Erin Hunter Chat 6

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

On June 27th, 2009, the four writers who write the Warriors and Seekers series under the pseudonym Erin Hunter visited Wands and Worlds for an author chat. The four "Erins", as they are often referred to—Victoria Holmes, Cherith Baldry, Kate Cary, and Tui Sutherland—are Wands and Worlds favorites, and this is the sixth Erin Hunter chat that they have hosted.

Information revealed

On the characters

ThunderClan

Question:	Has Brambleclaw left Squirrelflight or are they still together, just with some issues?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I’m not sure where you’ve read up to! Right now, in the book Kate is writing, let’s just say they have a lot of issues.

Question:	Is Hollyleaf still alive?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Do you really expect me to answer that? :)
	KateCary: I don't know! I suspect Vicky knows but I'm not asking her because I love the suspense of not knowing - it's easier to identify with Lion and Jay because they don't know either
	CherithBaldry: Even if we knew we wouldn't say! <evil cackle>
Outcome:	Hollyleaf is alive and returns in The Forgotten Warrior.

Question:	What is going to happen to Leafpool? Can she really no longer be a medicine cat? Yellowfang had a kit and was still able to become one, or maybe that was because no one really knew?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: What happens to Leafpool after the end of Power of Three arc is a central part of Omen of the Stars, so I’m not going to give anything away, I’m afraid! But I think I can say that Leafpool fans won’t be disappointed (whatever that means!).
Outcome:	Leafpool is listed as a warrior.

Question:	Will Hollyleaf and Ashfur end up in the Dark Forest or StarClan, and will that be significant in Omen of the Stars?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: No comment — that would give away too much! Sorry, all these questions are making me feel mean. :(
Outcome:	Hollyleaf is alive, and upon her death, she joins StarClan. Ashfur joins StarClan.

Question:	Jayfeather can see StarClan. Lionblaze has seen the Dark Forest. If Hollyleaf truly is dead, can Ivykit or Dovekit see the place where she walks? She doesn't deserve the Place of No Stars, or StarClan.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: This is kind of tricky to answer, Skywing, on account of how I can't tell you if Hollyleaf is dead... I mean, I could tell you, but I'm choosing not to! :)
	KateCary: Awww, that's a bit harsh! I can't help feeling sorry for Leafpool :(

Question:	Did the character of Jayfeather draw inspiration from The Odyssey character Terisias (a blind prophet who lived in the underworld)?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Gosh, no, but I wish he had! What a gorgeous classical reference.
	KateCary: I love the literary comparison, but frankly his character was more inspired by a stroppy, frustrated teen

Question:	Have you ever considered a megadisaster that would wipe out a good bulk of ThunderClan? For people who love to kill off characters so much, you guys have been pretty merciful on ThunderClan's population. XD
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I have considered it, yes, but I’m reluctant to have to populate an entire Clan with brand new characters (and all their names) when Kate, Cherith and I have spent so long getting to know the familiar faces! Also, we've had fires, floods, rampaging dogs, and major roadworks - those ThunderClan cats seem to dodge everything I throw at them! They are invincible!
	CherithBaldry: Oh please, not tons more names to learn!

Question:	Can Blossomkit become a medicine cat?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Well technically she could become a medicine cat. Will she? That would be telling!
Outcome:	Blossomfall becomes a warrior.

Question:	What is the name of the leader before Sunstar?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Pinestar. You can find out a little bit more about him in Code of the Clans, and lots more in Bluestar's Prophecy, this year’s totally fabulous Super Edition which comes out in August.
	KateCary: Oh goodness, we haven't researched back that far! ;)
Outcome:	True and false. Pinestar is the leader before Sunstar, but Bluestar's Prophecy came out in July, not August.

Question:	Does Leafpool take part in Omen of the Stars?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh, she’s most definitely involved.

Question:	The prophecy refers to the Three as being "kin of [Firestar's] kin", but Dovekit and Ivykit are technically kin of his kin of his kin. How do you explain this?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: “Kin” means “relative”, not just the closest generation. So your grandparents are your kin, your great-grandparents, your cousin’s children, their grandchildren – if anyone is linked to you by blood, they are your kin. Technically, the prophecy could have just said “your kin”, but that didn’t have the nice ring that “kin of your kin” does!

Question:

Did you always mean to make Hollyleaf go out like she did?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: I’ll be honest: in The Sight, Hollyleaf was absolutely and totally one of the Three in the prophecy. I always wanted to send her into a place where she would end up doing something dreadful, but I thought this would come about because she misused her extraordinary powers. But by Book Three, I just couldn’t think what Hollyleaf’s power was. Jay and Lion had walked straight into their roles from the moment they appeared in my head, but Holly seemed to reject everything I offered her, from foreseeing the future to reading minds (unlike Jay, who senses emotions but can only read memories). Nothing seemed to fit – and I realized, literally overnight, that she was never meant to have a power. She wasn’t one of the Three, and the knowledge of this would help to crush her, along with all the other doom I had lined up for her. I love it when characters find their own destinies like that!

Question:	Is Pinestar Firestar and Scourge's father? Because if he is then Scourge, Tigerstar, and Firestar are all half-brothers! Also, that expands the list of cats who are "kin of Firestar's kin".
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Wow, that would be amazing if Pinestar was Scourge and Firestar’s dad! Alas, he isn’t. But I kind of wish I’d thought of that…
Outcome:	True, Jake is Firestar's and Scourge's father, not Pinestar.

Question:	In Sunrise when Leafpool stepped down from being a medicine cat, did she step down to a warrior's status, or was she banished?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: You’ll find out in Omen of the Stars Book One! She’s still on the cast list, if that’s any consolation.
Outcome:	In the allegiances of The Fourth Apprentice, she has become a warrior.

Question:	What will happen to Cinderheart when she goes to StarClan? Will she divide or regain all her all memories?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I have been asked this several times, which makes me realize I should have figured out an answer before I came up with the idea of bringing Cinderpelt back! Whatever happens will depend on how much Cinderheart learns about her previous life, and how she feels about it. Hmmm, is that suitably evasive?
	KateCary: Ooh, what a great question. I'd love it if she had the memories of both lives - that would be awesome
Outcome:	In The Last Hope, when Cinderheart finally makes a choice, Cinderpelt separates from Cinderheart's body.

Question:

Why did you choose to kill Honeyfern?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: You’re not going to be very pleased with me, I’m afraid. I needed a cat to be killed by a snake in order to have a reason to have deathberries in the hollow, so that Hollyleaf could threaten to kill Leafpool with them later on. I worked back from that scenario, wondering what would be an excuse for Leafpool to have deathberries in her stores when she is so strict about not having them in the camp? How else might she use deathberries? How about laying a trap for something that deserved to be killed? Like a nasty old snake that bit a helpless innocent cat? Leafpool or another cat might come up with the idea of stuffing a mouse with deathberries to lay a deadly bait for the snake. Now, who can I kill with a snake? Hmm... Poor Honeyfern.

Question:	Will Half Moon or Brightspirit show up again in the fourth arc? If so, will Jayfeather pursue a relationship with one of them?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: You’re all so desperate for Jayfeather to have a bit of romance! Hmmmm. Do you really think he’s cut out to be a romantic hero? To answer the first part of your question, we’ll definitely see Half Moon again. I’m not sure about Brightspirit.
Outcome:	True. Half Moon comes back in The Last Hope.

Question:	Will Tigerstar still be a problem for Dovekit and/or Ivykit in Omen of the Stars?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Tigerstar will always be a problem! Not even death can keep him down.
Outcome:	True

Question:	I have heard online that Redtail is Sandstorm's sire. Is this true?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, it is.
Outcome:	Unclear

Question:	Who will Lionblaze's mate be?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: You’re assuming that a cat with his kind of powers - and his unique destiny - can have a mate! Actually, I do have someone in mind. Wait until Omen of the Stars: Book Two for some clues!
	KateCary: Ha! I think I know - but I'm not telling... :)
Outcome:	Cinderheart eventually becomes his mate.

