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Your search for the tag 'unsolved mysteries' yielded 72 results

  • 1

    Interview: Dec, 1993

    Robert Jordan

    I found the compendium fascinating. It is startling how much your group has puzzled out correctly, but I have to tell you that some of what you worked out is wrong, concerning both me and the books, but I have it in mind not to tell you which parts. That way you can have the pleasure of figuring out for yourselves where you went astray. (Easy to say that when I'm four or five thousand miles away.)

    Footnote

    RJ is speaking of an early version of the FAQ.

    Tags

  • 2

    Interview: 2010

    Stephan van Velzen (28 July 2010)

    Are you going to point all the hints out in more detail after A Memory of Light? Or am I being a lazy fan now? :P

    Brandon Sanderson (28 July 2010)

    I will be much more free of tongue then.

    Jeff Edde

    When WoT series is finished, will you feel more inclined to share WoT details that didn't make it to the books?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yes, I will.

    Tags

  • 3

    Interview: 2010

    Austin Moore (9 August 2010)

    Have you seen any theories online about the ending of WoT that were right?

    Brandon Sanderson (9 August 2010)

    Yes, I have.

    Footnote

    Of course, 'the ending' is a rather broad category that could include anything at all about the Last Battle, Rand's death/resurrection, Shayol Ghul, the sealing of the Bore, etc.

    Tags

  • 4

    Interview: 2011

    Twitter 2011 (WoT) (Verbatim)

    Matt (3 January 2011)

    Probably RAFO, but will the voice from Tarwin's Gap battle in The Eye of the World ever be explained?

    Brandon Sanderson (3 January 2011)

    RAFO. :)

    Tags

  • 5

    Interview: 2011

    Twitter 2011 (WoT) (Verbatim)

    Brandon Sanderson (3 January 2011)

    And, here we have mention of Anla the Wise Counselor. For those not in the know, there is theorizing on her: http://bit.ly/f8s2T4

    FELIX PAX

    At least one...problem with that link...in "To Sail Beyond the Sunset" RJ refers to Robert Heinlein in The Great Hunt.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Didn't know that. Thanks.

    SHIVAM BHATT

    Will we see any more of those awesome references (Anla, Mosk and Merc, all the other tidbits) in the last book?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    There were some in my [WoT] books that I don't think have been caught yet.

    Tags

  • 6

    Interview: 2011

    Twitter 2011 (WoT) (Verbatim)

    Brandon Sanderson (4 January 2011)

    Back to reading The Eye of the World, all. Posts to follow. I'll try to keep it at a steady stream, not a flood.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    WoT Easter Egg: there's an easily overlooked line in the prologue of The Eye of the World which gives huge foreshadowing of things Rand can do in Towers of Midnight.

    TEREZ

    I always thought the fact that Lews Therin could sense that there were no people around for miles was interesting.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    I should have guessed that you'd be the only one who would pick out the right line, Terez.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    The Easter egg in the prologue has to do with Lews Therin sensing the lack of people around him for miles and miles.

    BRANDON SANDERSON (5 JANUARY)

    Regarding yesterday's Easter Egg, Maria mentions RJ was preparing a blog post on the concept.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    For those who missed it, it has to do with Lews Therin sensing nobody was nearby when he made Dragonmount.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    And before you ask, no, I can't say more. Sorry. Suffice it to say that what is in the books stands as enough of an answer, for now.

    TEREZ

    My original(ish) post on the ability to sense for people: http://bit.ly/safegates in '06. I was a noob(ish) then.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Interesting theory. What do you think of it now?

    TEREZ

    I think it still holds up (despite a few details I missed), but I think it's not what you were getting at. :)

    Footnote

    Most think this has something to do with the 'one with the land' thing. (See the Fisher King tag for more info.)

    Tags

  • 7

    Interview: 2010

    HBFFerreira (15 August 2010)

    Noal Charin: was he drawn to Mat by the pull of a ta'veren, or was there something of a "Hero to Hornsounder" pull as well?

    Brandon Sanderson (16 August 2010)

    You're making assumptions about Noal that have not been clarified in the text. ;)

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    On a more serious note, total RAFO on whether Jain is/was/will be a Hero. It's been talked about for years and years.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    And I suspect that it will continue to be a source of discussion for some time. ;)

    HBFFERREIRA

    Well, it's such a common assumption that I didn't even realize it hadn't been stated as true yet. :-p

    HBFFERREIRA

    But while I'm assuming, I take it that Noal's past may be one of those things Robert Jordan didn't intend to reveal. :-p

    BRANDON SANDERSON (17 AUGUST)

    RAFO on what RJ would or wouldn't reveal. :)

    FELIX PAX (16 AUGUST)

    I wonder "when" will Farstrider's real background be exposed to Mat, Thom?

    FELIX PAX

    At least four people should know who Farstrider really is: Loial, Elder Haman, Elder Arent, and Speaker Covril.

    FELIX PAX

    Two other characters might know who Farstrider really is too: Birgitte from Ebou Dar, and Luca from Shangtai.

    FELIX PAX

    Obviously a bunch of other older characters have a chance of recognizing Noal as Farstrider in Caemlyn too.

    BRANDON SANDERSON (17 AUGUST)

    Continues whistling and walking the other direction.

    Tags

  • 8

    Interview: 2010

    Ashiya Kapadi (8 November 2010)

    Who on earth is Nakomi?

    Brandon Sanderson (8 November 2010)

    RAFO. :) I'm leaving that one open to interpretation.

    Tags

  • 9

    Interview: 2011

    Twitter 2011 (WoT) (Verbatim)

    Brandon Sanderson (18 January 2011)

    Foreshadowing some probably missed in The Great Hunt chapter seven. Prophecy of the Shadow found in the prison: "Which hand shelters? Which hand slays?"

    Brandon Sanderson

    (For further reading on that foreshadowing I mentioned, look for a chapter titled "The One He Lost" in The Gathering Storm.)

    Terez

    Ah yeah, I remember reading it now. Seemed to me to be more of a poetic connection than a real one, though.

