Who should get a novella?

[Hari he/him]

As much as I am interested in the main story, I would like to get to know about the rest of the world just as much; particularly, Purelake, Aimia, Horneater, Reshi Isles, seemed extremely interesting worlds. So for me, it would be Rysn, Rock, Ishikk (or someone from Purelake) and Axies or

Spoiler

Arclo

Edited July 6, 2017 by Hari

[+Wax he/him]

21 hours ago, maxal said:

I would go for Adolin as well. He doesn't have his own book, he doesn't have a focus arc: he will always play the second fiddle to Dalinar, Kaladin and Shallan. I love his character and I do think he is interesting enough to get his own book. I think it is unfair he isn't getting one and I do think the book structure will make it so he will never truly get the temporary spotlight I feel his character has earned.

I don't know what the subject of the book could be though, but in the eventuality he gets banned out of Alethkar, it could follow his journey outside of it which is unlikely to be featured within the main narrative of book 4.

This being said, whom I think is more probable is another Lift novella because Brandon introduced her too early on, now he has to show her progression which he can't since she isn't part of the main narrative. Other contenders would be Jasnah and Renarin for pretty much the same reasons. Brandon mentioned Lopen and some bridgemen once but I don't find them as interesting. Bridgemens are pretty bland characters to me, I love them as members of the supporting minor cast, but I have little interest in reading them as protagonists.

I really like the idea of Adolin in exile novella.  I think he'd so fit the mould of Odysessus and doing some kind of sea journey... eg on a boat to Aimia or just getting to Shinovar via the long route from the sea...

Edited July 6, 2017 by axcellence

[Ciridae]

5 hours ago, Hari said:

As much as I am interested in the main story, I would like to get to know about the rest of the world just as much; particularly, Purelake, Aimia, Horneater, Reshi Isles, seemed extremely interesting worlds. So for me, it would be Rysn, Rock, Ishikk (or someone from Purelake) and Axies or

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Arclo

I agree, it's such a big world. Out of the ones you mentioned I would either pick Rysn or Axies, but it's a tough choice. There is still so much we don't know about spren, plus Axies seems to travel just as much as Rysn. On the other hand Brandon seems to be grooming Rysn as one of the more important non-main-book-characters. I could definitely see either as a candidate for a future novella. 

[Guest]

7 hours ago, bdoble97 said:

I really really really dont want  Adolin to be band. But if he were to be band I think a short story would be wicked cool. Adolin is such a great character and would love to see him as a focal point in his own book

I don't want Adolin to be banned mostly because I don't feel it works well within the existing narrative combined with the fact he isn't a main protagonist. Having him leave might mean evicting him from the narrative all together, probably in order to make more room for Eshonai and Szeth within book 4 and 5 (for which Brandon did say he would cut down onto the supporting cast, which indirectly means Adolin as nobody else has significant enough word count to make a difference). Needless to say if Brandon is willing to gamble on Adolin's book presence to push forward his currently minor flashback characters, he might lose my interest as a reader all together, but a side novella (a big lengthy one) might just might help mitigate the problem.

3 hours ago, axcellence said:

I really like the idea of Adolin in exile novella.  I think he'd so fit the mould of Odysessus and doing some kind of sea journey... eg on a boat to Aimia or just getting to Shinovar via the long route from the sea...

Adolin in exile, if it goes into a lengthy novella, might just might turned out interesting. There are definitely options which can be explored while being interesting for all readers, not just the ones liking his character. I however wouldn't want to substitute book presence for a novella: I would want the novella on top of the book presence because I don't think he has enough of it, especially in Oathbringer 

[The One Who Connects he/him]

6 minutes ago, maxal said:

for which Brandon did say he would cut down onto the supporting cast, which indirectly means Adolin as nobody else has significant enough word count to make a difference

Did he say this in relation to the front 5, or to Stormlight in general? If it was only regarding the front 5, Adolin could return in the back half if Brandon felt like involving him more in the "15 yrs later" storyline

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, The One Who Connects said:

Did he say this in relation to the front 5, or to Stormlight in general? If it was only regarding the front 5, Adolin could return in the back half if Brandon felt like involving him more in the "15 yrs later" storyline

He meant for book 4 and 5. Someone asked him how he was going to manage Eshonai and Szeth given they currently are fairly minor characters, asking if they were going to be as prominent as Kaladin, Shallan and Dalinar are/will be within their own books. For which he answered his plan has been to write book 4 and 5 as he wrote book 1,2 3 implying both Eshonai and Szeth would have a strong role within the main narrative (though he did say he would find out for real once he writes those books, so it may change). He however stated he would still keep a strong focus onto the main three, but to achieve this, he might have to cut down onto the supporting cast. He didn't mention Adolin specifically, but he is the only member of the supporting cast with significant page time. I doubt Brandon is cutting down Jasnah again which makes me fear he would remove Adolin all together.