Question:	Does Poppyfrost have a mate and kits or an important role in the future?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I like Poppyfrost, too! I don’t want to give too much away, but in Omen of the Stars: Book One, she has a mate and kits! She’s a lovely character, and is getting to play more of a central role because Kate, Cherith and I are very fond of her.
Outcome:	True. Berrynose is the father of her kits in Omen of the Stars.

Question:	At the end of Sunrise, Leafpool leaves ThunderClan. Does this mean Leafpool is leaving the Clans forever?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Does Leafpool leave ThunderClan at the end of Sunrise? Really? Where does it say that?
Outcome:	True. She does not leave, but steps down and becomes a warrior instead.

Question:	Do Dove's Wing and Dovekit have any correlation? Also, Half Moon has “strong haunches”, and her father bears an eerie resemblance to Cloudstar. Is this just a coincidence? Not to mention that Whispering Breeze “doesn’t mind getting her paws wet”. Is this implying something about RiverClan, perhaps?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Well spotted! I laid lots of clues about the future Clans in the community of ancient cats - so yes, some cats resemble cats we meet later on, and some have characteristics that will feature in the modern Clans, like not minding water. But Dove's Wing and Dovekit are not directly connected.
Outcome:	False. Dovewing is a reincarnation of Dove's Wing.

Question:	Will Foxpaw get to be called Foxcatcher?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Sorry, he's called Foxleap.
Outcome:	True.

Question:

How did Firestar lose two lives between The Darkest Hour and Firestar’s Quest? I asked this once before, and I now know that he lost one of them helping Ravenpaw and Barley with something, but the other one wasn’t explained. I understand that this was probably just a goof, but since it makes it correct that Firestar only has two lives left as of Sunrise, I’d like to know if you have any explanation.

Answer:

VickyHolmes: It was a goof, as you so delicately put it. I find it so hard to keep track of Firestar's lives! Please, does anyone know how many he's lost so far? I keep forgetting!

Question:	Why did you kill Hollyleaf?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Did I? Where does it say that? :)
Outcome:	Hollyleaf was revealed to be alive in The Forgotten Warrior, but died in The Last Hope.

Question:	Was Cinderpelt in love with Firestar?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, she was. And he never realized!

Question:	Will Purdy stay with ThunderClan (until he dies)?
Answer:	KateCary: Would you leave ThunderClan?
	VickyHolmes: Yes, I think so. I love him, especially Cherith and Kate's characterisation, so I'm not going to banish him.
Outcome:	True. He fights in the battle in The Last Hope and does not leave the Clan until his death.

Question:

Were Jayfeather and Hollyleaf named after their real parents? But how would Firestar know to name Hollyleaf after her mother?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Leafpool gave Jayfeather his name as a medicine cat, so yes, she chose it because of Crowfeather. I imagine the parents of a new warrior have some say in their new name, so Squirrelflight would have suggested –leaf to Firestar for Hollypaw. Firestar would have seen this as a tribute to Squirrelflight’s beloved sister, little realizing that it was actually a tribute to Hollyleaf’s real mother!

Question:	Will Thornclaw ever have a mate?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hmmm, I think so. In fact, he might have one already, but it's so late that I can't remember. :(
Outcome:	He becomes mates with Blossomfall in A Vision of Shadows.

Question:	Will Millie ever decide to get a warrior name?
Answer:	KateCary: I get the feeling that once Millie makes up her mind she doesn't change it, so I'm guessing not - but with Vicky, you never know for sure.
	VickyHolmes: No, she chose to keep Millie because she isn't ashamed of her kittypet origins. She's a proud, independent cat as well as being a brave and loyal warrior, and I love her for that.
Outcome:	True. Millie keeps her kittypet name.

Question:	Why did you choose Leafpool to narrate Code of the Clans?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Because she's so calm and wise, and seemed like the kind of cat with connections to all the ancestors who were involved in the making of the code.

Question:	Will Lionblaze and Jayfeather ever forgive Leafpool and Squirrelflight?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I'm not sure, to be honest. It's something we're exploring in Omen of the Stars. I'm going to let the characters make up my mind, I think.

Question:	When will Brightheart get an apprentice?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Soon, soon!
Outcome:	False. Brightheart never received another apprentice.

Question:	Will Toadkit become a medicine cat apprentice? He seemed to be interested in it.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Interesting suggestion, but no.
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Is the fourth apprentice evil or good? Everyone assumes she's good, but it'd be interesting to have her be evil. I mean, no one said she was the third cat in the prophecy.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Very good point! And not one that I'm going to answer. If I told you everything that was going to happen in Omen of the Stars, you wouldn't need to read the books! And then how would Kate, Cherith, Tui and I afford to feed our hungry pets? :)

Question:	In The Sight, after Jaypaw becomes a medicine cat apprentice, Firestar promises Brightheart either Foxkit or Icekit as her apprentice, but in Outcast, the mentors are Whitewing and Squirrelflight. Will this play a role in the later books, or was it just an inconsistency?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: It was an "inconsistency". As in, I forgot.

Question:	Do you guys like Leafpool?
Answer:	CherithBaldry: I like Leafpool a lot. Often authors will make the characters they really like suffer most. I don't know why, but it's often true.
	VickyHolmes: Of course I like her! Cats that don't suffer are very boring and liable to come to a sticky end!

Question:	Will Foxpaw and Icepaw be mentioned more as major characters or not?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Well, we're not going to see the story from their point of view, but they're definitely central characters now that the focus has shifted to the younger generation.

Question:	Why did Berrynose's personality change so abruptly upon becoming a warrior?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I'm not sure it transformed completely, but he grew up a lot and settled down.
	KateCary: Did it? I thought he was annoying as an apprentice as well.

Question:

If Jayfeather went into the tunnels, and came out in Jay's Wing's time, where did Jay's Wing go? I mean, he had to go somewhere when he went into the tunnels, right?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Oh no, I was hoping no one was going to ask me about this! Cherith asked me exactly the same thing when she was writing Long Shadows, and I gave her a really convincing answer, but the details seem to have gotten lost in the fog of my mind. I think I meant that Jayfeather actually became Jay’s Wing – not a reincarnation, not a temporary possession of his body – and by making the decision to go back to ThunderClan, Jay’s Wing had to leave his own Ancient Clanmates to follow a path that he had set for them. Does that make sense? Probably not.

Question:	How old is Firestar?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: He's five years old - so not elder old, but middle-aged in Warrior Cat terms.
Outcome:	False. At the end of Sunrise and in The Fourth Apprentice, he was approximately six years old.

Question:	How old will Ivykit and Dovekit be in The Fourth Apprentice? And will Barkface be dead by then?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Barkface will be dead; Dove and Ivy will be six moons exactly!
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Who would take Brambleclaw's place as deputy if he dies?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hmmm. Lots of good candidates! I think Brackenfur is an awesome senior warrior. But it depends on the circumstances of his death.
	KateCary: Oh I hope it'd be Graystripe, but he may be past it. :( I reckon Vicky would give it to Lionblaze.

Question:	How does Sorreltail feel about what has happened to her? Both her parents and brothers are dead, two of her kits died, and another might have become crippled.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, Sorreltail has had kind of a tough life, hasn't she? But she has her pure and constant love for Brackenfur (happy relationship, yawn) to keep her happy. Ha, I will punish her for boring romance!

Question:	Do you believe that Ashfur was purely evil, or just kind of angry and crazy but overall a good cat?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Angry, misunderstood, brave, loyal - but I don't know if a good cat would have threatened to do what he threatened to do, if you see what I mean!

Question:	Do you like Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, or Jayfeather more? Which do you like the least?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I love them all dearly because they all have such great story possibilities. Lion was a bit dull at first - the silent hunky one, yawn - but now he's much more interesting. Jay is probably my favourite to write about because of his spunky attitude.
	CherithBaldry: I like writing Jayfeather best, though I liked Hollyleaf a lot. <sniff>
	KateCary: Holly was always a fusspot, I like Lionblaze more and more, but Jay is my fave

Question:	What exactly will Omen of the Stars be about?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Dovekit is the "fourth" apprentice, and the true third cat mentioned in the prophecy. As you can imagine, her sister Ivykit is none too pleased about her littermate's special destiny. And that's enough revelations!

