WeiryWriter
One of the projects I'm most excited for from you Brandon is Adamant (the Silence of the Lambs in Space story--It's in second-place 'cause The Aztlanian). You once mentioned that you were considering trying to slide it in the cosmere, but were unsure because it would require removing a Shakespeare reference of which you were fond. Have you considered adding it to this fledgling Skywardverse? (Thereby cementing your claim to fame as the "crossover universes" guy)
Brandon Sanderson
I doubt I'll put Adamant into the Skyward universe if only because I'm so enamored with how it turned out when I did...what I did to it. (You'll see eventually.) It really is a lot of fun set up the way it is now.
WeiryWriter
At one point in time you were planning for Skyward to be in the cosmere, which is no longer the case. If you were to pick a Shard, or Shards, that would fit Skyward what would they be? (Not necessarily the Shard that would have been featured in-cosmere, but a hypothetical Shard that fits the book/world in its current state.)
Brandon Sanderson
Skyward was more "The travels of Spensa, space pilot" than a true story back when it was in the cosmere. But as the story is right now, I'd say Autonomy would find it very interesting.
TinyOxKing
So when I was reading Warbreaker, the more I listened to Vasher the more he reminded me of Mormon (loves kids, warrior who hated war, a scholar, & etc) was this a coincidence or done on purpose?
Brandon Sanderson
Coincidence. I find that an interesting connection, though.
Oversleep
Okay, maybe also Alcatraz one since I just finished Dark Talent few hours ago (it's excellent, by the way): Why did they need Dif in the first place? I mean, Alcatraz still knows more about Hushlands than any person from Free Kingdoms would, even a person who went deep undercover for a long time. What did they need a specialist in Hushlands for? That part didn't make sense for me.
Brandon Sanderson
Alcatraz knows what it is like to live in a small town in the US. Would you pick him as a guide to show you around DC or NYC, a place he'd never been? He's a thirteen year old kid. But I'll say, at the same time, Dif was working hard behind the scenes to get himself involved.
Oversleep
Could you use perpendicularities to see into Spiritual Realm?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes.
Oversleep
Any grander plans for this setting beside this trilogy of Skyward?
Any plans for that other work the Skyward is connected to?
Is there any connecting stuff we should be on look out for?
Brandon Sanderson
Let me get this trilogy (which will actually probably be four books) done, and then I'll worry about that.
No other plans for the work this is based on right now.
As for connecting stuff, it will become very obvious once I start using some technical terminology. I said elsewhere in the thread that chapter 17 will make it very clear for those watching. Other small connections exist through the series, but more in the second book.
Govir
As a follow-up, will the fourth just be adding onto the end (i.e. it's a quartet), or will it be tangential, similar to Mistborn: Secret History (i.e. a trilogy + another book)?
Brandon Sanderson
It will be a quartet. I did my normal thing, writing the first book as proof of concept to myself, then sitting down and really hammering out the series. When I was done, the story beats worked far better as four books than three, so I will probably write it that way instead.
Oversleep
At first [Skyward] was supposed to be in the cosmere. Were there any reasons you pulled it out of it besides not wanting to deal with spacefaring era of Cosmere yet?
Where was the planet supposed to be in the cosmere? Would it have had a Shard or would it have been a minor Shardworld?
Brandon Sanderson
When Spensa started life in my brain, she was late cosmere pilot character, from around Era Four. When I started to work on this as my next YA project, I decided I wanted to use a certain technological aspect from a story I'd previously worked on--something I touched on in a novella, but which was still very interesting to me all these years later. But it was something that did not work with cosmere technology, so it was a natural fit to port Spensa over to this new story.
It wouldn't have been planetary-based if it had been in the cosmere. Mostly, it was Spensa as a character. Once the story started transforming into a girl and her spaceship, the cosmere ties got severed quickly.
Jofwu
Can you say what "small projects" you're thinking about working on for the rest of the year before picking up Stormlight in January?
Brandon Sanderson
I've just done a quick draft on some chapters on Alcatraz 6, which isn't ready yet, but is coming along. And I'll be looking over Secret Project again, as well as doing a draft of the Wheel of Time deleted scenes for the Unfettered 3 charity anthology.
Jofwu
Any thoughts on whether Scadrian spaceships might have AI onboard?
Brandon Sanderson
AI in the cosmere will be an important topic I'll address in the future.
Jofwu
I'm really hooked by the "girl and her dragon" idea. Were there any fun or interesting things you were able to explore by virtue of replacing the dragon with a spaceship? That is, it's easy to imagine the fun similarities, but I'm curious if there were any notable differences introduced by that swap.
