zebobes
When did you get the idea to connect many of your different novels into one cosmere?
Brandon Sanderson
Long before Elantris was published. In '99, I'd say. Maybe '98.
zebobes
What will happen to the fifth Alcatraz novel if Scholastic doesn't pick it up?
Brandon Sanderson
Well, I do want to write it, and Tor would publish it in a second—but I can't take time away from WoT right now. So MAYBE Tor will publish it. A lot depends on the film, which is being developed by Dreamworks Animation. The Dreamworks option runs out in December.
MysticFyre
Brandon.....just how much sleep per night ARE you getting?
Brandon Sanderson
I do usually get 8 hours. My day goes like this: Get up, take my sons and play with them for an hour so Pemberly can nap. Work until 6 or 7. Eat dinner, hang with wife and kids. Back to work at 8 or 9, work until four. Sleep until noon.
baldwinusa
I like how your book covers mysteriously lead us into wrong conclusions about who characters are. Who comes up with that? You mostly, or does publisher have input??
Brandon Sanderson
Mostly, those are the publisher's deal. I generally have some input, but only a small input. The longer I go, the more I have to say. Often, I will suggest scenes, but it's up to the publisher/artist to decide. For example, the cover of Mistborn 3 was originally a concept cover for the cover of Mistborn One. Everyone liked it so much, they decided to tweak the sketch and do a full painting for Mistborn 3.
toaster J
What original magic system are you the most proud of?
Brandon Sanderson
Oh, boy. That's like asking someone's favorite child. I really like what I've got in The Way of Kings, but Mistborn's trio of magic systems have a tightness to them that is hard to match.
koboldninja
Which of your books was your favorite to write thus far, and why?
Brandon Sanderson
Each is different. The WoT books are the most challenging, the Alcatraz books the most fun. I think The Way of Kings was the most enthralling. Each have their high points.
Dana
We <3 you, Brandon Sanderson! Now hurry and publish more books, lol!
Brandon Sanderson
Lol. Dana, I'm REALLY trying to publish as many as possible. Magic cards do help, though... In a more serious tone, I do offer to let people read my older books. So if you're starved for something, you can shoot and email through the website and ask for White Sand or Aether of Night. They're not up to my current standards, but they're okay. And if you're really interested in the larger story happening behind the scenes in my books, those two novels are important. Watch for the Wells of Power in Aether of Night, for example. There will be an Elantris sequel some day. Hopefully.
Bashar
After the WoT I made a decision to never read a series that is in progress. That's why I never read GRRM. Will I have that problem with the Stormlight Archive or will each book have very satisfying conclusions?
Brandon Sanderson
I try VERY hard to do that in all of my books. So hopefully, yes it will.