Theoryland of the Wheel of Time

For a complete catalog of Brandon's tweets, visit the Twitter Portal at Brandon's website. Be wary of spoilers for A Memory of Light, here and elsewhere in the database.

I read once that there would be a Mat-Tuon series post–Last Battle. Is this true, @BrandSanderson?

There was going to be, as RJ was planning to do one, but without him Harriet has no plans to continue on after A Memory of Light.

outriggers

Any info on when A Memory of Light will be available on iBooks?

It will be a few months, I'm afraid. Harriet's decision, not Tor's or mine.

Kevin Williams

Will A Memory of Light be on iBooks on the 8th?

Brandon Sanderson

No, I believe it is April. Harriet insisted. I tried to get it simultaneous. This was the compromise.

Zach Burmeister (8 January)

Why such a delay for the ebook release?

Brandon Sanderson

Harriet is uncomfortable with ebooks. She wanted a year delay. We talked her into a few months.

Zak Bryson

Super annoyed that ebook versions of A Memory of Light don't come out until April 9th. Own all the other books in ebook form.

Brandon Sanderson

I wish it were our choice. Harriet insisted.

Zoe M

Wow, anger about the ebook is brutalizing those Amazon ratings.

Brandon Sanderson

Always does. I wish they would realize Tor couldn't change this, nor could I.

Brandon Sanderson

A Memory of Light is out today! Yay! On my way to the airport after a brief night's sleep. See some of you tonight in the Twin Cities.

BJ Whitkin

Really??? Then why isn't it on my Nook?

Brandon Sanderson

Harriet insisted it be delayed on ebook.

BJ Whitkin

Did anyone ask her why no ebook? Did she answer?

Brandon Sanderson

She is worried ebook sales would cause the hardcover to not sell enough to hit #1 on the bestseller lists.

Brandon Sanderson

I disagree, as does TOR, but it is her decision. Longer explanation on my blog tomorrow.

Nick Timakondu

A Memory of Light not available on Kindle until April? What a stupid decision.

Brandon Sanderson

I'm afraid my hands are tied. Harriet insisted.

Lis Mitchell

I have to say I didn't realize till this morning and was quite bummed. No more physical books get bought here.

Rachel Reams

I also do not buy physical books any longer. Just found out no Memory of Light ebook and I'm disappointed.

Brandon Sanderson

See the end of my blog post today.

Dylan Verheul

@torbooks Please release A Memory of Light in electronic format. cc @BrandSanderson

Brandon Sanderson

See the end of my blog post today. Nothing I can do, I'm afraid.

Dylan Verheul

Thanks for your openness. This says "rankings are more important than readers", but your explanation helps.

Brandon Sanderson

Well, Harriet doesn't get ebooks. She thinks they're like paperbacks. She figures if paperback readers will wait, why not ebook readers?

tkm222 (13 January)

Just read about reasons for no ebook... There are now illegal copies everywhere... I am waiting to buy but am very disappointed.

Brandon Sanderson

I am very sorry. Wish I could do more.

E-R (14 January)

Any idea when the Kindle or Nook edition of A Memory of Light?

Brandon Sanderson

April. (Explanation on my website. Terribly sorry about the delay.)

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Have you ever considered writing a prequel to the WoT? Something during the Trolloc Wars or earlier? It has potential.

I think it would be a bad idea—not that it would be a bad story, but that we shouldn't exploit RJ's legacy.

prequels

At 11:52 PM on 11/6/13, I finished reading The Wheel of Time. To Robert Jordan, you, and all of team Jordan...Thank you.

It has been an honor. The epilogue as it stands now is the sequence I read 5 years ago—the last part that RJ left for us.

This was clarified elsewhere. RJ didn't write the entire epilogue, but it's implied he wrote most of it, and certainly the Rand POVs at the end (this was RJ's 'last scene').

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Attending a Memory of Light book signing event? If so, make sure to ask @BrandSanderson for a unique signature. Make him think. #hcff

Just for that, each time an HCFF asks me this, I'm going to write something about you dying violently.

Matt Hatch

...@Southpaw2014 was first HCFF to ask @BrandSanderson for a unique signature: pic.twitter.com/3qkfa3It. I expect unique deaths Brandon!

fandom

Are you going to be in on the Encyclopedia just mentioned? We are all dreading a big white book repeat.

Harriet and Team Jordan have it well in hand, and will do a far better job than I could.

