Recent entries

Sam Noble

I'm still reeling from the amount of cosmere material we got in Bands!

Brandon Sanderson

The Mistborn books in particular will slowly skew more and more cosmere-oriented over time.

Francis Ocoma

In Elantris, are Forton's "potions" magical, or is he using natural substances?

Brandon Sanderson

They are invested. (Magical.)

nightwing

Is Wayne cosmere-aware? a couple little moments make me wonder, even though it's more than unlikely.

Brandon Sanderson

He is not, but he has (unknowingly) spent time around people who are. A little has rubbed off.

Bill Eckert

Is there any relation between Shardplate and the spren like there are with the Blades?

Brandon Sanderson

RAFO. :)

Mathieu JurassicPark

Ooh could a kandra pretend to be Returned on Nalthis by using the bones of a recently deceased person?

Brandon Sanderson

Heightenings would still recognize them as being alive, as their flesh is alive--even if they're pasting it over dead bones.

Zach G

Dunno if you can answer this now, but if everyone is from Yolen way back when, is there a migration story?

Brandon Sanderson

Not all humans originated on Yolen, but the first humans were there. Watch the books for myths that hint at more.

Drew Bailey

Reading the BoM Ch. 2 preview, would "welch on a promise" be an idiom in a universe without Wales? Is Earth in the Cosmere?

Brandon Sanderson (Part 1/Part 2/Part 3)

All cosmere books are to be read as if translated to our language. The translation often uses our idioms to convey ideas.

Usually, you should assume if we didn't translate it directly, it's something that wouldn't work too well in English.

For instance, using the name of a city in the Roughs where people are thought to be like that.

Drew Bailey

Very clever, solves a lot of problems. BTW, what would the Scadrial version be? Roughsmen are less trustworthy, roughed?

Brandon Sanderson

I often consider using something in-world, but you have to be careful about how much jargon you use. It can be off-putting.

Evgeni Kirilov (Part 1/Part 2)

Is asking for an Aonic version of my name (Eugene also works) as the leatherbound Elantris personalization too much work?

I wanted to check before I put the order in. If it is, I'll do something more standard.

Brandon Sanderson

I can totally do that. EnE is an Aon. (Sarene's Aon, of wit.) You'd probably just be Evene.

Evgeni Kirilov

Would the Arelish write that like in Hangul? If so, would each Aon represent a single sound, or its full name?

Brandon Sanderson

They would write the ENE as a single Aon, and the Ev in their equivalent of hangul, where each letter is a single sound.

Evgeni Kirilov

But those are not available in the book? I was aiming for 100% in-world version of my name, but this looks hard now...

Brandon Sanderson

The Aonic Alphabet is not something I ever designed, I'm afraid. This was before I had Isaac.

David J Foster

I name my computers and smartphones after spren. But I am out of names. Is there a name you wouldn't mind revealing?

Brandon Sanderson

Well, do you need good spren? Or is the occasional evil spren acceptable?

David J Foster

Your call! And evil spren would be fantastic for my new phone.

Brandon Sanderson

Ulim. (Also, the Unmade count as spren. You could look those up.)

johnny papshmere

I didn't think spren could be good or evil??

Brandon Sanderson

Most spren are neither. Sapient spren (capable of making choices) can be either one.

Dydi/Hale

I'm absolutely obsessed with this Faultline character in Steelheart is there anyway there might be a spin off about her?

Brandon Sanderson

I've toyed with doing something about her. We shall see. It's not outside the realm of possibility.

Peter Ahlstrom

In the original outline there was a part where they take down Faultline. Brandon took it out before he wrote up to that far in.

Alex Hetu

If you went to Shadesmar on Scadrial would there be spren there?

Brandon Sanderson

"Spren" is a term for things on Roshar. So yes, there are a few, but they're from Roshar originally.

Dead As Hell

Do Allomancers smell or taste different due to the metal in their system?

Brandon Sanderson

Most do not.

Phillip Schlueter

Is there a unique symbol that represents Allomancy? Instead of just the individual metals?

Brandon Sanderson

We usually use tin as the official symbol, just because we like how it looks.

D'dac de Prades (Part 1/Part 2)

Talking about physics and cosmere... Is the gravity on each planet the same as on Earth? It shouldn't.

And if it isn't? How does the changes affect things like Coinshoting or Surges out of Scadrial/Roshar?

Brandon Sanderson

They are not all the same. And you'll have to wait and see on how that affects things. :)

Darth Vizious

Could you make a Lifeless out of someone killed with a Shardblade?

Brandon Sanderson

Shardblades sever the soul from the body, but Awakening makes a "fake" soul for a body, so how the soul left doesn't matter.

TaeSeanDo

The Lord Ruler with all 16 metals vs Rand al'Thor. Who wins?

Brandon Sanderson

Rand. The one power is far stronger than even compounding metals.

Nathan Cutler

The question is where does the Chasm line go on new Aons? The bottom right, away from the Aon?

Peter Ahlstrom (Part 1/Part 2)

http://brandonsanderson.com/beta/wp-content/gallery/elantris-illustrations/arelon_map_10yr_color_ebook.jpg The chasm line is under the bottom of the square, right of the center dot.