    Terez

    I phrased that badly, but I don't know if I would have put it in the 'foreshadowing' category. Maybe 'retroshadowing'.

    Brandon Sanderson

    The connection there is poetic. The foreshadowing isn't of that moment, but more the concept.

    Footnote—Terez

    I think I pretty much figured it out before he responded—it makes a good deal of sense in reference to his Lews Therin dilemma and the dilemma of his harem. I tweeted about all that but Brandon responded to my first tweet, so I spared you.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yes, there is other foreshadowing in the books that I'm not telling you about because it references A Memory of Light.

    Terez

    I will hopefully catch some of those, though I'm bound to catch a few red herrings as well. :)

    Brandon Sanderson

    I just passed a big one in The Great Hunt.

    Terez

    haha, and you know I will be scouring the pages of your vicinity looking for it. :D

    Terez

    My first guess: Mat is immune to Fain's dagger. (chapter seven) Second guess: foreshadowing of Cyndane's importance in A Memory of Light.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Nope and nope. It's a very innocent line, and I won't tell you more than that. You'll spot it once you read A Memory of Light.

    Terez

    Third: Slayer's role in A Memory of Light. Fourth: Perrin puts on a crown and speaks in High Chant. (the crown at least seems likely)

    Footnote—Terez

    Brandon was responding to my first two guesses, not the third and fourth (as you can see by clicking on the link for his 'nope and nope' tweet, which should show the specific tweet he responded to). He almost certainly saw guesses three and four, but he didn't comment on them.

    Matt Hatch

    Readers, let's go HCFF on an "innocent" comment by @BrandonSandrson re: an A Memory of Light foreshadowing in The Great Hunt, discuss! http://bit.ly/gMZvLI

    Brandon Sanderson

    I've seen someone post on the innocent comment before, FYI. In fact, it was recent.

    Brandon Sanderson

    And Terez has sniffed at it before, I know.

    Terez

    Do you mean sniff as in turn my nose up at it? Or as in I got in the ballpark? Important distinction.

    Terez

    Also, I do not sniff.

    Brandon Sanderson

    "Sniff" as in I've seen you poke at the line before, and ponder if it has meaning.

    Footnote—Terez

    I don't think that Brandon follows me around on Theoryland, and knowing that I haven't really 'sniffed' at much in these chapters, I think it's most likely he is referring to my fourth guess: the line about Perrin wearing a crown and speaking in High Chant. The update to the glossary entry on Saldaea in Towers of Midnight seems to be another hint in that direction, and of course, Min had a viewing of a Broken Crown for Perrin in way back in The Eye of the World. In order for this to be fulfilled in A Memory of Light, both Tenobia and Bashere will have to abdicate or die (as it was also confirmed in Towers of Midnight that Faile is second in the line of succession).

    Tags

  • 10

    Interview: 2011

    Twitter 2011 (WoT) (Verbatim)

    Brandon Sanderson (28 February 2011)

    You know, I remember thinking Nynaeve was jumping at nothing when suspecting a certain Aes Sedai following the Gray Man attack.

    SLEEPINGHOUR

    Any clue you can give us on who sent the Gray Man to kill Egwene and Nynaeve in The Dragon Reborn? I've always wondered about that.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    I'll get you an answer to that someday.

    MIGNON FOGARTY (1 MARCH)

    I'm finding Nynaeve less annoying as her character develops.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    She's always been my favorite of the Elayne-Egwene-Nynaeve group.

    Tags

  • 11

    Interview: 2011

    Twitter 2011 (WoT) (Verbatim)

    Brandon Sanderson (1 March 2011)

    Notice the resonance between the dreaming ter'angreal and the silver arches in The Dragon Reborn chapter 22. A hint of things to come in Towers of Midnight.

    BRANDON SANDERSON (2 MARCH)

    Reading Egwene's prophetic dreams in The Dragon Reborn and smiling at the ones about Mat that recently saw fulfillment. What a long wait. :)

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    To think, I read this book when it was first published. I was 15. I'm 35 now. I just got to have a hand in seeing the fulfillment.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    It's so strange to read these early books, where Egwene is still thinking of Rand half-romantically. And Galad full-romantically.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Wow. The Dragon Reborn chapter 27 has a cool little foreshadowing for the end of A Memory of Light that I'd never noticed before.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Oh, Wondergirls. After severe punishment for leaving the Tower without permission, what's their first thought at hearing the Black Ajah is in Tear?

    BRANDON SANDERSON (3 MARCH)

    You know, I've always been amazed Mat didn't end up causing more trouble with that letter from Siuan he was given...

    Tags

  • 12

    Interview: 2011

    Twitter 2011 (WoT) (Verbatim)

    JD (9 July 2011)

    Without asking for spoilers, have people hit the mark on how the WoT will end? Or are the common theories way off?

    Brandon Sanderson (9 July 2011)

    Some have hit near it, others are way off. There are some major things I haven't seen guessed.

    Tags

  • 13

    Interview: 2012

    Brandon Sanderson (31 August 2011)

    Dang. I just pulled off something in A Memory of Light that is GRRM-esque. I'm not certain if I should apologize, feel awesome, or go take a shower.

    SARAH WALTERS

    Haven't read GRRM, should I? Also, I recommend feeling awesome and writing more of A Memory of Light, but I'm biased.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Depends on your threshold for content. His writing is genius, but he is very brutal. I could only stomach the first one.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    His short stories are awesome, by the way. I've liked every one of those I've read.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Also, the Minas Tirith theme is playing on Pandora. Perfect.

    TEREZ

    Gah, now you've got me thinking Boromir/Gawyn.

    FOOTNOTE—TEREZ

    I have no idea if Brandon saw that tweet, but his next one came after it, for what it's worth. Some more info was given on this in the reddit Q&A, and there might be another clue here.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Some good mythological underpinnings and references in this scene, as I believe RJ would have done.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    If I ever get to write the annotations for this book as I plan, this scene will be a nice one to talk about.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    One of the challenges in writing these books is to get mythology right. Not too overt, with careful references. RJ left help, fortunately.