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bwb

Thank you @BrandSanderson for completing the Wheel of Time. Can we expect to see a movie anytime soon??? PLEASEEEEE!

Universal pictures has a film in development.

wot film

In your FAQ you mentioned no more WoT books. Does this decision negate any chance of movies/TV shows/mini series?

No it does not. (I am hoping for a prequel video game, myself.)

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Any chance of finding out what "Bao" or "The Wyld" mean since we have no glossary?

Both are a reference to Beowulf, and I meant the Wyld to mean "predator" or, in more common tongue, he who will kill the dragon.

The name "Bao" also came from Bao Pham, a fan who has worked (along with Jimmy Liang, blademaster "Jaim" of The Yearly Brawl) teaching sword forms for JordanCon and the WoT track at DragonCon.

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@Terez27 Do we know which character is dead by Harriet's choice?

Terez

Bela. @BrandSanderson told us twice that she would survive. :( But apparently Harriet later insisted she should die.

Yeah. Harriet felt that we had painted that character into a corner, and the story demanded that conclusion.

Daniel Shepard

Is that the GRRM moment? Or the character that was gonna recover from their injuries?

Brandon Sanderson

Character was going to recover.

Brandon Sanderson

She was right to make that call, but it does turn me into a liar. That's what I get for speaking too soon...

Werthead

That does seem slightly ludicrous. I think the fanbase turned Bela into a bit of a meme.

Brandon Sanderson

True, but I will note that Harriet personally has a special fondness for her.

Brandon Sanderson

She has said that she would joke with RJ that Bela was the character based on Harriet in the books.

Peter Ahlstrom

Harriet even has "Bela" in her email address. She took her fate quite seriously.

Werthead

The average reader wouldn't even remember who she was. Weird this much effort was spent on her.

Peter Ahlstrom

You think? Back when I was an average reader and hadn't talked about the books online, I loved Bela.

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Did RJ say that Nakomi should be included? You said she was "deep in RJ's notes" but wondering if it was up in the air?

I said something deep in the notes made me include her. I have not said if she herself was in the notes or not.

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Who was GRRM moment? Siuan?

Trying to avoid spoilers, but it was a sequence of characters including that one.

a memory of light

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Just read A Memory of Light, one of my all-time favorites. But for clarification, what, exactly, did Rand do to seal the Bore?

I want to avoid spoilers on my feed, if possible. But it involved access to something Lews Therin did not have.

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Is Rand leaving his friends (mainly Perrin, Mat, Loial & Tam) never to be seen again in the end, or does he contact them later?

I believe RJ wanted people to wonder and decide for themselves. What do you think happened?

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fourth age

Which scene was the most visualized one that you wanted to see in the movie? Demandred-Taim?

Lan with arrows falling and a ring of fire.

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Dude.... You have GOT to explain the whole pipe thing at the end!!!! WTF? HOW? (that's all I'm asking)

I will do a blog post soon about this and similar questions. However, I can't answer much because I don't know much.

Brandon Sanderson

He did not explain much about the epilogue, even in the notes.

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I once wrote a poem about writer's block. I was reminded of it when I the last scene of chapter 44... @BrandSanderson https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson/status/106123521532493824

Brandon Sanderson

I would love to see the poem. And it sure was nice to have Thom around to help with inspiration.

Patrick

Thom's chapter viewpoint in Memory of Light, hands down for me, was my favorite. Beautifully written.

Thanks!

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Really really we wish we had more of what happened "after". I personally believe. I'm thinking it wasnt your decision though.

It was not, but I agree with how it is. Those sorts of endings—like in Harry Potter—don't work for me as well.

Brandon Sanderson

However, Harriet has promised to release what we know of RJ's planned sequel trilogy to give you more info.

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Man, it feels good to be writing again. Revision (which I spent most of last year doing) is very important. But the writing is what I love.

Brandon Sanderson

About a year ago I turned in the rough draft of A Memory of Light. It was VERY rough. Took eight months of hard work to get it into shape.

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amol:wip

Just finished A Memory of Light...juggling all the POVs is quite an accomplishment!

Thanks. It was one of the most challenging parts of working on the book, to be certain.

brandon on writing wot

This is the beginning of the post–A Memory of Light Twitter Q&A. It ends at entry #73. The non-WoT portion can be found on the non-WoT page, beginning with entry #15 and ending with entry #24.

Today at 4:00 Eastern/2:00 Mountain I'll be doing the #torchat here on Twitter.