Question:	Is Dovekit the fourth apprentice?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yup!
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Whose cats will the point of views be from in Omen of the Stars?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Lionblaze, Jayfeather, Dovekit, and Ivykit!
Outcome:	Partially true. While Lionblaze, Jayfeather, Dovewing, and Ivypool are all points-of-view, Flametail is also a point-of-view (albeit only in Night Whispers).

Question:	What happens to Leafpool?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Lots of things, some good, some bad. :)

Question:	How do you think the Clan reacted when they heard about Hollyleaf's death? Were some happy because of what happened at the Gathering, as well as devastated that they lost a Clanmate? How would the other Clans react?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I suspect there was a fair amount of relief, if not exactly happiness. She caused a whole lot of trouble with her announcement. I'm not sure the other Clans would care a great deal, because they weren't directly affected - except poor old Crowfeather and his new family, who are probably praying for a meteor to land on ThunderClan!

Question:

Why didn't Redtail tell StarClan about what Tigerstar did to him?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Oh, that’s a very good point! StarClan are wise enough to know that some things have to be sorted out by the Clans on their own, so that they have their own experiences to learn from. Also, the discovery of Redtail’s true murderer was vitally important for the destinies of Ravenpaw, Bluestar and Fireheart, so the fact that StarClan didn’t interfere meant each cat ended up where they were supposed to be.

Question:	Since Cinderpelt was in love with Firestar, will Cinderheart have a crush on him?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I hadn't thought of that! I think she just might. Thanks for the idea!

Question:	Can you tell us anything about who will become leader after Firestar? We know it won’t be Brambleclaw, and will be unexpected. Will it be a relatively new character?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: No, I cannot tell you anything about who becomes leader after Firestar.
Outcome:	Brambleclaw ends up becoming leader after Firestar's death in The Last Hope.

Question:	Do you ever plan on writing any more books about Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight or Crowfeather?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Well, they all appear in Omen of the Stars because they all have a lot of unfinished business, but they won't take center stage, as far as I can tell.

Question:	Will Firestar ever learn that Scourge was his half brother? Even if he does, will it matter?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: No, I can't see of any way for him to learn that. If he did, I think Firestar would be pretty horrified at how such close kin turned out - after all, Princess wasn't a murdering psychopath with reinforced claws!

Question:	Does Squirrelflight have one white paw? Everyone who draws fan-art draws her with one front white paw, but when I reread Midnight, I couldn't find anything saying that she actually does.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I've never pictured her with one white paw, but maybe it's mentioned very early on?
Outcome:	Squirrelstar was mentioned with a white paw on page 87 of Midnight.

Question:	Will Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight ever have kits, that is, once they get over their issues? ;)
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Not that I can foresee. Too much water under the bridge, if you see what I mean.
Outcome:	False. Brambleclaw and Squirrelstar eventually have Alderheart, Sparkpelt, Dandelionkit, and Juniperkit.

Question:	In the first arc, Firestar killed Scourge, his half-brother. In the second arc, Brambleclaw killed Hawkfrost, his half-brother. Did you notice this pattern?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I did notice this pattern!

Question:	In The Darkest Hour, when Whitestorm died, he was back in the prime of his life; however, Yellowfang went to StarClan and stayed old. Why is this?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Cats in StarClan are whatever age they were happiest. For Whitestorm, this was when he was a young warrior; for Yellowfang, it was when she joined ThunderClan and found peace.

Question:	Is Holly still alive? I have a theory that she's living in the tunnels with Rock.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: That is indeed a theory. ;)
Outcome:	Partially true. Hollyleaf was indeed alive and living in the tunnels, but she was keeping company with Fallen Leaves, not Rock.

Question:	What's Icepaw's warrior name going to be?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Icecloud!
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Isn't it awful that Lionblaze almost killed Crowfeather, his father? I wonder what would have happened if Crowfeather went to StarClan and found out that Lionblaze was his son.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, it was awful. And one of my favourite scenes, natch.

Question:	Whatever happened to Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Many things, most of them bad, unfortunately.

Question:	I've noticed that Hazeltail has been included a bit more in the books. Does this point to a significant role coming soon? And any possible love for the future?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hmmm, I think maybe she's pushed herself to the front of the stage without me noticing! But perhaps I should reward her with something really exciting.
Outcome:	Hazeltail never takes a mate.

Question:	Would Firestar really let his daughter leave ThunderClan?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: If she truly wanted to, then yes. Firestar knows better than most cats that you have to be in the place where your heart feels happy.

Question:	Redtail is Sandstorm's father, what? He's tortoiseshell, and tortoiseshell cats can't have kits. I also thought you told us that was false at the October 2007 tour!
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Are you sure tortoiseshell cats can't have kits? Hmmmm.

Question:	What exactly was Hollyleaf's power?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: She never had one, because she was never part of the prophecy.
Outcome:	True. She is not one of the Three.

Question:	Do you plan on killing Firestar next arc?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: He's got a few lives to lose, so yes! Will he lose his ninth life? I'm not telling you. ;)
Outcome:	True. Firestar loses his remaining lives in the Omen of the Stars arc.

Question:	Is Ashfur in the Dark Forest?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Good question. Haven't quite decided yet.
Outcome:	Ashfur was sent to StarClan.

Question:	With all this Ferncloud kit-giving, how much longer until ThunderClan is all Ferncloud's kin?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Not long, I fear! But she just loves having babies!

Question:	How did Goldenflower die?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Peacefully of old age between The New Prophecy and Power of Three.

Question:	Why did you just have Leafpool retire? I love her but I was expecting Hollyleaf to kill her.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: How could she stay as a medicine cat, when she has broken the code so dramatically? And lied about her children? Leafpool has only herself to blame.

Question:	Will Purdy, Cloudtail, and Mothwing go to StarClan when they die?
Answer:	KateCary: I like to think they will - they have contributed to the Clan, and StarClan are a generous bunch of puddy-tats
Outcome:	Partially true. Purdy is the only cat of the group to have died so far, and he went to StarClan.

Question:	Which cat (besides Cloudtail) would be most likely to resort to a kittypet life if given the choice?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I don't think Cloudtail would be a kittypet now. He's pretty well assimilated into the Clan. I suspect Purdy would quite like a kittypet lifestyle! Or Daisy, she likes being the center of attention.

Question:	Why does it always seem like Longtail is still young and Mousefur is ancient when really Longtail should be older than her?
Answer:	KateCary: Longtail is younger than Mousefur - he moved to the elders' den because he lost his sight, not because he was old.

Question:	Why have none of the older warriors retired? I'm anxious to see some older warriors retire.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I know that they should, but I'm having too much fun with them. Also, if Dustpelt retires, for example, that means Firestar and Graystripe and Sandstorm should retire too, because they're all the same age. And that would be very inconvenient! It's quite a dilemma, I must say.

Question:	What exactly do Dovekit and Ivykit look like? All I kinda know is that Dovekit is gray, and Ivykit is a tabby. Is that right? What are their eye colors?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Dovekit is gray, Ivykit is a silver tabby with dark blue eyes.

Question:	Will Ivykit be evil?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: She'll be pretty mad that her sister is getting all the attention, that's for sure!

Question:	If Redtail's Sandstorm's father, why didn't she mourn for him in Into the Wild?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Not all cats are close to their parents, just like in real life. Some cats might not even be aware of who their parents are.

