Recent entries

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5256 Copy

    Extesian

    Simple, harmless, totally non-contro one. Can a spren unilaterally sever a Nahel bond (i.e. where the Radiant doesn't agree and hasn't technically, according to spren and Radiant, broken an oath)?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yup, no controversy here at all.

    This is possible. But I'm not going to go into the mechanics.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5257 Copy

    WeiryWriter

    Hemalurgic spikes lose power unless they are in a person’s body (or immersed in blood), does that body need to be living, or would a corpse suffice? If so, at what point in the decomposition process would the spikes cease to be protected? When they are no longer encased in flesh, before, after?

    Brandon Sanderson

    I haven't put a specific number or date on it, but I'd say as long as the blood itself would be viable if moved to a living body, it will work.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5260 Copy

    SquishyMouth

    How would you say Skyward compares to, say, Mistborn in terms of completion? By the end of The Final Empire you give us enough answers to leave us satisfied with just the first book, but the trilogy as a whole works without feeling like the story is stitched together - will the Skyward series have the same feel, or will the ending of book one immediately call for the next book?

    Brandon Sanderson

    The ending of Mistborn is one of the standards (in terms of how stand-alone the book feels, yet with promises of where we're going) that I try to achieve. I'd say that Skyward doesn't quite feel as stand-alone by the end as Mistborn or Steelheart, but more so than TWoK did.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5262 Copy

    Miss_Silver

    First on Nahel bonds and a bit of a darker question. We know from Syl that if their bonded person is killed in some way, the spren does not die like they do when one breaks their Oaths. However, would Oaths count as being broken if the Radiant committed suicide? Were there any Radiants during the Recreance who did in an effort to spare their spren?

    Brandon Sanderson

    This would be an individual case basis, but I would say that the baseline is no--this alone wouldn't count as breaking the oaths, but getting around the issue of that specific event wouldn't work.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5263 Copy

    Miss_Silver

    Is there a market for decorative metalminds on Scadrial? (IE gemstone studded earrings or fancy engraved bracelets. A jeweler's gotta make a living somehow, y'know. d= )

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yes, there is a market for this--even among those who don't have specific talents themeslves.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5264 Copy

    Miss_Silver

    Is there a maximum number of spikes a person can have? Would having more spikes eventually cause issues, be it mental or physical limitations?

    Also do the benefits from spikes have some form of diminishing returns, or could some one have like, 200 bronze spikes and be able to sense a person burning metal through copper from 50 miles away?

    Brandon Sanderson

    1) Yes, it would cause big issues.

    2) #1 interferes greatly with what you would like to do here, but there are other ways of magnifying the powers to the extent you postulate.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5265 Copy

    meramipopper

    What would be Spensa's favorite food?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Her diet doesn't have a ton of variety, but I'd say she would pick anything that isn't algae paste or rat meat.

    meramipopper

    Obviously Spensa would love anything that isn't what she normally eats. However, if Spensa could afford food, what would be her favorite?

    Brandon Sanderson

    I think she'd SAY she wanted "warrior's food." She'd imagine that as big hunks of meat. In reality, most of what we find delicious, she would find so overly-spiced that she'd never be able to stand it. I think you'd find her finding simple, but flavorful, foods as her favorite. Rice and beans. Mashed potatoes. Something that doesn't have a lot of spice, but still has flavor. Crepes might completely overwhelm her.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5266 Copy

    Argent

    Now that we have canon art of Ishar, Shalash, Jezrien, and Vedel, what Rosharan nationalities would you say they resemble the most?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Jezrien and Vedel would be seen as Alethi, most likely. Shalash would be seen as Azish, while Ishar would be seen as Shin, probably.

    NightWillReign

    Wait, but if Ishar looks like he’s from Shinovar, how did the Tukkari accept him as the God-Priest?

    Brandon Sanderson

    That's a RAFO--but is a question you're supposed to be asking.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5269 Copy

    InsaneScotsman

    On First of The Sun, does Silverlight have a permanent outpost on the Cognitive side or is it still too dangerous to hang around?

    Lastly, any cool tidbits about First of The Sun or its people would be awesome, worldhoppers or the like?

    Brandon Sanderson

    This is actually a RAFO too--it would be relevant if I write a sequel to Sixth of the Dusk. The opening sequence would involve an expedition into Shadesmar...

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5274 Copy

    Secondskrull

    Way of Kings epigraph:

    "Three of sixteen ruled, but now the Broken One reigns (Odium)"

    Words of Radiance back cover:

    "The Bondsmith (Dalinar), born in blood and death, striving to rebuild what was destroyed."

    Am I onto something?

    Brandon Sanderson

    RAFO.

    Phantine

    Actually, I have a question for /u/mistborn about that bit. The epigraphs were dictated, and honor's shattered pieces are in the highstorm. Is it "the broken one reigns", or "the broken one rains"?

    Brandon Sanderson

    It is reigns. (Though that is a cool possible interpretation.)

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5278 Copy

    Enasor

    1) Will the truth of how Evi really died matter to Dalinar's sons? In other words, is it reasonable to expect Adolin, most notably, will react negatively given he believes his father would have never burned the Rift?

    2) Dalinar claims he could forgive Adolin for not being the man he thought he was. Is it reasonable to expect this is easier said than done?

    Brandon Sanderson

    1) It would be reasonable to expect that many people (Adolin foremost among them) will react negatively to the truth--which is indeed contained in Dalinar's book.

    2) Yes, I would say that's a reasonable expectation as well.

    Enasor

    Thank you for the answer, I much appreciate it. Can I ask if it is reasonable to expect some ramifications with respect to those elements within the next book or if this won't be on topic?