    JOHANN THORSSON

    You mean like Rand having a wound in his side, a la Jesus on the cross?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    That's one of very, very many. But yes. And, you know, Rand being a sheepherder...

    SIMEN ISAK DITLEFSEN

    RJ used a lot of mythological inspiration. But I haven't seen a lot of Greek myths used. Have you?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    It's there. Look where Perrin gets wounded.

    SIMEN ISAK DITLEFSEN

    ahh... The Achilles arrow?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Look up blacksmith gods. Hephaestus, Wayland. And, you know, Perun...

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    But I felt RJ thought Greek/Roman was overdone, so stayed away from using it as much as Norse/Celtic/Native American.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Okay, signing off for the night. I need to be up for my Q&A on reddit come noon my time. (I'll tweet a reminder.)

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Moved the A Memory of Light progress bar up to 48% complete to reflect work done so far this week. Been a good week.

    ELVAN

    I believe you are trying to kill us by triggering extreme amounts of anticipation and excitement. Some of us don't have the heart to take it you know. Seriously though, can't wait.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Ha. Just trying to keep everyone involved, if only in a small way. ;)

    Tags

  • 14

    Interview: Nov 11th, 1997

    Corey Elliott from Amarillo, TX

    I have heard that you once said there are many things in your books that you were surprised readers hadn't discovered. And there were also things you were surprised we had "deciphered". Any comments?

    Robert Jordan

    Too true. Too true. But when I find out that something I wanted to be obvious isn't, I do look around to see if I can find another place to slip in a hint.

    Tags

  • 15

    Interview: Dec, 2000

    Orbit Interview (Verbatim)

    Orbit

    With so many plot strands now running through The Wheel of Time, will all of them be resolved at the very end or will there be some surprising conclusions earlier on?

    Robert Jordan

    Some plot lines will be resolved before the end, but all of the major plot lines will be resolved by the end. On the other hand, some minor plot lines will not be resolved. In fact, in the last scene of the last book, I intend to set a small hook for what some may see as future books. But I will walk away and not look back. One thing that has irritated me with some books is that, come the end, all of the characters' problems are solved, all of the world's problems are solved, and you might well sit the whole place on a shelf and put a bell-jar over it to keep the dust off. When I finish the Wheel of Time, I hope to leave the reader feeling that this world is still chugging along out there somewhere, still alive and kicking.

    Tags

  • 16

    Interview: Nov 6th, 1998

    Therese Littleton

    So will the male-female duality be resolved? Or is this a "read and find-out" question?

    Robert Jordan

    Read and find out. What I consider the major story lines will be resolved. There will be a number of minor story lines that will not be resolved, for the simple reason that there is no point to any real world where everything is resolved. That's always something that has irritated me about some novels—that you reach a point at the end of the book, and everyone's problems have now been solved, and all of the world's problems have been solved. I get the feeling I could put these characters and this world on a shelf and put a bell jar over them and go away. There's nothing left there alive.

    That's the way it's going to be. I even intend to set a small hook in the last scene.

    Therese Littleton

    Wow... you're going to drive people crazy!

    Robert Jordan

    I know, I know. I've been thinking about getting some of those Groucho glasses with the mustache.

    Tags

  • 17

    Interview: 2012

    Brandon Sanderson (30 September 2011)

    FINALLY done with the through line I've been working on for weeks now. Progress bar moved to 70% done.

    SRINATH UPADHYAYULA

    When can we expect it??? What do you think?? #reallyreallycan'twait!!

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Sometime next year. I suspect they'll set a date when I give them the first draft in November.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Now, to fire a gun that has been sitting on the mantle since the middle (chapters 30-40) of book 3.

    TEREZ

    Now THAT is a good clue. (The Mat one was not incredibly surprising, but this one will be fun.)

    TEREZ

    Want to discuss @BrandSanderson's latest A Memory of Light clue? It's a good one!

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Theoryland thread on what I just posted: http://www.theoryland.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=6057 Thanks @Terez27.

    BEN KLUGE

    Has anyone got close yet:) ?

    TEREZ

    Pfft, we've barely started yet.

    BEN KLUGE

    I know—but once we have got started the odds of possibly getting an answer drop from very low to zero.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Ha. I already flirt with giving away too much. I doubt you'll pull anything more from me for a while.

    4TH AGE

    I'm sure with how conscious you are of us examining your every word you checked, so are you SURE it's in those chapters?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    99% sure.

    TEREZ

    Would you at least confirm you're not talking about 13-13? You referenced that as a Chekhov's Gun before Towers of Midnight...

    TEREZ

    ...and so the association is hard to shake. But it was introduced in The Dragon Reborn 22 and of course already showed up in Towers of Midnight.

    TEREZ

    And technically, you could be referring to that since we didn't actually see the turning. And 99%. :( ... ;)

    BRANDON SANDERSON (5 OCTOBER)

    Mat is so much fun to write. The trick, which is hard, is to get the right mix of humor & awesome. One without the other just isn't Mat.

    TEREZ

    Ahh, confirmation. And good luck with Mat. ;)

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Not sure what I'm confirming, but okay. On the thing I tweeted before, it's obviously NOT 13x13. It is cool, but smaller than that.

    TEREZ

    Cool. I was talking about the fact that you were working on Mat's 'through line'. I had assumed you were. Smaller? Hmm.

    FOOTNOTE—TEREZ

    In retrospect I'm not so sure he was working on Mat's through line because in the previous one, he specified he was writing Mat's thoughts.

    Tags

  • 18

    Interview: 2012

    Brandon Sanderson (6 October 2011)

    Well, THAT was a scene people have been waiting to read for many books. You know, it's very hard to talk about A Memory of Light without spoilers.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Let's see...what can I say without spoilers? This involves two near-deaths in a scene where most wouldn't expect any. #AesSedaivagueness

    MICHAEL ZODDA

    The Return of Narg!

