From book reader to best-selling author

Christopher Paolini. Photo ©2003 Kenneth Paolini, approved for one-time non-exclusive use for this publication.

(Editor's note: When Young Saint Louis.com finds stories about kids elsewhere in the world which local kids might enjoy, we'll cover them. This is one such story.)

When Christopher Paolini was 11, he read his first fantasy book. After an extended, several-year "reading binge," he decided he could write a better one himself. He has.

Christopher's own fantasy book, "Eragon," is third on the New York Times' children's chapter book list. It's in its 14th printing with more than 500,000 copies in print.

It will be published in 14 different nations. He has a movie deal with 20th Century Fox.

He plans to write a three-book series about his make-believe world, Alagaesia.

Christopher's own path to becoming a best-seller author reads much like a fantasy story itself.

Christopher's parents, Kenneth Paolini and Talita Hodgkinson, met as members of the Church Universal and Triumphant. That was a survivalist group that owned a ranch at Corwin Springs in Montana.

The church broke up in 1999 when the founder retired. But, some members remained in the area. The Paolini family now lives in Paradise Valley, Mont. That's halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Livingston, Mont.

From the beginning, parents Kenneth and Talita decided to put their family first. Kenneth was quoted in the New York Times as saying, "All our financial decisions were based on how we can stay together."

Christopher and sister, Angela, have been home-schooled all their lives. Christopher has a degree from an accredited distance-learning school. As yet, he hasn't attended college.

At 11, Christopher read author David Eddings' fantasy novel, "Ruby Knight."

Christopher said, "Once I read that, I went on a reading binge that lasted three or four years." He said he's read over 3,000 books.

Always precocious, by age 14, he was doing more than just reading. He was beginning to look for writing imperfections and figured he could do better.

At first, he thought of rewriting one of the books. But, he said, "I felt it would be better if I wrote a story for myself."

His first step was to study how to improve his writing style and techniques. He gives credit to a book by Robert McKee, "Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting."

Then, he started to invent his own fantasy world, Alagaesia. That world is inspired by the rugged, forested Beartooth Mountains that surround Christopher's own home along the Yellowstone River.

He and his sister invented three languages for the characters, who are dwarves, elves and humanoids

At first, "Eragon" was going to be a movie script. "But, since I didn't have $300 million lying around, I wrote a book instead," he said.

It took him nearly three years before he was satisfied enough to show it to his parents. They liked it and the whole family set about editing it. Christopher said, "My parents didn't suggest changes in the plot line."

But, they and his sister did "move sentences around, corrected grammar and fixed continuity. "

They contracted out printing of a paperback book version. Then, they marketed it themselves in the western U.S. Christopher also visited schools, urging kids to read and write as much as possible.

Then, the story of Christopher and his book took another "fantasy world" turn.

Noted novelist Carl Hiaasen was in Montana with his wife and stepson, Ryan, to do some fly fishing. Ryan read a copy of "Eragon" and mentioned it to his father. Carl, in turn, mentioned the book to his publisher, Knopf, a division of Random House.

Knopf e-mailed Christopher a six-figure offer. After re-editing the book, Knopf published it on August 26. It has held its NYT best selling listing since September 2.

In an understatement, Christopher said, "It's still kind of a shock that all of this is happening."

And, his fantasy world story isn't over yet.

Christopher is at work on his second book. And there's still the movie to do.

And, then there is his sister. Angela's about ready to hand over her first book for parental approval.

As for Christopher, who is now 20, he said, "I enjoy telling stories, so I think I'll be doing something artistic in the future." There are many who would say he already has.

(Information for this story was provided by Tom Mason of the Livingston Enterprise newspaper and the New York Times newspaper.)