadowClan as strong and fearsome as they wanted to be. So he was definitely given all his nine lives. Look away now if you're squeamish! When Scourge sliced his claws through Tigerstar, he struck 9 major organs, each one enough to kill Tigerstar on its own. So he bled to death from his veins, his lungs were punctured, his heart was ripped open, his liver was damaged, etc. Poor, poor Tigerstar.
Outcome:	It is confirmed that Tigerstar did receive nine lives in The Ultimate Guide.

WindClan

Question:	I was wondering about Crowfeather, since he is my favorite. He seems to be loosing his role in the books, and becoming less evident in them. Is there any change we'll see more of him later in the books?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I love Crowfeather too, and he will appear in the final books of OOTS.
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Does Crowfeather even love Nightcloud? Probably not, but he is pretending to, so he seems loyal to his clan.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I don't think he does love Nightcloud, I'm afraid. He was forced into taking her as his mate to show his Clanmates that he was loyal to WindClan after he'd run off with Leafpool. It was a marriage of convenience, which makes me feel very sorry for Nightcloud, who truly does love him.
Outcome:	Unsure. In seperate chats, it is said that Nightcloud isn't Crowfeather's true love, but he does care about her, even though he loves Leafpool more. However, in The Ultimate Guide, it is stated that Crowfeather had resented Nightcloud because he didn't love her. It is also said that Nightcloud had attempted to make him love her due to her fear of never bearing kits, though she didn't particularly like him.

Question:	What ever happend to Deadfoot? Oh, and is he Crowfeather's father? That would explain why he wanted to send him on the Journey to find Midnight
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, Deadfoot is Crowfeather's dad (I think).
Outcome:	True.

RiverClan

Question:	Does Rainflower still love Crookedstar? Or since she went to StarClan, refuse to see him?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I hope that Rainflower now realizes what a huge mistake she made with Crookedstar, and is willing to say sorry to him in StarClan.
Outcome:	True. She confirms that they made amends in StarClan.

Question:	In the Forest of Secrets prologue, it says a single kit was suckling Graypool. Who was that kit?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh gosh, I can't think who that was suckling Graypool. I'd have to do a lot of research!
Outcome:	None

SkyClan

Question:	Is there going to be more for the SkyClan Super Editions.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Well, we've explored SkyClan in Firestar's Quest and SkyClan's Destiny, and they've got an entire all to themselves, so I'm not sure if we'll visit them again. But who knows what might happen?!
Outcome:	False. Vicky has hinted we will know what happened to Sharpclaw and Cherrytail. and she hinted SkyClan will reappear soon. Vicky has also confirmed that we will see SkyClan in Ravenpaw's Farewell and the Sixth Series. SkyClan later does appear in Hawkwing's Journey.

Question:	are the cats that help Jayfeather find catnip in Long Shadows from SkyClan
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, they are!
Outcome:	None

Question:	I have come across some especially strange ones lightly in the book ‘SkyClan's Destiny’ I personally have always enjoyed the unique names of the warrior cats but these are a little bit over unique, Have you been running out of names?!
Answer:	VickyHolmes: The reason there are some strange names in SkyClan's Destiny is because the cats have tried to combine warrior-style names with their kittypet names, hence "Billystorm" (he's just called Billy by his housefolk) and "Harveymoon" (Harvey at home). Macgyver is a kittypet who didn't want a warrior name, so he kept his original name - and his housefolk are clearly fans of the TV show! So the names are meant to be ridiculous, because they show that SkyClan is finding its way toward being a true warrior Clan, even if it makes a few mistakes along the way.
Outcome:	None

Cats outside of the Clans

Question:	in Sign of the Moon, doesn't it say that Rock was the first Stoneteller? Excuse me if I'm wrong, I'll admit I'm not the most straight minded person and this may have gotten mixed up, but didn't Rock tell Jayfeather that he was the first Stoneteller and then Jayfeather ran off to the past to make Half Moon the first Stoneteller?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh gosh, I hope Rock didn't say that! Rock pre-dates the Tribe, so he can't have been a Stoneteller. Fingers (and paws) crossed that this isn't another one of my Famous Mistakes...
Outcome:	She revealed that Half Moon was the first "official" Stoneteller; Rock came before her, but he wasn't given the title Stoneteller because it didn't exist then.