Question:

Is the moon indeed sacred to the Clans? They have the Moonstone and Moonpool, two sacred places where leaders and medicine cats may speak with StarClan, not to mention the fact that the full moon is the sign of the truce during the Gatherings, so wouldn't it seem insulting to StarClan (and, if not, implying that a cat is an important figure, but when the cat is still a kit, the mother couldn't possibly know that?) to give a cat the name Moon-? Also, on the Warriors website (on the Ask Erin Hunter), you said Bluestar's mother's name was Duskflower, yet in the preview of Bluestar's Prophecy, it's still Moonflower. Which is correct?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Interesting question. The moon isn’t sacred as such – they don’t worship the moon, or believe that it has any special powers, but they do use it to mark the passage of time. The rest of importance comes from the fact that it is a source of light at night, which must seem pretty strange to the cats! It illuminates the Gatherings (a night when fighting would be difficult anyway because there would be less darkness to hide in), and shines on crystalline stones and still reflective pools where medicine cats can imagine StarClan gathering. So the moon has significance, mystery, beauty, but not actual power, if you see what I mean. Early on, we decided that the name “moon” shouldn’t be used by Clan cats not because it would insult StarClan, but because it would imply that a particular cat had more beauty and significance than its Clanmates. In fact (Warriors trivia coming up!) Bluestar was originally called Moonstone! However, a couple of references crept in to her mother being called Moonflower, most notably in Secrets of the Clans. Although I tried to change this to Duskflower in the website Q&A, there was a general feeling when we came to Bluestar’s Prophecy that we should go with the name that had appeared in previous books. So, uniquely, and kind of by accident, Bluestar’s mom is indeed Moonflower.

WindClan

Question:	We saw Crowfeather's outward reaction to the discovery of his kits - what was his internal reaction? Does he care about his kits or Leafpool?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Rest assured that Crowfeather has a lot of feelings boiling under his fur! You’ll get more glimpses of them in the next arc, I promise.
	CherithBaldry: Yes, he still cares about them - but see my earlier comment.

Question:	While all of us might wonder about Leafpool, Hollyleaf and Squirrelflight, I wonder about this: what will happen to Crowfeather? While he may have seemed to be over Leafpool, we all know that this is not the case, and that he only acted like he did to save face at the Gathering. His Clanmates might get distrustful of him again, knowing that he has two living sons in ThunderClan.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: You are so right! Crowfeather is heaving with all kinds of conflicting emotions right now, but as always, it’s hard to know what he’s thinking underneath his gruff, unfriendly exterior. Only Leafpool and Feathertail were able to see beyond that to the sensitive, loving chap underneath (I’m pretty sure Nightcloud has no idea of her mate’s true character). The revelations at the end of Power of Three will echo far into Omen of the Stars, and Crowfeather’s adventures definitely aren’t over. So many good stories to come! :)
	KateCary: I hope he has a happy ending - I like Crowfeather, though he's such an emo (you guys taught me what that meant)

Question:	In Starlight, it says that Crowfeather has a special destiny like no cat before him; has that destiny already come and gone? Or is it still going to happen?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Well, he's been a central part of Power of Three, don't you think? ;) But there's more to come in Omen of the Stars. Poor old Crowfeather. I hope his nerves hold out.

Question:	Do you have any plans to kill off Barkface, the ancient elder?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Bless Barkface, he must know the secret of youth! He's moved on now, you'll be relieved to hear.
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Does Heathertail still like Lionblaze? Or are her and Breezepelt really in love?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Poor Heathertail, I suspect part of her heart still belongs to Lionblaze even though she knows it is an impossible love (yay, one of my favourite things!). No way are she and Breezepelt in love! Although their relationship is more complicated than "just friends".

RiverClan

Question:	Who are Mistyfoot's kits? They are mentioned in the first arc but never mentioned anywhere else
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hmmm. Kate? Cherith? Any ideas? Maybe they died tragically, and she’s too brave and stoic to mention them. Okay, hands up, I forgot about them.
	KateCary: We did forget them :( It’s easy to lose track. I wish we hadn’t because they’re Bluestar’s grandkits! I like to imagine they grew up into Rippletail and Graymist – two RiverClan warriors. What do you think Vicky?
Outcome:	Her kits are Reedwhisker, Primrosepaw, Pikepaw, and Perchkit.

Question:	In Eclipse, it said that Hawkfrost had amber eyes. Was this just a typo or was it a referance to the "amber eyes" thing again?
Answer:	KateCary: Keeping track of the cats' eye colour is the hardest thing of all.
	VickyHolmes: It was a typo. Or an "inconsistency", as I shall now describe all my goofs. :)

Question:	Whose idea was it to kill Silverstream?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Mine, of course!
	KateCary: Who do you think? ;)

Question:	Is Leopardstar going to die any time soon? I would love to see a Mistystar.
Answer:	KateCary: Well, I guess no cat lives forever, though I'll miss her. I had a soft spot for her in Firestar's younger days. She was always one of the most down to earth leaders. But I think Misty would make a great leader (even though she can't remember who her kits are)
	VickyHolmes: Actually, I don't think I'm giving too much away to reveal that Leopardstar has just died in Omen of the Stars: Book Two! Mistystar is now the leader of RiverClan!
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Was it really just pride that stopped Leopardstar from breaking her agreement with Tigerstar (when he was about to kill the half-Clans), or was there another factor—something she would never admit out loud—like fear?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Good question! Most definitely, Leopardstar was afraid of Tigerstar - but also in love with him, poor thing.

Question:	Who is Mistystar's deputy?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Reedwhisker, one of the cats that Firestar and Graystripe rescued during a flood.
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Who's older, Leopardstar or Blackstar? And Firestar or Onestar?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Leopardstar. Onestar.
Outcome:	True and false. While Onestar is older than Firestar, Blackstar is about a moon older than Leopardstar.

ShadowClan

Question:	Dawnpaw, Flamepaw, and Tigerpaw are Tigerstar's only grandkits. Will they have a huge role? Also, what are their warrior names?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: They'll definitely have a very important role - Tigerstar will make sure of that! Oh gosh, I can't remember their warrior names, I'm so sleepy! Tigerpaw is Tigerheart, I know that much.
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Did you ever think of reincarnating Tigerstar or Hawkfrost? I ask because of Fallen Leaves.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh no, they're far too busy getting up to mischief in the Dark Forest!

Question:	What would have happened if Tigerstar was still alive?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: He'd be very old.
Outcome:	True. If he lived, by the time of The Fourth Apprentice, he would have been approximately eleven years old.

Question:	Will Tawnypelt's kits become important?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh yes! Tigerstar isn't going to ignore the fact that he has grandchildren in ShadowClan!

Question:	What's with Tigerstar's sudden change of view with pure-blooded cats? He told Lionblaze that blood didn't matter in Sunrise. Is he just growing desperate for new, young cats?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Tigerstar is a great politician. He says what cats want to hear, not what he believes.

Question:	How did Tigerstar learn to walk in other cats' dreams and appear in the real world? Can other cats in the Dark Forest besides Tigerstar and Hawkfrost do that, or is Tigerstar special?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Hmmm, I've never wondered how he learned that particular trick! Maybe he just really, really wanted to, and made it happen? You'll see more Dark Forest action in Omen of the Stars.

SkyClan

Question:	What was Skystar’s appearance/personality like?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Erm, can you wait for the Super Edition about the early Clans? :) I'm not exactly sure right now...
Outcome:	Clear Sky was properly introduced in the prequel arc Dawn of the Clans, not a Super Edition.

Question:	Was Sky, the first leader of SkyClan, a male or female?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I feel that he was probably male, but I could be wrong.
Outcome:	Clear Sky is revealed to be a tom in The Sun Trail.

Question:	When SkyClan left, did all their ancestors go with them? What happened to them?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes, their ancestors followed, but faded away at the same time as SkyClan did. :(

The Ancients

Question:

In Secrets of the Clans, it says that Stoneteller used to go to the Moonpool with two other healers from two other Tribes. What happened to these Tribes? What were they called? Also, in Outcast, Stoneteller again says that they have never needed borders and patrols before. Does this mean that the three Tribes lived together peacefully without any fighting?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: The origin of the Tribe of Rushing Water will be explored in more detail in Omen of the Stars. Yes, there were originally more groups of cats living in the mountains – Stoneteller wasn’t lying! I’m hugely excited about revealing more prehistory in the fourth arc. It opens up the stories in a whole new direction, and gives me lots more ideas than just following the Clans in their day-to-day lives by the lake (there are only so many foxes they can chase away!).

Question:	Will the character of Rock be told anytime in the future?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Not quite sure what you mean? He’ll definitely appear in Omen of the Stars, don’t worry. And look out for a fabulously dramatic scene involving Jayfeather’s beloved Stick of Wonder in Book One!