Brandon Sanderson

@fionwe1987 (question about spoilers) @tordotcom That's a good question. Thoughts, Tor? Should I post a spoiler warning on all of this? Probably better to do so.

Brandon Sanderson

I'm starting #torchat. Tweet me your questions with that tag. SPOILERS ALLOWED. So don't watch if you haven't finished A Memory of Light.

Brandon Sanderson

Warning, I don't have time to look up of things in the notes during this, so I will frequently MAFO very detailed world questions.

Brandon Sanderson

Please do remember the hashtag. Also, I'll try to @ people directly to not flood your Twitter streams, so search for #torchat to watch.

Brandon, does the Oath Rod continue to be used in the Fourth Age? If so, for what purpose?

So far as I know, yes. And for the same purpose.

Raj Iyer

Do other groups start using the Rod too?

Brandon Sanderson

Do you think the Aes Sedai are likely to let others manhandle one of their ter'angreal?

Kamarile Sedai

Did men start to use the Oath Rod too, or did it continue to be only women?

Brandon Sanderson

No men. Neither group would like that. The Asha'man are NOT male Aes Sedai. RJ was clear about this in the notes.

Keith Martin

Will the White and Black Towers reunite to form one Aes Sedai again?

Brandon Sanderson

RJ was clear to me that the Asha'man were not Aes Sedai, and were not going to become them.

Brandon Sanderson

That said, a united male/female Aes Sedai will come again someday.

Brandon is probably not referring to the 4th Age in his last tweet; more likely he's talking about the next turning of the Wheel.

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How much time passed for the respective groups during The Last Battle?

I don't have the timeline handy. For Rand, you could measure it in hours. Outside, weeks stretching to months.

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With all the deaths that occurred in A Memory of Light, were there any that hit you harder than any others?

Egwene. After that, Bela. I'd promised she would live, but Harriet decided that I was cheating to keep her alive.

Raj Ayer

How long did it take you to write Egwene's death? What were your emotions then? How much had RJ written of it?

Brandon Sanderson

It was a hard one, to be sure. Hardest in the books. Had a long conversation with Team Jordan about how to manage it.

Brandon Sanderson

RJ had not written much of that sequence.

Andy Lee

Why did Egwene have to die? Very sad.

Brandon Sanderson

I agree. But if you look at the arc of her character, you might begin to see why it was important.

Travis Hall

Without spoilers, were there any characters you want to kill/save that you couldn't do to Jordan's wishes?

Brandon Sanderson

There was one. But it was Harriet's call, not RJ's, that ended them.

Bellygod

Who did you find hardest to kill?

Brandon Sanderson

Egwene by a mile. Followed by Bela.

Bellygod

Why did you kill Bela?

Brandon Sanderson

I tried to keep her alive! Harriet told me I'd put her in too bad a situation, and she needed to die.

Brandon Sanderson

She was right, of course, but it still hurts.

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I notice that Rand referred to Moridin as "Elan," not "Elan Morin." Why that stylistic choice?

Rand didn't think he deserved the third name.

Dennis

But Elan Morin were his two names, like Lews Therin. Tedronai was his third name.

Brandon Sanderson

Speaking as Rand does was an intentional insult, as per my understanding via the notes.

Terez

I saw it as a familiarity, since he calls Ilyena by her first name only. Well, so does everyone...(she has three).

Brandon Sanderson

I view it this way, but it might be colored by my own personal experience. In Korea, using a very familial tone...

Brandon Sanderson

...is either endearing or incredibly offensive, depending on your relationship to the person. That's how I see it here.

Brandon Sanderson

At times, honestly, I don't know if Rand is intending insult or familiarity—perhaps both.

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age of legends

How did it feel to be one of the only humans who knew who killed Asmodean?

Fun, but also annoying, since I couldn't tell anyone.

Kevin Cantrell

Did Graendal kill Asmodean? Huge fan of yours and WOT, first read The Eye of the World when I was 13, 15 years ago.

Brandon Sanderson

Yes, she did. And thanks!

brandon on writing wot

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So I always wondered... what ever happened to the Tinkers' song? Did I miss a resolution to that arc?

By specific instruction from RJ, the Tinkers have not found their song as of the end of A Memory of Light.

Brandon Sanderson

The song of growing is not their "Song." The Song is a much more deep and philosophical concept, perhaps unattainable.

