Since a few nods and other intersections happen in Queen's Shadow and Claudia Gray's two novels about Leia, I was curious if there was any communication or collaboration with her on the matter during the writing process?
1. I get an early copy of Leia: Princess of Alderaan. I realize almost immediately that I cannot POSSIBLY read a Claudia Gray book and then write my own, so I write the first draft of Queen’s Shadow and just say things like [description to come] in the Alderaan parts. I invent Mariek Panaka, because I wanted Rachel House in my book. Quarsh Panaka is decidedly avuncular.
2. I send in the draft and get on a plane to Salt Lake. While on that plane, I read LEIA. I have, essentially, four out of body experiences.
3. I land in SLC and email Jen to tell her that I will fix Q-Pan.
(4. I bluff my way through a Star Wars and Politics panel at a con. It’s A WHOLE THING.)
5. Battlefront II comes out, and I watch a play-through because I’ve heard that Naboo scenery is featured, and I’d like to see that. I meet the Ion Pulse. I ask if I can have it. I am told I can. The pulse becomes a major plot point.
For real though, it’s mostly our editor’s job to keep us on track, and I am SUPER DOWN with that, because it means I still get to experience Star Wars books/storylines as a fan.