Brandon Sanderson
Hm... Well, normally in the dragon egg story, a trope is that the dragon needs to learn how to fly/fight and the trainer needs to learn with them.
Here, the ship knows how to fly--but is busted up. So there's a lot of fun in the story relating to how exactly to get parts for the ship--which leads to a completely different style of storytelling.
thegatorgirl00
Do you have a name for the Skyward universe that we can use on the Coppermind and in discussion beyond just calling it the Skyward universe?
Brandon Sanderson
I kind of think Skyward Universe is probably the best, for now. I'll ponder this.
thegatorgirl00
If you haven't considered it already, I'd like to bring the term Skyworld or Skyworlds to your attention.
Brandon Sanderson
Ha! That's not bad, though it could get a little confusing if I ever write one of the books I've been planning that literally take place in a world with no ground...
NotOJebus
What do you feel is the main difference between writing sci fi and fantasy is? Did you learn things in writing Skyward that you feel will help you write Mistborn Era 4?
Brandon Sanderson
For me, it's a fine line, because I'm not writing Hard SF--but instead, a kind of hard fantasy. So my books tend to ride the line between SF/Fantasy anyway. And Skyward is straight up space opera, I'd say--most of the technology that we use in the books is fantastical anyway.
In SF, I feel I can lean on shared vocabulary a little more. This has been particularly handy in the novellas I've done, where we can use Earth as a reference point. Modern (and beyond modern) communication, and expectations of character education, also play a big part in changing how I approach the stories.
In some ways, it comes down to different storytelling traditions, and what they each afford you. Again, though, it would be different if I were writing hard SF.
CoverYourSafeHand
My other question is about Wheel of Time. At the end, Rand just kinda walks away in Moridin's body. Does he stop being a ta'veren? I can't imagine the pattern would just let him live a quiet normal life if he still was.
Brandon Sanderson
The ending portion of WoT that you reference was written by [Robert Jordan] himself, and he didn't leave a lot of explanations. Subtext and things Mr. Jordan said lead me to believe that the character you indicate is free, now. But we don't have a 100% for sure answer.
CoverYourSafeHand
Is there a Warbreaker sequel in the works? I would love to know how a certain trio of characters found themselves in Roshar.
Brandon Sanderson
Warbreaker sequel will happen some day, but is probably not until after book five of Stormlight. (At the earliest.)
6th_account_so_far
How much of an impact did interviewing professional fighter pilots have on the story? Did anything learned from them actually change parts of the book in significant ways? Did you learn anything weird or unusual that you found fascinating?
Brandon Sanderson
The pilots were a HUGE help. The biggest issue I had, which was really hard to get through my skull, was the different ways that G-forces interacted with the human body.
I knew the basics, and had flight suits operating correctly and was watching for people pulling too many Gs. But the fighter pilots kept explaining things like "eyes out" and how it wasn't just number of Gs, it was the direction they were pulling. It wasn't until I called one of them and had a lengthy conversation that it started to click with me.
From there, some of the direct feelings of pulling Gs--feeling like your skin is sliding off your body, or that you've aged a hundred years--I got from them.
As always with a sf/f book, one of my goals is to walk the line between realism and fiction. I tried to make the battles feel real enough to not kick an actual pilot out of the story, but at the same time, I specifically gave the fighters technology that we don't have, in order to spice up how the combat would work.
R'Shara
Hey, is Brandon willing to tell us which universe Skyward is in yet? He said a while aback that it was in a universe (not cosmere) that he'd written before.
Brandon Sanderson
So, here's the thing--it's a pretty big spoiler. Meaning if you know the novella this is tied to (and it's one of the ones mentioned in this thread) you'll know a moderately large plot point in the book.
It's not the type of spoiler that will ruin a story--I do think some readers would enjoy watching how I lace them together. But do be warned that if you haven't read my science fiction novellas, and you hate spoilers, you might want to wait until Skyward is out to read them.
That said, if you know the terminology of the novellas in question, you'll find your answer in chapter seventeen.
Hirinjay
Does Mongrel know why Spensa's dad broke formation? Will we get a viewpoint of that battle, even just in retelling from Mongrel or someone else?
Brandon Sanderson
What happened during the battle is a major plot point, and you'll eventually get a chance to see it for yourself.
Use_the_Falchion
Have you ever thought of doing a magical school series a la Harry Potter, The Name of the Wind, or The Magisterium series? Or did Skyward kinda fill that spot for you?
Brandon Sanderson
We'll see. I've never had a really good idea for one. I need to feel like I'm bringing something new to a sub genre like that.
Use_the_Falchion
Do you have an idea for the titles of Skyward 2 and 3? Or Stormlight Book 4?
