Wheel of Time Discussion - Spoilers(with book spoilers)

[Parmandur]

I started Stormlight and got about halfway through the first book, mostly enjoyed it, but didn't love it and, for reasons I can't remember, never went back to it. That's been the case with several of his books; the only one I finished was Elantris, way back when it came out. My impression of Sanderson--both from reading Elantris and parts of several other books--is that he is an excellent world-builder, but his characters and dialogue are more workmanlike; solid, but nothing special. Where he shines--in addition to his worldbuilding--is a rather astonishing work ethic, that has seen him churn out an uncanny number of books in a relatively short period of time.

His plots are rather amazing, once they unfold.

 

[Mercurius]

I couldn't resist - for gits and shiggles, and because I like charts. Here is the published output of Sanderson, Rothfuss, and Martin from 2005 (Sanderson's first book) to the present. I've also thrown in Steven Erikson as an example of a more "garden variety prolific author."

 

[Mercurius]

The novels are one thing, but look at Sanderson's novellas (which, again, includes all of his young adult novels).

I honestly have no idea how he does it. It is almost as if he has self-discipline and doesn't get caught down internet rabbit holes. He should bottle and market that power.

 

[Dioltach]

Add Scott Lynch to the list. I saw today that The Thorn of Emberlain has a scheduled release date of 31 December 2024...

 

[Mort]

I couldn't resist - for gits and shiggles, and because I like charts. Here is the published output of Sanderson, Rothfuss, and Martin from 2005 (Sanderson's first book) to the present. I've also thrown in Steven Erikson as an example of a more "garden variety prolific author."

View attachment 147045

To say that Sanderson produces his books quickly is an understatement.

He posted his entire writing process, from beginning to end (posting each chapter as he wrote it.) on Warbreaker, as it was being written. It was a complete look inside - and his speed was something to see.

 

[Mordhau]

Just checked the book, and Lan spells out the plan for why they are racing to cross the river ahead of time because of the Shadowspawn's aversion to water and inability to swim. So the characters and readers understand the plan exactly.

It was covered in the show as well.

 

[Demetrios1453]

The novels are one thing, but look at Sanderson's novellas (which, again, includes all of his young adult novels).

I honestly have no idea how he does it. It is almost as if he has self-discipline and doesn't get caught down internet rabbit holes. He should bottle and market that power.

He's gone a little into the internet rabbit hole, having posted on r/wot and a few other subreddits over the last few days, with his viewpoints of the episodes so far, with some insight on the production process and his discussions with Judkins on changes from the books. Basically, he's liked how it's turned out so far, says it just keeps getting better with Episode 6 being 10/10 in his eyes. He does have a few reservations, and went in some detail on how he and Judkins disagreed with the whole Perrin's wife plot (he thought that Perrin hurting someone accidentally was OK, but not killing, and especially not a wife created just for the purpose of doing so; he suggested Master Luhhan, Perrin's blacksmithing master, instead).

 

[doctorbadwolf]

And throw in Rothfuss, aka "Baby Martin." Name of the Wind in 2007, Wise Man's Fear in 2011, and a few odds and ends since, but no major publications (novels) in 10 years.

As a King fan that grew up reading The Dark Tower and it’s related works…I’m not even bothered by the wait for the next Kingkiller book tbh.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

We finished Ep 3 today. It definitely improved from the first episode, and we can see the characters and plot developing.

Even though my wife and I both finished the entire series, she doesn't remember most of the plot points or back story from the first book, so I'm answering a lot of "what is that?" and "why?" questions that could be better explained -- but I do feel that by and large the series is doing a good job with "show don't tell". There's way to much for everything to be explained.

 

[Rabulias]

Add Scott Lynch to the list. I saw today that The Thorn of Emberlain has a scheduled release date of 31 December 2024...

An appropriate addition to the list here, but I think that The Thorn of Emberlain is currently scheduled for April 2022. Not that it can't change (and I would not be surprised if it did), but I think this date is a better bet than ever before.