Question:	Is it possible that the ancient Tribe Jayfeather walked among was related to the Clans? Half Moon is described as having powerful haunches, like a SkyClan cat, and her father is named Chasing Clouds and is gray-and-white with blue eyes, like Cloudstar. Ever consider a connection?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh there is most definitely a connection! All will become crystal clear by the end of Omen of the Stars. :)

Question:	Rock was a Tribe cat, wasn't he? Wouldn't he have a full name, like Brook Where Small Fish Swim and Teller of the Pointed Stones?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Rock came from cats even older than the Tribe, hence his short name.
	CherithBaldry: I think their names developed over time, like the Clan names.

Question:

If Jayfeather went into the tunnels, and came out in Jay's Wing's time, where did Jay's Wing go? I mean, he had to go somewhere when he went into the tunnels, right?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Oh no, I was hoping no one was going to ask me about this! Cherith asked me exactly the same thing when she was writing Long Shadows, and I gave her a really convincing answer, but the details seem to have got lost in the fog of my mind. I think I meant that Jayfeather actually became Jay’s Wing – not a reincarnation, not a temporary possession of his body – and by making the decision to go back to ThunderClan, Jay’s Wing had to leave his own Ancient Clanmates to follow a path that he had set for them. Does that make sense? Probably not.

Question:	Will where Brightspirit comes from be explained? Jayfeather didn't recognize them from StarClan.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Brightspirit came from long, long ago in the history of Clans - it's quite likely that we'll meet her later on in Omen of the Stars, as we learn more about the formation of the early Clans.
Outcome:	False. Brightspirit never appears again in the series.

Cats outside of the Clans

Question:

Whatever happened to Princess? Did she know that Firestar was leaving? I always hoped that Cody told her what happened.

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Yes, Cody explained everything, and although Princess was sad that she wouldn’t see her brother or son again, she understood why the Clans had to leave. Princess was a very important character because she was a fluffy kittypet through and through, yet sensitive enough to appreciate Firestar’s loyalty to the Clans, and his faith in the warrior code to lead him on the right path. I miss Princess!

Question:

Will Sasha ever reapear in the books?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Poor Sasha! I feel so sorry for the way things turned out for her. I never meant for her to have such a tragic life, but when I came up with the stories for her manga trilogy, I realized she was as doomed as the most unlucky Clan cat! Sigh, I’m so cruel. Sasha won’t have had a chance to learn about her over-ambitious son because Hawkfrost only started to show his true colors once the Clans arrived at the lake, which is far from wherever Sasha is now. She won’t see Moth again either, for the same reason. I think Sasha continued to live as a loner, but like Purdy, she found a friendly, elderly Twoleg living in a remote place who fed her occasionally and gave her affection that reminded her of her original beloved owners.

Question:	Did the elders that stayed behind on the journey die? If so, how long after the Clans left?
Answer:	KateCary: They either huddled together in a hollow till the Twoleg monsters squished them flat, or they went and found Twoleg homes. I don't like to think of it too much.
	VickyHolmes: I'm afraid they died, but hopefully without being squished by Twoleg machines, since they were in RiverClan's camp on the other side of the river. They could have survived a few moons after the Clans left, I think.

Other information

The books

Question:	What was your favorite scene in the Power of the Three arc?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Without doubt, Squirrelflight’s confrontation with Ashfur at the top of the cliff. I wrote this scene before I started Power of Three: Book One, before I’d thought of any of the stories or characters, so the whole arc was building up to this moment from page one of The Sight.
	CherithBaldry: Like Vicky, I love the Ashfur scene, and I especially like the scenes where Jayfeather goes back in time to meet the ancient cats.

Question:	Will old important characters have important roles in The Fourth Apprentice?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: If they’re still alive. And even if they’re not, they can still shout encouragement from StarClan. Everyone keeps complaining that I kill all the young pretty cats, but haven’t you noticed I just whisk them off to StarClan so they can stay in the stories?

Question:	How did you feel when you were writing the Brightspirit scene?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I only provided the framework; Cherith wrote the actual scene. I was both honored and humbled to be able to remember Emmy Cherry like this, and I think the scene and character that Cherith created are perfect in every way.

Question:

Would you ever consider doing a BloodClan Super Edition? They're one of my favorite Clans and I would love to see a book devoted to them.

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Alas, BloodClan are no more; only their fear of Scourge held them together as any sort of Clan. Their history before the battle with the four forest Clans is covered in Scourge’s manga, The Rise of Scourge, which explains how BloodClan came to be. Oh, and the remnants of BloodClan pop up in Ravenpaw’s manga trilogy, which comes out soon. People always ask me when the books are coming out and I never remember!

Question:

Have you ever thought of having a few of your kitties rebel/revolt? Specifically against the way they're being ruled. Your books have human issues such as starvation, war, murder, etc, so I'm sure there's at least one cat who thinks independently and differently. Like freedom to vote, power to the felines, etc. I'm partial to the idea of rioting cats, though not if they've been previously dunked in water and placed on my lap.

Answer:

VickyHolmes: A reader after my own heart! Happy endings are so dull, and quite unrealistic, to be honest. Life is great, don’t get me wrong, but you can’t rely on what’s going on around you to make things perfect. I have a Buddhist quote on a postcard pinned to my dresser that I see first thing every morning: There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. It’s so true, and worth remembering when you get caught up thinking, I’d be happy if I had those jeans/a new iPod/a boyfriend, or if I was thinner/taller/had different hair. Happiness doesn’t arrive in a box. It’s inside you all the time, if you look close enough. Phew, philosophical lecture over. :) Aha! Funny you should say this, SkyClan’s Destiny features exactly this theme! Civil war splits the newly formed Clan in two as Leafstar struggles to find a way for her Clan to survive among pressures and challenges that aren’t found in the forest. Also, we’ve had cats rebelling in the main series on a smaller scale, such as Mudclaw’s attempt to overthrow Onestar after Tallstar’s death. And how about Sol, turning ShadowClan upside down with his “fend for yourself” philosophy?

Question:

The audiobooks read by Nanette Savard are fantastic, but why are they only for books 4, 5, and 6 of The New Prophecy? Will there ever be audiobooks for the other titles, especially the first arc?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: This is a source of great bewilderment to me, and I’ve asked the same thing. Apparently, the HarperCollins policy is that audiobooks are produced once a series has started selling in particular quantities – but the first audiobook is made from the most recently published book. Which is why they started with The New Prophecy: Book Four, because it came out at the time when the series as a whole reached the target for audiobooks. I’m afraid I don’t know if any other books will be transferred to audio, but I have my fingers crossed because they are beautifully produced, as you say.

Question:

In the prologue of Long Shadows, why were the original Clan leaders only called by the first part of their names?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Because those were actually their names, and the tradition of adding –star hadn’t yet been thought up. The Clans developed slowly – if you think of all their rituals and practices, it must have taken years to think of them all – so the original leaders kept their names just as they were. I’d love to do a Super Edition about the very early Clans so we can see how they started to take the shape that we recognize today.

Question:	Will Sol still have an important role in The Fourth Apprentice?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I haven’t yet decided if Sol will return. I’d like him to because I think there’s unfinished business there, but I’ll have to see if the stories head in the right direction as the arc unfolds.
Outcome:	Sol does not return in The Fourth Apprentice. He does return, however, in the fifth book of Omen of the Stars, The Forgotten Warrior.

Question:	Will SkyClan or the Tribe of Rushing Water be coming back into the main series?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: The Tribe will definitely pop up again! Not sure about SkyClan – at first I thought they would, now I’m not so sure about the likelihood of them making such a long journey. But don’t worry, SkyClan fans – this lovely Clan get their very own Super Edition next year in the shape of SkyClan’s Destiny! Cherith is writing that right now.

Question:	When does Ravenpaw's trilogy take place?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Ravenpaw’s manga is set in the year between the first arc and The New Prophecy. It begins not long after Firestar and Sandstorm get back from helping SkyClan – Ravenpaw meets Squirrelkit and Leafkit on his first visit to the Clans in the manga trilogy. It’s been very useful having that year to fill with extra stories, but I’m concerned there won’t be room for many more!

