The Sword and Laser discussion

What if you were a famous author for something like the Mistborn Trilogy and THEN you were asked to finish the Wheel of Time? What would that be like? Well we'll find out on an upcoming authors guide. Got questions for Brandon Sanderson? Post them here. We're recording the episode this Tuesday, so we'll get to as many of them as we can.

Huge fan. Hoping to meet him at an upcoming book signing in my area.

I'm curious how he has so many books scheduled to be out this year? Is he feeling especially creative/productive? Is it because he finished Wheel of Time? Has he been burning pewter?

And now back to A Memory of Light

Besides Wheel of Time, what fantasy and science fiction influenced him as a writer?

Did he sneak a Hoid appearance into his Wheel of Time books as an easter egg? I haven't noticed one but it would be funny if some random character who appeared for a minute at some point was Hoid.

I've actually told him this in person as I've had the pleasure of meeting him three times at signings (I live close enough to him that he frequently signs in my city) and I just want to thank him for taking on the near impossible task of finishing this series. I've voiced some frustration in the Memory of Light thread going on about certain scenes being left but nonetheless he overall did far greater than I think anyone could have ever expected. I don't think he can be told enough by fans about how grateful we are.

One other question. Lets say someday in the future he is asked to finish another series. Would he do it or was this a once in lifetime thing. I wish every author would finish their series but some of them are not writing like the wind and some of us are worried.

Are we going to see more of Wax and Wayne from Alloy of Law and roughly when?

David Sven wrote: "Are we going to see more of Wax and Wayne from Alloy of Law and roughly when?"

This, please.

Love those two.

Recently read the Legion novella and enjoyed it a lot. What inspired the character of Stephen Leeds and his "condition"?

How much of himself (writing style) was put into the wheel of time series vs how much was from the notes left by Jordan?

In Memory of Light you made the curious choice to have a certain event (view spoiler)[ Moraine's reunion with Lan (hide spoiler)] occur off page which seemed surprising given how big a deal I and probably many thought it would be given a (view spoiler)[ whole prequel book was devoted to their original meeting. (hide spoiler)] What was the reason for doing it offpage?

*My stuff in spoiler is pretty minor and doesn't really reveal anything too major but because it does reveal something that does happen in the story though offpage I thought it best to hide it. It is pretty minor though since its something obvious that without a doubt was going to happen after the events near the end of last book.

Huge fan as well.

As well as amazing magic systems you have created interesting religions are you interested in religion and how it affects people.

David Sven wrote: "Are we going to see more of Wax and Wayne from Alloy of Law and roughly when?"

Well, on his web site, I read about Mistborn to have 9 books, past-present-future. Past is done, present with Wax and Wayne just started and future... we'll see :)

EDIT:
Or maybe new Wax&Wayne will be side novels and we will get whole new Mistborn 2 trilogy...

Igor wrote: "David Sven wrote: "Are we going to see more of Wax and Wayne from Alloy of Law and roughly when?"

Well, on his web site, I read about Mistborn to have 9 books, past-present-future. Past is done, p..."

The Alloy of Law is indeed a side step and not part of the 3 trilogies plans Sanderson has laid out for the Mistborn world.

Was there really an ending or did Jordan's notes just say " and then stuff happens" ?

Jim wrote: "Was there really an ending or did Jordan's notes just say " and then stuff happens" ?"

They lived Happily Ever After!

If I understand correctly, the end was written by Jordan.

Evgeny wrote: "If I understand correctly, the end was written by Jordan."

That's my understanding as well, based on previous interviews I've seen/read with Mr. Sanderson.

According the Sanderson's latest post on his website the whole epilogue sequence was written by Jordan basically exactly like it's found in the book.

He answers some other frequently asked questions about WoT there too.

In The Emperor's Soul, I don't remember Hoid ever being called by name. Since the novella is a part of the Cosmere (on the same planet as Elantris), did Hoid make a cameo appearance under a different name or title? If so, can Brandon tell us who he was?

Thanks KevinB, I found info a bit later and it's pretty exciting, don't you think so?

Not a question but just a statement in case Brandon reads this thread at some point before or after the interview.

Brandon, you owe me a new keyboard because I just spit up my drink laughing at you saying you have have "Brandalized" books at an airport.

For those who don't follow him on facebook / twitter he likes to do stealth signings of his books in airports.

I'm currently reading the first Mistborn novel. I wish I could think of a question but all I really want to say is how cool and innovative Allomancy is as a magic system. (to me anyway). I'm about 50% through and I am really enjoying it!

Was the Hoid character insipred in any way by the Fizban/Zifnab character that Margert Weis and Tracy Hickman used in the Dragonlance and DeathGate Books? That's what always pops to mind for me when I read about it.

You're juggling a quiet a few series. I was wondering if you have any plans on expanding Legion into a full book or possibly several?

How do you go about making each series unique and memorable? What are the challenges of creating a brand new "magic" system in different novels?

Really enjoyed "The Way of Kings" and am really looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

Thank you for The Way of Kings, it is beautiful and wondrous!
Question: Assuming all aspiring authors both read and write every day, what are three other things they should be doing to become better writers?

I'm working through Way of the Kings, my very first book by you, on top of my book club pics, and so far I am just mesmerized by it and the story you're telling (just in book 2 so far), but my first taste of you was your works on Wheel of Time.

My question is, how has working on Wheel of Time changed your own writing style/voice, if at all?

