You Know You're a Sanderfan When...

[marsoupial they/them]

You get agitated by your laptop having died over the weekend so that you cannot immediately browse your 74 notifs on the Shard.

[Sunbird she/her]

@Ookla the Atypical You know you're a Sanderfan when you even have 74 notifs on the Shard.

[Oversleep]

@Ookla the Atypical, 74?! What are your settings?

[marsoupial they/them]

10 hours ago, Ookla the Sunrise Watcher said:

@Ookla the Atypical, 74?! What are your settings?

I follow a lot of threads and users. After a 4-day break, I expected about 60, but I was pleasantly surprised.

[Oversleep]

When your shower thoughts are about how would Nicrosil Feruchemy interact with other magic systems

[Rasarr she/her]

I've been in the cinema to see Moana yesterday (really awesome film, BTW), and after I returned home, I stumbled upon the "Bavadin has invented entire pantheons of gods" WoB from Reddit, and somehow those two ideas mixed in my head.

In other words: You know you're a Sanderfan when you spend the entire afternoon thinking about Disney-style Cosmere musical, where each Shard has their own song. I think Bavadin's would have her show up as all the gods she's been puppeting over the ages, "fanning out from behind her"-style.

[thegatorgirl00 she/her]

When you write an essay on the relationship between language and identity for English and think, but language has to do with connection, not identity. 

[Brightness Enna she/her]

When you write an entire rhetorical analysis essay on Stick...

Topic: Character

 

‘Why’ question: Why is this interlude from Sanderson’s Words of Radiance inspiring?

 

Brandon Sanderson, an author of fantasy books, posted a deleted interlude a few years ago. This interlude was originally from Words of Radiance, book two in the fantasy saga The Stormlight Archive. It will eventually extend into ten books.

The interlude which was deleted has been a source of inspiration to many. Often, Sanderson fans question why this interlude was not included. However, the main question to be asked is, why is this interlude, given the simple title of Stick, so inspiring?

The character of Stick is first introduced in chapter 11 of Words of Radiance. Another character by the name of Shallan has just been stranded, and wants a fire. She has a power called Soulcasting, which allows the user to take the energy of the world, stormlight, and grant it to another object to have it change. The Soulcaster steps into an alternate world called Shadesmar to do this, where everything is represented as a small bead with its own personality. Shallan repeatedly tries to convince a stick, or Stick, to become fire. However, Stick refuses over and over. Shallan eventually gives up.

That isn’t the end of the story, however. Sanderson writes the interludes of The Stormlight Archive through the point of view of characters not given their own chapters. Most of those from the interludes are only represented once, and are not yet tied back into the series. This interlude, which was very regrettably left out of the book, is from the perspective of one of the best characters Sanderson has ever created: Stick. The interlude comprises of numerous paragraphs of varying sizes, all comprised of one statement, the single most powerful statement ever written by Sanderson: “I am a stick.” (Sanderson, 2014). Repeated seventy-four times, this statement resounds throughout every fiber of the reader, inspiring, changing, improving. If the reader understands the deeper meanings behind this seemingly simple phrase, they will understand why this deleted interlude is so inspiring.

Stick refused to give into the pressure put forth by Shallan. She had previously convinced a ship to become water, but could she convince Stick to change? No! Stick remained firm and steadfast, unmoving and unchanging throughout. Stick would not give in. Stick would not change. Shallan tried bribery with stormlight, the energy of the world the novel is set in, but would Stick give in? No! Stick is an inspiration, a symbol that greed and bribery can be overcome, and that we are able to stand against them, unmoving, incorruptible. “I am a stick.” (Sanderson, 2014). Those four simple words stand as a symbol to all. A symbol proving that the evils of the world can be overcome.

Many teenagers feel social pressures to change who they are and become something different, something fake. However, Stick can be a source of inspiration and courage in its example, proving that people do not have to compromise. Teenagers do not need to bend to the social ‘norms’. They do not need to change their view of themselves in order to satisfy the wants of others. Instead, they can, like Stick, simply say, “I am me”.

Stick is content with who it is. Stick is okay to simply say, “I am a stick”. (Sanderson, 2014). There is no need to become something else, when one is content with their standing in the world. Stick can be considered the greatest exemplar of this, one who refuses to change.

Despite all this, Stick does occasionally go through times of doubt. This proves that Stick is not perfect either, helping others to think that maybe they could become as strong as Stick. About three-fourths of the way through the interlude, Stick slightly changes its statement. While the statement was originally “I am a stick” (Sanderson, 2014), at one point in the interlude Stick questioned, “I am a stick?” (Sanderson, 2014). However, this is not a discouragement, but rather encouragement. This proves that doubts can be overcome. Immediately after this short lived moment of doubt, Stick turns around and reaffirms “I am a stick” (Sanderson, 2014).

In conclusion, this deleted interlude is extremely inspiring to many. Stick overcomes greed. Stick would not change. Stick would not be corrupted. Stick would not compromise. Stick showed courage Stick was able to overcome doubts. In life, may we all try to become more like Stick.