Question:	Why was Tadpole's white spot on his shoulder removed in the final version of Return to the Clans?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Was it? Hmmm, I suspect this was a glitch in communication among the manga team. I create storylines, fabulous Dan Jolley and his co-writers come up with the script, then proper manga artists draw the pictures. I’m afraid that leaves a few holes where details can slip through.

Question:	It's said that the SkyClan Super Edition will be titled SkyClan's Destiny, and Allegiances of the Clans and Battle of the Clans will be the titles for the next two field guides. sfbookcase.com is given as reference for all three. Is the aforementioned website right about them?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: At last, there is truth on the internet! Yup, SkyClan’s Destiny and Battles of the Clans will be out next year (late summer and early summer respectively). Allegiances of the Clans, all about the tangled romantic, political and platonic relationships in the Clans’ history, will follow in 2011. Which is very far away!
Outcome:	Partially true. Allegiances of the Clans was never released.

Question:	Will SkyClan ever return in the actual main arc books?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I fear this is unlikely because they live so far away from the lake, even further than the forest. I can’t see how they’d chance upon the lake if they went a-wandering, and there are no cats to tell them the way, unless they found the Tribe in the mountains. It’s not impossible, just not likely, I’m afraid. But who knows? I might be desperate for some extra story later on in Omen of the Stars, so I’ll drag a few sturdy-pawed SkyClan cats all that way!
Outcome:	False. While they are only indirectly mentioned by Sol in The Forgotten Warrior, they join the other Clans by the lake in A Vision of Shadows.

Question:	On the cover of Code Of The Clans, it has all of the leaders except for Onestar. Why is Tallstar there instead of him?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Because we wanted to feature iconic leaders, and Tallstar has been around wayyyy longer than Onestar.

Question:	Are there going to be any more Super Editions after Bluestar's Prophecy?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yup! SkyClan's Destiny comes out next summer - Cherith is writing it right now - and after that, I think we'll do one about the very early Clans.
Outcome:	True and false. While SkyClan's Destiny did release in August of 2010, a Super Edition about the early Clans was not written; instead, a prequel arc, Dawn of the Clans, was released starting in 2013.

Question:	Which book did you enjoy writing the most?
Answer:	KateCary: Bluestar's Prophecy - it was wonderful filling in the gaps in her lifestory. She's a great character
	VickyHolmes: The Sight was very exciting in development because I had such high-flying ideas for where I wanted the story arc to go, and Firestar's Quest was a storyline that came together delightfully quickly, which is always nice. :)
	TuiSutherland: Ooo, that's a tough one! I loved writing Secrets of the Clans because I could imagine myself as some of the cats, telling those stories, but I also loved writing Seekers: Book One because I got to introduce new characters... especially Lusa, who I like writing because she gets to be funny (at least when she's not terribly sad!). :)
	CherithBaldry: I loved Forest of Secrets because it was my first, and it was awesome to get into this new world. Also, I think it has a very strong plot. I also liked The Darkest Hour, Moonrise and Firestar's Quest.

Question:	Did you intentionally have Kate write books 1, 2, and 4, and Cherith write 3, 5, and 6 in Power of Three just like the first arc?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Gosh, is that how it worked out? That's pure coincidence!

Question:	Do you have titles for the early Clans Super Editions and various Omen of the Stars books?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Short answer: no. Long answer: thinking up the titles is the hardest part of each book, and often the very last piece of the jigsaw to be shoved into place. So it would make my brain hurt to have to come up with titles ahead of time!

Question:	Will there be more than one villain in Omen of the Stars?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh yes. There will be lots of villains!

Question:	If you had known how many books you were writing from the very beginning, would the series have turned out any different? I’m sure that writing Firestar's Quest before Midnight would have drastically changed the books.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Actually, I don't think it would. I kind of like the way each arc has gone, and I hope it would have been fairly similar if I'd been told right at the start that there would be at least 24 books in the main arcs. But I'd have probably passed out in horror!
	KateCary: Absolutely, but developing the stories and characters "on the fly" is so much fun and makes it a lot more spontaneous

Question:	What scene, in all the books, do you think was the most fun or the most touching to write?
Answer:	KateCary: When Yellowfang killed her son, Brokenstar... Poor Yellowfang :(
	CherithBaldry: The death of Feathertail.
	VickyHolmes: Gosh, so many made me stop and think wow, this series is more amazing than I deserve. Cherith's Brightspirit scene, or the death of Tigerstar, or Leafstar in SkyClan getting her nine lives. Pretty much the whole of Bluestar's Prophecy - you have to read this book, I'm soooo excited about it coming out.

Question:	Are the cats from Jingo's "Clan" going to come back? I really liked those cats and I want to see them again.
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I liked them too! I'd like to bring them back in Omen of the Stars, yes.
Outcome:	False. Although, Jingo and her cats appeared in the allegiances for Hollyleaf's Story, they did not feature in the books again.

Question:	How much of the books does Vicky lay out? Does she give chapter summaries? More info? Less?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I give very detailed chapter summaries, usually ending up with an outline that is around 25,000-30,000 words long, or just under half the total length of the book.

Question:	What role will beavers play in the fourth arc?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: They pop up in the first book, The Fourth Apprentice, because they've built a dam upstream and drained the lake!
Outcome:	True.

Question:	Will we ever learn about where Rock came from?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Yes you will! In Omen of the Stars: Book Four or Five. Not long to wait!

Clan life

Question:	What happens if a leader wants to retire? Can that leader keep his or her name that ends with -star, or does he or she need to use their warrior name again? Or can leaders even retire, if they still have more than one life left?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Leaders can retire – Pinestar does in Code of the Clans – but they have to go to the Moonpool and surrender all their lives except for one, otherwise the next leader won’t receive their full quota of nine lives. If a retired leader stays in the Clan, they have to revert to their warrior name (ie. without the –star).

Question:	Back in the old days, apprentice training started at dawn. Kits and apprentices used to bow in respect to elders and senior warriors. It was considered an honor to be allowed to eat with the senior warriors. A queen could have several litters and we'd never hear a word about the multiple fathers. Handling mouse bile was a punishment. But nowadays, queens become very attached to usually only one tom. Cats can eat with whoever they wish. Removing ticks from the elders has become a daily chore, and cats only bow in respect to the leader or medicine cat - and even then, not as much as they should. What has happened to all these traditions? Will they ever come back?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Okay, these are fair points, and I’ll do my best to answer them. Training still starts at dawn if you’re on an early border or hunting patrol, which usually involve most of the apprentices (seeing as there aren’t that many now). The warriors still tend to eat in their ranks, although I agree we haven’t made that obvious for a while. The whole multiple-father thing, although realistic, became too difficult an issue when it came to family trees, and also to the sense that our cats are seen by many readers (and their parents) as moral role models. You can figure out for yourself why we streamlined all the messy relationships, then! I don’t think tick duty takes place every day – don’t forget, a lot goes on that we don’t see on the page. Finally, the reason cats don’t bow quite as much as they used to is because every other line started to include “dipped his head”, “dipped her head”, “bowed his head”, etc. Far too repetitive for my liking! So I cut down, although it still goes on.
	KateCary: I think there still is a lot of respect running through the Clans but you're right, they've become a lot more easy-going on the rules and regulations. I put this down to Firestar's rather brilliant and relaxed leadership. He's more interested in the heart of a warrior than the petty rules :)

Question:	Who, if anyone, "created" StarClan and the Dark Forest? And what are the origins of them?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: No single cat or creature was responsible for making StarClan and the Dark Forest. You’ll find out exactly how they came about in Omen of the Stars (book four or book five, I think). I’m really sorry that I can’t tell you now because I’m so excited about this element of the story!

Question:	ThunderClan had the Highrock and now Highledge, but what do the other Clans have?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: In WindClan, Onestar stands on a boulder to address his Clanmates; in RiverClan, there’s a tree stump (from a small tree, like a hawthorn); and in ShadowClan, Blackstar stands on a fallen log. (Did that sound convincing? :))
Outcome:	True and false. While the information about WindClan and RiverClan is correct, ShadowClan uses a branch hanging over the leader's den, or occasionally, a tree stump in the center of the clearing for Clan meetings.