    Brandon Sanderson

    We're getting into RAFO territory, I'm afraid.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5280 Copy

    Pagerunner

    Do you have a working title for Stormlight Four? Have you chosen the interlude character yet?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Interlude character is Eshonai. I've had several working titles over the years, but one that stuck around a while was The Song of Changes. I'm unlikely to keep this, as it was never meant to be a final title.

    Pagerunner

    Interludes are Eshonai again? Like in WoR?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Sorry, I was getting my lines crossed. Flashbacks are Eshonai--the interludes are not something I've announced right now.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5283 Copy

    hajsenberg

    When Spin heard Jerkface talking after she left DDF I thought he would be defending her. Something like "even though we hate each other, she's part of the flight and her place is with the rest".

    Brandon Sanderson

    Jorgen is pretty new to this situation too, remember. He's never had to deal with something quite like this before.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5286 Copy

    beer_in_an_esky

    1) Is Ashyn still operating on a sickness-based magic, as indicated in the readings you've done previously? Or are you not ready to canonise that?

    2) Assuming it is, was the use of Investiture on Ashyn always sickness-based?

    3) If someone who is sick on Ashyn leaves while still unwell, would they still have powers? How about any people they infect on the new world?

    Brandon Sanderson

    1) Ashyn still has that magic, though I've gone a lot of directions on how I want the culture to feel, so I wouldn't consider that canon yet.

    2) No.

    3) The powers come directly via the micro-organisms, similar to other symbiotic relationships in the cosmere.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5287 Copy

    JKOustin

    I was rereading W&W books recently and noticed something interesting.

    In Shadows of Self, when Sazed/Harmony is talking with Wax, he feels warmth.

    Wax felt a warmth, a fire, as if the inside of the carriage were heating to incredible temperatures

    The voice vanished. The temperature returned to normal. Wax leaned back, sweating, feeling drained.

    That makes me think about our favorite Bondsmith who experiences something familiar. Is it a coincidence? No, I don't mean Sazed specifically, but perhaps this happens when Shard (any Shard) tries to communicate with people? In the case of Dalinar it could be Cultivation or another big splinter of Honor.

    Brandon Sanderson

    This parallelism is intentional, but that's all I will say for now.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5291 Copy

    RayW2

    What is the most powerful Radiant Order? Bondsmith?

    Brandon Sanderson

    "Power" is related to situation, perception, and need. A Bondsmith can probably draw the most raw investiture, depending on the situation--but comparisons like this ignore the heart of the matter. I don't look at people in the cosmere as having a "power level," because I don't consider it to be a good measure of the way the stories will play out.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5292 Copy

    LerasiumMistborn

    Dalinar is my absolute favorite character in any book now. During previous AMA someone asked you about character’s mental health and you wrote that Dalinar has had PTSD, alcoholism and “a few other things”. Can you explain what these “other things” are?

    Brandon Sanderson

    All right, so with Dalinar, I wouldn't suggest looking for some broad categorization--like, I think there would be an instinct by some people to diagnose him with Antisocial PD during his youth. He certainly has some hallmarks (the lack of empathy, the aggression, and the and willingness to put responsibility for his actions onto someone else.)

    But I think more, with Dalinar, it wasn't some grand schema to diagnose--but a lot of little problems, like most of us have, that were unhealthy ways of seeing the world. Some of this relates to his mix of jealousy/devotion related to his brother, both of which emotions were unhealthy at times. But also his bloodlust in combat, which wasn't just the Thrill--but a real enjoyment of fighting, and a willingness to ignore consequences to others for that.

    These are still all issues he has, though he's worked through many--but the knowledge that losing control was so bad for him in the past has led him to what I'd call his current biggest challenge, which is the need to be in control at all times. (To the point that he doesn't completely trust others to see something get done, despite what he claims.)

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5297 Copy

    XMikethetrikeX

    Can we have a bit of new trivia on Szeth?

    Brandon Sanderson

    I'm sorry, but I prefer to avoid answering questions like this--because if I answer them, I get asked them more. And random trivia questions are really, REALLY hard to answer because I have to remember what I've said before, be careful not to spoil books, etc. My mind just doesn't work in a way that is good for giving answers like this.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5299 Copy

    kakarotoks

    How much do you usually work? Do you do about 40 hours/week, and never work on weekends or do you spend most of your time working (work = research, outlining, writing, doing conferences/book tours, etc.. but doesn't include thoughts that pop in your mind at random times during the day/night). Do you consider this as a 'regular job' (one that you are obviously passionate about) and you take the time to have hobbies/family time, and vacations, or is it your passion, your life, and you spend as much time as you can doing it

    Brandon Sanderson

    It's sometimes hard to measure, because the touring aspect of my job is very different from the day-to-day. And there are years when I spent 1/3 of my time touring. But the day to day is about 40 hours a week right now. It used to be more, but with kids and a family, I've pulled back somewhat to get a better balance, and to make sure I'm reading other people's work so that I keep an eye on what they're doing.

    Skyward Pre-Release AMA ()
    #5300 Copy

    kakarotoks

    As for Skyward, you said before that you got stuck because you weren't liking it, then you finally figured out how to fix it, will you write a blog post after release about how it was before and what needed to be changed to make it fit your standard?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Did I say that about Skyward? I got stuck on Apocalypse Guard, and pulled it for that reason. I don't believe I had any big issues with Skyward that weren't up to standards, just normal revision issues. The biggest hurdle came long before writing the book, as I was trying to figure out ways to approach this plot archetype in a way that wouldn't simply be a rehash of what people have done before.