## Chapter 15

1 Someone at a convention once suggested to me that, instead of art, Thrawn might do better to study an alien race’s myths and legends to get insights into their cultural psyche.

In general, it’s an excellent idea. The problem, from Thrawn’s point of view, is that he would have to read those legends in translation, which might lose key nuances, or else spend years learning all the associated languages. Their artwork, in contrast, he can study directly, in either physical or holographic form.

—TZ

2 Various readers over the years have noted certain similarities between Thrawn and Sherlock Holmes. Here’s one of the spots where that kinship comes most clearly into view.

Once my current reading stack gets a little smaller, it’ll probably be time for me to pull out my complete Sherlock Holmes collection and start through it again.

—TZ

3 Early on, I decided that I was going to use only humans as point-of-view characters. Not because I have a problem with aliens or droids, but because I was afraid that giving those POV segments a truly alien flavor might distract from the flow of the story.

That meant I would never get into Thrawn’s skin and see how exactly he thought. Thus Pellaeon’s role was expanded from simply Thrawn’s second in command to the man through whom Thrawn was to be seen.

To be, in effect, the Dr. Watson to Thrawn’s Sherlock Holmes.

—TZ

4 Another mostly throwaway line, put in to remind the reader that, for all his skill and urbanity, Thrawn can be ruthless if and when necessary.

But as I read this again, I find myself intrigued by the possibilities. Somewhere in the future, I may have to tell this particular story.

—TZ