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Yes, @wordsbyzodda. It's obviously the return of Narg that I'm talking about. The Dark One transmigrated him into a sheep.

    Tags

  • 19

    Interview: Nov 6th, 2010

    Robert Mee

    Someone else (two different people, actually) asked about Nakomi.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Brandon RAFO'd, but then said that there were some very interesting theories out there, and that some hard core fan freaks may have had some that were more accurate than others he'd seen. I don't know if he's referring to Theoryland specifically or just the OCD fan community in general.

    Tags

  • 20

    Interview: Nov 8th, 2010

    Question

    Can you give us a hint on who the second woman will be in Rand's circle? (with Callandor)

    Brandon Sanderson

    Not really, but I can give you a tiny bit of information. She has already been introduced.

    Footnote

    Tags

  • 21

    Interview: Apr 17th, 2011

    Terez

    Who killed Barthanes?

    Brandon Sanderson

    I'll RAFO that one, because I've answered a whole bunch. Some of these...I need to leave questions for people, and...you know...

    Terez

    Oh come on, it's not like...you know, there will always be questions.

    Brandon Sanderson

    There will always be questions. I don't want to look like a pushover. Jim wasn't a pushover, and I'm kind of a pushover.

    Terez

    I don't know. You answered most of Matt's questions, on his drive.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yeah, I know...I know I did. Wait, are you trying to guilt-trip me now, that I answered Matt's?

    Terez

    No, no. (Peter is laughing in the back seat.)

    Brandon Sanderson

    At least this time I knew what I was getting into. With Matt, that was my first Theoryland ambush.

    Terez

    Oh really?

    Brandon Sanderson

    My first real one—my first real big one. So I guess I now need to have Emma drive me somewhere. And then I'll have completed the...who else is big on Theoryland. The one who was on the...the...

    Terez

    Ted.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Is his name Ted?

    Terez

    WinespringBrother.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yeah! Right, WinespringBrother, and who else? Frenzy. Yeah.

    Terez

    She was there last year.

    Brandon Sanderson

    The tor.com people aren't Theorylanders, are they? Like Wetlander and Freelancer...

    Terez

    No, I just know all of them because I hang out there sometimes...

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yeah, you hang out there...

    Terez

    Thanks to Peter. He sent me that way.

    Peter Ahlstrom

    Did I?

    Terez

    Yeah, you did. When you pointed out [Freelancer's] signing report that was there.

    Peter Ahlstrom

    Oh.

    Terez

    Yeah, that was the first time I went there, and I've been hanging out there ever since.

    Brandon Sanderson

    See, now you're getting into these little specific ones, that I'm...

    Terez

    I mean, you know...answer what you feel like. I was just collecting questions from everybody, so there's not really any pattern to it.

    Tags

  • 22

    Interview: Aug 31st, 2011

    Reddit AMA 2011 (Verbatim)

    Axelkappa ()

    You previously mentioned on twitter a GRRM-esque moment in A Memory of Light. Any more on that? In the end are you going to apologize or feel awesome?

    Brandon Sanderson

    When the book is out, ask me about this. I'll tell you which one it was. It's something I was struggling with, trying different takes on. Finally, some things came together. I'll say more, but I'll put it in spoiler text. (It's not very spoilery, but some people don't want to know anything.) [highlight to read] It is a moment of awesomeness, but also is somewhat cruel. There is a death involved. It could be from the side of the Light, it could be from the side of the Shadow.

    Tags

  • 23

    Interview: Jul 11th, 2010

    Stefan

    So we know in The Eye of the World, there was somebody who talked in capital letters like how the Dark One did. Obviously you can't tell us who it was, but will we know by the end of A Memory of Light?

    Brandon Sanderson

    I know what that was about. Will it be in the next book? Er...RAFO. Sorry.

    STEFAN

    Will we know by the end of the series though?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    I really can't say yes or no. This is one of the things Harriet has asked me to be very quiet about.

    Tags

  • 24

    Interview: Nov 11th, 2011

    forkroot

    Min has said that Perrin would need to be there for Rand twice to save him from something very bad. Assuming Dumai's Wells was the first time (which BWS confirmed), was Perrin's presence in Tel'aran'rhiod at Dragonmount during Rand's time there the second time? Or, in another phrasing, has the second time happened yet?

    Brandon Sanderson

    No, that was not it. We have not yet seen the second time, but we will. (In other words, it's coming in A Memory of Light.)

    Tags

  • 25

    Interview: Nov 19th, 2011

    Question

    Has Brandon (and Team Jordan I think) done any research on the battles/armies etc.?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yes, a lot. Brandon didn't want to give me specific examples to avoid spoilers for those who can guess. They contacted one very well known author who helped them with this research. Anyone can guess? I'll give one easy clue: Boromir.

    Tags

  • 26

    Interview: 2001

    Thus Spake the Creator (Paraphrased)

    Question (What else is in the Wheel of Time universe?)

    Will you ever give use the answers to all our feeble WoT questions and whatnot?

    Robert Jordan

    Perhaps in the future there will be an encyclopedia or concordance. Harriet (both wife and editor) keeps a list of every plant, animal, organization, etc., all alphabetized and everything. This could possibly be the basis of an encyclopedia in the future. [This was one of the points where he said that he wouldn’t say ‘never’, because it “has a tendency to come back and bite you”.]

    Tags

  • 27

    Interview: Apr 10th, 2001

    Kurafire

    You very often answer questions with "Read and find out"—

    Robert Jordan

    Yes, yes, and I will say that the answer to the coming question is Read And Find Out. I like that answer. My wife once asked me what I wanted for dinner, and I told her 'Read And Find Out'. Three days before I had the nerve to go home.

    Kurafire

    Well the question was: but will you really write down concrete evidence to all the mysteries from your books, or will you just add a last bunch of hints in the next few books and 'call it a day'?

    Robert Jordan

    Read And Find Out.

    Some things will be concrete evidence, some things will be hints and clues. I do not want to tell you what’s coming. If I would tell you everything what's coming, you'll start saying: "Oh gee, I knew that. I knew that. Yeah he's getting awfully boring. I'm gonna go and read Terry Goodkind..."

