Triasmus Posted October 28, 2014 Posted October 28, 2014 Has anyone every wondered if there has been a time or three when Peter is browsing through this sight, sees a theory that makes complete sense or fleshes out some aspect of the cosmere, then he goes and talks to BS then they tweak a thing or two but basically end up canonizing that theory? I believe that it's possible that that's happened once or twice. I tried looking if this has already been brought up, but I didn't see anything. 12
Curiosity he/him Posted October 28, 2014 Posted October 28, 2014 I've wondered about this a couple of times but never bothered to voice my thoughts. My guess is that Peter would be the one to do introduce the ideas, since Brandon probably doesn't have time to come on here. Wait... This is a theory about theories. A meta-theory! Maybe this should go in a special category along with Statistical RAFOgraphy.
Bloodfalcon he/him Posted October 28, 2014 Posted October 28, 2014 Has anyone every wondered if there has been a time or three when Peter is browsing through this sight, sees a theory that makes complete sense or fleshes out some aspect of the cosmere, then he goes and talks to BS then they tweak a thing or two but basically end up canonizing that theory? I believe that it's possible that that's happened once or twice. I tried looking if this has already been brought up, but I didn't see anything. Yeah, I'm sure it does happen, Peter.
Shaggai Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 I've wondered about this a couple of times but never bothered to voice my thoughts. My guess is that Peter would be the one to do introduce the ideas, since Brandon probably doesn't have time to come on here. Wait... This is a theory about theories. A meta-theory! Maybe this should go in a special category along with Statistical RAFOgraphy. Statistical RAFOgraphy isn't really a theory, though.
Twenty@20 he/him Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Looking the quality of discussion in these forums, I have often wondered a few times whether these ideas and theories eventually find their way into Mr. Sanderson's theory book. I can imagine Mr. Ahlstrom smiling as we discuss Adolin's future and giving Mr. Sanderson an idea about public opinion. Well this can mean only one thing. More power to us! Crowdsourcing of plots. Ahem. Perhaps I am getting carried away a bit. 2
Guest Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 Looking the quality of discussion in these forums, I have often wondered a few times whether these ideas and theories eventually find their way into Mr. Sanderson's theory book. I can imagine Mr. Ahlstrom smiling as we discuss Adolin's future and giving Mr. Sanderson an idea about public opinion. Well this can mean only one thing. More power to us! Crowdsourcing of plots. Ahem. Perhaps I am getting carried away a bit. Whether or not Brandon uses our discussions as a launching point for further plots, I am sure Peter, at the very least, tells him which subjects are being the most popular and how the public opinion is evolving. I am sure he is aware of the astronomically high number of discussions we have had on Adolin's future... It could be he never thought the fan community would hook up on this as it did and it may propel him into giving it a better following then he initially thought to do. We may even have come up with things he never thought we would dwindle on... such as the missing alnife or the duck word or the vines dismissing Blade.... He may think: "Are they really thinking that? Crazy fans...." ... He may also have realized how unpopular the idea of a love triangle currently is.... but I doubt he will change his idea on who ends up with you based on the community... It could also be his decision to perhaps publish Jasnah's Shadesmars adventure came from hearing how most people would like to hear more about her. Or not. Perhaps he intended to do it all along. Our conversations may also highlight some lose ends which he could try to correct in the next book. But perhaps I am giving us too much power here....
