"After I ghost-wrote the Star Wars novelization for George Lucas, I then started the sequel which the contract also called for.  It had to be a story that could be filmed on a small budget, and George wanted to be able to re-use a lot of the props from the first film.

"The original opening scene for Splinter of the Mind's Eye was a dogfight in space - but Lucas requested that it be cut.  That was the only cut I had to make.

"The first film ended up being a huge blockbuster, so by the time Splinter appeared in 1978, plans were already underway for a sequel with a bigger budget.

"Nobody at the time had any idea that George was later going to turn around and make Leia Luke's sister - re-reading the book today certainly adds a certain frission to their relationship."

- Alan Dean Foster

"A Jedi can use the Kiber crystal to intensify the Ashla force a hundred fold; but remember, it can also be used to intensify the power of the Bogan...  It must not fall into the hands of the Sith...  They would do anything to have it."

- The Adventures of the Starkiller Episode One: The Star Wars

"The Force is all around us.  It can be collected and transmitted through the use of a Kiber crystal.  It's the only way to amplify the power of the Force within you."

- Ben, The Star Wars