From Formspring: Would a dragon ever eat its mother?

Technically, this is impossible. Dragon's are living conduits of elemental power. When they die, that power consumes them and they break down into ash. This takes about an hour or so, depending on the size of the dragon. It's why there aren't any fossils or bones left.

Even if it could, I doubt a dragon would ever eat another dragon, much less it's mother. Dragons are exceedingly speciest. Even ones who are benevolent to humans still tend to consider them lesser beings. Kind of like how vegans view animals. Sure, vegans like cows enough not to eat them or make clothes out of their skin, but they wouldn't marry one or let it vote. Dragons do sometimes eat their enemies. In the first book, there is a scene where Meg discusses dragons eating people and is somewhat shocked to learn that Garrett, in dragon form, has eaten people. He replies that he didn't do this for fun, it was purely a tactical move: chewing someone up and swallowing them is a fast, effective way to end a fight. He then goes on to explain that humans taste terrible...like apes.

For a dragon, eating an enemy is an insult, like saying, "I'm so much bigger and better than you that I can effing eat you and there isn't anything you can do about it!" so it is unlikely that a dragon would insult another dragon in this way. Even dragons that hate each other have enough species solidarity to make such an act unpalatable--pun intended. But swallowing a demon or a human is no big deal, unless it's someone the dragon likes.

From Formspring: Do you ever worry about coming off as too preachy in your writing? (note: not an insult)

Do you mean in my blogs or my books? If you mean my blogs, then yes: I am occasionally concerned that I might alienate readers--and potential buyers--when I take a stand on something. However, I learned a long time ago that no matter how hard you try, people are going to read whatever message into what you've said that the want to find. So, you're better off just saying what you want to say. I can tell someone I respect their intelligence even though I don't agree with their position, and if they want to think I'm being condescending or preachy that's what they are going to think anyway.

As for my books, I try very hard not to put any kind of political or social message into them. This isn't that difficult with the Dragon's Blood Chronicles, but I sometimes find it harder to do with Max's books. Max has a certain outlook on the world that is colored by his experiences from doing social work in Southwest Missouri. In either case, I'm not writing books to make a political or social point, I'm just trying to tell a story. I am guessing people might take one away from it, but the world in my books is only superficially like the real one. My books have dragons living in mansions in the woods and vampire meth-dealers. It's fantasy, not what I think the world is really like.

From Formspring: How do dragons get different breath weapon types? Will a fire dragon always produce another fire breathing dragon etc.?

Every dragon has a connection to some element of matter. They are like living conduits for it, and most can use it as a weapon. This is something else that I can't talk about without giving away too much of the books. The best I can do is say that at one time, there were dragons with multiple elemental types. Eventually, they evolved to only have one, but many carry a recessive trait for one or more other elements.

A hatchling will have the breath weapon of either the father or mother. In rare instances, it will have something that is an approximation of the two combined. In ever rarer cases, a recessive trait will emerge and the dragon will have the elemental connection of one of the parent's ancestors. It is impossible for a dragon to predict, and against their own laws to manipulate via sorcery or technology -- this constitutes damaging an unhatched egg, which is an unthinkable crime for dragons.

From Formspring: Are there draconic religious fanatics? Like Tiamat-ic fundamentalists? How well do dragons tolerate crime in their ranks? What would even be considered a crime among dragons?

I'm combining two Formspring questions into one since they are kind of related.

For the first question...the short answer is no. The long answer is no, with an explanation. The dragons don't worship Tiamat. She isn't a god to them, more like a mother to the race. Most dragons believe she is waiting for them in the afterlife. Some dragons don't care, but most do. These dragons believe that Tiamat observes and judges their actions, and that they should seek to make her proud. I guess it might be possible that there are dragons who get angry at non-believer dragons, but it's difficult to imagine they would do anything about it. Dragons don't really care what other dragons do, so long as it doesn't effect them. The skepticism of another dragon has no effect, positive or negative, on another so they aren't likely to care...unless the other dragon is being a dick about it. Then they might get violent.

As for the second question, yes there are laws. The dragons follow a code of conduct and honor called the Lex Draconic. Literally, the Law of Dragons. Most of these laws were set forth by Tiamat herself, but along the way other rules have been added. Most dragon laws concern interactions between dragons, but there are also laws concerning how they are to interact with other races, including humans. Dragons are not forbidden from killing humans, but they are forbidden from taking a position of authority over them. Dragons once did that very thing, and it didn't end well for the humans beneath them.

Similarly, the rules for how dragons resolve challenges is detailed. For example, it is considered an act of dishonor to attack another dragon that cannot possibly defeat you. This law is intended to protect very young dragons, who are hopelessly outmatched against older, bigger dragons. It goes without saying that damaging an unhatched dragon's egg is the worst crime any dragon can commit. Dragons reproduce so infrequently, with only three or four dragons born in a century. If unchecked, killing hatchlings or destroying unhatched eggs could easily lead to the extinction of the race.

