Q. In your essay for Secrets of the Dragon Riders you talk about how being older doesn't always make you wiser. What do you think you're less smart about now than you used to be?

A: I believe I'm less intuitive, or that I've forgotten how to listen as closely to instincts, intuition, and impulses/urges that probably represent my deeper connection to the world and universe. I second-guess and analyze too much, instead of taking action. I rely on my eyes to "see" instead of my heart, and to be more balanced and wiser, I should give my heart a louder, stronger voice.

Q. Do you agree with Eragon that it's more important to possess wisdom and a good heart, or do you agree with Oromis that it's more important to be able to use logic?

A: I agree with Eragon, 100%. Logic can be cold and cruel without wisdom and a good heart. Many, many times criminals and despots are following solid logic when they commit atrocities, but without wisdom and that good heart, the logic leads them horribly astray.

Q. You have a lot of pets. If you could choose one of them to be able to talk with the way Eragon does with Saphira (though I don't think anyone would ever call her a pet!), which would it be?

A: Yeah, Saphira would roast you over the whole pet-thing. For sure. But me, hmmm. I think I would most like to be able to speak more directly with my parrot, Frank. We almost do have conversations, simple ones, but I know Frank sees things in the universe and in me that I don't understand. Plus, I'd really really like to be able to convince Frank not to bite my toes, my son-in-law, and the bathroom door.

Q. The essay you did for Through the Wardrobe actually talks about a similar topic-how just because characters (like Reepicheep the mouse or the Pevensie children) are smaller, that doesn't mean they can be discounted. Do you think the Inheritance Cycle and the Chronicles of Narnia have anything else in common?

A: I think both sets of stories deal with lands who have once known spectacular magic, but through short-sightedness and greed (or poor luck), have lost that magic. They have a chance to rebuild, to rise again and regain that which has been lost to them, but those with good hearts must triumph over evil, and learn the depths of their own true strength. Both sets of stories also deal with very different types of creatures and races learning to work together in harmony to achieve a common goal.

Q. Your Narnia essay was pretty focused on the events in Prince Caspian. What did you think of the 2008 movie version?

A: I was pleased with the movie version. It was, like the story itself, action-oriented and tense, with very high stakes. I really liked the casting of Prince Caspian himself, and Miraz. I would have liked to have seen more of Miraz's betrayal by his own people-but overall, I definitely give the movie an "A."

Q. Your A New Dawn essay suggests that Edward might actually be a sociopath. Have you made sure your number is unlisted?

A: I have gotten plenty of angry email about that one, mostly from young women who got ticked and didn't read the piece through to see the other side of the argument. Once they do, they usually retract the death threats and at least half the nasty insults about my jealousy and crappy writing ability, etc., etc. In my opinion, though, anything of great worth brings with it great risk-there's a lot of risk to Edward, and some ambiguity in his character. Nothing wrong with celebrating that, or poking at it a little bit, right?

But, um, yeah. My number is way unlisted.

Q. We're guessing this essay was at least somewhat influenced by your background in psychology. Do you think your psychology background affects any of your other work?

A: I think that's inevitable, yes. The psychologist in me reacted negatively to the obsessive nature of the relationship between Bella and Edward. If, and I'm just saying if, Edward had really been a sociopath or even just a selfish or bad-tempered guy, Bella might have opened herself up to significant emotional if not physical abuse. In the best of circumstances, obsessive relationships are not safe, though deep, wild first love is always a bit obsessive, no matter how healthy we try to be. I think my profession leads me to be more aware of character composition and dynamics, and how trauma plays out (or should play out) emotionally. I also want to scream incredibly loud when I run across inaccurate depictions of psychological issues, illnesses, or conditions-which is, unfortunately, more often than I'd like!

Q. And of course, the question we're asking all our New Dawn contributors: Edward or Jacob?

A: I had a soft spot for Jacob all along, but in the end, I probably would have picked Edward, too.

Q. What are you working on right now?

A: My son and I are finishing a two-part epic fantasy for Bloomsbury, tentatively entitled Oathbreaker. The first volume will be Assassin's Apprentice, and the second volume Son of the Wolf. As you might could tell from the title of the first volume, Oathbreaker tells the tale of a young boy forced into training with a guild of assassins, how he copes with this wicked turn of fate, and how he comes to be completely dedicated to his cause.

Q. If you could tell us to read one book this year (other than yours, of course!), what would it be?

A: I just finished Tower of Silence by Sarah Rayne. Disturbing and absolutely creepy! Worth it.