Aleksiel Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 I'm pretty sure one of the reasons Brandon isn't on the forum is to escape any accusations of taking fans' theories and plot suggestions and canonizing them. I've heard authors being sued for such things. While Peter has said to read to Brandon things he found funny, I seriously doubt Brandon is short of ideas. If a theory explains everything, then chances are Brandon already has thought of it and and that's why it explains everything. He's not the kind of author who throws random things, hoping they'll make sense in the end 1
Edgedancer he/him Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 My opinion is pretty close to that of Maxal. Unless I have been fooled by the conspiracies of evil librarians, which could always be the case, Brandon already has all the important plot points set. Meaning he probably won´t change how important events unfold, taking Adolin´s fate as example. Given all the forshadowing he does I don´t think he even could adopt most of the ideas here. What isn´t completely set in stone is how we will get there. Something I can remember is that Shallan wasn´t supposed to be the focus for the second book but Brandon changed it. This might have something to do with Shallan being not all that popular after the way of kings. Naturally I may just be imagining/misremembering how the events play out, but we might have some kind of power. 1
Binnut he/him Posted October 29, 2014 Posted October 29, 2014 I'm pretty sure one of the reasons Brandon isn't on the forum is to escape any accusations of taking fans' theories and plot suggestions and canonizing them. I've heard authors being sued for such things. While Peter has said to read to Brandon things he found funny, I seriously doubt Brandon is short of ideas. If a theory explains everything, then chances are Brandon already has thought of it and and that's why it explains everything. He's not the kind of author who throws random things, hoping they'll make sense in the end I have seen Brandon state somewhere that he does not frequent the forums for just that reason, he has no wish to be influenced by our theories, even unconsciously. But as you say, Peter probably relays a funny thing here and there =P
Triasmus Posted October 30, 2014 Author Posted October 30, 2014 Will that kinda throws out that idea then... oh well... ... 1
Guest Posted October 30, 2014 Posted October 30, 2014 My opinion is pretty close to that of Maxal. Unless I have been fooled by the conspiracies of evil librarians, which could always be the case, Brandon already has all the important plot points set. Meaning he probably won´t change how important events unfold, taking Adolin´s fate as example. Given all the forshadowing he does I don´t think he even could adopt most of the ideas here. What isn´t completely set in stone is how we will get there. Something I can remember is that Shallan wasn´t supposed to be the focus for the second book but Brandon changed it. This might have something to do with Shallan being not all that popular after the way of kings. Naturally I may just be imagining/misremembering how the events play out, but we might have some kind of power. If Brandon had listened to the community, WoR would have been a very very different book........ It could be he changed the focus from Dalinar to Shallan based on popular opinion or it could be he just felt the book made more sense this way. As much as I am dying to read the Dalinar's flashback, I think it would have been premature to have it in WoR. It could also be knowing how unpopular foreshadowed plots such as the love triangle are would prompt him to be extra careful when writing them, but if Brandon wants to write a love triangle, then I think he will no matter what we think of it.
Twenty@20 he/him Posted October 30, 2014 Posted October 30, 2014 (edited) Wonder what will be Peter and Brandon's reaction to this meta-thread. Something along the lines of - Those crazy 17th sharders are discussing whether we discuss their theories. They must have exhausted all other theories.. Followed by lots of laughter and evil grinning.. Edited October 30, 2014 by Twenty@20
Binnut he/him Posted October 30, 2014 Posted October 30, 2014 He might still be influenced by the forum through Peter, but i guess that he want it to be something done knowingly, and through discussion with Peter instead of unconsciously like it could be if he frequented the forums himself. My guess is that the fate of some minor characters and events could be influenced by the forum in some small way, like for example if the entire forum wants to see what happened to a specific character it may happen, but changing plot or characters would be a long shot. On the love triangle topic. Brandon has said : " I'm not a fan of the traditional love triangle. However, I am fond of conflict in relationships." I'm interested in how he will do this. I think we can trust him to make something good out of it. It may become a love triangle, but I think he will surprise us concerning how it plays out somehow.
Pathfinder Posted October 30, 2014 Posted October 30, 2014 I would say the opposite, that they see the theories, and say to themselves "oh is THAT how they think it will happen? lets do the OPPOSITE!". There was another thread where a person would posit something they thought would happen, and someone else would say if they buy that occuring, or sell and don't think it would happen. It got started like a year ago. In reading them all to catch up, I did kind of find it funny how many things people sold that ended up actually happening lol. 2
Retsam Posted November 9, 2014 Posted November 9, 2014 I know Brandon has said that certain small bits of his books have come from reader ideas; specifically the anti-TinEye noisemakers from Well of Ascension, as an example. But I rather doubt that any big picture plot details or magic mechanics (which is usually what the theories tend to be about) are going to be altered by what some theorist says online.
Recommended Posts