    Tags

  • 28

    Interview: 2012

    Brandon Sanderson (9 December 2011)

    Back at work on A Memory of Light. May be the day to reveal a side-character's long-hidden motivations .

    JAMES BIRTLES

    Do we get a clue as to whom this character is?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    If I told you that, you'd be expecting it. I'm afraid it is a RAFO. This character HAS been a little suspicious.

    LEBO GUME

    Mr. @BrandSanderson please stop teasing A Memory of Light.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Sorry. Some people really want to watch the progress, and so I try to keep the posts as spoiler-free as possible.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    This afternoon's "Brandon opens Magic cards as he writes" comes sponsored by Sarah Bartram, who sent the cards off my wishlist. Thanks!

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    The rare was this card (which is sweet, since I like zombie cards): http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=230786

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Just wrote a scene with Bela in it.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    This scene is one that RJ left instruction for in his notes; it gave me shivers when reading.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Okay, that scene's done, and it is beyond awesome. Over 3k done; opening another pack sent by Sarah B. ...Mythic rare! http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=247236

    Tags

  • 29

    Interview: Dec, 1993

    Robert Jordan

    As far as any message to the folks on the net....It is really quite an honor to find out that so many of you want to discuss my books in such detail. Frankly, I'm both pleased and amazed that you have put so much time and effort into it. Well, I hoped I was writing something that would hold people's interest; it seems maybe I have.

    One thing—don't think you've reached bottom in your digging. I tried to make the books fairly simple on the surface, and quite complex underneath. You've dug up a number of points that I thought I had buried well enough that they wouldn't come to light for some time yet (don't expect me to say which ones), and you've also dug up one or two that I never buried in the first place (no hints there, either). Jordan's Law, I think, can better be stated along these lines: "Ah, you think you know how the game goes now? Very good, gentlemen. What say we increase the bets just to make it interesting?"

    Tags

  • 30

    Interview: Dec 5th, 2000

    Robert Jordan

    The next question was about the tying up of all threads, to which he said it was not going to happen. He then told how he didn't like it when in most books all the sub plots are tied up and that you could put the world in a bell jar and put it on a shelf. He wants his reads to imagine his world still living after the series is finished. He said that he was going to set a hook at the end of the last book and walk away.

    He again stated that he only worked on one book at a time.

    Tags

  • 31

    Interview: Dec 17th, 2011

    Loialson

    Hey Brandon, I got a bunch of questions from the Wheel of Time Re-read.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Okay! Alright! So Wetlander and people.

    LOIALSON

    Yes...Are the impressive displays of power that Rand makes in Towers of Midnight (i.e., stopping the Trolloc army and having no concern over being able to leave the White Tower) a result of his integrated knowledge or his ta'veren nature?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Umm...Both, though, one thing you have to keep in mind, is...Rand, as a result of power level...Robert Jordan was specifically not using him very often because his power had grown so powerful even by the end of Knife of Dreams. I mean, you look at Knife of Dreams—if you go reread the fight in Knife of Dreams he is laying waste to nearly as many Trollocs as he has when he does the battle at the temple—which is not actually called that in the books—that's the one with the Trollocs and things [referencing Rand's big single-handed fight in Towers of Midnight]. And so...yes, some of these things have changed, but he's really powerful now.

    Now, the thing about in the White Tower is something different. [Brandon smiles]

    Footnote

    Someone needs to ask Brandon about that 'temple' thing.

    Tags

  • 32

    Interview: Dec 17th, 2011

    Loialson

    Is the glow in Rand's head that Nynaeve sees upon delving Rand linked to the nature of him being ta'veren, or because of the nature of him being the Dragon?

    Brandon Sanderson

    (laughs) I'm gonna RAFO that one.

    Tags

  • 33

    Interview: Dec 17th, 2011

    Loialson

    Can Rand still access the True Power through Moridin?

    Brandon Sanderson

    That's a Read and Find Out. A big one.

    Footnote

    Brandon has said that Rand can still sense it, but he is resisting using it. So the 'big' RAFO was for the idea that Rand channels the True Power via Moridin.

    Tags

  • 34

    Interview: Dec 17th, 2011

    Loialson

    Was the stone Aviendha slept near during Towers of Midnight a portal stone?

    Brandon Sanderson

    No. Nice try! That's eliminating one theory, I'll give you that one.

    LOIALSON

    Was Aviendha in Tel'aran'rhiod or in a mirror/portal world when she met Nakomi?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    RAFO.

    LOIALSON

    Is Nakomi Jenn Aiel?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    [laughs and grins] I should RAFO that shouldn't I?

    LOIALSON

    I'd appreciate it if you didn't.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    [laughs] I want Nakomi....We're gonna RAFO that for now. Nakomi needs...there's gotta be a few things I don't answer. I'm so bad, I answer everything Robert Jordan put an answer [for, to?] [bunch of people laugh]. Track me down another time, after A Memory of Light is out.

    Tags

  • 35

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Brandon Sanderson

    PRK (7 APRIL 2012)

    Nakomi thing is a huge RAFO.

    Tags

  • 36

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Terez (7 April 2012)

    Ask him if there is a Waygate anywhere near Lugard. We suspect that Ogier-built Shaemal was somewhere in Murandy.

    PRK

    Why does it matter where Shaemal is?

    TEREZ

    It only matters because of the possibility of a Waygate in Murandy, which is why I phrased the question the way I did.

    TEREZ

    It has to do with the theory that Roedran is Demandred. ;)

    PRK

    Okay, I'll ask that one next time!

    Brandon Sanderson

    PRK (8 APRIL)

    Answer re Lugard Waygate: "*chuckles* That's clever! Anything I say will give away too much, so I'll have to RAFO that one."

    Tags

  • 37

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Luckers

    Did Verin kill Barthanes?

    Brandon Sanderson

    *Goes to answer, pauses and looks thoughtful for a long moment, then said...* MAFO

    Footnote

    Maria said no.