Brandon Sanderson
Skyward 2 is called Starsight. I want to call book three Nowhere, but the publisher doesn't love that. I'll stay away from naming Stormlight 4 yet, though I do have a working title.
Use_the_Falchion
I've been checking Dan Well's twitter pretty often, but there seems to be no update on Apocalypse Guard. Do you have any updates?
Brandon Sanderson
We got together before the cruise and did a big brainstorming session where we figured out once and for all how to fix the book--which is very exciting. However, it will take huge revisions (again) and this time, it's my turn to do that. So the ball is back in my court after he did a great job fixing characters. (The next fix involves plot and worldbuilding, which are my duties.)
Use_the_Falchion
Which Cosmere character would do the WORST in the Piloting Academy?
Brandon Sanderson
Hoid. It's always Hoid.
Use_the_Falchion
Would Spensa get along with David from Steelheart?
Brandon Sanderson
Like a lot of things, it entirely depends on how they meet. But I'd guess that yes, they'd get along.
Use_the_Falchion
I'd also just like to say I that while I know you mentioned it basically once and haven't had any time to work on it since, I'm too excited for Soulburner (even if I shouldn't expect it for the next decade, if at all ever).
Brandon Sanderson
Soulburner...well, I'll just say not to hold your breath. :)
Phantine
Okay, let's start with standard Roshar horoscopes:
If Spensa were to join the Knights Radiant, what order would fit her best?
Brandon Sanderson
Most likely, she'd be a Dustbringer. With small arguments for Stoneward, Skybreaker, or Edgedancer.
Stormlightning
Okay so, also in Oathbringer, did Wit really speak into Shallan's mind when she was confronting the Heart of the Revel--is that what happened??
Brandon Sanderson
Eh, RAFO.
Stormlightning
Can't you tell me if that's what he did? If that was him?
Brandon Sanderson
*teasing sound* Come on. I won't even tell you. You would have gotten similar RAFOs - that does not indicate any yes or no - about stuff in Mistborn that I eventually came around to.
Stormlightning
Is a Edgli a dragon?
Brandon Sanderson
Edgli, oh, from tears of Edgli, uh, RAFO.
Zorro
Was the Astalsi religion somehow edited so that Sazed remembered it as [the] Dadradah religion?
Brandon Sanderson
These two religions are branches of a more ancient religion.
Nothing was edited in this case.
Questioner
Is there a question that's asked most often?
Brandon Sanderson
Yeah, "When's the sequel to X" is number one. Followed by what you would think are the standards. "Who's your favorite character," "What's your favorite book." Those style questions take up easily the top 20. Not at a signing like this at BYU full of Sharders, but at Comic Con, every second question is probably "When is this coming out, are you working on a sequel to this."
Questioner
Would it be possible to make Hemalurgic dental fillings? If there were a mad-scientist dentist?
Brandon Sanderson
I've thought about this. I think that would be possible, but for Hemalurgy to really work I need it to...it doesn't actually have to be touching the blood, despite what they think. But I think your average dental filling is not going deep enough...
Questioner
Root canal!
Brandon Sanderson
*Continues* But yeah, you could make it work.
Steeldancer
If Kaladin created a kid while he had not summoned Syl in a while. Then he made another kid right after he summoned Syl, would they have different colored eyes?
Brandon Sanderson
Wow! I'll RAFO that for now.
Steeldancer
Given a situation where they have perfect knowledge of Hemalurgy--everything is known. Is it possible they could use a Shard-scalpel and spike to carefully...
Brandon Sanderson
To excise without killing somebody? The real damage is to the soul...
Steeldancer
I'm imagining taking out toxic sort of things.
Brandon Sanderson
You've seen Vasher do something similar, so it's not off books that that's possible.
Steeldancer
In Oathbringer, my one big issue with Oathbringer was Amaram's turn. I'm curious why you chose to not hint more at his turn. It felt a little bit out of nowhere. What were your thoughts on Amaram?
Brandon Sanderson
Which turn are you talking about?
Steeldancer
When he turns to Odium's side and he's like, "Okay, now I'm going to consume an Unmade."
Brandon Sanderson
I feel like Amaram was a slow and steady descent. But you didn't get to see viewpoints from him as he was doing it. And what he did to Kaladin was worse than anything he did in Oathbringer, in my mind.
Steeldancer
Why did you choose not to give him viewpoints.
Brandon Sanderson
Too many characters. To many people to give viewpoints to. It was kicked around. I kicked it around for a while. There just wasn't enough.
Sparkle Hearts
Is Harmony going to play a big role in Era 3 and 4?
Brandon Sanderson
RAFO.