TJ

Do you imagine that Rand teaches "the song" to the Tu'athan after the events of A Memory of Light?

Brandon Sanderson

Rand does not know The Song. Anything he'd try to teach them, they would not accept as The Song.

Aaron Oster

Wait, are you saying Rand's song that Mat recognized wasn't the Tinkers' song?

Brandon Sanderson

The Tinker "Song" is an ideal that goes far beyond any song that has actually ever existed.

rj's notes

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tinkers

Okay, the pipe lighting . . . Any real explanation, or are we just going to wonder forever?

I put it in as RJ instructed, and I know nothing more about it than fandom does, I'm afraid.

James Starke

Popular theory is that from his time with the Dark One/Creator/Pattern, he's able to manipulate The Pattern a bit.

Brandon Sanderson

This is a good theory.

Jonathan B

What's your opinion on how pipe lighting was or could have been done even if we don't have RJ's answer?

Brandon Sanderson

Ha. I agree with some of the fan discussions.

Andrew Mudge

Is Rand the missing link between the Pattern and the Creator himself, possibly even the balancer of light/dark?

Brandon Sanderson

That's one possible theory.

Mike Ball

How did Rand light the pipe at the end of A Memory of Light?

Brandon Sanderson

I know no more on this than fandom does, I'm afraid. RJ did not explain.

Terry Benton

I still can't figure it out...how did Rand light his pipe? Is he in Tel'aran'rhioid? Is everybody??

Dan Zambito

Can you explain how Rand lit his pipe in the last scene? Did he discover a new power? Is he a new power?

Brandon Sanderson

I'm afraid I don't know anything more than fandom does about this. RJ did not leave notes on the matter.

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Is there a possibility of a new series focusing on the Seanchan?

Afraid not. RJ did not leave notes about that series, and we feel that to do it would be exploiting his legacy.

Keith Martin

Do you think you might revisit WoT to continue some of the stories left untold?

Brandon Sanderson

No. It is very unlikely. I feel that from here out, writing in the WoT world would be against RJ's wishes.

Jade Kazmierski

I understand the series as it were is complete, but is there any chance for further novellas?

Brandon Sanderson

Unlikely. I don't believe that RJ would want us to do that.

Marcel Stokvis

Will you be finishing the prequels as well?

Brandon Sanderson

Unlikely. I don't think RJ would want me to.

Henry Koivuneva

Rereading the series, what is your opinion, could more books be written on the Fourth Age?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes, many could—but they would be our projections, not RJ's vision. So we shouldn't do them.

Neil Ritchie

Is this the absolute end? Darkfriends must still exist and the future is very unclear. Seems scope for more?

Brandon Sanderson

It is not the end, but it is the end of what we will write. The rest is left to fan imaginations.

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Don't you feel some of the character endings were too rushed (Fain, everyone Demandred killed)?

Finishing everything that RJ left to be finished in the amount of space required results in some dynamic pacing.

Brandon Sanderson

I don't feel rushed is the right term. But I can see how people might feel that way. I could have gone three more books.

Brandon Sanderson

It was not right to do so. This was what he wanted, and I did my best to fit everything in. I'm pleased with the result.

Brandon Sanderson

In regards to your specific questions, the Demandred kills were supposed to be abrupt to convey emotion of sudden loss.

Brandon Sanderson

That's how things are in war. As for Fain, a piece of me does wish there had been time for more with him.

Brett

Do you plan on expanding on the Wheel of Time series more or is it done? Why did you have so many abrupt deaths?

Brandon Sanderson

No, no more. RJ wouldn't want it. Abrupt deaths happen in war; it is the way this sort of thing plays out, I'm afraid.

Daniel Egonsson

Was there anything in A Memory of Light you wished you could have changed?

Brandon Sanderson

I might have done more with Fain if I'd had the time and the pages.

Brandon Sanderson

The biggest challenge for the book was fitting everyone in, and making sure they had relevant things to do.

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Is the woman who told Rand at the end that he was right to bring Moridin, Nakomi?

I have been advised to RAFO questions regarding most everything from there on.

Brandon Sanderson

It's funny to say RAFO when there is no more to read, but what that term means is "This is supposed to be ambiguous."

David Catherine

With all of the homages to global myths/legends, is Nakomi the Wandering Jew/Jenn?

Brandon Sanderson

That's a very clever question that nobody has yet asked me. I'm not going to say more, however.