    Tags

  • 38

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Luckers

    Was the Shiny Dragon... was she manipulating Masema before Perrin met him?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Umm, when did Perrin meet Masema? Was it in the scene where Alliandre is kneeling and giving her jewelery to him?

    LUCKERS

    No, that was...

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Nynaeve, yeah. Right.

    LUCKERS

    Perrin met him at the same time Faile was getting kidnapped.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Right. Then in that case, yes, the Shiny Dragon was manipulating him before.

    Footnote

    Technically Perrin met Masema in Fal Dara, and spent a fair amount of time with him on the way to Falme, and afterward.

    Tags

  • 39

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Luckers

    So, there are two different types of Darkhounds. Ones that can be killed with a sword, and ones that take balefire, and I was wondering if the difference was that the ones who can be killed with a sword are the ones that are turned by a Darkhound bite, whilst the balefire ones are those changed using the original method to make Darkhounds.

    Brandon Sanderson

    That is an awesome theory. No. But I am very glad you came up with it—it fits very neatly with how Sanderson would have done it. But still, no.

    LUCKERS

    Can you tell me the actual cause for the difference?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Haha, no. RAFO.

    LUCKERS

    Can you tell me what the Crossroads of Twilight superpack are hunting?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    Ummm. No, I still might... it still might be in the books. So RAFO. But if it’s not in the books then it’s open for you all to ask again after A Memory of Light. But for now, RAFO.

    Tags

  • 40

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Luckers

    What happened to Merilille and Talaan?

    Brandon Sanderson

    RAFO.

    LUCKERS

    I have this theory that they were killed by Careane to try and get the Windfinders to leave the palace.

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    *poker face*

    Tags

  • 41

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Luckers

    Do the Forsaken know the weaves Elza used to break the warding Cadsuane placed on the Domination Band?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yes.

    LUCKERS

    So, why didn’t they use it on wardings Rand placed on Callandor, and the other things they’ve wanted that were warded earlier in the series?

    BRANDON SANDERSON

    *stares at me for a long moment, thoughtfully* They may not have know them then. The thing is... we don’t see a lot of the Shadow innovating with the Power, unlike with the Light, but they have been. As much as the Light. But they know, now. The notes definitely say this.

    Tags

  • 42

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Luckers

    Were the sisters at the Silver Swan sent by Cadsuane?

    Brandon Sanderson

    RAFO.

    Footnote

    "Recently one of her watchers at the Swan had overheard a disturbing name, murmured and quickly shushed, as if in fear of eavesdroppers. Cadsuane." (Crossroads of Twilight 12, "New Alliances")

    Tags

  • 43

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Luckers

    Faolain refers to something she is working on that is as good as anything the Wondergirls have made. Do you know what it is, and can you tell me?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yes I know, and no I can’t.

    Tags

  • 44

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Terez

    Is there a Waygate near Lugard?

    Brandon Sanderson

    As far as I recall, yes. But I'm not a hundred per cent sure.

    ELEANOR

    No notable expression changes. Can someone check that map on Deviant Art?

    Tags

  • 45

    Interview: Apr, 2012

    Eleanor

    Do we have any clues to guess what the ____ in the Blight is?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yes.

    ELEANOR

    Asked if there was anything else he could give us on this one and he said he could not be more descriptive. Perhaps if someone was more pointed/specific?

    Tags

  • 46

    Interview: Jan 12th, 2011

    Luckers

    Was Lews Therin one with the land like Rand is?

    Brandon Sanderson

    The Dragon is one with the land...so the answer is yes.

    Matt Hatch

    He went on to say that it says the Dragon, not the Dragon Reborn, making the point that it most definitely applied to Lews Therin. (I riffed off a second related question from Luckers which was: Did he have the same extra abilities?) Instead I asked:

    Question

    Considering what you mentioned regarding Lews Therin's ability to sense the lack of inhabitants within miles of the spot he was at in the Prologue, is this ability something that comes from being the Dragon, being ta'veren, or a Talent?

    Brandon Sanderson

    (paraphrased) It's not a Talent, but I won't say whether it is a factor of being the Dragon or something about being ta'veren.

    Matt Hatch

    Luckers, I asked this question because the way Brandon answered the first it seemed apparent to me that the Dragon is Lews Therin is Rand, as far as 'one with the land' and abilities. My interest then became that specific ability he noted in Lews Therin during the re-read.)

    Tags

  • 47

    Interview: Jul 21st, 2012

    Jeffrey Daniel

    So what do you think the most challenging part of writing A Memory of Light was? Was it those logistics, or was it writing battle scenes, or...

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yeah, the battle scenes were the toughest part of A Memory of Light, definitely. At least the toughest for me, because it's not necessarily something I naturally excel at. I think I'm okay at it. I've read a lot of books...but I've read a lot of books. I haven't done it. Fortunately, Alan Romanczuk has done it. He was a soldier and Jim was a soldier, so I'm really relying a lot on him for getting it to feel right. You know, my book learning only gets me so far in the way that tactics are done and the way a battlefield plays out. So, that's been one of the big slow-downs for this. The other big slow-down for this has been just making sure we get everything in there. There are a lot of things that need to go in the book and there are some things that aren't going to make it. Jim said that certain things don't get resolved, and there are certain things we just didn't have time for and we said, "Okay, this just doesn't get resolved." And I'm sorry about that. He warned you, I will warn you: there are some non-resolutions.

    Joe O'Hara

    I don't know how other people would feel about that, but I kind of enjoy that. To me, that's where a fandom would go. We can continue to speculate and wonder and think about.

    Jennifer Liang

    Yeah, it gives us something to talk about. We can ride that or like ten years at least. (laughter)

    Jeffrey Daniel

    JordanCon will be good for a while. We'll have a lot of talking panels on that one.

    Brandon Sanderson

    I will try to keep them quiet. There are two deleted scenes from the book that actually covered very interesting things. And after the books are out I will give you guys some hints and then you can spend the next ten years deciding what was in them.

