Young and Old Alike: An Interview with Jude Watson

How have you tried to develop the role of females in the Star Wars universe?

George Lucas began the tradition with Leia, who is the original Buffy. We are always looking for ways to bring a female perspective to the stories, since we have two male main characters. But it's important to me that the Star Wars universe in Jedi Apprentice be gender-neutral, in the sense that these strong characters are female, but it's no big deal.

What do you want your younger readers to get out of the Jedi Apprentice series?

First of all, some serious fun. It's deadly to think of giving lessons in a book-- this isn't school. That said, the series is called "Jedi Apprentice," and the thread in each book is Obi-Wan's learning process. I guess what all readers should take away from it are the same lessons that Obi-Wan is learning. That listening to wise elders is always a good idea. That fear is as natural as courage and the measure of your worth is how you handle it. That dignity is not an outmoded concept. That life is a gift, and a life of service is a noble calling.

What did Amidala's journal add to her character and to the story of Episode I?

In The Phantom Menace, we don't get much of a sense of what Amidala is thinking. What was great, for me, was to be able to go behind the mask and explore the girl and the Queen. I also enjoyed giving Amidala/Padmé and Qui-Gon more of a relationship than they had in the film. They spent a good amount of time on Tatooine, often butting heads. I really wanted to give a sense of how Amidala watched Qui-Gon. She's irritated at how he takes control, but develops a growing respect and affection for him.

How did the Darth Maul journal develop in tone and characterization? What challenges did the project present?

When the idea of my doing a Darth Maul journal was proposed, my impulse was to head for the hills. What defines that character is pure cinema. All I could remember of his dialogue in the film was "Yes, Master." His most important role is that spectacular final fight, which is all visual. So the first words out of my mouth to David Levithan at Scholastic were "You've got to be kidding."

I was also concerned about writing a journal for young readers from the perspective of pure evil. Of course my editors were way ahead of me. We all had the same concerns, and there was quite a bit of back-and-forth between all of us as to plot and approaches.

Since the book was directed at younger readers, we all recognized certain dangers. We wanted to show some scenes of his childhood, but it had to be clear that the early deprivation and abuse in his childhood was not an excuse for his turn to the dark side. Every being has choices.

Also, Darth Maul was a big hit as a character. We didn't want to glorify evil, but we had to present it realistically, to some extent. He works so well in the film because he doesn't have a backstory. So for me, the challenge was to keep the mystery while highlighting some events in his background. I think one important element to his character that was added in the journal is his vanity, or maybe grandiosity is a better word. Add that to his innate disregard for life, and you have a totally despicable character. So that in the end, even though the reader has traveled with this character and seen things from his perspective, they are still extremely glad when he dies. I really wanted the reader to get that "all-right!" feeling when he goes down. The extinction of evil should always be deeply satisfying.

How is Darth Maul different from Anakin?

Interesting question. I would guess that the most fundamental difference between them is that Anakin had a formative loving relationship. He had a mother. Darth Maul had Darth Sidious. From the journal, you get a sense of what that must have been like... i.e., tangling with a roomful of dinkos.

How would you describe the dynamic of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's relationship?

Obi-Wan starts out with just a basic need to please Qui-Gon. He accepts the Master-Padawan relationship as a given because he's a Jedi. But he grows into a deeper understanding of the meaning of that relationship through his own mistakes and fears. His admiration for Qui-Gon's strength and compassion is constantly re-fueled. In many ways the role of an apprentice is a balance between the natural arrogance of youth and the more mature, humbling experience of realizing that, as Qui-Gon says, "the more you know, the less you know."

The experience of leaving the Jedi order for a time changes Obi-Wan. He has let down the Jedi and Qui-Gon, and I don't see him as coming to peace with that decision for a long time. As a result, he becomes more cautious, more apt to follow the rules. Qui-Gon is the rulebreaker. He's also the compassionate one, the soft touch for the various types they meet on their journey. Qui-Gon has no trouble letting life in. Obi-Wan is more guarded.

What can readers expect in the remainder of the Jedi Apprentice series?

We've tested Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's relationship and put it through the fire in Books 1 through 8. Now that we know their partnership is solid, we're going to throw some dangerous and very cool missions at them. Their different styles can be a source of both conflict and strength. Siri and Adi Gallia will return, and we've also come up with two atrociously evil female villains for them to tangle with.

Is there anything you'd like to pass along to your fans?

The biggest thank you in the galaxy for reading Jedi Apprentice. We've worked hard to make this series more than just a spin-off of The Phantom Menace, but a separate world unto its own. We've presented some complex emotional shifts, too. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that readers have responded to that.