Answering Questions!

10/11/2018

Sorry it's been so long! As most of you guessed, I've spent the last couple of weeks locked in a cabin writing.

Also, apparently my assistant asked you on Facebook which questions you'd like to see me answer on here, so I'll do that!

(I have some content updates. They're coming. Next week, I swear I'll give you some information about the books. But I just got back, and I'm still getting organized, so in the meantime...)

A: Who is your favorite Disney character and why?
Disney owns too many characters now. I can't be certain my own characters aren't owned by Disney somehow. But my real answer: Carl Fredricksen from Up. I aspire to be him when I am older, but with an even more tragic backstory.

B: If you could only have one app on your phone, what would it be?
I don't know, Safari? I'm not very good at these social media-type questions. If www.WuxiaWorld.com had an iOS app, it would be my most-used app and the one I would keep above all others. I spend most of my time on Safari reading web novels.

C: What five things could you not live without?
1.) The four elemental crystals that keep nature in balance, without which all of humanity would be scoured from the face of the planet by constant natural disasters.
2.) The ring I inherited from my great-grandfather that tells me what every child wants for Christmas.
3.) My artificial heart.
4.) The collar that keeps me from transforming into a werewolf every night.
5.) Terraria on PC.

D: What is your favorite knock knock joke?
Knock knock.
Who's there?
To.
To who?
To whom.

E: When will Underlord be released?
This was by far the most common fan-submitted question.

...

The time approaches when ravens cry with the voices of men. I see a day when lakes and rivers reverse their flow, when dogs and cats merge into the perfect pets, and when the moon cackles and stares at the people below while blood leaks from the corner of its mouth. Ia! Ia! These are the signs that the time of Underlord is nigh!

-Will

106 Comments

Corey

10/11/2018 04:31:33 pm

Neat :)

Micah

10/11/2018 04:36:07 pm

Which series was your favorite to write?

Have you read the Coiling Dragon series?

How's the cabin?

Will link

10/13/2018 02:11:07 pm

All of the series are fun in different ways, but I enjoyed Elder Empire, because I got to try some unusual behind-the-scenes stuff.

Coiling Dragon is the best.

It was great until I had to evacuate out of the way of the hurricane.

Arch

10/11/2018 04:36:27 pm

What would you reccomend on wuxiaworld?

10/13/2018 02:11:34 pm

Against the Gods, A Will Eternal, The Novel's Extra, and Coiling Dragon.

Sword Immortal Darknorth

10/14/2018 07:05:28 pm

I would like to add I Shall Seal the Heavens, Desolate Era, and most recently Trash of the Count's Family (In addition to the ones Will mentioned. I have read all of those up to current translations and can second them as being pretty fun.)

10/17/2018 06:58:40 am

Big fan of TCF so far. I also have high hopes for the (currently preview-only) Dragon Talisman, which has had an awesome start with some great worldbuilding thus far.

10/18/2018 09:07:32 am

Haha! RXW released another 30 chapters of Dragon Talisman right after you posted your comment. I choose to belive that he read your post and decided we'd waited long enough after the end of Desolate Era.

I also have high hopes for Dragon Talisman. The protagonist is supposed to be a genuinely good guy, which is somewhat rare for xianxia which likes to have morally gray protagonists. I'm going to binge the chapters this weekend. Maybe you'll see my comments on the chapters when you read it yourself!

Caliph

11/17/2018 12:04:21 pm

I came out of seclusion to find this. How dare you. I'm about to break through to divine lord only to see you poetically half waxing about yun che (lecher), lord lindley, and that scoundrel bai.

i'll let you go this time but next time i exit seclusion you'd better have something for me.

Aanu Ajayi

10/11/2018 04:41:01 pm

We want Underlord. We want Underlord. We want Underlord?

10/11/2018 04:43:34 pm

Don't do that man, its rude and annoying, We'll get it when will feels its ready, besides once OKAK is finished we are due several cradle books in a row.

Decadakon

10/11/2018 09:37:56 pm

I mean we want Underlord.