On the Rao it's above the bottom circle, just to the right of the small vertical line.

Nathan Cutler

Ahh, ok. So would it be going down and away from the line (which is the road, right?) in a SE direction?

Peter Ahlstrom (Part 1/Part 2)

Yes, the same angle as the chasm in the picture I linked to.

Though of course, Raoden drew it ending by the road rather than starting by the road. (Stroke direction.)

Nathan Cutler

Thanks Peter! Does this imply that stroke direction/order doesn't matter as long as the end result is right?

Peter Ahlstrom

I can't remember what it says in the text—but you certainly won't go wrong if you draw it like Raoden did, since that obvsly works

Jordan Bradford

Shadows of Self - What an awesome story, and what a gut-punch of an ending! Was that planned when you wrote Alloy of Law?

Brandon Sanderson (Part 1/Part 2/Part 3)

Once I finished Alloy, I wrote the scene with Bloody Tan and Wax, intending it for Book 2. That was when I built this plot.

We eventually moved the scene to the start of book one, and I revised with the new perspective on Lessie.

So it was there by the time Alloy came out, but was not part of the first draft. Advice from [Dan Wells] caused it.

Dan Wells

You have my sincere apologies

Greg Ellner

When does the Wax and Wayne series take place compared to The Stormlight Archive?

Brandon Sanderson

Just after.

Greg Ellner

Thank you! So after Stormlight 10, then comes The Alloy of Law? I have noticed a change in Hoid in these books since.

Brandon Sanderson

Alloy is somewhere after Stormlight 5.

Matt Whitehead

Do Returned have a bond with their divine Breath that would give them powers on Roshar? Or are they different to seons?

Brandon Sanderson

They are Highly Invested beings, but the Investiture is not sapient.

Alex Mark

Would Steris make a good/great Lightweaver, considering her near superhuman self-awareness?

Brandon Sanderson

Problem is she might be too honest with herself.

Brandon Sanderson

I sent out the October Brandon Sanderson newsletter yesterday. If you're subscribed, check your spam filter.

David J Foster

The story in the newsletter, I am guessing Inception and Men In Black

Brandon Sanderson

Good guess. It was actually Inception and Tron.

Fyodor

Can you tell us how Sazed knows about radio?

Brandon Sanderson (Part 1/Part 2)

Certain natural phenomenon became visible to him when he ascended, and he could logic the rest.

He also has some vague prediction abilities.

Mark Jaeger

What if an Epic in the [Reckoners] universe feared losing a loved one? Or feared becoming evil?

Brandon Sanderson

Both would be intriguing starts to a weakness. You could get rid of their powers, for example, but threatening a loved one.

Mark Jaeger

I think they'd lock said love one away in total isolation then murder anyone else who knew about them b/c of corrupt power.

Brandon Sanderson

Yup. Fun times!

iBooks

Your book, Shadows of Self, just released today. What do you think will shock fans the most?

Brandon Sanderson

I have a feeling that the ending will be the most shocking part, followed closely by how magnificently Wayne butchers our language.

iBooks

No spoilers now! Why did you decide to focus on Waxillium Ladrian in this book?

Brandon Sanderson

Wax is the heart of these books, though it has been tough to get past his rough exterior. I wanted to really dig into who he is.

Donnovan Kidwell

I gotta know if I'm going to see Rlain interludes or (please!) a book of his perspective.

Brandon Sanderson

You will get a scene from his viewpoint soon.

Futachi

Does Vasher go to Roshar before or after the events of Warbreaker?

Peter Ahlstrom

After

JD Thorne

Now I love [The Stormlight Archive] as much as the next person, but I see a hole that just gets under my skin no matter what!

Brandon Sanderson

?

JD Thorne

SKYEELS! They would have been discovered first and called Eels. It's always bugged me, unless you can offer a reason that is

Brandon Sanderson

The hound question is what you should be asking. Roshar has regular water eels, so skyeel isn't nearly as odd as axehound.

JD Thorne

Ahhh but that's my point exactly. shouldn't it be eels and water eels? Not skyeels and eels. Watereels discovered second.

Brandon Sanderson

The answers are there in the books. They will be made clear soon, but I suspect many have guessed already.

Donnovan Kidwell

Is it possible to be a full Feruchemist and a Misting or vice versa, like a lopsided Twinborn?

Brandon Sanderson

Possible, yes. Highly unlikely, but possible.

Dominic James

In the "Dark One" novel you're planning, will that character be the dark one for the entire cosmere or just that world?

Peter Ahlstrom

That world.

Lindsay Jo Scarpello

I wonder if creationspren pop up when people are getting busy...

Brandon Sanderson

There's a different spren for that.

Brandon Sanderson

Only one chapter left to write in Dalinar's flashbacks. This one will answer many questions you might have had about his past.

Benn

Were there any surprises for you as you wrote about his past? I know you like to discovery-write your characters

Brandon Sanderson

After writing Dalinar in book one, I had settled most of this. But yes, there were still some surprises.

