100 Reviews - Poll! - Will Wight, New York Times Best-Selling Author of 'Cradle'

100 Reviews - Poll!

6/7/2015

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we recently hit 100 combined Amazon reviews for the Elder Empire books! Pat yourselves on the back!

As I did for 10, 25, and 50, I was going to release some original content to celebrate 100, but I delayed a while to give the second anniversary of House of Blades the attention it deserved. Now that comments on that front are starting to wind down, I thought I'd get back to what matters: you.

Two weeks ago, I asked you to suggest some options for potential 100-review rewards. They fell into a few specific categories, and I would now like you to vote between them on this handy-dandy poll.

In a week, I'll tally the votes. Then I'll deliver whichever one is most popular.

DISCLAIMER: Any stories will be short, because writing two novels at once is hard enough, and any information about unreleased stories will be subject to editing and my own fickle whims.

Again, any statements I make about the future are not binding. I may change my mind later. I may be lying to you now. Always in motion is the future.

Without further ado, the Poll of Absolute Destiny:

37 Comments

Jeremiah

6/7/2015 08:22:20 am

Not that I don't like the Sea/Shadow/Shadow/Sea world, but I'm a sucker for seven foot katanas

Will Wight link

6/7/2015 08:27:58 am

It hurts me a little bit inside, Jeremiah, because I stand by my opinion that the Elder Empire are better written books...and a lot of people haven't given them a shot because they just wanted more Traveler's Gate.

I know that's not YOU, but it still saddens me when I hear someone tell me that they love the TGT and want more, but they haven't tried OSAS. I always think, "Please do! They're good, I promise!"

But all that said, it's hard to beat seven-foot katanas.

6/7/2015 08:36:48 am

It took me a week or two before I started on them. I always have trouble starting something new, but my wife does know me quite well and said I would enjoy them (she also convinced me on Sanderson's Steelheart, which is great fun as well)

I would agree that OSAS/reverse are better written. I like the plot better in Shadow and the characters better in Sea

6/7/2015 08:44:19 am

Personally, I like the character better in Shadow and the characters better in Sea.

By which I mean, I think Shera is a more interesting protagonist on her own, but the crew of The Testament are far more interesting together.

In another world: Shera, exiled renegade and former Consultant, steals The Testament and sets off into the Aion...

April

6/7/2015 11:31:39 am

At this point, I don't think I could tell you which series I like better. By the time we have all 3/6 installments, I have a feeling it will be Elder Empire. The world feels completely new, it is well written, the dynamics between both the characters and groups involved are great, and the characters are complex and well written. Plus, Shuffles.

Joshua

6/14/2015 09:16:31 am

I know it must suck, having the Travelers Gate series being more popular than the Elder Empire, but can you blame anyone? We definitely didn't fall in love with your books because of the way you wrote it,(meaning no offense, its much better than anything I could hope to achieve) but the story behind it, the fantasy you gave us. Does the Elder Empire read a little better? yes, of course, and part of the fun is being able to experience your growth of writing first hand. Is the Elder Empire a great story? In my humble opinion I really believe it is. And all that matters very little to the fact that every die-hard fan you have loves you for one reason. You're a fantastic story teller. Keep that, own that, polish your writing over the next few book series's, that's always a plus, but don't forget your sense for a good story, its why we're all here, to get to live in a piece of your brain for a few short days and experience that story, not just read about it. (sorry for the run-on sentences, I told you, I'm terrible at this haha) I will always love the Travelers Gate series, and more than likely judge every piece of your work using that as a scale. but at the same time, I will read anything you put out, because I know it'll be the best story I get to read (NO PRESSURE!!)

6/16/2015 12:48:26 am

Thanks, Joshua! But I may have misrepresented something here: I don't care that the TGT is more popular than OSAS. Far from it.

What baffles me is when I hear from people who tell me, "Man, the Traveler's Gate Trilogy was fantastic! I want more of it! I haven't read your new books yet..."

THAT'S what I don't get. Just try it. If you've tried them both, and you like one over the other, awesome! Thanks for giving me a shot!

6/7/2015 11:27:11 am

*rolls eyes at husband*

6/7/2015 12:22:10 pm

Men, am I right?

As a reader (Reader?), that was how I felt about the two series. I do like Traveler's Gate--in a way, it's made up entirely of things that I like, so how could I not?--but I like almost everything about Elder Empire more.

I think the magic system came across better in the TGT, and it was outright "cooler" magic. Other than that, I think I did a better job designing and telling every aspect of the OSAS story.

Now, if I rewrote House of Blades today, we might have an entirely different situation. I don't know.

Jonathan

6/7/2015 08:39:29 am

I love both the TGT and OSAS series. Both have awesome concepts. However, I had to vote for TGT, 7' Katanas, a realm that tries to kill you all the time just to make you stronger.... Too much potential! :) if I could vote for 2 OSAS would be my 2nd vote!