I have no idea about the back five but since they are 20-25 years within the future before they are to happen, I do not care so much for them. I care about the books I will read within a foreseeable future and these has had Adolin as an important protagonist. I wish for it to remain the same for the remaining of the first arc. What happens for book 6 to 10 is just too far-away to speculate on nor to get excited on. I may even not like SA anymore once we get there.

[The One Who Connects he/him]

1 minute ago, maxal said:

What happens for book 6 to 10 is just too far-away to speculate on nor to get excited on.

Fair enough. Just figured an older, more matured Adolin would be an interesting concept to play around with in the meantime.

[Guest]

Just now, The One Who Connects said:

Fair enough. Just figured an older, more matured Adolin would be an interesting concept to play around with in the meantime.

Oh sure, I definitely agree, but it is so far away... 8 years before he finishes arc 1, then a 15 years gap, I mean, I'll be old before I get to read book 6!!!

[Calderis he/him]

Just now, maxal said:

Oh sure, I definitely agree, but it is so far away... 8 years before he finishes arc 1, then a 15 years gap, I mean, I'll be old before I get to read book 6!!!

The 15 year gap is supposed to be in world. I seriously hope I'm not waiting 15 years between book 5&6

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Calderis said:

The 15 year gap is supposed to be in world. I seriously hope I'm not waiting 15 years between book 5&6

Yeah but Brandon did say he would take a break from writing SA to write other stuff. I can't blame him but... I mean, I have no idea when we'll get the second half.

[Calderis he/him]

2 minutes ago, maxal said:

Yeah but Brandon did say he would take a break from writing SA to write other stuff. I can't blame him but... I mean, I have no idea when we'll get the second half.

I don't wanna wait

[Guest]

Just now, Calderis said:

I don't wanna wait

Me neither. The hype will be all gone by then.

[The One Who Connects he/him]

I found the WoB I was looking for. (Remarkably hard to find actually)

Quote

the_archduke

How long of an in book time break between the two 5 book arcs in Stormlight Archive?

Brandon Sanderson

10-15 years (thankfully not nearly that long in our world).

I don't know what "not nearly as long" as 10-15 yrs would be considered, but it's something.

[Guest]

43 minutes ago, The One Who Connects said:

I found the WoB I was looking for. (Remarkably hard to find actually)

I don't know what "not nearly as long" as 10-15 yrs would be considered, but it's something.

Yeah... I remember this WoB... Brandon hasn't been great at keeping SA within its intended releasing pace which makes me doubt it will be less than 10-15 years, in-world. He seems pretty overwhelmed by SA right now.

[Toaster Retribution he/him]

9 hours ago, maxal said:

Yeah... I remember this WoB... Brandon hasn't been great at keeping SA within its intended releasing pace which makes me doubt it will be less than 10-15 years, in-world. He seems pretty overwhelmed by SA right now.

The problem with Stormlight is that they are huge books, and hard to outline. Brandon has stated that he will do Mistborn Era. 3 in between, since they are pretty much outlined. He will probably squash something short in between too (Rithmatist, Dark One, Reckonerverse, maybe Nightblood). 

Point being, Brandon writes pretty quickly, as long as the books aren't too long, or too massive, which most of them aren't.

Furthermore, WoR took longer because Brandon had to finish Wheel of Time, and for Oathbringer, he was delayed by Edgedancer, Szeths flashbacks, and different tours.

So, I doubt we will have a real-life ten-fifteen year gap between 5 and 6.

Edited July 7, 2017 by Toaster Retribution

[bdoble97]

@maxal if Adolin does go into exile and there is a 15 year in world jump from boook 5 to 6 Adolin could go on a huge amount of adventures much more than in a short story. He could probably have a trilogy of books. But why would they exile one of the best fighter during the biggest wars in Roshar history. And if Adolin is not a main character in Sanderson eye why would he spend his time doing short stories on him. Dont get me wrong I would love to see as much Adolin in the books as possible. I am thinking mabye Adolins patient may be having a Shard plate taken away from him that would be devastating to him. 

[Guest]

12 hours ago, Toaster Retribution said:

Furthermore, WoR took longer because Brandon had to finish Wheel of Time, and for Oathbringer, he was delayed by Edgedancer, Szeths flashbacks, and different tours.

Oathbringer was delayed because of Edgedancer and too many tours to support the many released books: there is no reason to believe book 4 and 5 won't be delayed in similar fashion.