Sparkle Hearts
Kelsier, does he like noodles?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes.
Sparkle Hearts
Are we going to get a story about what happened to Vivenna between Warbreaker and Oathbringer?
Brandon Sanderson
Whether I write that as a story or not, I'm not sure. But it will come out.
R'Shara
Has Braize always been 9-centric or did it become so because of Odium?
Brandon Sanderson
RAFO.
R'Shara
Would Stormlight healing, Progression, or Feruchemical gold healing count as some of the ways that a transgender person could change their body to match their identity?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes. Those would work. In fact, that's kind of the main way that you would make that happen. Injections of Investiture making the body match the Spiritual and Cognitive.
R'Shara
And is [a Cognitive Shadow] a copy of the Cognitive or Spiritual Aspect?
Brandon Sanderson
So this is a matter of some debate in the Cosmere. Philosophical questions. By definition, you have to be ripped out of the body and persist. That's part of the definition.
R'Shara
Does a person have to die before they can become a Cognitive Shadow?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes. Depending on your definition of dying?
R'Shara
The physical body dies.
Brandon Sanderson
Yes.
Stormlightning
Can Odium sense where Honorblades are?
Brandon Sanderson
Let's RAFO that one, too.
Stormlightning
Is Kaladin related to Aesudan?
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, but it's not a close relation. A very complex system of things, but yes.
Stormlightning
I was just wondering why he knew her...the melody she was humming.
Brandon Sanderson
Oh, he did. That is not because they're related.
Stormlightning
So it's something else?
Brandon Sanderson
It's something else. I thought that was a sideways question about Kaladin's mom.
Stormlightning
It kinda was, I thought maybe she hummed that and so that's why he recognized it.
Brandon Sanderson
No, good question.
Questioner
How is Luck used?
Brandon Sanderson
Luck you mean like, Fortune? That is also a RAFO, because I'm saving it for future books. There are clues in the books.
Questioner
Who is Midius?
Brandon Sanderson
You're getting a RAFO card. There's no way for me to answer that even in the slightest without giving away spoilers.
GreenRover
During the storm that Kaladin was in with Shallan in book 2; those two massive walkers we saw--are those Parshendi, Unmade, or spren?
Brandon Sanderson
Spren, with the caveat that might not mean they aren't Unmade, because that's not an either-or.
GreenRover
Can Feruchemists tell whose metalmind it is, based on Identity, even if they can't tap it?
Brandon Sanderson
Not by rule, but it is possible.
GreenRover
Can you Soulcast things into plastic? Like, from the oil Essence?
Brandon Sanderson
Yeah, you could. You could Soulcast things to plastic. You'd need to work with the magic, but you could.
GreenRover
What order [of Knight Radiant] did Oathbringer come from?
Brandon Sanderson
I'll RAFO that.
Walin
Does Nightblood contain any of Ruin's Investiture? Like, not atium, but...
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, technically; and I'm not wiggling around that, because technically, location in the Cosmere and who belongs to what gets really weird, right? Because Ruin's Investiture is everywhere--but I'm not talking that way. I'm talking the way you actually mean it.
Walin
If you had a metal plate, and you inscribed into it--with a living Shardblade--the description of a spren, so it's kind of like an Aon for a spren, in a way; if you had an Elsecaller in the Cognitive Realm force Stormlight through the bead for that plate, would it act as a fabrial for that spren? So like, if you drew a spren, like a flamespren onto a metal plate, so you'd make a heat fabrial?
Brandon Sanderson
So you're trying to trap the spren in the [plate]?
Walin
There's not a spren, it's just a drawing of a spren.
Brandon Sanderson
So you're trying to Invest a drawing of a spren, and turn that Investiture into an actual spren, and make it work...I don't think this is going to work. I can see an argument that it would; I would err on "I don't think this is gonna work." But, you know, stranger things have happened, right?
Walin
My purpose for that question was asking whether Sel is the only one that can have Cognitive Investing--er, the one that's best at doing Cognitive Investing.
Brandon Sanderson
Yes, it is definitely best; it is nothing to do with the Shards themselves, and everything to do with what happened to them.
OrangeJedi
So if the skaa on Scadrial had gone out in the mists more often, would they have had a longer lifespan?
Brandon Sanderson
*Hesitant* The skaa lifespans are more related to their status in life than genetic predisposition. Going in the mists probably would not have changed that.
OrangeJedi
I didn't think of it that way, I thought of it more from a, "Oh, people on Roshar have a longer lifespan because of Investiture." Because the mists are Invested.
Brandon Sanderson
*Hesitant* Technically yes, but I think it's going to be pretty miniscule. Technically yes.