Question:	How did Hollyleaf think that Sol looked like a lion? because i dont see it at all.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Sol looked like a lion because the fur was standing up around his neck, like a sun-shaped mane.
Outcome:	None

Question:	Did Ravenpaw ever get a mate or kits? If so, what are their names?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I'm afraid Ravenpaw never gets a mate or kits - he's perfectly happy with just Barley for company!
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will Midnight be a relevant character again before Omen of the Stars is finished?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh there's no way I could end the series without bringing Midnight back! I love her (especially the way she talks like Yoda). Believe it or not, I had an idea to bring her back as Ultimate Baddie, but luckily my lovely editor Erica talked me out of it. Poor Midnight! Of course she's one of the good guys!
Outcome:	True, Midnight appears frequently in The Last Hope.

Question:	Will the Ancients get their own Super Edition?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Maybe, I do love the Ancients very much and would love to explore more of their stories.
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will Rock get his own Super Edition?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hmmm, he certainly deserves one, but I quite like how mysterious he is at the moment and that would change if he had a whole Super Edition all to himself.
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will we see the Tribe again, or was that their final story in Sign of the Moon?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I love the Tribe, too. They won't make another appearance in OTS, but I don't think I can leave them behind forever. Keep an eye out, they'll definitely pop up again somewhere!
Outcome:	None

Question:	Rock has gotten on my nerves SO many times. I want to like Rock, but it's hard when he's so mean and heartless. I can like any character that I can empathize with, but I can't empathize with Rock. Can you help me with this, please?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Rock isn't heartless, he just knows the limits of his power, and StarClan's. He knows so much that he can no longer afford to feel any emotions. I find him fascinating, and every time he appears it feels as if I learn something more about him.
Outcome:	None

Question:	who was that other ginger cat in the tunnel, does he have a name?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: As you said, there were two cats in the tunnels - you've met the other one before, so you should be able to figure out who it was.
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will Sol come back to the clans by the lake?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, Sol will appear again in OTS5.
Outcome:	True.

Question:	is the Mitzi in Crookedstar's Promise the same old Mitzi as in that Ravenpaw's Path Arc?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hmmm. I think they are the same characters, but don't quote me! I could be wrong!
Outcome:	Unsure. Their descriptions do not match.

}}

Question:	Does Barley's barn end up being overrun by old BloodClan members again? Because in The Heart of A Warrior, Willie says when the clans have gone, he'll be back. So does he stay true to that?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I think Ravenpaw and Barley would DIE before they let other cats take over the barn! Don't worry, their home is safe.
Outcome:	None

Place of No Stars

Question:	Who was the first cat to ever enter the Dark Forest?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Ooh, interesting question! And to be perfectly honest, I don't think I know the answer. I think that after the cats had first started believing in StarClan, it would be the first cat who died having led a truly wicked life, so he didn't deserve to go to StarClan.
Outcome:	None

Question:	In The New Prophecy, Tigerstar mentions to Darkstripe he just found out Dark Forest cats could walk in dreams. But in Crookedstar's Promise, it's being done left and right! Is Tigerstar just a slow learner?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yup, Tigerstar is sooooo slow...
Outcome:	None

Other information

The books

Question:	Hello. I was wondering if you knew what the general age group is for readers of the Warriors series. I don't even believe that there is such a thing as a book that you are to old to enjoy.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: these books are DEFINITELY not for "little kids"! I do have lots of young fans, but I don't water down my ideas or use simple words. You have to be smart to read Warriors! Most of my fans are between 10 and 14, but lots and lots are older teenagers, and even grown-ups. I love the fact that anyone can read the books, and I deal with topics like death and religion which appear in adult books far more often than children's books.
Outcome:	None

Question:	Ive heard that your 5th series is going WAY back. does that mean LionClan LeopardClan and TigerClan? or the beginnings of the 5 original clans. I read the beginning of Secrets of the Clans, if the clans started that way, where did the tales of LeopardClan, TigerClan, and LionClan come from? are they just nursery tales?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: The fifth series will feature the first cats to settle in the forest and become the Clans as we know them - NOT leopards or lions or tigers! These are just myths and legends, based on a very limited knowledge of big cats elsewhere in the world. Kind of like our stories about dragons and unicorns and fairies.
Outcome:	None

Question:	Do you guy's think you will ever make a story about Onestar just like Bluestar,Crookedstar,Yellowfang and Firestar?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I would love to do a WindClan-based Super Edition, though I think I'd put Tallstar at the centre of the story. We'd see a lot of Onewhisker, though.
Outcome:	True: There is a Super Edition made known as Tallstar's Revenge, which features Tallstar.

