Annie, much as I hate to reference the prequels for the explanation of ANYTHING — at the end of the third movie, Yoda and Obi-Wan have a conversation about how they are going to spend their time in exile, and Yoda suggest they study the method that “Qui-Gon” used to achieve immortality. There is further speculation that Qui-Gon, having perished on Tatooine, was able, in his ghostly form, to tutor Obi-Wan in this method while Obi-Wan was in exile on Tatooine. This is apparently how to achieve immortality:

“This was apparently achieved through extreme compassion and a rejection of selfishness and personal attachment to the point that the physical self fades away but the consciousness remains as one with the Force.”

Liam Neeson was apparently scheduled to appear as a ghost in the other two prequels, but apparently the scheduling didn’t work out.

So the question is, why did Yoda and Obi-Wan disappear and not Qui-Gon or Anakin? Dunno. This is apprently a huge point of speculation among the big star wars fans.

Rule #4: Write down your rules and re-read them often! Otherwise, what’s the point? Everything seemed crystal clear when you originally plotted but now you’re in the last third of the book and your plot line is starting to look more like a celtic knot; it’s quite possible some of your changes have affected your rules! Or now you’re on book 2 or 5 or 15 and who in their right mind could simply remember who can do what using what magic words under what phase of the moon, etc. after all those books? The readers, that’s who! Hopefully, they love your work enough to have been re-reading all this time, even if you haven’t been. Worldbuilding Rules need to be written down and reviewed periodically during the writing process.

Not that I feel strongly about it or anything… LOL

In the original movies, when Obi Wan and Yoda die, their bodies vanish into mid-air. When Ani dies, there is no vanishing, which I assumed to be caused by his being influenced by the dark side for so long.

And okay… the prequels are crap and lots of stuff doesn’t make sense. But when any of the Jedi died in that movie, not a single one vanished. Not even QuiGon.

I wish I knew what the “rule” was for that.

If anyone is interested.

http://hollylisle.com/fm/Articles/rules-for-better-fantasy.html

I’m reading a book right now that has me wanting to pull my hair out. In some scenes the MC is this simple, info-seeking innocent and then in the very next she’s spouting philosophy and dropping knowledge of someone much worldlier. If I had a dime for everytime I’ve looked up from the text and uttered, “Huh?!” I’d be rich!

When there are no rules it only frustrates the reader!

Excellent point, Diana, that there has to be a reason for our choices. And “because that’s what is selling” is rarely a good reason

(A little bit of my superhero fantasy shining through…)