The Last Reader

10/11/2018 04:43:46 pm

If Lindon were gain a physical goldsign (i.e. a flaming shell) when he switched from pure to BF core would the goldsign shift with the core as his eyes do or remain the same?

10/13/2018 02:12:46 pm

It would change, but it wouldn't entirely vanish like the eyes do.

Random Racoon

10/31/2018 07:08:58 pm

Honestly, I like the idea of black-red horns (the kind you see on Skyrim dragons) more than a flaming shell.

It would certainly fit the current direction of “make Lindon as scary as possible,” and it’s easy to imagine them retreating partway back into his head (becoming more like the that goat-man from the Percy Jackson movies) when he is not using Blackflame madra.

Malcolm

10/11/2018 05:03:32 pm

What's your opinion on wearing a team's hockey jersey to a hockey game they are not playing in?

10/13/2018 02:13:03 pm

What is this "hockey" of which you speak?

Rogue 9

10/17/2018 01:17:39 am

As a person from the State of Hockey, if you're a fan of said team, it's ok, but be forewarned to expect side-eye. If on the other hand, if you are wearing it to look like you fit in ex. Hey look I'm a hockey fan too, don't. You will just end up looking like a poser. Better to pick something warm and comfortable. That's just my 2 cents. But it comes from witnessing it at the hundred or so games I've attended in the last 30 years. Hope this helps good luck.

10/17/2018 02:00:04 am

The exception to the above is if you are wearing a high school or collegiate jersey to a pro game

10/19/2018 01:27:47 pm

In this case, it was me wearing a pro NHL jersey to an unaffiliated minor, minor ECHL team. Turns out, I was in good company as half the crowd was in random NHL team jerseys.

Your Benevolent Dictator

10/11/2018 05:37:49 pm

I would like to know a few things:
1. what runs through your veins?
2. Where doth thee summon thine dark power from
3. favorite weapon in terraria

10/12/2018 03:19:13 pm

The Terra Blade is pretty cool

10/13/2018 02:14:09 pm

1.) Cheetahs
2.) From Subway. Eat Fresh.
3.) The Raven Staff

10/11/2018 05:43:40 pm

Also, is the thing about the moon a souleater reference?

10/13/2018 02:14:23 pm

Yes, 100%.

Chris

10/11/2018 06:46:55 pm

Did you eat at Gringos Locos at UCF today? I swear I saw someone who looked like you.

10/13/2018 02:14:54 pm

Not me. I don't live on that side of Orlando anymore, and even if I did, I would stay off UCF campus if I could help it.

10/11/2018 07:36:43 pm

Hello,What are you currently reading?

10/13/2018 02:15:18 pm

Demon Hunter on WuxiaWorld, but it's kind of slow so I might drop it.

Benj

10/11/2018 08:00:37 pm

Will have you been reading kill six billion demons again?

10/13/2018 02:15:58 pm

No, the developments in the arc where they were breaking into the vault disappointed me enough that I stopped reading and pretty much haven't thought of it again.

Ghostdoctor

10/11/2018 08:20:29 pm

I picked up Terraria a while back based on your Twitter recommendation. Such an awesome game.

10/13/2018 02:16:25 pm

It is from Terraria that all good things flow.

Michael Johnson

10/11/2018 08:33:17 pm

What path would you follow if you lived in Iteration 110?

10/13/2018 02:16:55 pm

I'm not sure, but probably the Path of the Cloud Hammer. We haven't explored it much, but it's very versatile.

Devin

10/11/2018 08:39:06 pm

If I turned my Blackbelt into a Soulbound Vessel, what powers would I gain?

If Lindon and company each got to make a Soulbound Vessel, what would each of them go for?

10/13/2018 02:20:10 pm

Black belt: in order to make it a Vessel, you'd have to give it some inherent power source, such as from an Elder or a Kameira. That being the case, it would depend on what material you wove into the belt.

Lindon: a pair of glasses that enhances focus, concentration, and power while Reading.

Yerin: a sword.

Eithan: a colorful suit that overwhelms all who see him with awe.