Dragons have a number of ways to deal with lawbreakers. The most obvious punishment is death, but it is very rare that a dragon ever does something heinous enough to warrant such a penalty--or, that he gets caught. Examples of crimes that would warrant death include destroying an egg, killing a hatchling, or murdering another dragon in anything other than an honest challenge (i.e. one where they at least stand a chance of survival).

More commonly, dragons are given punitive penalties. This may not sound like much, except that dragons are obsessed with their hordes and territory. Taking some of it away--or worse, forfeiting it all--is terrifying for a dragon. Remember that most dragons have been collecting treasure for hundreds, even thousands of years.

Regardless the amount forfeited, the dragon is also subject to a period of banishment. During this time, other dragons are forbidden from dealing with them. They essentially become invisible. If the dragon attempts to force an interaction--by challenging another dragon during his time of banishment--he puts himself at risk for greater punishment, up to and including death.

But perhaps the worst punishment for a dragon is the knowledge that he's lost the respect of his or her fellows. Dragons are very particular about their reputations among other dragons. They don't really care much what anyone else thinks, but to lose face to other dragons is simply more humiliation that most dragons are willing to risk. That isn't to say they won't do it, it just means they have to be careful about it...and the reward has to be HUGE in proportion to the risk.

The following are examples of rules almost no dragon will violate, even under the worst circumstances:

• Damaging or destroying an unhatched egg.
• Killing a hatchling or the killing of a dragon in a clearly unfair fight.
• Using sorcery or technology to kill another dragon, even a superior one.

The following are examples of rules most dragons won't violate, but might be tempted if they think it is in their best interest:

• Taking a formal position of authority over lesser races (i.e. humans).
• Excessive involvement in the affairs of lesser races.
• Killing a dragon who has already yielded. 
• Stealing from another dragon's horde.
• Spending an extended period of time in another dragon's territory without asking permission.

From Formspring: How many easter eggs do you include in your books?

I like to write an entire series ahead of time, which allows me to plan things well in advance. The significance of certain details in the first book aren't revealed until much later in the series. I don't know that I've ever taken a count, but it's my hope that readers will find things in later books and remember, "Oh, that's what that meant!"

Of course, this only works in moderation. If you keep overloading readers with references to subtle details in earlier books, they will eventually stop reading you. I've been told one of the strengths of my writing is that it is involving, but approachable. You don't have to learn a new fantasy language to figure out what's going on, or consult a massive concordance or keep doing Wikipedia searches every few paragraphs. I know there are readers who actually prefer that level involvement with their books, and I think people who enjoy that will find much in my work to keep them busy. But, at it's core, I'm just trying to tell a good story.

I'm not Ernest Hemingway or Frank Herbert. They were titanic authors who wrote timeless stories. The mere presence of their name on a work of literature is enough to attract an audience. I'm confident about my work, but I'm not going to impose too much on my readers. In other words, I assume that I have to earn their interest; it's not just a given like one of the above-mentioned great writers. I think the worst thing a writer can do is fall too in love with their own work. It's important that a writer enjoy what they write, and write what they enjoy...but equally important is to remember you have to earn a reader's trust and respect with your writing. Make them work too hard for it, and you take the fun out of it. People don't mind reading James Thurber or Franz Kafka with a concordance or online encyclopedia nearby. They won't be so patient with a less known writer like me.

On the other hand, there are a few things in my books that I keep hidden from most people. I do this for fun, and also to see if anyone picks up on them. I'll admit that it will be quite a rush to see people try to figure out what a certain character's name means, or if there is any significance to seemingly innocuous details. Some of these secrets I may share when the books come out. Others, I may keep to myself and a small circle for my friends.

Why? Because it's fun, that's why.

From Formspring: Do you ever feel nervous about writing parts for women in your books?

I did at first. I was concerned it would be obvious that it was a man writing as a woman. I was also afraid that I'd get the love scenes all wrong. So, yes: at first I was a little nervous about it. That didn't last very long. I found out that it wasn't any different from writing for any other character who was different than me, all I had to do was step into their mind and try to see things from their point of view. Not how I would see it if I were in their situation, but rather how I would see it if I were them in their situation.

Incidentally, I've found doing this doesn't just make me a better writer, but also a better person. One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make in dealing with other people is to think they see things the same way as you...or that they should. Right or wrong, people see things differently based on a lot of things. Highly motivated, self-starter types who can handle risk don't understand people who play things safe and put up with a horrible situation out of fear of change, and vice versa.

Also, talking to women helps. I learned a long time ago that women like it when guys take an interest in what they have to say, not just in their bodies. And most women are open to questions from men, if for no other reason than it educates at least some part of the male population about what women want and think.