Ryan Lee

I gotta ask, is Nakomi / the Woman at the End a Shard of Adonalsium? Perhaps Balance?

Brandon Sanderson

No. There is not crossover between my shared world and the Wheel of Time. (Sorry.)

kcf

Who helped Rand out of the Shayol Ghul after the fight with the Dark One and told him he knew what he needed to do?

Brandon Sanderson

Hi, Neth. This is one I'm not answering, but if you track me down in person, you might be able to beat it out of me.

Terez

Is Nakomi the avatar of the Creator?

Werthead

SIFADFOE (Scream In Frustration And Don't Find Out, Ever) :-)

Terez

Yay, that means I can officially not give a shit about Nakomi. :)

Brandon Sanderson

You are allowed that right officially. She's becoming the Asmodean kill of this sequence of books.

Brandon Sanderson

I, of course, should have realized she'd become so big a thing as she did—but that wasn't the intention.

Melissa Houghton

I want to know what the heck was with Nakomi—who/what she is. Also was that her at the end of A Memory of Light?

Brandon Sanderson

Just answered this. Have a look below. (Sorry. It's a RAFO, I'm afraid.)

Peter Wikberg

Who/What is Nakomi?

Brandon Sanderson

That is a good question, but not one I'm planning to answer any time soon. (sorry.)

Arran Cook

Who was Nakomi? How did the body swap happen? How did Rand light the pipe?

Brandon Sanderson

You've asked all three of the big questions I'm not allowed or unable to answer, I'm afraid.

Lachie Stoller

Who was the old Aiel lady at the end of Rand's battle?

James Starke

Is Nakomi the person that Rand encountered at the mouth of Shayol Ghul? And is she the embodiment of The Creator?

Brandon Sanderson

This is one that I'm not answering, I'm afraid. RJ wanted some things about the ending to remain ambiguous.

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Which scene is the "last scene" that RJ said he wrote first?

Pipe scene.

Footnote

RJ always said he could have written the scene in 1984, but he didn't actually write it until he was working on A Memory of Light.

James Starke

Robert Jordan wrote the entire epilogue.

Brandon Sanderson

Almost all. There were a few small inserts by me. Perrin was mine in the epilogue.

Mike Cox

I would like to know, how much of the last chapter was written by RJ and how much did you do?

Brandon Sanderson

I did Perrin and some of the in-between writing with Loial. RJ did Mat, Rand, scene exiting the mountain, and others.

Brandon Sanderson

There are places where I tweaked bits, per editing, and places where I slipped in things he'd written to my sequences.

Terez

Was the last scene written or dictated?

Brandon Sanderson

Written down. As was the scene with Isam [in] the prologue.

Brandon Sanderson

The Borderlander tower scene was dictated, I believe.

More info on who wrote what in the epilogue here.

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If the Dark One is from a place outside the Pattern, where is he from?

Good question.

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Selfish question: could you tell me whereabouts you used my name in A Memory of Light please. You used it to name a wood!

Oh, boy. That's on a Google Doc somewhere. Not sure if I can find it easily. Maybe an email would be better?

Terez

Page 247, first full paragraph, Tween Forest.

Neil Tweed

Thanks Terez. Missed it on my read through.

Neil Tweed

FYI Brandon emailed me to say that Harriet changed it from Tweed Forest to Tween Forest as it made more sense—The In-between Forest.

Amanda Wan

Thanks for naming a Green Ajah Aes Sedai after me! (p 756)

Brandon Sanderson

My pleasure.

fan names in the books

Great structure from @BrandSanderson, by the way. The book required you break normal structural rules in just the right way. Great work.

Thanks, Bob. You rock.

An Algorithm

So what kind of prewriting did you do for A Memory of Light @BrandSanderson?

Brandon Sanderson

Lots of practicing character viewpoints. I also make a huge outline, which started on big sheets of butcher paper.

Sandy Stuckless

Is there anything specific process-wise you learned from completing WoT that you will apply to future projects?

Brandon Sanderson

I'm in awe of RJ's subtlety and hope to be able to transfer my understanding of that to my own works.

Avalyn

Did the ending of A Memory of Light influence the end of Emperor's Soul?

Brandon Sanderson

Not intentionally, but it's hard not to be influenced by projects like this.

Brandon Sanderson

For example, I wrote Rithmatist while developing the revision for The Way of Kings, and both ended up with a redhead artist.

Brent Holmes

Did the confrontation between Vin and Ruin in Hero of Ages influence the Rand v Dark One scenes?

