[OB] The supposed one year gap.

[Calderis he/him]

I have repeatedly seen a one year gap reference, and it's reached the point that everyone seems to be assuming that this is the case. To the point of consistently trying to speculate how certain aspects of the story will be either skipped or facilitated by this gap. 

Where does this come from? I've seen no WoBs to support it (and if they exist I'd very much like too), and frankly I'm skeptical, because I remember people saying the same thing about Oathbringer when it was still tentatively called Stones Unhallowed. 

So basically, the point of this thread, is either let's get some proof of this time jump, or show that the rumors are just that. 

[aemetha he/him]

Credit to @RShara for finding this for us earlier in a private message.

https://wob.coppermind.net/events/118-rfantasy-ama-2017/#e3708

Quote

sv15249

1)Flashback characters for books 4 and 5 are Eshonai and Szeth.In previous books "main" character got a role in all five parts of the book.Will it be the same for these two?Szeth and Eshonai are important, but had very little "screen time" so far.So, in their books will they get a huge role in main narrative?Or will they have flashback sequence only, but main narrative will still focus on our three main heroes(Kaladin,Dalinar,Shallan)?

2)How you deal with multiple POV's?Their amount increase with each book, which means less "screen time" for each character.I know, in series with such big cast, it's very hard to keep balance.What is your possible solution for this problem?Just don't say, you will kill some characters to free space for new ones George Martin style.

3)You said, there will be a timeskip between two parts of Stormlight.But will we have more timeskips between five books of each part?For example, between book 3 and book 4, or 4 and 5.Or between 6 and 7?I ask this, because in first Mistborn trilogy we had year long timeskips between each book.Wonder, will we have it in SA?

4)Is it possible, that main characters from first five will show up in last five books?

Brandon Sanderson

1) Having not read those books, I can't say 100%--but the original plan was to do it this way, and Book Three continues the trend. Shallan/Dalinar/Kaladin will continue to be very important, but I might pull back on side characters. We'll see.

2) This is the biggest challenge in writing epic fantasy. For me, I divided the series into two halfs (books 1-5 and books 6-10) with a focus on some characters for the first half, some for the second. But also, I do plan for certain characters to step back a little in other books. It's a balance I'm still juggling.

3) Plan is for book four to take place a year after book three, so there will be some smaller timeskips too--but the biggest is between five and six.

4) Yes, many of them will--and will still be important.

sv15249

Interesting.So you consider Szeth and Eshonai as supporting characters now?And characters like Rysn, Zahel(I heard, he's a character from your other book, but I haven't read it yet), and Taravangian...can they be considered side characters too, with supposed bigger role in the future? Have you chosen a flashback character for Book 4 yet?(Eshonai or Szeth?)

I hope, you plan a distinct ending for first part of SA(books 1-5) with conclusions of the story arcs of all main heroes, instead of cliffhanger ending:)Did you have an ounline for all five books(major plot turn, destinies for all characters) when you started the series, or you deciding in the process?

"I do plan for certain characters to step back a little in other books." You mean situations like Shallan being absent from two parts in Way of Kings?And Dalinar in WoR.

Brandon Sanderson

These are all things that will be clear as I write further. If I say too much, it will give spoilers.

 

[RShara she/her]

One of the other Arcanists found it for me.  I think it was Jof.

[Calderis he/him]

Well than, thank you Jofwu, and @Pagerunner for giving me the answer moments after making the thread.

Heh. 

[RShara she/her]

It happens   Have a little pie.

[Necessary Eagle she/her]

Aw, I was hoping it would turn out to be just a rumor. I could have seen a one-year gap between WoR and OB, but I just can't see how all the issues at the end of OB can realistically be dealt with on-page if there's one year in between.