Fantasy & Science Fiction

[#1]

As everyone in the civilized world already knows, Brandon Sanderson will be here to answer questions and comments July 8-10th. So, since there are a multitude of question topics, here's the thread where you can post your questions a little early so you don't have to worry about forgetting anything.

Unleash the hounds!  

Paul 

[#2]

My question for Brandon would be:

What kind of mental "retooling" does it take  for him to work on an already established world/storyline like "Wheel of Time" since this is someone else's work?

Also, were there there a lot of notes or material left by Mr. Jordan to work from?

Brad

[#3]

The Gathering Storm

Is it possible for someone who has not read all 11 books in The Wheel of Time series to be able to follow and enjoy reading The Gathering Storm?

[#4]

Mistborn series, Warbreaker

You have created some fantastic, original and well thought out magical systems. Where did you get the inspiration for the metal-based system of the Mistborn series and the breath-based system of Warbreaker?

[#5]

Mistborn~~~

How long did it take for you to complete the Mistborn Trilogy?

How much research, if any, went into the making of the Mistborn trilogy?

To further the above question by Nadine:  How did you ever keep the unique power systems all straight and use them so well for your readers to understand?

    The powers, to me, were just so fascinating, well developed, and unique on so many levels! I think with a lesser artist than yourself the powers might have been too much to take in, but I found them quite easy to follow and understand. Just amazing! You seriously are one of my favorite authors. I'll be in line for all of your books!

And last but definitely not least, You seem to have left the New World of Mistborn open for a book maybe featuring Spook in the future, any thoughts?

Message Edited by carmen22 on 06-22-2009 03:33 PM

[#6]

Now Some Fun Questions:

Who or what was your inspiration to start writing Fantasy?

Which of Your Books is Your Favorite ?

Which of Your Characters is Your Favorite?

Were books a natural part of your childhood?

And Do you have a favorite book or author?

Message Edited by carmen22 on 06-22-2009 03:05 PM

[#7]

No questions, just want to say that Mistborn is awesome.

[#8]

In a recent (May 2009) interview you stated the following:

Q: What do you have planned after you finish Wheel of Time?

A: My next series will be The Way of Kings, which is the start of a big epic for me. I've plotted it as ten books. Fantasy writers, we get into this business because we love the big epics. We grow up reading Brooks and Jordan, and we get to the point where we say, "I want to do this myself."

-------------------------

This should tie you up for a good ten years after you finish The Wheel of Time. Does it mean that you are not going to write anymore one- or three- volume epic fantasy novels?

Can you give us some hints as to what The Way of Kings will be about?

[#9]

Some of us have been picking books that have some mystery to them.  We have stopping points in the books where we discuss what we have read, any questions we have, then try to speculate ahead for what is to come.  Your books have worked extremely well for these, along with completely enjoying the readings.  But, we had a few questions we were still a little curious about.  So, I am going to be a little on the specific side for just a few things.

In Mistborn:

  There was mention of a man named Adonasuim.  We were wondering if this man may have been Preservation, whom "died" before Vin took over.  Is that who he was or was he someone else?

In Mistborn #3 Hero of Ages:

  It isn't mentioned where all the Steel Inquisitors, Kandra, and Koloss went in the end.  Do you feel that they were removed from the world and Sazed took all the lost souls to his better place? 

  Also, We just took for granted that Sazed is with Tindwyl now.  Is that so?

  Of the people that were sick for the 16 days in comparision to just the 1 day, it is mentioned that they would be able to burn more precious metals (atium).  Could it also be possible they are/were Mistborn - with the ability to burn all 16 metals?

[#10]

I'm really curious where the inspiration for Elantris came from. I really enjoyed that book. =)

Also just some technical questions--did you get noticed from JABberwocky from a cold-query or did you have connections? What was the journey like when you first sought publication? How long did it take? I'd wager not long, considering how well written Elantris is. =) Are you comfortable working with editors and marketing people by now? What is the best part about promoting your books? (in your opinion)

As a writer, what's your favorite part of the process? Do you have a "drawer-full" of ideas waiting to be put to paper?

Okay, I'll be quiet now.

[#11]

Paul recently wrote an article about loving maps in stories and it inspired these questions from me.

How do you come up with and create the maps for your novels? Is it a process of thought while creating the story itself or does it come later once you've written the story as a means to depict the places you've written about? Also do you scetch them yourself before having them drawn or is the process usually entirely done by a seperate artist?