    Jennifer Liang

    Yeah, we'll ask you some really weird questions over the next ten years. We used to do that to Robert Jordan. We'd ask him very oblique questions, hinting at the thing we really wanted to know, because we were like doing process of elimination, and logic trees and...yeah, he caught on.

    Tags

  • 48

    Interview: Sep 22nd, 2012

    Loialson

    Does Demandred even have an alter ego?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yes, he does.

    Loialson

    Okay, cause we've been trying to figure out who the heck is it, and we can't figure it out. We're thinking Roedran, but it's like, too obvious.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Here's the thing: Robert Jordan said that Demandred did not appear until Knife of Dreams, and so I have been very hesitant about saying whether or not he'd appeared—I think I've said whether or not he'd appeared on screen in my books—but the reason is, if I give you a yes or no—if he's appeared, yes or no—then that narrows it down to like just a few characters, that are introduced in mine, so I've been very hesitant about answering that. Demandred does have an alter ego. He has been up to some very cool things. There are people online who have guessed correctly. And so, I will say that much.

    Loialson

    Is he in Randland?

    Brandon Sanderson

    I won't say whether or not he's in Randland.

    Fan

    He's not in Shara! He can't be in Shara!

    Footnote

    As to whether or not Demandred's alter ego has been seen on screen, Brandon himself extended RJ's comment through Knife of Dreams, and he later said that Demandred wasn't seen in Towers of Midnight at all. That, combined with this comment here where he lumps his books together makes it clear that Demandred's alter ego has never been seen on screen. (A list of characters introduced in The Gathering Storm, some of whom are disqualified by appearing in Towers of Midnight, helps to make that point.) Other comments by RJ make it clear that we should be able to figure out who it is by Winter's Heart at the latest, and Brandon has also said several times that it can be figured out from the books.

    Tags

  • 49

    Interview: 2012

    kurin (August 2012)

    At the end of A Memory of Light, I assume you're going to leave some questions unanswered intentionally. Will any of these have canonical answers that simply aren't shared, or will you try to resolve all the open questions?

    Brandon Sanderson (August 2012)

    There are canonical answers that are not in the book. (Mr. Jordan sometimes said in the notes "Here is the answer to this, but it isn't resolved in the last book.") He didn't want everything answered because he wanted the world to live on in people's minds. All major plot elements are dealt with, but some smaller ones are left open.

    kurin

    So there's going to be a new acronym after RAFO? Like YNFO?

    Question

    (Probably left this too late to expect a response but...)

    Will you (or anyone) ever provide those answers? Whether it be by blog/new "world of RJ's WoT" or Q&A?

    Brandon Sanderson

    I will try to answer some questions once the book is out. I'd like to do some blog posts talking in-depth about the process, and about the notes. But it will depend on a lot of factors.

    Kooreth

    Even Maria's large reference book won't contain those secrets?

    Brandon Sanderson

    The reference book will contain some of the things not resolved in the book, and I've given clues about some others. Other things...well, he wanted them to go unanswered. So they will be. (And some we don't even know the answers to.)

    Kooreth

    Thanks Brandon! I am excitedly and sadly awaiting the final book. After so many years, it's going to be rough finishing it, and closing a chapter of my own life.

    Tags

  • 50

    Interview: Jan 3rd, 2013

    Goodreads

    How much liberty did you have in deciding which characters would play the biggest roles in the last battle?

    Brandon Sanderson

    In a lot of ways the "why" or the "how" was not said, and in other places in the outline there were just empty holes where a character is in one place and 800 pages later, then another place.

    [In the final book] we've got a lot of questions that still need to be answered. Robert Jordan did leave me instructions on which ones, in some cases, not to answer. There are things he wants to leave unresolved, and there are other things he said do answer this, and there are some things that he said either way. He left a lot of instructions about who lives and who dies, but there are also plenty of cases where I got to make the judgment call. It's a big, cool, awesome, scary thing, and all of the gloves are off. Anything can happen in this book, because I don't need to worry about setting up any future books.

    Tags

  • 51

    Interview: Jan 11th, 2013

    tiffranosaurusrex

    What did the other letters Verin sent say?

    Brandon Sanderson

    This is one of those I'd rather not answer, as I wish to leave it to fan discussion.

    Tags

  • 52

    Interview: Jan 10th, 2013

    Jonrox

    Who opened Cadsuane's box? (Jokingly) Is it intuitively obvious?

    Brandon Sanderson

    It's not intuitively obvious who opened the box. The weaves were removed from the box so that the person who opened the box could open it.

    Tags

  • 53

    Interview: 2013

    Twitter 2013 (WoT) (Verbatim)

    Aaron Oster (23 January 2013)

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

    Brandon Sanderson (23 January 2013)

    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.

    Tags

  • 54

    Interview: 2013

    Twitter 2013 (WoT) (Verbatim)

    Terez (23 January 2013)

    Who sent the attack on Algarin's manor?

    Brandon Sanderson (23 January 2013)

    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.

    Tags

  • 55

    Interview: Feb 1st, 2013

    Question

    Do you know what the Tinkers meant in the [sixth] book, as they were dying and they said "tell the Dragon Reborn"?

    Brandon Sanderson

    I don't know. It might be in the notes. When I say "RJ's notes", it means one of two things. It is either a pile that his assistants collected, or the things he wrote for himself about the world. I'd ask Harriet and Maria a question, and they'd act like Google. Reading it all myself would've taken months, and the majority is about stuff already written and known. But really, I have no idea what you're talking about.

    Footnote

    This is in reference to a scene in Lord of Chaos where Vanin finds a slaughtered Tinker caravan with the indicated message. Matt Hatch clarified the question with Brandon after the Q&A. Brandon said that he didn't know if it meant something more than literally telling the Dragon Reborn about their deaths, but that it might be in the notes.

    Tags

  • 56

    Interview: Feb 7th, 2013

    Robert Moreau

    The Memory Keepers where also asked to try and gather a list of the characters we would like to know the fates of and he would pass it along to Maria/Hariet to try and get those answered in the encyclopedia. There is a thread on reddit for those who have accounts, but I am sure one can be started here as well.

