Questioner
So my question is how'd you create the Legion *inaudible*?
Brandon Sanderson
Ooh! Good question! So, Legion is a lot of fun, and it's very weird. What happened is, I really do think, as a writer, I have all these weird voices in my head who are telling me to do different things.
One day, I was talking to a friend of mine who writes a lot of psychological horror, and I was talking about schizophrenia, and I said, "Hey, what if all those voices helped you out instead of drove you crazy?" And he said, "That doesn't sound like a horror story. That sounds like a fantasy story, you should write that." So I did.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
What would happen if Allomancer was also an Awakener and Awakened metal he'd burn?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
If he did that, he’d get Allomantic power and also get back the Breaths used in Awakening the metal.
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Brandon's favourite pie is hot apple pie with crust on top.
Questioner
Do you have any idea how <>?
Brandon Sanderson
No, it's really hard. It's very hard because Kaladin would look half Asian, half Arab to us, and so matching the ethnicity of the Alethi is very difficult. So I'm not sure with who they will end up getting but it's a very difficult ethnicity to match.
Questioner
<>?[Oversleep's notes: Allomantic/metallic air conditioning - metal which would work like air conditioning]
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, I do think it could be useful. That's a RAFO. You'll see application of Allomancy like that.
Questioner
Will we ever see such things as... in the future Mistborn books... the unkeyed metalminds, will we see something like people donating <brothers>?
[From notes and Polish clarification: Can unkeyed gold metalminds be used in hospitals? That people would just turn them in so others can heal?]
Brandon Sanderson
You're likely to see such things in this. Not a RAFO. <It takes> figuring it out, <they didn't figure it> out yet.
It's possible, they didn't figure it out yet.
Oversleep
(paraphrased)
Allomantic strength. There are stronger Allomancers, they can burn metals faster, right?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Yes, they can also squeeze more power out of it. They can use it more efficiently.
Oversleep
(paraphrased)
So there is some loss of power along the way? How do savants work into that?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Savants can use it way more efficiently. They are more Connected to the Shard. Closer to Spiritual Realm.
Questioner
<How do you develop/create names?>
Brandon Sanderson
It depends on the book. Usually I develop the language and sounds that are going to be used in the language and then I try to build names out of it, but sometimes there is trick like in Alethi with symmetrical names and I focus a little more on that.
So it just depends on the book.
Questioner
What is the current plan for the Stormlight Archive *inaudible* what we do *inaudible*
Brandon Sanderson
Yes. Oh, that's one of those hard ones.
Questioner
Can you tell us where we - that the Queen's arc, in the question of *inaudible*? Not that I wouldn't read the section on the Herald--
Brandon Sanderson
Nah, that's fine. Nonono, it'll have an arc. The first five are about Dalinar, Kaladin, Shallan, Szeth, and Eshonai in an arc, and then the back five will be about Jasnah, Taln with *inaudible* and stuff like this. So, I mean, some of the same characters from the first five will be characters and still have viewpoints and things, but it's kind of a shift in focus.
Questioner
When you write a book, do you start from the first page and go page by page or-?
Brandon Sanderson
Good question. I do. I write straight through, I outline backward. So I start my outlines at the end-
Questioner
When you have an idea about something in the middle, you-
Brandon Sanderson
-add it to my outline. I don't write it yet, because for me my characters are on journey and if I don’t write chronologically, I don’t how the characters' emotional states would be when I get to that scene.
Questioner/Translator
When you write short stories, do you write them separately, or do they just come along - when you are writing longer books that you come along them?
Brandon Sanderson
Usually I’m working on a book and I have a great idea for a short story and I force myself to put it off until book is done. I tried writing a short story on plane right here and it’s awful, it's so bad I don’t think I will let anyone ever see it.
Questioner/Translator
In Secret History Kelsier was <> some kind of <>. Is it some<> to Forgery?
[Oversleep's notes: Question about Kelsier changing his backpack in M:SH and if that’s similar to Forgery/beginning of Forgery on Scadrial]
Brandon Sanderson
No, there is something else going on... that we'll see, come to understand <>
Questioner
<>?
Brandon Sanderson
One of them is White Sand which is now a Graphic Novel. If you ever want to read - in English - you can get the <prime/previous> version. I'm not going to release it. <> think it's good enough.