Message Edited by Liago on 07-01-2009 11:18 AM

Message Edited by Liago on 07-01-2009 11:20 AM

[#12]

Brandon Sanderson,

two questions:

1.  As the Gathering Storm draws near release, there are many WOT fans that have a large worry that you will not do RJ justice and ruin his series (especially after 4 years of waiting).  How big of a worry is this for you, having to fill his shoes, and what are you doing to prepare yourself?

2.  Are you annoyed that people call you BS?  After all your initials aren't the most flattering acronym.

[#13]

so first and formost, is there going to be a 2nd warbreaker?

next i been hearing about the way of kings series u are starting. are you planning to have that as a single book or going to try and make it like a trilogy like mistborn or a large 10 or more book series. 

[#14]

Could you tell us, if you know, whether the Prologue of TGS is going to be published early ? It was for the last three books.

[#15]

Brandon, how do you feel your identity and upbringing as a Mormon has effected your work?

Elantris, for instance, centers around a magic system that has essentially been broken because something in the world has changed--a "new revelation" if you will. And then Mistborn has at its core a set of holy writings that have been altered by an evil force.

These things seem decidely Mormon to me, or at least informed from a Mormon perspective. Do you feel that is the case?

On a different but related note, I really love that you honestly look at religious convictions in your books and that you don't portray such convictions in a shallow way.

[#16]

Will The Way of Kings series be based on one of the worlds and magic systems you have already created or are you inventing a totally new one for this series?

[#17]

Brandon, with you being a writer specialized in cool and unique magic systems, how was it to use and write with the magic system in Wheel of Time? Hard or easy? Did you have to come up with new weaves, or did Jordan already have unmentioned weaves written down somewhere? And how did it work for you to write channeling battles?

[#18]

You have stated in your blog (http://www.brandonsanderson.com/blog/784/Another-Long-Winded-Explanation-of-Various-Things) that Mistborn had three magic systems (Allomancy, Feruchemy and Hemurology) and also that the Way of Kings will have upwards of 20. For comparison, how many magic systems would you say the Wheel of Time series has? Two (One Power and the True Power)? How do you classify other abilities (not necessarily related to the One Power or True Power) such as dreamwalking, viewing the pattern, wolfbrother-hoodness, and changing 'luck' or chance? Would you classify these abilities as a magic system in and of themselves? Has your chance to see the background material Robert Jordan left changed how you view these abilities?

One common theme in magic systems across fantasy is the use of artifacts to focus, increase or do something specific with the magic. Inclusion of artifacts is something you have avoided in your magic systems (although I will say I haven't missed them). Is there a reason for this? How has your writing changed with the 'forced' introduction of artifacts (i.e. finishing the Wheel of Time)? Do you plan on using artifacts in your own works after you finish the Wheel of Time?

Thanks for taking the time to answer!

[#19]

Okay guys! Brandon is officially signed in and ready to rock! On the forums, his username will be MistbornSanderson!

Paul 

[#20]

The Way of Kings

I found this on a blog posted July 2008. Does it have any relationship to reality?

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...No matter your race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation or belief system, you will find something to love in "The Way of Kings". There were pirates, ninjas, monkeys, fireworks, grand journeys, infidels dragged through streets by dragons and a fair amount of buckles swashed. There were ladies romanced, men romanced, sheep romanced and one scene where even two mice get it on. And if you can forgive an inordinate amount of abuse aimed at Canadians, this just may be the book for you. Be forewarned, however, if you can't abide graphic depictions of sexual content that would make Laurell K. Hamilton blush and cover her naughty bits, you might want to skip this book...

...The way Brandon Sanderson breathes life into this story is inspirational. The characters, the storyline, the magic -- seemingly woven (as only Brandon can) from sheer nothingness. One of my favorite parts of the book is where the Wizard Ooflar divides one rather simple system of magic into five complex subsets, each with its own arcane history and labyrinthine steps. Who would have thought the apprentice Pemberly could put an entire village to sleep by tapping out a quadrille in her clogs? Although it would seem implausible, somehow his magical system works, especially the dance-off. I also enjoyed the ten-day feast in section two, chapter 85. I don't know if I'll ever forget the scene in which we see King Horag the Midleth eating live grunthyean orbs. (gag) I loved this book and can't wait for the sequel...