Question:	If a cat doesn't believe in StarClan (ex. Mothwing and Cloudtail), do they still go to StarClan?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Let me put it this way: I’m really looking forward to one of these cats dying, so I can find out! [Translation: I haven’t decided yet - but I have some ideas!]

Question:	In Secrets of the Clans, you said that the four original Clan leaders (well, five actually, but the book only mentions four), were the ones who invented the warrior code, but in Code of the Clans, you said that the code was developed gradually, at different times. What really happened?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Erm, Code of the Clans is correct - the original leaders got the ball rolling with the idea of the warrior code, but the individual parts evolved over future moons.

Question:	To the cats, does it become a new day at dawn or at midnight?
Answer:	CherithBaldry: I've always imagined at dawn, when the first patrols go out.
	VickyHolmes: Dawn, I think.

Question:	If a cat is blind or deaf when they are alive, do they remain blind or deaf when they enter StarClan?
Answer:	KateCary: Not according to Omen of the Stars.

Question:	Are you ever going to have a medicine cat die before choosing an apprentice I think that'd be a great storyline.
Answer:	KateCary: That would be interesting - who would pass on the knowledge of herbs? Maybe a medicine cat from another Clan would step in and help??? It would be a great storyline!
Outcome:	In Thunder and Shadow, Littlecloud dies with no apprentice to succeed him.

Question:	What happens if a Clan completly disagrees with a new leader's choice of a deputy? I don't think that would usually happen, but can the Clan revolt if it does?
Answer:	KateCary: In Warriors, anything can happen and anyone can die - great policy, I think

Warriors

Question:

Have any of you ever wished to add something that couldn't be placed in the series because the target audience was too young?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Good question! I always say that I don’t write for children or adults, I just write about things that interest me, and strong characters in all different shades to bring those things about. The fact that we write about cats gives us the freedom to deal with subjects that wouldn’t normally be acceptable in a book aimed at younger readers that featured human characters – I’m thinking specifically of death, parenthood, intense political situations, violence, giving away your children, losing religious faith, madness. So joyously I don’t feel constrained at all about what I can include in the books, which is one reason why I haven’t run out of stories yet. However, there are two topics that will never fit into any of the books, and those are homosexuality and drug addiction. Not because the readers are too young (although I do have an opinion on the appropriateness, or otherwise, of these topics), but because they don’t sit easily in a series about feral cats.

Question:	Are any of the cats in the books based on people--er, Twolegs--you know in real life?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Not for me, no. I never, ever base characters – whether cats or humans – on people from real life. Not because I don’t know some story-worthy people, but because characters pop up in my head on their own, and I instantly know them much better than I know people around me. Of course, Kate, Cherith and Tui might have different ideas!
	KateCary: I find the characters just evolve into their own personalities - there's no need to base them on real life people. Besides I don't know anyone who'd want to poop in the woods
	TuiSutherland: I do this a lot more with my other books, but I don't know anyone quite as furry as Kallik or Toklo (or who's had such a sad life!), so those have to come from our imagination. :)
	CherithBaldry: I don't base characters on real Twolegs, though Brambleclaw and Sorreltail are my cats, as you probably know.

Question:	Any updates you can give us on the 'Warriors movie possibility? ;)
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh, the fickle world of movie-making! Right now, there are no Warriors movies in production, or even under consideration. The economy is not in a healthy state for production companies to invest in a rather dark, intense animation about feral cats, apparently. I promise I’ll let you know if anything changes!
Outcome:	Warriors movie

Question:	Have you ever thought of doing Warrior Cats plushies/stuffed animals?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Actually, I want a plushy of me! Like that’s ever going to happen. I think Warriors plushies, along with all other merchandise like stationary or clothing, would be part of a movie deal, and not somewhere HarperCollins would venture on their own.
Outcome:	False. The Warriors website sells a variety of merchandise, including stationary, clothing, plushies, and other items.

Question:

Aren't feral cats nocturnal?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: Yes, they are, but right at the start of the series we decided to make them diurnal because otherwise all the action would take place in the dark. We love our scenery! And also, it would make the cats’ experience even more remote from our own, when what I really wanted was to write about small furry humans with four legs. So I’m afraid you have to blame me for bending the laws of nature.

Question:	(Directed to Kate and Cherith) Do you make suggestions of who/how a cat dies?
Answer:	CherithBaldry: Sometimes. Vicky doesn't always agree, though!
	KateCary: Not so far, but I might start making suggestions... Berrynose would be second on the list

Question:	Who is the cat you'd like to kill next?
Answer:	CherithBaldry: I don't actually want to kill these cute kitties. I'm led astray by my editor.
	VickyHolmes: Any cat that bores me, bwa ha ha ha! Do exciting things, my little kitties! Or I'll crush you with a thunderbolt!
	KateCary: Ferncloud - she totally gets on my nerves

Question:	Why do you make "Ice—" always be white with blue eyes?! It's getting annoying!
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I guess because it seems like the sort of color that would be named Ice! Sorry.

Question:	How do you split up the work of making the books?
Answer:	CherithBaldry: Vicky writes the storyline with input from me or Kate. Then we write it, and Vicky edits it.
	VickyHolmes: I come up with the ideas, then Kate, Cherith and Tui write what I tell them to'. Or something like that.

Question:	Do you think it would be interesting to read about what would’ve happened if things had worked out differently in the series? Like if SkyClan had never left, or Tigerclaw had killed Bluestar, if Rusty never meandered his way into the forest, or Hawkfrost had persuaded Brambleclaw to kill Firestar?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Well, as far as I'm concerned, there aren't any alternatives! Kind of like life, the future unfolds as it should, and if we want to things to be different, we have to get up and make it so. No parallel universes in real life or Warriors, I'm afraid.

Question:	How long was it between the beginning of the Clans and SkyClan being driven out? Is there a concrete number of years, like the thirty years between SkyClan's exile and present-day Warriors?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I haven't decided exactly how many years, but I'd imagine about twenty - slightly less than half the entire time the Clans have been in the forest.

Question:	Who's your favorite character?
Answer:	CherithBaldry: So hard to say! Leafpool, I think, though I have a soft spot for Crowfeather and Dustpelt. I like writing snarky dialogue!

Question:	Will you ever write a book that is from another Clan's perspective?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Well, SkyClan's Destiny is from SkyClan's viewpoint, and we see into other Clans' perspectives in the field guides, like Secrets of the Clans and Code of the Clans. But the main arcs will stick with ThunderClan because that's the Clan we know best.
Outcome:	False. A Vision of Shadows was the first arc to feature non-ThunderClan points-of-view for multiple books, and every arc since then has featured multiple protagonists from other Clans, although they have always had at least one ThunderClan cat.

Question:	Did you ever imagine for this series to get as big as it is now when you first started writing Warriors?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Not in a million, trillion years.
	TuiSutherland: We had no idea, although I loved it from the moment I read it, so I was very hopeful that all of you guys would love it, too! :)
	KateCary: No way! It's simply wonderful to reach so many readers. I still can hardly believe it

Question:	Does working together help to write the Warriors and Seekers books more quickly?
Answer:	TuiSutherland: Absolutely! Are you kidding? There's no way just one of us could write all of these as fast as you guys want them (I get the impression even the four of us aren't quite keeping up with your demands.) ;) Plus we need Vicky's giant brain, or else I at least would have a hard time being so evil to the characters. :)
	VickyHolmes: Oh my goodness me, yes! One person could never write all these books on their own! And they wouldn't be one millionth as good if it was just me. Erin is Power of Four through and through. :)

Question:	Are any of the Clan cats today related to any of the first leaders?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Oh yes, most definitely. Characteristics such as a fondness for water or the ability to run very fast have been passed down through the generations, and kept the Clans strong and distinct.

Question:	How large is the lake the Clans live around?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: About one-quarter of a mile in diameter.