Mercy: a watering can that grows healthy plants.

Diego

10/14/2018 01:18:12 am

Hmmm... and here I thought regular weapons which later became awakened items could be used.

I really wish I had a magic omnibus for your series, but it would likely spoil part of the story or have me tearing my hair out asking myself why the main characters aren't advancing despite certain parts seeming obvious only to us. (because they wouldn't k ow how and we do...)

Still maybe this is something you could do and then release after you've finished with these particular worlds. Your worlds are so colorful I wish I could see it all.

April

10/14/2018 06:13:49 am

How compatible are the two magic systems? Could a Reader make a soul-bound vessel using a remnant or a natural spirit like a sylvan riverseed?

10/11/2018 08:47:21 pm

How did you get into writing? Did you go to school to become a writer?

Sam

10/13/2018 11:35:05 am

I believe Will has a MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) which I assume is writing focused. He said a few weeks ago he used to teach Intro to Creative Writing as his local college, so I assume the MFA had something to do with creative writing.

I don't know what his undergrad degree is though.

10/13/2018 02:20:51 pm

I got my bachelor's in English with a Creative Writing focus and my Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

caliph

11/17/2018 12:08:44 pm

Are those powerful cultivation methods that can take you to the top of the martial world or what. speak man i need to adjust my cultivation methods. the path of nursing sucks.

Prophesisor

10/11/2018 09:40:23 pm

Let he who hath understanding recon the number of the Underlord, for it is a human number. It's number is 020119.

Ravens are able to speak better then some parrots.
Rivers can flow uphill, such as coastal rivers during high tide.
Next blood moon is January 21, 2019.

As we all know, Will likes to release books on the 1st of the month, therefore, based on my extensive research and readings of chicken gizzards, Underlord is fated to be released on February 1, 2019.

I have spoken.

10/12/2018 03:42:33 am

What do they call ye, who is so wise! Doth thou wish to join thine discord or hath thee already done so?

10/12/2018 06:01:23 pm

I am a desciple on the path of the Soothsaying Deviners. However, my level is copper, so my prophesy might be a little off.

10/13/2018 02:21:51 pm

...if this ends up being correct, I'll owe you a prize of some kind.

10/13/2018 05:56:31 pm

Reading your books is all the prize I require, thank Will.

Wolfbrother

10/12/2018 12:04:41 am

Thanks for keeping in touch,

Yosef

10/12/2018 02:28:51 am

wait we have to follow you on facebook now? as well as here and reddit and discord, I bet you have a twitter account too! Next you'll be asking use to watch your house on google maps or to fly to the States and stare at you using telescopes from the house across the street. I'm sorry but this seems like a lot enforced stalking, I like you and all but I'm not ready for that type of relationship.

10/13/2018 02:22:54 pm

You don't have to follow me on Facebook, but I do expect you to at least wait under my bed until I get home and then watch me while I sleep. Common courtesy.

manty05

10/12/2018 06:27:36 am

Hey Will
I have the next questions
1: Last year, I think before Blackflame, you said that you tried to write a "dungeon fantasy" story in Can you tell us had you thought of a backstory/explanation to the dungeon and the like.
2: Does the advancement in the sacred arts improve/alter the artists mental abilities in general.
3: Would Akura Malice done better against the Bleeding Phoenix had she had more time to prepare.
4:And if this is not too spoilery. Is one of the badges Lindon found a sage badge.

10/13/2018 10:07:20 am

2.'I Wondered about that too. It appears that advanced sacred artist have much greater range in their perceptions.

4. This I also wondered about. There are 8 badges in the box, none of them were wood. Copper, iron, jade and gold were easy to match to their corresponding badges. What is the color of lord, herald and monarch badge? Is there another rank we haven't heard do yet or does sage get its own badge. Finally, the badges may have been jumbled up during Lindon's adventures and no one outside of Sacred Valley ( that we have seen yet) bothers with badges, so how will Lindon know which badge is which beyond gold?

10/13/2018 02:27:46 pm

Too many questions, so I'll answer the first one.