Brandon Sanderson

Everything I do influences everything else, so I'd say yes—but in this case, I had RJ guiding me as a greater influence.

Simon Ponder

How does it feel now that the Wheel of Time is over?

Brandon Sanderson

Sad. Awesome, but sad.

Chris from Jax

Is it tough knowing you can't continue the story?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes, and no. I feel the ending is the right one. And I can imagine in my head what happens, so for me, that is enough.

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What would've happened had Elayne not bonded Birgitte, given how Birgitte's death went in A Memory of Light?

I believe she'd still have come when the Horn was blown.

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A Memory of Light moved at a very fast pace. Did you have enough material for maybe one or two more books?

Yes, I did. But I can ALWAYS see more room to expand. Part of being an epic fantasy writer, I suppose...

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If, hypothetically, there was a body switch in WoT, how would it happen? Would it be an actual switch or illusion?

There are far more reasons, worldbuilding wise, to believe it was real than to believe it was illusion.

TJ

Is Rand's soul in Moridin's body?

Brandon Sanderson

Ha. Right to the point, are you? Let's just say that trickery is not likely in this case.

TJ

Can you confirm that Rand's body was burned at the end of A Memory of Light?

Brandon Sanderson

Okay, fine. Yes, I will confirm that Rand's body was indeed the one that was burned. :)

Jonathan MacAlpine

Why didn't anybody notice when a supposedly-dead Moridin got up and walked away?

Brandon Sanderson

I'd say coincidence. But there aren't many of those in the WoT world.

Siraaj

Seems like a conversation between the Creator and Rand was missing where "switch" and Alivia's role in it are laid out—thoughts?

Brandon Sanderson

I believe that RJ included everything he wanted in this sequence.

Jason Cassidy

Why did Rand switch bodies at the end and why is he going incognito now? Did not understand that part.

Brandon Sanderson

RJ wrote these scenes, and intended to leave them as is. I don't think me delving into explanations is what he'd want.

El Brian

Did the bonding between Rand, Nynaeve, Elayne, and Min transfer over to the new body?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes, though I don't know how or why.

Kamarile Sedai

Why did the bond survive the body switch at the end of A Memory of Light?

Brandon Sanderson

I don't know. RJ did not explain this one to me.

J Crosby

How were Rand/Elan able to switch bodies?

Sean Duffy

How did Rand wind up with Moridin's body?

James Starke

Could you explain further about the body switch and how it was possible?

Brandon Sanderson

This is one that I'm not answering, I'm afraid. RJ wanted some things about the ending to remain ambiguous.

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Why no mention of Dobraine? What's his fate?

Dobraine makes it. RJ's only note on him for the last book was that he was at Merrilor when Rand/Egwene clashed. Dobraine...

Brandon Sanderson

...was one I kept meaning to find a place to mention, but never quite got around to working it in.

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rj's notes

This might be more Harriet's purview, but will the Encyclopedia have info that didn't make it into A Memory of Light?

Yes, as I understand it, lots.

encyclopedia

When did Rand tell Moiraine and Nynaeve the "Plan" re: Callandor? They didn't know when they got to Shayol Ghul, right?

They knew some things.

a memory of light

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callandor

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the bore

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rand

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nynaeve

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moiraine

I assume the answer is no, but in your interconnected universe, does the Wheel of Time have a place?

No. I felt it would be arrogant to do something like that.

Brandon Sanderson

That said, you could imagine that most possibilities of worlds are mirror worlds to the WoT...

brandon on writing wot

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cosmere

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crossover

Two questions: Where was Shaidar Haran during The Last Battle? Were all the major deaths planned by RJ?

The husk that Rand sees, which gave birth to the void. Second: Almost all, but a few were left open and decided by us.

Andy Nogar

What happened to Shaidar Haran? He seems to have dropped off the face of Randland.

Brandon Sanderson

Rand sees him as a husk that gave birth to the void.

shaidar haran

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rj's notes

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who wrote what?

Who was the Broken Wolf?

Perrin's spirit guide. Note that the "he" in the next sentence does not refer to the same creature.

Darrell Wyatt

Did the Shadow Prophecy at the end of Towers of Midnight come to pass? If so can you explain as I did not recognize it.

Brandon Sanderson

Everything in it happened, but not exactly as many would have interpreted.

perrin

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hopper

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prophecies

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dark prophecy

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a memory of light

Did Rand's third question to the Aelfinn involve whether/how the Dark One could be killed?