Question:	Tui, how early did you actually start helping with Warriors? You said you were an editor, but when did that start?
Answer:	TuiSutherland: I was actually the Warriors editor from the very first book, back when I was an editor full-time in NYC, and then I left that publisher to write full-time a few years ago, so since then I've been a writer for the books instead, which is even more fun! :)

Question:	Does Warriors take place in the present or some other time? And how long is the gap between the Tribe leaving the lake and the beginning of the series?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I imagine that Warriors takes place right now. The Tribe left the lake sixty years ago, I think.

Question:	Have StarClan cats ever fought each other or the cats in the Place of No Stars?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: They've never fought among themselves. But I wouldn't be surprised if there had been some epic battles with the Place of No Stars.

Question:	Which cover art is your favorite?
Answer:	CherithBaldry: Moonrise, without a doubt.
	TuiSutherland: One of my favorite covers is Moonrise, with the wintry landscape. I love Forest of Secrets from the original arc, too, and the new book Sunrise is really cool! :)
	KateCary: Into the Wild, because it was so exciting to see it for the first time :)
	VickyHolmes: Moonrise! Because it's so different and snowy and beautiful. I also love the stars on Midnight - that's the cover I have pinned on my noticeboard above my desk.

Question:

Are the medicinal herbs in Warriors just for cats, or for humans, too?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: They're very much just for cats - and not for your cats! Please, please don't use any of the herbs or remedies mentioned in Warriors. We take them from a very old book called Culpeper's Herbal, written in the sixteenth century by an English physician who wrote down all the medicines used at that time. Medicine has come a long way since then! But if you wanted to use herbs in fiction, Culpeper's Herbal is a great place to find information.

Question:

Are you still going to stop after the fourth arc? Are you thinking about writing about a different type of an animal? Maybe something in the ocean? Humans?

Answer:

VickyHolmes: I can’t say for sure that Omen of the Stars will be the last Warriors arc, although it’s fair to say that it has crossed my mind. As far as other Erin Hunter series go, I have a few ideas which are still in very early stages (still very much focused on animals); it depends entirely on what HarperCollins want to include on future lists. All four of us – me, Kate, Cherith and Tui – have our own fiction projects so I don’t think we’ll stop writing if Erin comes to a graceful stop.

The authors

Question:	Do you ever think of a soundtrack for particular books/characters/scenes? Like, while you're writing, do you think that certain songs would work well for this book/character/scene if it were ever made into a movie? I know I do that all time when I read, and also when I write - I was just wondering if you did the same. Also, if you do, can you give us some examples of your choices?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I have to say that no, I don’t think of theme music while I’m writing. But I love watching your animations on YouTube and I often think, Wow! That song is perfect!
	CherithBaldry: No, though I sometimes listen to music when I'm writing. Usually instrumental, as I find it's distracting if there are words.
	KateCary: I have perfect silence in my head while I write, except for sounds of the cats and forest I'm writing about - but I've seen loads of fan videos on YouTube and I love the way you add soundtracks to the images!

Question:	If your characters were human, which one would you want to spend a day with, go out to lunch, and talk to?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: This is an awesome question! My favourite so far, I think. Hmmmm, who would I choose? I think it would have to be Cinderheart, because I’d want to quiz her and see just how much she knows about being a medicine cat. Then I’d say, Ha! Ever wondered how you knew all that stuff? I’d also like to meet Spottedleaf and say, Leave Firestar alone! You’re dead, and he’s got a mate! Enough mooning over him already!
	KateCary: Yellowfang, of course, though I think the conversation would be a bit one-sided. She's a cat with a lot to say. I can just imagine her rolling her eyes when I say something dumb, such as that I don't remember who was leader before Sunstar :)
	TuiSutherland: I think Squirrelfeather would be funny company! And I kind of have a crush on Brackenfur, so maybe him, if we were both single. ;)

Question:	What do you think the hardest part of being an author is?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Right now, having to be indoors writing when the sun is shining and Missy wants to go for a walk! Of course, that’s not literally right now - it’s dark outside and Missy has no desire to go anywhere expect her basket. Apart from wanting to be outside in greenleaf, the hardest part for me is having to rely on my imagination for everything I do. There’s always a panic inside me that I’ll run out of ideas! And it can get a bit lonely, which is why it’s so much nicer to work with Kate or Cherith or Tui on each manuscript. Always someone to bounce ideas off! But on a good day, when writing is like describing a movie playing inside my eyelids, this is the best job in the world!
	CherithBaldry: Sometimes the hardest part is sitting down at the desk and turning the computer on. Then I have the best-watered plants in England! But when it goes well it's like flying!
	KateCary: Chapter 14 is always the hardest - sooo far from the beginning, so far from the end. I always lose my nerve around chapter 14 - as Vicky will testify. It's Vicky who gives me a pep talk and gets me back on track!
	TuiSutherland: I agree with Kate! The middle bit is so hard! That's when I get bored and start thinking it'll never end...but the other part that's hard for me is trying to go out and talk about my books, when really I'm much happier to stay in my office in my pyjamas and just write them. That's why I like these kinds of chats! (a): because you guys are awesome, and (b): because I'm wearing pyjamas right now. :)

Question:	Is it hard getting a book published?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: You need a lot of luck and determination, especially now when publishers are really cutting back on new authors. But I truly believe that good books will find their rightful home, so never give up!
	CherithBaldry: Yes, it takes a lot of hard work and developing a thick skin to take rejections. But I do believe a really good book will always find a home.

Question:	Is it tough going out in public without someone exclaiming, "Look! It's one of the Erin Hunters!" ?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Tee hee! That never happens, not even in the US. Well, unless I'm right outside a bookstore and my poster is plastered all over the windows. And that feels kind of weird.
	CherithBaldry: Well, it never happens. I'm glad it doesn't. Awful to have to sneak into the supermarket with sunglasses and an upturned collar!

Question:	If you could be a warrior, which Clan would you belong to and would you be a warrior, deputy, leader, or medicine cat; and what would your warrior name be?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I'd belong to RiverClan because I love water and swimming, and I'm supposed to eat fish because I have something wrong with my blood because I don't eat meat. I'd also like their thick, glossy fur - my hair can be very disappointing to me! I'd like to be a regular warrior, and my name would be Mouse-something (my name from the Warriors website is Mousepaw, which I love, but I guess that means I'm still an apprentice!).
	CherithBaldry: I think I'd be in ThunderClan because I love trees and I'm not too keen on fish.
	TuiSutherland: Oh, goodness, I have to give the same answer as Vicky -- I love swimming, so I'd want to be in RiverClan! Hmm, and I'm kind of bossy, so maybe a leader, although it'd be tough to think up those names all the time, but I'd like having lots of lives! I just know I couldn't be a medicine cat, because I fall in love too easily, so I'd get in lots of trouble (oh, and I'd probably faint if I saw an injured kitten!). Oh, and as for my name, I like names with Sun in them or Flame (has there been a Flamestar?). Hee, too many fun possibilities.

Question:	Have Kate and Cherith and Tui met?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: Nope! I keep them all separate in case they gang up on me and lock me in a cupboard so they can keep all the kitties alive!

Question:	Do you ever write stories out of order? Like the last chapter first? Or do you always start with the first chapter?
Answer:	KateCary: I always start at the beginning and work my way to the end; I find that the characters work better that way because they often subtly change throughout a book, and I'd get awfully confused to dart back and forth; I like to grow and change with them
	TuiSutherland: I always start with the first chapter, unless I have a really clear scene in my head from later that I absolutely have to write down. But usually I go in order, so that I won't have to go back and rewrite a lot later on, when I realize how it's all actually supposed to fit together! :)
	VickyHolmes: Oh yes. The scene featuring Ashfur, Squirrelflight, Jay, Lion and Holly (and some fire and the cliff) came into my head before I even started thinking about The Sight. So the whole arc was working up to that moment! But when it comes to planning an actual book, I make myself begin at the beginning, go right to the end, and stop.

Question:	What kind of music do you listen to, if you listen to music at all?
Answer:	VickyHolmes: I love music, everything from the soundtrack to the Gladiator movie to R&B. But not when I'm writing, because the style influences my ideas too much! Mind you, I did listen to Gladiator when I was writing Battles of the Clans (out next year) because it was suitably stormy and violent and brave-sounding.

External links

• The transcript at Wands and Worlds

Notes and references

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