Even though I'd said before I wouldn't answer this, but...I will.

1.) Dungeon fantasy: there were a lot of directions I thought about going with this one, so here's the one I like at the moment.

Multiple dungeons all over the world, so much so that Dungeon Explorer is a common job. It's a magical-modern technology level (think most Final Fantasy games), driven by loot from the dungeon. Most people farm low-level dungeons for common materials, and the most elite are progression raiders (or whatever the term would be) who challenge the highest level of dungeon.

The dungeons appeared a few hundred years ago, and they bring their own magic system on top of the one the world already had, so you have some abilities that are only acquired / advanced through dungeons.

That sort of thing.

Dethstorm

10/16/2018 11:08:09 am

This seems like an Arcane Ascension(Andrew Rowe)-esque idea.

To be fair...there really would have to be some form of naturally recurring infestations that the dungeoneers could take on. Otherwise the materials needed for even basic stuff would eventually disappear.

You could always make the "dungeons" be basically essence pools of the dread beasts? Something they've left behind to ensure their progeny are seeded throughout the world.

10/17/2018 06:56:00 am

Yeah, Arcane Ascension is heavily influenced by JRPG traditions, and this would be in that neighborhood.

As for how the dungeons replenish themselves, I’ve already figured all that out. I was just giving a brief overview here in order to convey the general idea.

Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll write it as a real series or not. So far, it’s just been a fun thought exercise to work on in my free time.

Dustin

10/17/2018 10:09:24 pm

It's too easy to explain how the dungeons are replenished. At the end of each dungeon is an exit only portal the end of which is connected to a gods toilet. The entire dungeon system is just an elaborate sewage disposal system of the gods. You definitely want to steer clear of the dungeons on chili night.

10/17/2018 01:42:43 am

My thoughts on the badges is gold has 3 distinct levels but only one badge. So reason dictates that there would be one lord badge, for Underlord, Overlord, ArchLord. That being said Sage's are advanced Archlords. next would be monarch, and I think that final blue one represents the level associated with the way. I've been thinking on it for a while, but as reason on earth may be a totally different concept in the will verse we shall see

10/17/2018 01:50:40 am

Oops forgot aboutHerald between lord and monarch

David

10/12/2018 10:40:44 am

I used to only follow one or 2 authors who had upcoming books. So I would then start reading other authors to fill in the space. Then go back to the previous authors and read everything they wrote. Now I am following 30+ authors and waiting for their next book.

This is because I read so fast. What takes an author 6 months to over a year to write is consumed in 1 day or less. Of course I am waiting for the next book or 2 but I am trying really hard to buy books from other authors to fill in the spaces. Even started going back to classics I missed. This is my way of being patient. I appreciate your books, they are very captivating. Maybe I will find a way to read the next one slower.

J R

10/12/2018 06:49:22 pm

@David. Try reading some Michael Anderle. Pretty entertaining stuff and he has 50+ books out written within his own universe. That will take up at least a few weeks of your time! http://kurtherianbooks.com all of these are also free with Amazon kindle unlimited. Just a thought.

P.S. WE WANT UNDERLORD!!! love ya Will!!

10/17/2018 04:53:16 am

He is one of the authors I follow. The authors he works with end up being branching paths I am also reading. Still haven't read them all but maybe 85% so far. Plus add all the independent works those authors write.

But this Cradle series is pretty amazing. A mix of all the stuff I love reading about.

10/13/2018 02:33:51 pm

This is what web novels did for me, David. At last, a source that can produce faster than I can read: thousands of Chinese writers competing to produce daily content.

Josh

10/18/2018 03:59:23 pm

Will,
What are the Web novels you are talking about, and where can I get started with them? Love your books, please never stop writing!