I like many others want to say thank you for finishing the Wheel of Time series so successfully. I just finished A Memory of Light, And I have to say it was beautifully executed. Well done, sir.


My question is, which Wheel of Time character did you find easiest to write, and which was the most difficult, and why?

There was a scene in Memory of Light that made me wonder, do you (as an author) feel a particular kinship to Thom?

Oh wow, I've been off re-reading The Gathering Storm and Towers of Midnight and then I read A Memory of Light...so I've basically been avoiding the world (and especially the internet) for the last week or so in my reading binge. I'm glad I didn't miss a chance to submit a question...

Sanderson has created some of the most diverse worlds and most unique (from other authors and from his other works) magic systems. How does he keep it so fresh? Is there any specific inspiration for any of his worlds and/or magic systems? Every time I read a book, I'm in awe, especially of the unexpected implementation of magic (or "magic" as in Legion or The Emperor's Soul).

There are some extremely cinematic scenes in the last three Wheel of Time books, A Memory of Light in particular. I believe Universal currently owns the TV and film rights - any chance of an adaptation in the near future? Were you asked to frame certain scenes to be tempting for film makers, or is it just a result of your style and the events that occur in these books?

Has there been any discussion of your involvement in further novels in the WoT universe, either more prequels, or maybe far-future sequels?

Regarding The Stormlight Archive - I can't wait for the next one! Please continue to knock these out of the park and start a subgenre of magic-driven powered suit/mecha fantasy!

In a conversation with Christopher Paolini last year Brandon suggested that he'd like to do a fantasy crossover with Victor Hugo, combining Hugo's powerful characters with a magic system of Brandon's creation. What sorts of ideas would Brandon suggest for such a magic system? Would he like to just make a fantasy version of Les Miserables, or would he want to do a whole new story?

Also, being the Les Mis fanboy Brandon is, what did he think of the new movie? (Twas my favorite of 2012!)

Mike wrote: "There are some extremely cinematic scenes in the last three Wheel of Time books, A Memory of Light in particular. I believe Universal currently owns the TV and film rights - any chance of an adapta..."

I think its just his style. I don't know if you've read the Mistborn books or not but reading the battle scenes reminded me at times of watching fights in the Matrix.

@Rik "Did he sneak a Hoid appearance into his Wheel of Time books as an easter egg? I haven't noticed one but it would be funny if some random character who appeared for a minute at some point was Hoid."

I've heard him answer this question a few times before. He said he did not add Hoid, as he felt it would be inappropriate. The WoT books are set in Robert Jordan's world and his multiverse is separate.

Probably too late for Brandon but I'm sure I'm not the first to wonder this so maybe someone else can answer.

My question though is extremely SPOILERISH for Memory of Light so I'm spoiler texting it. What do you think was RJ's reasoning for killing off (view spoiler)[ Egwene. (hide spoiler)]. This character was extremely developed throughout the series and was one of the A-listers. Given how (view spoiler)[ no other A lister died (hide spoiler)] it makes one wonder why that particular character was the one to die. This all presumes of course that this was RJ's idea and you were just following the notes.

@Rik AMoL spoilers, for the whole book.

(view spoiler)[ Maybe he had to kill Egwene because Gawyn died? I assume Gawyn had to die because... Apparently he had some kind of death wish? Was I the only one that was super frustrated with him. Why did he put the damn rings on? To sneak through the Sharan camp? Well, Leilwin did just fine at sneaking and she didn't have the warder bond or the warder cloak to give her an advantage. I'm mostly kidding, I know Aes Sedai don't have to die when their warder dies. Just wanted to get that off my chest about Gawyns apparent stupidity. Just had to put on the damn rings, didn't ya?? And then after everything about him being such an amazing swordsman and having 3 of those rings on he still couldn't kill Damendred? That whole scene I was like "Sheath the sword! Idiot!" LOL (hide spoiler)]

@Katrina

I think the whole thing you talk about was basically fan service to show who the top swordsman in the land is though in reality I don't think anything was settled.

I'll put the rest in spoiler text for those who haven't got there yet. (view spoiler)[ Basically I think it was meant to show that Lan was better than Galad who was in turn better than Gawyn. Really though I don't think its settled between Lan and Galad because Lan only won because he went to die and sheathed Demandred's sword while Galad was fighting to live. Plus you've still got Tam and Rand to consider as possibly being better though a one handed Rand loses to Lan. (hide spoiler)]

Rik wrote: "@Katrina

I think the whole thing you talk about was basically fan service to show who the top swordsman in the land is though in reality I don't think anything was settled.

I'll put the rest in s..."

Yes I agree, I just had to rant about his very poor choices in that book. (view spoiler)[ I really like Egwene and I feel like the only non-fail thing he did was hide her under the cloak with him. (hide spoiler)]

@Rik, Katrina

They should just make a Soul Caliber mod for Sword Fighters of Wheel of Time, and then we can settle it ourselves! ^_^

Also, they already did the interview, so uh, no point in asking anymore questions now.

I really appreciate his Writing Excuses podcast, and I wonder what he has learned from talking with the other writers in the group.

It seems like many writers are tone-deaf to religion. It either doesn't exist in their fictional worlds, or it (and its adherents) are pretty simplistic. I don't want to pry into his own beliefs, practices., but how has his experience shaped his thoughts about religion from a world-building perspective? How about in terms of the motivations and worldviews of characters?