I think Maria and Harriet are planning to put these in the encyclopedia, but you are right on the third question.

Peter Wikberg

What did Moiraine ask Aelfinn/Eelfinn?

Brandon Sanderson

Ooh, good question. And one I don't have the answer to that handy, but we can MAFO that and ask Maria.

Maria Simons

Everything I know about Aelfinn/Eelfinn questions/wishes will be in the encyclopedia.

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What was Moiraine's purpose during the Last Battle?

To stop Rand and Egwene from going to the Last Battle separately, instead of together.

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Which character was easiest to write and who was the hardest?

Easiest: Perrin. Hardest: Mat. Followed by Aviendha and Tuon.

Dave West

Now that you're finished, what was your favorite scene to write? Character?

Brandon Sanderson

Perrin, and the forging of his hammer. In A Memory of Light it was the sequence with Lan near the end.

Dan Zambito

What character was most difficult to write for?

Brandon Sanderson

Mat was the most difficult for me to get right.

Jacob Corbin

The Rand and Mat dialogue where they try to one up each other was amazing. Thank you for that (and the whole book).

Brandon Sanderson

That scene was one of my favorites to work on.

JB Tank

What was the most shocking thing you learned when first reading RJ's notes?

Brandon Sanderson

Verin.

brandon on writing wot

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favorites

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who wrote what?

Bloody ashes man, how does Mat go from "together they died" to walking away?!

The "together" does not include Mat.

The passage in question spoke of Fain and Mordeth as separate entities.

mat

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fain

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a memory of light

You've said that you had to make choices from the notes at points. Can you disclose any of the paths not traveled?

Let's see... Here's one. RJ was uncertain if he wanted Elayne to have Cairhien or not by Merrilor.

elayne

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cairhien

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rj's notes

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who wrote what?

Is Gaidal Cain, Grady's kid, Gadren?

That's a good theory. Some fans think he would be too old, however. What do you think?

According to RJ's comments on the subject, he is too old; Rand thought he was about four years old in Lord of Chaos, and even if Rand was off, Gaidal can't have been any more than two months old at the time, and was more likely just being born. It stretches credulity that Rand would have mistaken a newborn baby for a four-year-old child.

gaidal cain

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rebirth

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heroes of the horn

Can you shed any light on the raven picture Min saw around Carlinya? Or the axe and hand she saw around Elayne?

One thing that was made clear in the notes is that not everything seen by Min is to have significance for the books.

Brandon Sanderson

And others, such as Alivia, were to be things that people in world placed much import upon—but were actually minor.

Maria answered this question here.

elayne

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min's viewings

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prophecies

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a memory of light

I can almost believe the next Amyrlin could be of the Red, many potentials slain. Do you have some insight?

Depends on how long Cadsuane lives. And yes, she does end up next. But the Reds are positioned well.

fourth age

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cadsuane

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amyrlins

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red ajah

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aes sedai

Did Demandred take over just a single faction of Sharans, or all of them?

Multiple factions, but not all by a long shot.

Matt Walsh

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't RJ say in a interview that Shara wouldn't be involved in any of the WoT books?

Brandon Sanderson

The quotes I've seen say that nothing significant would happen there on screen.

Brandon is correct; RJ never said that Shara would play no role at all, just that the story would travel to Shara itself for more than a brief visit comparable to Rand's and Aviendha's trip to Seanchan.

shara

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a memory of light

Are Mat and Perrin still ta'veren after the Last Battle?

That is an excellent question...that I'm not allowed to answer. (Sorry.) I feel bad. I'm giving you lots of RAFOs.

Andy Nogar

Is Rand still ta'veren? If not, how did he warp reality and light his pipe at the end?

Brandon Sanderson

These are questions that I'm not answering, I'm afraid. RJ wanted some things about the ending to remain ambiguous.

Mike W

How can you still be RAFO'ing stuff? What is left to read?

Brandon Sanderson

To RJ, RAFO sometimes meant "Read, think about it, and decide." It didn't always mean "I'll give an answer."

Peter Binkowski

Is 'RAFO' basically to mean we're never going to find some things out?

Brandon Sanderson

There's a "Talk it over, see if you can figure it out" aspect to it as well.

rand

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Was the "Twice dawns the day" prophecy fulfilled by the sun rising over Shayol Ghul or by something else? Thanks!