Questioner
<>
Brandon Sanderson
<I have read that and it's possible I'll read that.>
<>
Yes, <> every couple of years <just to get updated>
Questioner
<><want to write this>
Brandon Sanderson
Once in a while it's happening. But I'm always able to change my idea to <get> something different <to get to do> what I want to do.
Questioner
*inaudible*
Brandon Sanderson
So, Anna [Polish translator of most of Brandon's books] actually wrote to us and asked questions and I let Peter who's my editor assistant and continuity editor. So, they talk a lot about <how things correct>
Translator
<... Peter... lightning>
Questioner
<Will there be more from Nalthis/Elantris?>
Brandon Sanderson
Someday, it's a long ways off. But there'll be more.
Questioner
You often write about difference between poor and very rich. And the poor pretending to be rich. Why?
Brandon Sanderson
We look for stories about great conflict, and I think that class conflict is a really interesting conflict and what is it mean, why we put people in boxes and stuff like that, very interesting.
Questioner
<Did the man Lift met is Hoid>?
Brandon Sanderson
It is Hoid.
In book three, right? In book three.
Oh *inaudible* Lift? *inaudible* No, that's not Hoid. So she references having talked to him but it's not someone she meets in this. In the beginning, she mentions him but he's not specifically in this. Right? Sorry, I thought you meant *inaudible*.
Questioner
*Inaudible*.
Brandon Sanderson
Yeah, of course, that makes sense. But yes, so, she met him - but she talks about him, she didn't - it's not him on the street.
(From my notes:
In Edgedancer, Lift references talking to Hoid but he doesn’t show up himself there. She met him, she talks about him but he doesn't appear in Edgedancer.)
Questioner
<>?
Brandon Sanderson
I am fascinated by religion, and I am religious myself, so I like exploring the ways that human beings interact with religion.
Questioner
<Could you tell me something about the Shard that is hiding>?
Brandon Sanderson
That is a pretty big spoiler. I can give you a RAFO card. Yes, the Shard that wants to hide, let's just say, they are quite intelligent in their decision to not get caught.
Questioner
<Do you read other writer's books?>
Brandon Sanderson
I do, I try very hard to keep up on what other people writing. I feel that it will make me a better writer as I can learn from them.
Shal
<Why AonDor is not used around Shardpool? Was it a cultural thing or...?>
Brandon Sanderson
There are more than cultural reasons.
Questioner
How many bridge runs did Kaladin make in the Way of Kings?
Brandon Sanderson
How many what? Bridge runs, oh boy. Fewer than he thought, but still a lot. Several dozen. He would have said hundreds but it wasn’t hundreds.
Questioner
<Does Jasnah know about Adonalsium?>
Brandon Sanderson
No, she is not specifically cosmere-aware.
Questioner
Are we going to see more of Marsh? *Inaudible*
Brandon Sanderson
Yes. You will see more of him.
Questioner
*Inaudible* How long will we have to wait for Arcanum 2?
Brandon Sanderson
A long time, I'm afraid. I don't want to write it until I have Stormlight 10 done, so it's a long ways off.
Questioner
*Inaudible*.
Brandon Sanderson
You will. And you'll definitely get some bits and pieces.
Questioner
Can you do something for me on science fiction *inaudible*?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes. Some day. There will be some science fiction. And it'll be in the Cosmere even. *Inaudible*
Questioner
*inaudible, but referring to the RAFO cards*
Brandon Sanderson
Oh, yeah. You want a RAFO card? You gotta ask me a hard question. Come up with a question.
Questioner
So what's next for Szeth-son-son-Vallano?
Brandon Sanderson
Uh, okay, yeah, take [inaudible due to laughter, presumably Brandon was indicating that he could take a card].
Questioner
*inaudible* sign this one right here?
Brandon Sanderson
Yup, happy to do it.
Questioner
I will leave that there. Okay, Mistborn, and then this next *inaudible*. Is there moments you've set up throughout your books, are they like, how much effort *inaudible*?
Brandon Sanderson
There is that, yeah.
Questioner
*inaudible*.
Brandon Sanderson
Third draft. Still two drafts to go.
Questioner
Oh, great. So *inaudible*. November still looking good?
Brandon Sanderson
November's still looking good, but *inaudible* there's a lot of revision, making books work.
Questioner
<Where in White Sand... Hoid?>
Brandon Sanderson
Hoid will become obvious as the White Sand books continue.