7 hours ago, bdoble97 said:

@maxal if Adolin does go into exile and there is a 15 year in world jump from boook 5 to 6 Adolin could go on a huge amount of adventures much more than in a short story. He could probably have a trilogy of books. But why would they exile one of the best fighter during the biggest wars in Roshar history. And if Adolin is not a main character in Sanderson eye why would he spend his time doing short stories on him. Dont get me wrong I would love to see as much Adolin in the books as possible. I am thinking mabye Adolins patient may be having a Shard plate taken away from him that would be devastating to him. 

I was thinking Adolin goes in exile in between book 3 and 4 which has a one year gap in between them. I wasn't thinking about in between arcs: time jumps only works if your characters are within stable positions, so I don't expect the series to end with Adolin being left to wander alone in the world.

Brandon has already stated he might write short stories onto some of the bridgemen and they aren't main characters, they aren't even tertiary characters such as Adolin. A novella might give Brandon the opportunity to give Adolin the spotlight his character can have without compromising the narrative he has wanted to write. Truth is we have no idea how his character will evolve within Brandon's mind. At least, Brandon acknowledged we ought to see Adolin as we all see Spook, which is an improvement as Spook did end up having a spotlight and a story arc.

[bdoble97]

37 minutes ago, maxal said:

Oathbringer was delayed because of Edgedancer and too many tours to support the many released books: there is no reason to believe book 4 and 5 won't be delayed in similar fashion.

I was thinking Adolin goes in exile in between book 3 and 4 which has a one year gap in between them. I wasn't thinking about in between arcs: time jumps only works if your characters are within stable positions, so I don't expect the series to end with Adolin being left to wander alone in the world.

Brandon has already stated he might write short stories onto some of the bridgemen and they aren't main characters, they aren't even tertiary characters such as Adolin. A novella might give Brandon the opportunity to give Adolin the spotlight his character can have without compromising the narrative he has wanted to write. Truth is we have no idea how his character will evolve within Brandon's mind. At least, Brandon acknowledged we ought to see Adolin as we all see Spook, which is an improvement as Spook did end up having a spotlight and a story arc.

I did not know he said that about Adolin and Spook that's huge Spooks role in Heroes of Ages was excellent.  Especially where his character was left off at the end the book that instantly gets me more excited gor Adolin future.  The idea of adolin being exiled between book 3 and 4 is much better than 5 and 6 in my opinion I too would hate to see him in Exile during a 15-year in world jump. Maybe if he goes into exile between book 3 and 4 he will only have his shardblade as a companion and that's how he could awaken the spren within the shardblade. If that were to happen that better be a big big short story.  Have it as if he thinks he's going insane because he hears a voice in his head but it's actually thile sprrn starting to be awaken

[Vissy]

I'd be fine with an Adolin novella about some dueling tournament or the such.

[Guest]

19 hours ago, bdoble97 said:

I did not know he said that about Adolin and Spook that's huge Spooks role in Heroes of Ages was excellent.  Especially where his character was left off at the end the book that instantly gets me more excited gor Adolin future.  The idea of adolin being exiled between book 3 and 4 is much better than 5 and 6 in my opinion I too would hate to see him in Exile during a 15-year in world jump. Maybe if he goes into exile between book 3 and 4 he will only have his shardblade as a companion and that's how he could awaken the spren within the shardblade. If that were to happen that better be a big big short story.  Have it as if he thinks he's going insane because he hears a voice in his head but it's actually thile sprrn starting to be awaken

He mentioned it in one of his FAQ Friday. He talked of how Adolin did die in one of his early drafts, but when he re-wrote the story, the character took very different decisions. He ended up giving viewpoints to Adolin because Dalinar's character wasn't working into the first draft of WoK: he is boring and going from one mental struggle to the other. He externalized the dilemma by making Adolin act as the son who loved his father, but wanted the visions to be gone. As a result, Adolin's character ended up growing, getting more page time which ultimately led to Brandon giving him a bigger role. What this bigger role will mean for the future of SA, I have no idea, but I hope it won't be disappointing.

2 hours ago, Rob Lucci said:

I'd be fine with an Adolin novella about some dueling tournament or the such.

The problem is he never truly had any of those... Mind, I am dying to read the scene where he won his Blade, though we might get it from Dalinar's flashbacks, I have no idea if it'll be relevant to him or not. Still, I really, really want to read this one, but maybe with the new flashbacks for Adolin, Brandon will eventually write it.

As for a tournament it'd have to be a future one.

[iamstick]

I want a Mrs. Rock interlude at a minimum, and a novella at best.