    Tags

  • 57

    Interview: Feb 22nd, 2013

    Terez

    Was the Shadow able to track down or intercept any of Verin's letters after she died?

    Brandon Sanderson

    Um...(laughs)...

    Terez

    You can answer that vaguely if you want.

    Brandon Sanderson

    ....(laughs, coughs)...I'm (ahem) really good at answering things vaguely, but I can say that at least one of them did not find its mark.

    Terez

    Okay. That's good.

    Tags

  • 58

    Interview: Feb 22nd, 2013

    Terez

    Have we seen Nakomi in any other guise? Is she somebody we would know?

    Brandon Sanderson

    No, we haven't. Good question.

    Terez

    That's a good answer.

    Brandon Sanderson

    I can kill the Nakomi-Verin theory.

    Terez

    Yeah, well you already did that.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Yeah, okay.

    Terez

    Yeah. I pay attention, you know.

    Brandon Sanderson

    Mmmhmm.

    Terez

    (laughs)

    Tags

  • 59

    Interview: Feb 22nd, 2013

    Terez

    Were the Aes Sedai at the Silver Swan still there when Caemlyn was attacked?

    Brandon Sanderson

    I.....don't....know.

    Terez

    Don't know. Okay.

    Tags

  • 60

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    When the girls are kidnapped in Cairhien in The Dragon Reborn, several Myrddraal arrive to collect them. Who were they working for?

    Maria Simons

    I should know that. I think if I go to the notes, I could find that.

    Tags

  • 61

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    Which Forsaken was manipulating Masema? Brandon told us it was a woman. Well, he told us it a woman who was actually making the Illusion; it might have been somebody taking orders from someone else; we don't know.

    Maria Simons

    I think I know, but I'm not sure.

    Tags

  • 62

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    So, what happened to Talene?

    Maria Simons

    I don't know.

    Tags

  • 63

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    What happened to Liandrin after Suroth got arrested? She had that crazy shield on her, you know, so she was conspicuous.

    Maria Simons

    I'd like to know that too. Some things occasionally get overlooked...

    Tags

  • 64

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    What happened to the Black Ajah that were with Rand after the Purge? Was that another thing that got overlooked? Because I know there was at least one—Fera—besides Elza, who obviously got blasted.

    Maria Simons

    I don't know.

    Terez

    (later in email she told me that she had answered this for someone else, with time to think about it.)

    Maria Simons

    I believe that any Black Ajah da'tsang got the Black Ajah signal that the jig was up, and scarpered. I don't know anything else.

    Tags

  • 65

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    Which Forsaken was it that visited Isam at the beginning of A Memory of Light?

    Maria Simons

    I'm not going to answer that one.

    Tags

  • 66

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    Did RJ leave any notes about the future work of the Red Ajah?

    Maria Simons

    Not that I've found.

    Tags

  • 67

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    Why was Demandred's face familiar to Gawyn?

    Maria Simons

    It seems like there was a reason, but I can't remember.

    Tags

  • 68

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    Does Rand still have Lews Therin's memories?

    Maria Simons

    I don't know.

    Tags

  • 69

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    Was Merilille with Talaan?

    Maria Simons

    We don't know.

    Footnote

    Most fans seem to believe that Brandon just put Talaan in A Memory of Light because a lot of fans were asking about her; RJ probably didn't leave any notes about where she and Merilille went.

    Tags

  • 70

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    So why do Aviendha's children have this special power of being able to channel at birth?

    Maria Simons

    I don't know.

    Tags

  • 71

    Interview: Apr 20th, 2013

    Terez

    Did Aviendha tell Nynaeve that Rand is still alive?

    Maria Simons

    I think that's an open question that we don't really know.

    Tags

  • 72

    Interview: Mar, 2006

    Robert Jordan

    After Knife of Dreams, there's going to be one more main-sequence Wheel of Time novel, working title A Memory of Light. It may be a 2,000-page hardcover that you'll need a luggage cart and a back brace to get out of the store. (I think I could get Tor to issue them with a shoulder strap embossed with the Tor logo, since I've already forced them to expand the edges of paperback technology to nearly a thousand pages!) Well, it probably won't be that long, but if I'm going to make it a coherent novel it's all got to be in one volume. The major storylines will all be tied up, along with some of the secondary, and even some of the tertiary, but others will be left hanging. I'm doing that deliberately, because I believe it will give the feel of a world that's still out there alive and kicking, with things still going on. I've always hated reaching the end of a trilogy and finding all of the characters', all the country's, all the world's, problems are solved. It's this neat resolution of everything, and that never happens in real life.

    I originally thought I was signing up for a 10 or 15K run, and somewhere along the line I found out it was a marathon. So yes, I would like to cross the finish line on this thing and get on to what's next. I'm not that old, and I've got a lot of writing left. There are two more short prequel novels to be done at some point, but aside from that, I have said I would never write again in this universe unless I get a really great idea—which would have to be an idea that would support two or three of what I call "outrigger" novels, not part of the main storyline. Well, I may have had one! But I'll have to set it aside for a year or two because I've already signed contracts for an unrelated trilogy called Infinity of Heaven, which I'm very excited about. I've been poking that idea around in my head for 10 or 12 years.

    I've also thought about doing a book set during the Vietnam War, but Jim Rigney will probably never write the Vietnam book. If I did, it would be history now, and I decided a long time ago that Rigney was going to be or contemporary fiction, and my name for historical novels is Reagan O'Neill. Maybe Jim Rigney will never become a writer!

    There have been some computer games and comics, and a movie based on The Eye of the World is still in the works (with contracts that allow me a lot of involvement), but nobody else is ever going to write Wheel of Time books. For after I die, I've purchased an insurance policy with a couple of guys who have a kneecap concession in the southeastern United States, and they have rights to expand this concession should it be desired. For a very small fee, they have guaranteed that they will crack the kneecaps of anybody who writes in my universe, and nail them to the floor!

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