Questioner
<Can you tell anything about Mistborn movie?>
Brandon Sanderson
We are trying, I can't say it will actually happen, but we are trying to make one.
Mestiv
Can you tell something about Vax? Shardworld?
Brandon Sanderson
No, I can't tell you anything about that. But I can give you a card [RAFO] for not telling you anything about Vax; they're very interested in Vax, everybody's interested in Vax.
But I stayed very close-lipped on Vax.
Questioner
Not because *inaudible* whatever-
Brandon Sanderson
There are things that he still has to learn, and yes, he is not willing to go. He doesn't do what he is supposed to either, at that.
Questioner/Translator
<> Elantris be created <> Aon <> place?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, but it would have be very different but it’s possible that something like that can be created somewhere else.
Questioner
?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, you're not seeing the last of Kelsier.
Questioner
<>?
Brandon Sanderson
In Shadesmar there are some animals, but it's not exactly what you think. Third book will give you some clues.
Rasarr
If you took a Parshendi... And they were born outside Roshar and never visited Roshar in their lives, would they hear the Rhythms beyond Roshar?
Brandon Sanderson
Would they hear the Rhythms beyond Roshar... If you took one that was not born on Roshar, would they feel the Rhythms off-Roshar or just Rhythms in general?
Rasarr
Rhythms in general.
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, they would sense them.
Rasarr
Even beyond Roshar?
Brandon Sanderson
What they are sensing... it's something that pervades the Cosmere but on Roshar has specific way of manifesting.
Rasarr
Is it the same thing that Soothers and Rioters are using?
Brandon Sanderson
Now you're straying into RAFO territory with your question/good question...
Rasarr
Could a Seeker detect a Shardbearer? For example, could Vin detect Adolin's Shardblade?
Brandon Sanderson
That detects Kinetic Investiture, Investiture that's being used actively, so in the summoning process, you'd probably get a blip on that, but not just looking at someone and seeing it.
Rasarr
On Oathbringer cover, Jasnah seems to be in the air, flying, but she never had flying ability before...
Brandon Sanderson
She is not flying, that's more artistic liberty on Michael's part.
Questioner
<>
Brandon Sanderson
Magic for me - in my books - is anything that breaks the fundamental laws of our physics. So new physics in another world... <>
Questioner
<What was the most fun scene to write?>
Brandon Sanderson
The most fun... It’s probably one of Wayne things, from Era 2 Mistborn, maybe the one where he goes to the bar - the church of the common man <>. It's in the Shadows of Self.
Questioner
Is Kelsier going to appear again?
Brandon Sanderson
It is very likely.
Questioner
So I can expect this?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, you can.
Strumienpola
(paraphrased)
Were Yolen dead gods some kind of pre-Adonalsium shards?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
RAFO on Yolen... but no. Before the Shattering there were no Shards, so these gods are something different.
Strumienpola
(paraphrased)
Did the Reod affect the Ire?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
It did in some way.
Kanrei
(paraphrased)
Will there be love triangle between Adolin, Shallan and Kaladin?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Not really a love triangle, more like confusion of teenagers about fact who they are attracted to.
Kanrei
Can Cosmere magic heal illness like depression?
Brandon Sanderson
It can heal physical stuff, like hormonal imbalance in brain, but if there are psychological reasons then it wont help.
Oversleep
(paraphrased)
People with mixed Investiture, coming from different Shards, with heritage from different worlds. Will we see them and how would they interact with magic systems?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
You have already seen them. How they're gonna... it depends on the magic system.
Oversleep
(paraphrased)
Let's say we have a Twinborn aluminium/nicrosil and he tapped a lot of nicrosil, so much he started to emit mist and then burned aluminum. Would he destroy his own Investiture?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
No.
Oversleep
(paraphrased)
I asked about Radiant Surgebinder who would tap his Connection to the spren and would he be able to summon Shardblade even at First Ideal?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
He said it's possible but spren wouldn't like it. IIRC he said something about increasing flow of power (???)
Questioner
(paraphrased)
If a Leecher was holding a Shardbearer and burning [chromium], would the Shardbearer be able to summon their Blade?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
No.
Questioner
(paraphrased)
Who would you ask to finish the Cosmere if you were unable to?
Brandon Sanderson
(paraphrased)
Brian McClellan. He's one of my students and he also writes epic fantasy.