 

References:

Brandon Sanderson (2014, April 1). Words of Radiance Deleted Interlude: Stick. Retrieved from http://brandonsanderson.com/words-of-radiance-deleted-interlude-stick/

Coppermind (2016, May 5). Stick. Retrieved from http://coppermind.net/wiki/Stick

Coppermind (2016, June 7). Words of Radiance/Summary. Retrieved from http://coppermind.net/wiki/Words_of_Radiance/Summary#Chapter_11

PS: this is my friend's and was previously posted on a Stick thread here, but I felt like here was a better spot. 

[Exalted]

When you make a Shard account solely to post on this thread.

When you wonder whether it would be possible to create an electromagnetic glove powerful enough to duplicate the external physical metals (minus the part about not having to move your hands, of course).

When you always have a Sanderson book in your backpack "just in case".

[AngelEy3 he/him]

When you read the back cover to Way of Kings while organizing your (way too small) bookshelf and find yourself shivering with tears in your eyes. 

Speak again the ancient oaths,

Life before death.
Strength before weakness.
Journey before destination.

and return to men the Shards they once bore.

The Knights Radiant must stand again.

[marsoupial they/them]

16 hours ago, miner3203 said:

When you make a Shard account solely to post on this thread.

When you wonder whether it would be possible to create an electromagnetic glove powerful enough to duplicate the external physical metals (minus the part about not having to move your hands, of course).

When you always have a Sanderson book in your backpack "just in case".

Can't relate.

Can't relate.

Can relate, and do.

[Brightness Enna she/her]

On 12/4/2016 at 1:08 AM, AngelEy3 said:

When you read the back cover to Way of Kings while organizing your (way too small) bookshelf and find yourself shivering with tears in your eyes. 

Speak again the ancient oaths,

Life before death.
Strength before weakness.
Journey before destination.

and return to men the Shards they once bore.

The Knights Radiant must stand again.

*choirs sing from the clouds*

*orchestras perform perfect impromptu while their instruments glow ominously*

*millions look to the sky*

*choirs sing more*

[Nashan’Elin he/him]

On 12/4/2016 at 1:08 AM, AngelEy3 said:

When you read the back cover to Way of Kings while organizing your (way too small) bookshelf and find yourself shivering with tears in your eyes. 

Speak again the ancient oaths,

Life before death.
Strength before weakness.
Journey before destination.

and return to men the Shards they once bore.

The Knights Radiant must stand again.

When you read the back cover of WoK after reading Arcanum Unbounded and think "I know who wrote that! I know who wrote that!"

[Sunbird she/her]

When you see photos of Brabant horses for the first time and go, WHOA. Ryshadium are real!

Also: When you wish you could burn bendalloy to give yourself more time to finish all the ridiculous huge finals projects that are due this week.

Edited December 8, 2016 by Sunbird

[thegatorgirl00 she/her]

I put Brandon Sanderson's books as my favorite interest for a Secret Santa gift exchange and got a copy of WoK as a gift! I only own it on kindle, so having a physical copy is amazing. 

 

[Farnsworth]

When your family gets together and says that you are no longer allowed to say ANYTHING about the Cosmere to them in the next week because they are worried I am becoming way to obsessed.

[Jude he/him]

When you call your friend a one armed hardasim because he is funny but also annoying. 

Is that how you spell hardasim because I forgot how to.

Edited December 9, 2016 by Jude
error

[marsoupial they/them]

52 minutes ago, Jude said:

When you call your friend a one armed hardasim because he is funny but also annoying. 

I that how you spell hardasim because I forgot how to.

Herdazian.

[Sallin Zeras he/him]

When you become an archeologist because you want to find Stormlight infused gems.

[Jude he/him]

When you leave a marble out in a thunderstorm to see if it sucks in stormlight.

Edited December 9, 2016 by Jude
had to retype something

[marsoupial they/them]

When your mom asks you what you want for Christmas and the first and only thing that pops into your mind is Arcanum Unbounded.

[Sallin Zeras he/him]

When you live in Mexico and each time you go to the U.S. for a weekend you spend $100 worth of Brandon Sanderson books

[Jude he/him]

When your mad and you don't want to curse so you say "damnation" or "storm it"

and sometimes "lord ruler"

 

[Ironeyes]

1 hour ago, Jude said:

When your mad and you don't want to curse so you say "damnation" or "storm it"

and sometimes "lord ruler"

 

I read WoR again on a plane flight last month and I was using Storms as my primary curse-substitute for weeks. 

 

You know you're a Sanderfan when Brandon doesn't come to Boston until February and you're already planning which books to get signed and what cosmere questions you're going to ask him.

[Alfa he/him]

21 hours ago, Ookla the figberts said:

When your family gets together and says that you are no longer allowed to say ANYTHING about the Cosmere to them in the next week because they are worried I am becoming way to obsessed.

Talk about Alcatraz.