Dion

10/14/2018 12:20:47 pm

It’s like you spoke to my soul David. I have gone through hundreds of books in the last few years, and have started to follow so many series that I can amazon once a week for a bunch of series to see if they have been released. I’m usually not disappointed. But I’m also constantly adding more series to my lists because it’s still not enough. But there are a few gem of authors whose series I love the most. I can’t thank Will enough for getting me into Wuxia novels. There are a lot and if you can get passed the less than stellar translation of some of them there is a lot of great works out there. I even remember how I found Will as an author. I found his audiobooks on audible and saw he narrated them himself and I thought “cool let’s here it from his own voice” best decision ever

Stuart link

10/16/2018 09:59:01 am

I get it, I had a list of around 100 different series that I am waiting for new books. Now though I have 10 books that I get to read online every day! It’s heaven, but is pretty distracting, and I don’t get much done.

10/16/2018 11:11:52 am

I picked up Kindle Unlimited for the sheer volume of books on there.

A.C. Cobble has a good series, DK Holmberg has several decent ones, the dude writes like he's possessed or has cloned several of himself. Not sure which. Jeff Wheeler has a couple of good series', Sever Bronny has a fairly long series as well.

Hope these can flesh out your collection. I tend to bounce back and forth between 10-15 different series waiting for new books, so I definitely feel you on the waiting game.

Entrican

10/12/2018 11:13:15 am

Will - is that moon bit a reference to the soul eater anime?

10/13/2018 09:40:59 am

I thought so too

10/13/2018 02:28:18 pm

Yes, it definitely is.

Notaraccon

10/12/2018 11:24:48 am

Not a question. Just a plea. Please do not read the Silver Sorceress until after you finish OKAK. I don’t think you could put it down.

10/13/2018 02:29:59 pm

Oh snap, I didn't realize it was out already.

That won't affect OKAK's release time, though. It'll only take me a couple of hours to read, and those won't be writing hours.

Leana

10/12/2018 04:38:15 pm

i wouldn't dare concern you with trite matters. Just tell us when the next Cradle Series installment is coming out.

10/13/2018 02:30:32 pm

Reply hazy, try again later.

MitchyGoodness

10/14/2018 09:46:08 am

hazy, try again later.

Nostradamus

10/12/2018 05:20:04 pm

"The time approaches when ravens cry with the voices of men. I see a day when lakes and rivers reverse their flow, when dogs and cats merge into the perfect pets, and when the moon cackles and stares at the people below while blood leaks from the corner of its mouth. Ia! Ia! These are the signs that the time of Underlord is nigh!"

...so...Tuesday then?

I am a Marvel fan

10/12/2018 06:03:36 pm

I mentioned this on your last post, but I felt like saying it again…slightly different this time.

Ahem.

If you ever want to post something, but can’t think of what, you could give us your opinion on specific movies. As my name clearly states, I am a Marvel fan, which means almost any Marvel movie review would be exciting. “Almost any” because I don’t like the movies that aren’t in the MCU. Just an idea.

Keep up the great work, and thank you so much for updating your progress bar!!

10/13/2018 02:31:22 pm

Yeah, I kept meaning to review Infinity War, but my complaints are very nitpicky and my opinion mostly boils down to "It's good. If you haven't seen it yet, you're wrong."

Lindon-did-nothing-wrong

10/12/2018 08:00:07 pm

So here’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while, and I couldn’t help but wonder how a school of jade level artists could take down someone as strong as the sword sage...

10/14/2018 12:23:50 pm

Poison, they poisoned them. I think but not 100% sure that one of the possible types that could have been used was mentioned.

Andrew

10/14/2018 01:28:38 pm

I think Will clarified that the exact reason was a spoiler, but that the jade artists weren't the main cause of his death

Cheesemaster

10/16/2018 04:50:36 pm

He probably ascended

Jesse Kaukonen

10/12/2018 10:04:07 pm

Are you a coffee or a tea person, and why?

10/13/2018 02:31:48 pm

Neither, because I never got into the habit of drinking tea and I don't like coffee.

10/13/2018 04:10:38 pm

Hey Will, I have a question!

Does Webnovel (also known as Qidian International for those who don't understand) also make you froth in rage and want to rip things limb from limb?