Clay Weeks

Since Jasnah has been "out and about," should we be watching for cameos in your other books?

Brandon Sanderson

Problem is, no books are currently happening right at the same time as Stormlight. And Jasnah hasn't gone far afield.

Hazuki

Are there any chances we are going to revisit Vin and Reen's story? They are such fascinating characters! '-'

Brandon Sanderson

Not much of a chance, I'm afraid. I don't love prequels. But anything is possible.

Art-Zealot

Finished Firefight the other day! Epic, as always. Have you seen the real-life Spyril? :D https://t.co/T0HZiHIzKu

Brandon Sanderson

That is where I got the idea. :)

Sam Hock

Is there a connection between Sak's talent and Allomantic electrum? If so, what is it?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes. Reading a person's spiritual connections and possibilities. Similar powers, as is atium.

Ian M Mackay, PhD

Was much of the Shattered Plains inspired by the beach?

Peter Ahlstrom

A lot of the life on Roshar is inspired by tide pools.

Javs

What is a half beard. A short beard or are nobles in Luthadel walking around with one side of their face smooth.?

Brandon Sanderson

Their term for goatee.

Evgeni Kirilov

Does Kai's name (Perfect State) rhyme with the letter A or I?

Peter Ahlstrom

I can't remember. It might appear in a video of Brandon's reading from his recent tour.

Evgeni Kirilov

He says it like "hey" but I realized that might be like an informal "K". Like a Jason might be J.

Peter Ahlstrom

Nah, it's not a K. So that means that's how you pronounce it. Brandon is usually more likely to say ai as A than I (as I would).

Evgeni Kirilov

Same with Shai?

Peter Ahlstrom

Yes.

Joe ST

Would you be able to tell us the location of the Velding (Elantris) for the wiki page?

Peter Ahlstrom

From the context, it's like a mixture of the Kremlin and the Vatican (or Saint Basil's Cathedral). So, too small for the map.

D'dac de Prades

The Unmade were "made" or are Unmade because they have never been made? It would be 2 different words in Spanish. Thank you.

Peter Ahlstrom

That is a good question. I assumed they had never been made but it's possible it is the other.

ProfessorWC

Could a Surgebinder shut down Shardplate by cracking a piece and then consuming the Stormlight from the internal gems?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes, though getting the Stormlight out of those gems while they're already powering something is not easy.

Pablo

We need to see a cosmere world with a more musical magic system!

Brandon Sanderson

I've thought of a few, but have trouble finding something that feels distinctive from other song-based magic systems.

lpf & yurisses

But, I get the feeling you forgot about copperclouds making Smokers and mistborn immune to emotional allomancy. Didn't you?

Peter Ahlstrom

They don't. Only the Smoker himself is made immune.

lpf & yurisses (Part 1/Part 2)

I am not suggesting otherwise. However, I remember Sanderson saying Zane used emotional Allomancy on Vin, and Vin using duralumin and brass successfully on Yomen's Smoker (and Tineye) at the ball. Among other instances I forget.

Peter Ahlstrom

Duralumin beats copper. I'm not sure about the other instance.

BrandonColevander

Are [Jaddeth] & [Domi] the Shards Dominion & Devotion?

Peter Ahlstrom

Domi is more Devotion and Jaddeth is more Dominion. But there is some mixing. The shard holders were Aona and Skai.

Zach G

Were the Alethi made by some creator-figure and given the Thrill deliberately?

Brandon Sanderson

Roshar was inhabited before Honor and Cultivation arrived. The Thrill did not exist then.

Zach G

So it's a response to the power of one of or both of them?

Brandon Sanderson

I didn't say that... :)

BrandonColevander

How come the base 8 abilities come in pairs by base metal & alloy, but the higher ability pairs are not related?

Peter Ahlstrom

Which book are you on? Things change after the first book. They don't understand things as well as they think.

BrandonColevander

I've read all 4 several times. Ex: electrum is a gold alloy yet it is opposite of atium & malatium opposite gold...>

Peter Ahlstrom

Alloys of atium can't be thought of as establishing any pattern.

BrandonColevander

@PeterAhlstrom there are alloyS (plural) of atium?! Any chance that atium or its alloys show up again in any of the upcoming novels?

Peter Ahlstrom

RAFO :)

James Powell

And were I minded to, could I kill Kaladin with a Hemalurgic spike and steal his Windrunning? (I don't want to kill Kaladin)

Brandon Sanderson

You can steal most things with Hemalugy, but Surgebindings are tricky because of the spren. Requires some non-standard workings.

Brandon Sanderson (paraphrased)

Finally, Brandon RAFO'd me on my question about "the wicked thing of eminence" that Alice theorized about. I asked "Was the wicked thing of eminence an action of spren, of men, or both?" I didn't go into this with him in a line, but my theory is about the spren.

Nashan'Elin (paraphrased)

Could Honor and Autonomy be considered opposites, like, Autonomy freeing from Honor's oaths?

Brandon Sanderson (paraphrased)

Yes, you could definitely think of it that way. Those two are more likely to be opposed than some others.