6/7/2015 08:46:28 am

Hahaha, I appreciate it, Jonathan! By far the most compelling element of the Territories, to me, is the "you have to struggle to advance" concept. It's hard-coded into the magic system, and there's no way around it.

Lots of other magic systems have this implicitly, because magic is hard work to learn and acquire, but as far as I know I'm the first one to bake it into the system itself.

Joseph

6/7/2015 09:04:49 am

The OSAS series is still only on the first book(s) while the Travelers Gate trilogy has established more due to it being a completed trilogy. As more books come out to flesh out the world and characters of OSAS I believe it will pick up more in popularity. The scene you posted a while back with Valin has also left a lot of your fans really aching for more TG.

6/7/2015 09:11:20 am

That's a great point, Joseph. I think I make the mistake a lot of readers do: I'm comparing the first installment in a series to a whole trilogy.

Now let's see if I can make Of Dawn and Darkness as engaging as Crimson Vault...

Lukas

6/7/2015 09:54:13 am

I do like the OSAS series, and I would agree that it is better written, but I can connect with TGT far better, I enjoy the characters more, and I think that the TGT has far more potential for sheer awesomeness than OSAS.
Don't get me wrong, I still love OSAS, but TGT is the clear winner in my opinion

6/7/2015 09:59:32 am

You know what, Lukas, thanks for reading them both!

Daniel J. Costa

6/7/2015 10:43:00 am

Wow I was surprised to see that backstory on the guild heads was last. There is no other character than Bliss I want to know more about, and that freaky bone of hers! Will did, and had previously done with TGT, made me seek his blood because he had left so much to be known about his worlds. Nothing wrong with that of course. I consider that excellent writing, and its one of the reasons why I would keep buying his books.
Seriously though Will. Us readers could use a book long backstory on everything and how it came to be in both worlds. How Martin did with Westeros!

6/7/2015 10:53:14 am

I'm a firm believer in the idea that a song should end thirty seconds before you want it to, not thirty seconds after you're already sick of it. Same principle applies to books. Most readers would lose interest if they got 80% of the answers they wanted...they'd be bored long before 100%.

But Bliss has an awesome backstory, and I'm only planning on hinting at it in the books. I was kind of hoping this would get higher, if only so I'd have an excuse to write it.

Jessiah

6/8/2015 08:21:58 am

I'd actually like to learn about the correlation between Incarnations and Elders thank you very much... but I'll settle for a story about the Emperor meeting a Great Elder lol Cant wait for the next 2 books Will!

6/8/2015 11:06:28 am

Forgot about that... Very curious as well

6/9/2015 12:38:01 am

Let me be as clear as I can: I never said there was a connection between the Incarnations and the Elders.

There is, however, a connection between how the Territories are formed and how the Elders are born. Which you might call semantics, but it's true.

6/9/2015 02:57:02 am

But Will the way the incarnates and the Great Elders seem to affect reality with there mere presence seems so similar and even the Emperor did something similar with his power from one of the hearts of an Great Elder.. But well your the author so you have the last say lol

6/9/2015 03:27:48 am

So then what is the connection between the way each are born? Or will that be revealed in a mini book?

6/9/2015 03:53:53 am

Future book, can't talk about it.

As for the way their presence warps reality, I'll try and give you a little detail: an Incarnation has become a living manifestation of their Territory. They're carrying the physical laws of their world around with them, so to speak, and earth warps to meet that.

In a similar way, the Elders are using their Intent to corrupt the world around them. It's a part of who and what they are. Each of them exists for a specific purpose, and they're constantly trying to recreate the world in their image.

It's not much of a distinction in effect, I'll grant you that. But Elders and Incarnations are different. For one thing, Elders were never human.

James G

6/11/2015 12:30:02 pm

Sorry Will but TGT tops Elder Empire in my books any day of the week. Unfortunately for you I'm not a fan of Lovecraft or creatures with a ton of tentacles. I do however have a soft spot for sarcastic daughters of the wind and swords with attitude. That said thank you for sharing your gift.

6/11/2015 01:31:23 pm

That's alright, man. I have a million ideas, and some people are going to like certain ones over others. No harm, no foul.

I just think the OSAS books are better written, that's all. I make fewer mistakes as a writer.

Brian S

6/11/2015 02:40:50 pm

Yes, I agree that Elder Empires are probably better written books. I'm absolutely impressed by the fact that you've written both sides of the story with similar pacing and that they are well thought out books of high caliber. That being said, Travelers Gate is just plain FUN. Simon is a hilarious hero you can't help routing for. I like Calder, I really do, but if I had to choose between Calder and Simon, I'd pick Simon every time. It isn't about the quality, though TG certainly was a good series, but character. TGs more heavily character driven than EE so we've become attached to those characters and don't wanna let them go. At least I have.

6/12/2015 12:43:21 am

One hundred percent agreed.

6/12/2015 01:46:21 am

Glad to hear it, Brian! Neither series is really "character-driven," per se, but I'm excited you're attached to the characters!

And again, I'm certainly not upset that people like TGT better. I'm glad they enjoyed it! I just personally feel more satisfied with EE, because I made fewer mistakes.

