Ashley Moser
I messaged earlier regarding Alloy of Law appendix narrator, unaware of today's torchat. maybe you can respond in the chat?
Brandon Sanderson
I haven't been telling people the name of the appendix author. It is either Hoid or one of the 17th sharders.
gmreynoldsjr
What are keys to balance family, writing career?
Brandon Sanderson
Good question. I had to make certain hours of the day "off limits" for writing, so that I didn't feel I was missing out on writing time. I could ALWAYS be working, but that's not good emotionally or for the family.
Otherwise, I try to make my writing time as effective as possible, so I don't feel that sense of "I didn't get anything done."
That one makes me unbalanced, as I feel anxious if I haven't gotten some good work done in a day.
justinkjeppesen
Any suggestions for finding time to write for a full time dad with a full time non-writing job?
Brandon Sanderson
It depends on whether or not your day job is creatively draining. If it is writing/programming, etc (more)
You'll have a much harder time, as those jobs flex the same muscles as novel writing.
The people I've known who do it tend to get up an hour early, before their brain is worn out, and write then.
Basically, you'll have to give something up. Television, video games, golf, something. (But not family time.)
Corby Campbell
Your side characters often have physical infirmities. Can you explain why?
Brandon Sanderson
I feel that often, fiction tends to gloss over or ignore people like Clubs. So I find myself sticking them in.
Andrea Digney
Was Bloody Tan an atium misting
Brandon Sanderson
No, he was not. Good question.
Bryce Lee
What is your favorite book you've written?
Brandon Sanderson
Favorite is hard to pin down. I'm most proud of either The Gathering Storm or The Way of Kings, as they were among the hardest and most satisfying.
Derek Downey
Do you read ebooks or are you a purist (Have to have the physical book)?
Brandon Sanderson
I prefer to read physical when I am at home, and ebook when I'm on the road. (Like now.)
Jennifer Lynch
Do you have a trick for plowing through writer's block?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes. I just write anyway, telling myself I don't have to use what I write. I write it poorly, then try again.
For me, that gets my brain working. You can't be afraid to 'throw away' what you've done for a day and try again.
With that in mind, you can have the most random of things happen, knowing you won't keep them. Just to get jump-started.
Valerie Frankel
What's your favorite book of all time?
Brandon Sanderson
Probably Les Miserables. Hope I spelled that right . . .
Patty Goldman
Is the recipient of the letter in Way of Kings also in Dragonsteel?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes. (Good question.)
Patty Goldman
If so would it be the person that Topaz gets mad at?
Brandon Sanderson
RAFO on the second one. I've already given you too much!
Eric Peters
You mentioned friday night in #Seattle Allomacy has "FTL" built into it, any more hints you can share on how that would work
Brandon Sanderson
It involves where the lost energy from thermodynamic issues goes in certain Allomantic interactions.
Justin_9e
What was one of the first novels you read as a child?
Brandon Sanderson
First real fantasy novel was Dragonsbane. As a young child, I really liked the 3 Investigators books.
Pierre Cadieux
Did you ever study a martial art yourself? Did studying a foreign language change the way you write?
Brandon Sanderson
My only martial arts study comes from reading and watching, with the occasional 'one shot' go learn some basics.
Studying a foreign language was extremely helpful in opening my eyes to other cultures, and my own language.
Corby Campbell
do you decide what cosmere hints you'll let out before going to events? Or just decide on the fly?
Brandon Sanderson
A little of both. Usually, they pry more out of me than I'm planning, though.
Tritlo
Another question, do you think you'll eventually publish a "The World of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere"?
Brandon Sanderson
Probably. Though first, we'd probably do [The Way of Kings] and Mistborn worldbooks.
Thomas Ford
Do you have plans to continue stories in the Elantris (hope I spelled that right) world?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes. I hope to write a sequel for the 10th anniversary of the book's release, which would be 2015.
Tritlo
how is it that you've become so skilled? Lots of study and practice?
Brandon Sanderson
You've got it. Practice and study. I wrote 13 novels before publishing one (my sixth.) Practice, practice, practice.
Eric Peters
What exactly is a dueling cane anyhow?
Brandon Sanderson
Depends. Some are flexible, like sparring swords, and are used for duels where blood is not needed.
Others are basically a big length of wood for hitting people, like a tonfa without the grip.
Eric Peters
Do canes have a hilt like a sparring sword then? I always picture something like pic being used
Brandon Sanderson
Many have a hilt. However for most, there is no crossguard or the like.
And most don't taper like that one. They are often of a uniform diameter all the way down.
Gabriel Rumbaut
How "bad" are your first drafts? Many authors say their first draft of a novel is always terrible.
Brandon Sanderson
They're pretty bad. In a first draft, I focus on character arcs and laying down dialogue.
So the descriptions are sparse, and often they're overly wordy to a huge fault. Drafts streamline.
Athena Franco
Which author would you like to meet and get a book signed by him/her?
Brandon Sanderson
Alive? Terry Practhett. Dead? Robert Jordan.
Chaos
Is Endowment's holder female?
Brandon Sanderson
RAFO :)
Blan_Ryan7
Loved Way of Kings; can you say where Shardblades go when not summoned or is it a RAFO?
Brandon Sanderson
It is RAFO, but one that will be answered for sure.
Shadowsofink
Complex "magic" system in Mistborn, and the complex one in Elantris; what base ideas do you build from for this?
Brandon Sanderson
For Mistborn, Alchemy and biological metabolism. For Elantris, Chinese linguistics and geometry mixed.
Noah Chan
Kel said he ended atium production for a few hundred years. Will atium reappear in Alloy and such, or did Sazed move the Pits?
Brandon Sanderson
RAFO. :)
Fyodor
In Alloy of Law are people still Snapping?
Brandon Sanderson
Sazed chose to alter the way Snapping works. It bothered him. It does happen, but differently.
Fyodor
it seems that The Lord Ruler still needed to store age "normally" but less. Did Miles ever have to store healing?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes. He did, but not in the normal way.
Benjamin Rawlins
how old were you when you first started writing? any advice for young writers, given economy at the moment?
Brandon Sanderson
I started at age 15 or 16, but didn't finish a novel until in my 20s. As for new writers, don't worry about the money.
It will probably take a few years to get published, or to be making money, so focus on the craft first.
Think of becoming a writer like becoming a doctor. It can take 6-8 yrs. Who knows what the economy will be like?
Rachell Russell
How does your approach differ in writing science fiction and then fantasy? Both stylistically and conceptually.
Brandon Sanderson
For SF I take many more things for granted, meaning I focus more on story and less on worldbuilding.
In SF, I will also generally focus on a handful of ideas instead of a whole ton of them.
This usually makes my sf shorter than my fantasy.
Frank Kwiatkowski
I like that you are very involved with the fans. I want to start reading your books. What's the first one to start with?
Brandon Sanderson
If you want more action, Mistborn. If you want a slower, more thoughtful pace, Elantris. Thanks!
Gabriel Rumbaut
I know you plan your plot beforehand, but do you ever find yourself changing parts of your plot in rewrites?
Brandon Sanderson
Frequently. Even a heavy outliner can't be afraid to change the story at any point in the process.
Corby Campbell
'IronEyes' at the end of Alloy of Law is actually Marsh? It could be any kandra could it not?
Brandon Sanderson
It could be a kandra, but I will tell you specifically that this time it is not. It is him.