Question:	a fifth warrior series that takes place from the dawn of the Clans. Could you tell us any information about them, and if possible, a release date?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I can tell you that the fifth series of Warriors will feature the very first Clans in the forest.
Outcome:	None

Question:	I want to read Firestar's Quest and Bluestar's Prophecy but I don't know when. I'm so afraid of spoilers. I'm almost finished with Dark River right now and I'm lacking Eclipse so should I start reading the super editions then?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: You can read the Super Editions any time after you've finished Series one. Which means you can read them RIGHT NOW! Hooray!
Outcome:	None

Question:	I heard that the 5th series is Dawn of the Clans but i also heard that Dawn of the Clans is a super edition and that the 5th series is The Calling. Could you clarify which is which?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Never believe anything you read on the internet - unless you know it definitely comes from me! The fifth series doesn't have a title yet, and Dawn of the Clans is not the name of a Super Edition. BUT the fifth series will be based on the early forest Clans, so I've used "dawn of the Clans" to describe the theme. And maybe it will end up being the title, but we haven't decided yet!
Outcome:	True. The fifth series is known as Dawn of the Clans arc.

Question:	For Night Whispers, you told us Flametail would have a POV. For Sign of the Moon, you told us that it would center around the Tribe. For Crookedstar's Promise, you told us it's about forbidden love and why it was allowed. May we have a head's up like these for The Forgotten Warrior?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: The Forgotten Warrior is going to be about how difficult it is to go back to a life you thought you'd left behind. It's also about forgiveness, and acceptance, and coming to terms with guilt. So you can probably guess who the Forgotten Warrior is!
Outcome:	None

Question:	I'm just wondering if there will be more super editions after Yellowfang's Secret, and what cats they might be about.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I'd love to do a Super Edition set in WindClan to complete the set, but I'm not sure which cat I'd choose to put at the centre. Maybe Tallstar, as he must have some dark secrets!
Outcome:	True:There is a Super Edition made known as Tallstar's Revenge, which features Tallstar.

Clan life

Question:	I was wondering, can you use the herbs in the books in real life? Can you use some, or none at all ?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: We get all our herb information from a book called Culpeper's Herbal which was written by a physician called Nicolas Culpeper in the 1600s. He lived in London and was very interested in herbal remedies, many of which had been used for hundreds of years. He compiled an encyclopedia of all the herbs and plants that were considered to have medical uses. The book is still published BUT the information is 500 years old so it must NOT be considered accurate! Some of his remedies are still used by herbalists, such as comfrey for mending broken bones, but please, please consult a doctor or veterinarian instead of a Warriors book!
Outcome:	None

Warriors

Question:	Why do you use some of the same names over and over again for the cats? example:Whitestorm; White-eye; Whitetail; Whitewing
Answer:	VickyHolmes: The reason we re-use names is because that's what happens in real life. Lots of Sarahs, lots of Catherines, even lots of Vickys...
Outcome:	None

Question:	Is it just a coincidence that the first leader's of the clan's had the name of that specific clan?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Nope, no coincidence at all. The Clans were named after the first leaders, and the leaders took their names from the part of the forest where they lived: Shadow lived in the dark pinewoods, Wind lived on the breezy moor, Sky loved climbing the tallest trees, Thunder lived near the thunderpath, and River lived...er...by the river.
Outcome:	Unsure: Thunder is named for the events of his birth, and Clear Sky and Tall Shadow received their names before coming to the forest.

Question:	What happened to the elders who stayed behind for the Great Journey?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: The elders who stayed behind survived for a while, until they slipped peacefully away from old age.
Outcome:	None

Places

Question:	in the power of three series which island do they meet at? and wheres the ancient oak and sky oak?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: 'm afraid the locations in the later series aren't based on real places, so I can't point to a real island or oak tree and says, That's it! They all come from my imagination.
Outcome:	None

The authors

Question:	Have you ever read Warriors fan fiction or spoofs? If yes do you have a favorite?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: have read some fan fiction, when it's given to me at signings, but on the whole I try not to because I would hate to be accused of stealing ideas, even though it would just be a coincidence if you see what I mean. So, no favorites!
Outcome:	None

Question:	Waffles or pancakes?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Pancakes every time!
Outcome:	None

Question:	If you were to lead a clan, any of the 5 clans, which one would you choose?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I'd rather not lead a Clan. Would it be okay if I was RiverClan's medicine cat instead?
Outcome:	None

Question:	Will you ever come to Missouri on a tour?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I came to Missouri in 2008 (that's Kansas City, yes?). I don't know when I'll come back, but I would love to!
Outcome:	None

