On November 7, 2023, Christopher Paolini’s new book was released: “Murtagh.” The book is a sequel to his critically acclaimed series, “The Inheritance Cycle.” The series has sold over 35 million copies, according to Christopher Paolini’s website, paolini.net. However, this all started when Paolini was in high school.
Paolini started writing when he was 15, and his first book, Eragon, was self-published when he was 19. However, writing is a passion that takes time and effort, not only in creativity but in dedication.
“There were some personal challenges going on,” Paolini said in an interview with The Guardian, “but then, of course, the last book posed some creative challenges as well.” Writing was time-consuming and challenging, but he pushed through the challenges of writing while being involved in school. Now, his books are known to millions of readers around the world. Paolelli’s experience can also be related to Junior Emma Wilkins, head of the writing club and an aspiring author. She is currently writing a sci-fi book mainly based on stories she told her siblings.
“The main challenge is trying to juggle school, extracurriculars and writing,” stated Wilkins when asked about the challenges of writing. “After school every day, I just sit down and I force myself to write something on the page,”
However, both Wilkins and Paolini agree that writing is their passion and is an important part of them and their high school experience.
“I love telling stories and I love writing,” said Paolini in the same “The Guardian” Interview.
Both Emma Wilkins’ and Christopher Paolini’s stories show an often overlooked part of high school: a place that sets the stage through experiences for the rest of one’s life. The actions they took in their writing life are now important parts of them.
Now, 22 years after “Eragon,” Christopher Paolini is known around the world, and his newest book, Murtaugh, was highly anticipated.
Paolini’s story is a model of how his passions and hard work in high school affected his later life. While some may think that high school is just school, Paolini shows that it is more than that; it is a place where passions and values are discovered.