Hey guys, I know that you are all probably feverishly reading through the new book, but I recently attended a book signing in which Brandon Sanderson, Harriet, and her assistant Maria were there. If you've never attended such an event, let me just tell you that they are a lot of fun. Sanderson is particularly charismatic, and Harriet really surprised me. In the Q&A, she told a story about how she ended up picking Sanderson as the writer to finish the Wheel of Time which was both interesting and bit funny at the same time. She also seemed really friendly. She wished everyone "water and shade" at the end.... and at another time insisted that any fan reading the book was "correct" no matter how they decided to pronounce Wheel of Time names. I really liked her.
Sorcha showed up to the Chicago event as well. We sat and had a really nice conversation.
I did get to ask three separate questions (1 during the Q & A and 2 turning the signing). Unfortunately, you may or not like the outcome. In previous signings, Sanderson had been reticent to answer just about any question because he claimed that he might use it in the last book. This time, he seemingly purposefully directed my questions to Maria who has become somewhat of a fact checker among the three.
Here were my three questions:
1) Since modern day Aes Sedai seem to almost always end up using ter'angreal for a purpose other than it's original (like with the Oath Rod), what was the original purpose of the ter'angreals used for raising Accepted and Aes Sedai
2) I wanted to picture in my mind exactly how Lanfear drilled the Bore into the Dark Ones prison, and asked them to describe it
3) While camped in the woods with his group, Perrin noticed a large pack of Darkhounds which circled his camp, and continued to head south. What were they hunting?
Unfortunately, the answer to each and every question was "Sorry, but I don't know."
Brandon did say afterwards when he realized that I had asked 3 questions that had no apparent answer that the notes were very convoluted, and didn't necessarily cover every exact topic.
So, it is possible that someday answers might suddenly appear from Robert Jordan's notes, but I have a tendancy to think otherwise. We're talking about people who have lived a good chunk of their lives with this grand story. While there are many characters and situations to discuss, Maria didn't answer (I know that, but I'd have to look it up). So, perhaps only Jordan knew about certain things.
If you attend one of the book signings, feel free to add your observations and experiences. I'd be interested in hearing from you.
Sorcha showed up to the Chicago event as well. We sat and had a really nice conversation.
I did get to ask three separate questions (1 during the Q & A and 2 turning the signing). Unfortunately, you may or not like the outcome. In previous signings, Sanderson had been reticent to answer just about any question because he claimed that he might use it in the last book. This time, he seemingly purposefully directed my questions to Maria who has become somewhat of a fact checker among the three.
Here were my three questions:
1) Since modern day Aes Sedai seem to almost always end up using ter'angreal for a purpose other than it's original (like with the Oath Rod), what was the original purpose of the ter'angreals used for raising Accepted and Aes Sedai
2) I wanted to picture in my mind exactly how Lanfear drilled the Bore into the Dark Ones prison, and asked them to describe it
3) While camped in the woods with his group, Perrin noticed a large pack of Darkhounds which circled his camp, and continued to head south. What were they hunting?
Unfortunately, the answer to each and every question was "Sorry, but I don't know."
Brandon did say afterwards when he realized that I had asked 3 questions that had no apparent answer that the notes were very convoluted, and didn't necessarily cover every exact topic.
So, it is possible that someday answers might suddenly appear from Robert Jordan's notes, but I have a tendancy to think otherwise. We're talking about people who have lived a good chunk of their lives with this grand story. While there are many characters and situations to discuss, Maria didn't answer (I know that, but I'd have to look it up). So, perhaps only Jordan knew about certain things.
If you attend one of the book signings, feel free to add your observations and experiences. I'd be interested in hearing from you.