I'm hopeful that I can continue that pattern! Maybe by the time the next Traveler's Gate series rolls around, I'll never make any mistakes! NONE!

6/12/2015 02:53:56 am

Yea TG is a really fun read I just reread the whole series a week or 2 ago still as satisfying to read as the first go around = ] especially after reading the Malazan book of the fallen series >_<. Now weather or not Simon, Shera , or Calder is a better mc is type difficult because I read Shera's book first I really like her she's a beast just like Simon is then theres Calder because I read the other one first I was annoyed at him but it turns out he's a pretty fun character that felt more humane(?) than Shera is and what not

6/12/2015 06:08:20 am

Yeah, you don't get much more of a contrast between me and Steven Erikson. Talk about completely different...

It's like comparing a sand castle to the Taj Mahal. One is a grand and impressive work of art, and the other is fun to play with at the beach.

6/12/2015 04:38:53 am

Will, could you give me some examples of the mistakes in TGT? I have no idea what they are and I would like to know what you think they are.

6/12/2015 06:04:31 am

Why did the Agnos family have five members? There could have been three. Olissa as a mother, Erastes as the father, and Andra as the kid. Lycus and Caius didn't have to exist at all. That's just two extra names to remember.

Because I didn't know the series would be successful, I plotted it as a trilogy instead of an open-ended series. More importantly, I SCALED it that way. So at the end of Book 1, Simon can win a fight against an Overlord or a group of Travelers. At the end of Book 2, he can beat an Incarnation. And at the end of Book 3, he's beating groups of Incarnations.

There are exceptions and extenuating circumstances for all of those, but still, it scales too quickly. With that progression, the villain in Book 6 will be Lucifer.

Alin could have used a storyline in HoB, which he doesn't get; his story happens off-screen. Leah really needed three or four more scenes. The sacrifice could have been introduced more smoothly, explained better, and its consequences shown. Simon should have reacted more openly to the news that he was too late for so many villagers, instead of focusing entirely on Leah.

And then there are the surface-level prose mistakes. I'm currently editing CV and CoL for the combined edition of the trilogy, so let me give you an example of the passage I'm currently fixing right now:

"...he had ROSE Light ready. The wound closed almost instantly.
And the Blue Light ROSE to his call.
Tendrils and tentacles of luminous blue, each as thick around as a tree trunk, erupted from the ground. Many of them ROSE eight or ten feet in the air..."

That's three uses of the word "rose" in four and a half sentences, and each of them using a different sense of the word. There was probably a rose garden nearby too.

These are the sort of thing that haunt me when I think of my old works. I know I could spend longer editing books in order to trim some of these problems, but quick releases are more important to me than another layer of polish. Also, I know I can improve by simply making the next book better.

But it still hurts me, somewhere in the back of my mind, knowing that people are looking at my mistakes right now.

6/12/2015 09:43:38 am

Now that you mention them, I can see them. I don't have much of a problem at all with them, but I can understand if they were my creations, I would notice and hate every small flaw. And I have absolutely no problem with you writing more in the series, with a slower progression of events :P
Anyways, despite the flaws, I love your books. Keep them coming!!

6/12/2015 01:47:42 pm

I see where you are coming from as well. These are simply things that Patrick Rothfus wouldn't do. Thank goodness your name is Will Wight because I've been waiting for Rothfus to publish the last book of his series for years now.

As a writer I'm glad these things bother you, because that means you'll be more conscious of them in the future, but by no means would I be eager to wait years and years for a sequel to avoid a writing sequence as described above. You also put yourself under some pretty extreme deadlines for that entire trilogy. I think that was probably a good experience for you, but not something that you could maintain while continuing to produce quality books. And you are producing quality books, books I'll continue to read. Keep up the good work Will.

6/13/2015 01:27:54 am

Thanks, guys! I would always rather improve by making each new book better, rather than rewriting the same book over and over with a slight improvement each time. Some people prefer that approach, but that's...incredibly boring.

And now, thanks to the magic of Kindle, I can do it a different way!

So I know I'm leaving possibly fixable problems in my previous books, and I'm okay with that...usually. Occasionally my mistakes still bother me, but not enough to slow me down!

Mesmerizing Suggestion

6/14/2015 05:10:46 am

So, this is not pertinent to the current discussion but it had to be posted.

Will, you I just realized what the narakan incarnation was inspired by. (If you've read the comics)
Ghost rider!
[X] Spirit of vengeance/justice depending on who you ask in universe.
[X] Fire, of god fire!
[X] can tell what crimes a person has committed.
[ ] mount of hellish flame
3/4 criteria? Who knows?

Steve McKnight

8/8/2015 01:44:15 am

Finished TGT a while back and loved it so much! I just bought the start of the new series and can't wait - I just had been holding back a bit waiting for books 2 and 3! Can't wait any longs, starting it today!

Thanks so much for creating the world of TGT and please don't keep us waiting too much longer for more!

In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.

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In which we ramble on.
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