For many moons four clans full of wild cats have roamed the forest following the rules laid down by their warrior ancestors. One of the clans, Thunderclan, is living in horrible times. Other clans are taking Thunderclan’s food, crossing the border, and taking over their territory. Another clan, Shadowclan, is trying to take over the forest with their evil leader and have driven out their neighbor, Windclan. Meanwhile, driven by fear Riverclan is allying with the evil Shadowclan. Brave warriors are dying, sacrificing their life for the good of their clans. When Thunderclan thinks all hope is lost they get a mysterious prophecy, “ Fire alone will save our clan.” Just a few days later, after the prophecy is given, a small little house cat comes to join Thunderclan, and he is given the name Firepaw. Will this little kitten be the savior of all the clans? 

The summary above is part of the popular Warriors series, comprised of eight, 6-book series, with dozens of individual books focusing on one character, and numerous manga books. So far, 118 books fill up the entire series. Three individual authors known by the creative pen name Erin Hunter have created this wonderful world of cats—Vicky Holmes, Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry. Together they have written and edited the first five series in Warriors. Afterwards, Vicky handed the work off to a team of a dozen people who have written the most recent books.

As someone who has personally read and loved these books I can say they are heartfelt, well-written, adventurous and full of wonderful fantasy. The Warrior series is full of rivalry and love, sadness and humor, kindness and hatred; all perfect for someone looking for a crazy series to dive into.

Vicky, a worldwide best-selling author, who has written and co-written hundreds of books and who often writes under different pen names, sparked the idea for this great series. Having read and loved the Warrior books for over three years I never would have guessed Vicky would respond to my request, let alone be willing to do an interview. Wanting to know more about the series I contacted her asking for an interview, so as you can guess I was ecstatic when she agreed.

Vicky lives in the UK with her husband and a good friend. She has two wonderful horses, Darcy and Smudge, that she rides and loves dearly. Having grown up on a farm, she absolutely loves nature and animals, and writes about them all the time. Vicky has written many books for all ages, but she would say her biggest accomplishment is definitely Warriors.

“I don’t particularly like cats,” Vicky admitted. “I prefer horses and dogs but that is what my publisher wanted.”

Harper Collins, Vicky’s publisher, told her she needed to write a book about cats. She didn’t want to but reluctantly agreed. She had originally planned for there to be only one Warriors book, but then her publisher told her this was good enough for there to be more. Then the series just grew and grew. She also planned for the second series to be a trilogy, but again, the publisher wanted her to write more. Vicky owns a first-edition copy of every single book she’s written. She said she often jokes with her husband (who admits to having never read any of her books), telling him, “If the house is ever on fire don’t worry about saving me, get my books out.”

Writing is Vicky’s full time job, but when I asked her if she has any other hobbies she didn’t hesitate.

“Well obviously horses,” she said. “Horses, horses, horses morning, noon and night! I still love horses.”

Vicky started writing when she was a little girl.

“I was able to read as soon as I could talk,” she said. “I could read before I walked.”

Her mother was an elementary school teacher and taught Vicky how to read at two years old—just for fun. She took that fun and turned reading and writing into a lifetime passion that many readers have had the opportunity to enjoy.

For Vicky, the writing process in collaboration with the others who make up “Erin Hunter” is an interesting one. The way it works is like this: Vicky will write a bit of the story, the characters, certain scenes, how she wants the plot to unfold, and how she wants the characters to think and feel. Then Kate and Cherith will finish it. Once they are done, Vicky edits the book to make it look like one author wrote the book before it’s sent off to the publisher to be published.

Vicky considers herself to be bossy, so she tells the other writers what to do. She also considers herself very lazy and said she would never want to write the entire book, though she admitted to writing all of the Warriors’ Ultimate Guide books on her own.

She was frank about her relationship with the Cherith and Kate, quick to point out their strengths as well as challenges she has working with them.

Vicky doesn’t read books in the Warriors series that she hasn’t taken part in writing.

“It would break my heart.” she said.

I asked her how she handles bad book reviews—and she said she just ignored them. Vicky used to work with comedians often and she used to tell them, “If you read the good reviews and take them to heart, you also have to read the bad reviews. So basically, just don’t read the reviews. Don’t get carried away by a 5-star review because with every 5-star review you get, you’ll get a 1-star review. And if you really take onboard the good reviews, you’re going to have to take on the bad reviews. So I generally don’t read them.”

However, Vicky does keep her very first review she ever got. She keeps the good review in the back of her diary, close to her heart, reminding her of the crazy journey that she’s been on.

Vicky’s publisher, Harper Collins, told her she needed to write a book about cats. Vicky really didn’t want to, but reluctantly agreed. She had originally planned for there to be only one Warriors book, but then her publisher told her this was good enough for there to be more. Then the series just grew and grew. She also planned for the second series to be a trilogy, but again, the publisher wanted her to write more.

When I asked her what she would like her readers to know, she replied, “You can choose your own destiny, you don’t have to listen to anybody else.” She continued, “People can get a lot of pressure to do certain things, especially online, to do certain things, to think certain things. Choose your own path.”

Her philosophy is well reflected in her Warriors series, which often explores the theme of the cats finding and choosing their own destiny.

When I asked her what she would say to a new writer starting a series she responded, “Oh gosh! Good luck and have fun! It’s a privilege to be able to write. Read everything you can because that’s the best way to learn how to write. Don’t listen to the reviews! Know in your own heart when something is good. Have the courage of your convictions, and write about what makes you passionate or what makes your heart sing!”

Vicky doesn’t read books in the Warriors series that she hasn’t taken part in writing.

“It would break my heart.” she said. The age category for Warriors is 10-15 but Vicky clearly states that the books can be for all ages because people from 5 to 20 still love the books.