It was in relation to the eclipse, I believe. :)

prophecies

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a memory of light

Is the 'remnant of a remnant' line just meaning that there are only a few Aiel left, or was it something else?

There is a deeper meaning. But it's philosophical more than anything else.

Brandon Sanderson

It is in reference, in part, to their changing purpose.

aiel

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prophecies

Now that it's finished, when you close your eyes, and see Rand five years in his future, what do you see?

I see him happy.

rand

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fourth age

Does Faile become the queen of Saldaea?

Yes.

faile

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saldaea

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fourth age

Are Elayne's twins intended to be Heroes of the Horn?

It could happen.

elayne

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calian and shivan

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heroes of the horn

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fourth age

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rebirth

Loved A Memory of Light—Did RJ specifically prohibit a three ta'veren reunion? One of my only minor disappointments.

No, he didn't, but I just couldn't fit it in logistically.

Brandon Sanderson

Mat/Perrin Rand/Perrin and Rand/Mat from these two books was my nod toward that.

rand

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mat

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perrin

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rj's notes

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a memory of light

Any chance of Birgitte or Egwene being reborn as one of Melaine's twins?

I can't remember what RJ has said about when a spirit is linked to a body in WoT terms.

Terez

RJ said viability.

Brandon Sanderson

I thought that's what he had said. So I'd say there is a chance. (But as you can guess, the notes don't say.)

birgitte

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egwene

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rebirth

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rj's notes

When was the second time that Mat had died? Was it when he was 'reborn' with a new name from his marriage?

Rahvin's attack.

For the record, this is the only time Mat died; there was nothing in what the Aelfinn said about him dying twice, though presumably he'll die again some day.

mat's death

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mat

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aelfinn

Was wondering why the ending there was no conversation between Hawking and Tuon.

You're assuming because it wasn't shown on screen, it didn't happen...

Brent Holmes

What happened in the conversation between Tuon and Arthur Hawkwing?!?!

Brandon Sanderson

It was interesting, I'll tell you that much.

Melissa Houghton

Did Hawkwing talk with Tuon?

Brandon Sanderson

Yes.

Nick

How do you think Fortuona reacted to speaking with Hawking?

Brandon Sanderson

With great consternation.

horn of valere

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a memory of light

Who's the POV for "River of Souls" in Unfettered?

Bao.

unfettered

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river of souls

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demandred

What's so evil about going to the wolf dream in the flesh? Seems like a gun on the mantle that never got fired??

In this case, "Evil" depends on ones perspective. I don't think it's evil, personally.

tel'aran'rhiod

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wolf dream

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perrin

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a memory of light

So, is it implied that once the Wheel turns again, this whole Dark One vs The World will go down again as well?

Everything in the WoT world repeats. Not always exactly the same, though.

circular time

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dark one

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the wheel

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the pattern

Was there any details to how Callandor was created in the notes RJ left?

Yes, there were some. I might try to get more in the encyclopedia.

callandor

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encyclopedia

Did all of the balefire cracks disappear after the Last Battle? If not, was Egwene's weave discovered again?

The world will heal itself, with time, even without the weave. But the weave was witnessed.

a memory of light

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balefire

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egwene

When Faile, Olver, etc escaped through the gateway to Merrilor, where did Setalle go? If you told us, I missed it.

She makes it through the chaos alive.

a memory of light

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setalle anan

When did Taim become a Darkfriend? Was he a Darkfriend as false Dragon? Why did he use Age of Legends era phrasing (so-called Aiel)?

Taim was recruited by one of the Forsaken, so it happened after they were free.

taim

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demandred

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darkfriends

Who sent the attack on Algarin's manor?

I'm going to MAFO this one, since I honestly can't remember. I did get an answer from Maria as I was writing the books, though.

Maria Simons

I'm going to plead the encyclopedia on this one.

unsolved mysteries

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mafo

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encyclopedia

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knife of dreams

Okay, so I went an hour and 45 minutes and Still have over 500 questions. I'm sorry to cut the #torchat off here. :(

Brandon Sanderson

We just received word that A Memory of Light is #1 on the New York Times list for the second week in a row. Wow!

Brandon Sanderson

It would be easy to keep going for the next six hours, but I don't have the time. I'll do more Q&A sessions in the next few weeks. #torchat

Brandon Sanderson

For now, we'll get the transcript of this up, and maybe you'll find that someone else asked your question. Thanks, all! #torchat