Question:	I have heard that you happen to dislike happy endings, why is this?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hmmm, I know I've said that in the past, but it makes me sound very gloomy! I think my point is that life doesn't come neatly packaged in happy endings, so I don't want to force my books into that shape. For example, getting married is always seen as the triumphant end to a relationship, but in fact it's just the beginning of a whole new chapter, and it can be very hard work! I want readers to believe that my characters have lives that carry on beyond the end of the books, so even though we may have reached a point at which one part of their story comes to an end, other things will carry on - and not all of those things will be good or easy.
Outcome:	None

Question:	which memories you have as an Erin - working on the books, going on tours, etc - stand out to you the most?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Without doubt, I am the luckiest person in the world to have been a part of this. My stand-out memories are meeting the fans, hearing them shriek with excitement when I let slip bits of information, and feeling completely overwhelmed that it's MY stories which have inspired such zeal. Every time I am humbled, and every time I have to pinch myself to check I'm not dreaming! If it all came to an end tomorrow, that would be okay, because I've had the time of my life.
Outcome:	None

Question:	Do you like Cloudtail?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I think Cloudtail is wonderful, he's a lot of fun to write about and I love how he challenges the warrior code without being eviiillll.
Outcome:	None

Question:	have you ever thought about doing a tour around Asia or Europe? Possibly Russia..?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: would LOVE to tour Russia, so if my Russian publishers are reading this, pleeeeeease can I come visit? I'm very cheap to feed!
Outcome:	None

Question:	So, my question is, if you tour in the U.S, do you come anywhere in the Southeast?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: do come to the southeast sometimes - I've visited Florida, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama, are any of those near you? I'm afraid I can't predict when I'll come back, but I hope to return one day!
Outcome:	None

Question:	I was wondering what was your favorite snack food?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: My favorite snack food is CHOCOLATE, although right now I'm enjoying a bag of crisps (chips to you).
Outcome:	None

Question:	were you ever worried that making cats who have super powers was going to make the idea of real cats actually making clans and doing all those Warrior things seem too much like fantasy?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: It was a risk to give the cats their special powers, but I wanted to take the cats in a new direction where they would have to confront their most terrible enemies and their darkest fears. I thought long and hard before going in this direction, and I hope it's paid off.
Outcome:	None

Question:	What character do you most relate to in the series?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I most relate to Ravenpaw - he's shy, awkward, makes up stories, and is much happier living away from the crowds with just his best buddy Barley. That's pretty much me!
Outcome:	None

Question:	Have you ever been sad writing a death scene for someone in the series?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I was very sad to write Cinderpelt's death scene, even though I'd known about it for a long time.
Outcome:	None

Question:	What series is your favorite?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I genuinely love them all for different reasons, with favorite books within each series. I think the best book I've ever worked on, though, is Bluestar's Prophecy. That book ROCKS!
Outcome:	None

Question:	I was wondering if you play a musical instrument. Or, if any of the other Erin’s play an instrument. I was mainly wondering because I, myself, play the viola.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: As far as I know, Kate, Cherith and Tui don't play musical instruments, but I know one of Cherith's grown-up sons is very involved with a folkband so maybe Cherith has secret musical talents! I played the violin when I was much younger, and then the flute, which I loved. I haven't played for a while, but I like to think I'd still remember what to do!
Outcome:	None

Question:	So, you know Tigerclaw was originally called 'Hammerclaw' before? did any of the other cats in the clans (or outside of the clans)have different names now than they were originally going to have? Like Fireheart might of been 'Flameheart' or some other name you decided not to use.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes I did know Tigerclaw was called Hammerclaw! It never occurred to me that cats wouldn't know what hammers were until someone mentioned it JUST before the book went to print. I had to come up with Tigerclaw in a rush, and I never felt it suited him as well as Hammerclaw. I don't think I'd rename any of the cats if I could start over, but I'd DEFINITELY think of a different word for motorized vehicles than "monsters". That wasn't my idea and I absolutely hate it!
Outcome:	None

Question:	If you were a clan cat what would your name be, what clan would you be in and would you be a Medicine Cat, Warrior, Elder, Leader or Queen?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I would be Mousepaw, a medicine cat apprentice in RiverClan.
Outcome:	None

Question:	do you have a cat? What are they like?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I'm afraid I don't have a cat. My family owned lots of cats when I was growing up because we lived on a farm so the barns were full of them! Now I have a very much loved little dog called Missy, who's asleep beside me on the sofa right now.
Outcome:	None

Question:	If you could go anywhere on tour, where would you go?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Good question! I would LOVE to go to Russia, Japan and Finland. I like cold places!
Outcome:	None

See also

• Erin Hunter chats
• Erin Hunter
• Victoria Holmes

Notes and references

Erin Hunter Chats and Forums
Erin Hunter Chats	1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7
Forums	Fall 2010 • Summer 2011