Mark

10/14/2018 09:43:17 am

You answered what your favorite web novels from wuxiaworld was. What are your absolute favorite webnovels overall? :)

I personally love The Wandering Inn, and Mother of Learning.

10/14/2018 12:25:35 pm

I don’t know about will but I’ve been meaning to get into The Wandering Inn. I read the first Arc on kindle.

10/14/2018 07:34:14 pm

Mother of Learning is one of my absolute favorites.

Pros:
Time loops!

Main character goes from nerdy edgelord to absolute badass with friends and family and social skills.

Lots of really great moments where bad guys are like "Who are you!? You look like an average high school student but you have the skills of an archmage and somehow are completely aware of all my secret plans! You must be a super lich/ body hopping mind controller / elder god from beyond the void! Panic!" When in reality the MC is just a guy who's living a time loop.

Fun characters. Xvim is one of my favorites. Zach is boyishly innocent despite having been in a time loop for hundreds of years.

A chapter just came out today!

Cons:
Slow release speed (relative to other web novels)

The author is Croatian, though he writes in English. This means that the prose doesn't feel to natural and he sometimes uses slang wrong.

Dialoge is kind of underwhelming because of the above.

Very slow start for the first twenty or thirty chapters

Stakes are low for the first half of the story.

10/14/2018 12:28:00 pm

Ever read anything from gravitytales.com? That’s where I read some Wuxia novels myself. Currently read King of Gods and Reincarnation of the Strongest Sword God

10/14/2018 07:01:31 pm

Gasp! You read wuxia world on your phone like a mortal!?

Buy yourself a tablet or ipad. Your eyes will thank you.

Sean

10/15/2018 07:34:45 am

I just want to take this moment for a bit of speculation. Has anyone else wondered if Eithan is actually Ozriel, hiding in plain sight and depressing his true abilitiea? Nobody seems to know where he actually came from (eg, he says he grew up in servants grave, yet Cassidy doesn't remember him; what if the timeline is just a few thousand years off?), and there have been numerous hints that he is more powerful than he pretends to be

10/16/2018 09:29:55 am

We have PoV from Eithan though so while hes definitely one of the strongest Underlords and could probably push himself into an Overlord within a year or two, I don't see how he could be Ozriel unless he literally created a new consciousness or something.

Jake

10/19/2018 08:32:08 pm

I Don't believe he is Ozriel but I do believe he is stronger then he lets on. The way will has articulately written his story hints toward Eithan being stronger or more knowledgeable then is obvious. May it be that he is story unknown items or that he is an overlord in disguise I don't particularly know. But what we do know is that even for level now he has massive reserves in his well. That is one thing will constantly makes truth.

10/15/2018 09:44:26 am

Just so you know Will although I am not sure if Wuxiaworld, has an App. Webnovel from Qidian does you can find it by looking up "Webnovel- Fictions & Comics" in your app store. I Think it basically has any story Wuxiaworld is not currently translating on it. Along with some older ones that both sites have such as I Shall Seal the Heavens

10/18/2018 04:47:10 pm

Reading on wuxiaworld supports the authors and translators though. Quidan just steals and (illegaly) aggregates novels onto their platform to get readers. Even western authors get robbed by them. I wrote part of a web novel and as soon as I got 100,000 words in and was starting to get a little popular Quidan stole it on me.

10/22/2018 05:42:34 pm

Wow, I had no idea, they did that. Yet from the way Quidan runs its website I am sadly in no way surprised, definitely gonna stop supporting though, thank you for the info.

Deadnettle

10/15/2018 05:38:05 pm

Aww man, I haven't stopped by in a bit and I missed out on asking questions? At least the progress bar has gone up quite a bit as a consolation. Hopefully we'll get a December or January 1st release.

Ethan

10/16/2018 08:44:50 am

You got me in trouble for reading “terraria on PC” and laughing out loud in Statistics. 😂😂

Liar

10/16/2018 04:55:01 pm

Any plans on making a PC rpg/fighting game out of Cradle?

10/17/2018 08:20:46 pm

Will promised us that if Cradle sells 1,000,000 copies or more he will make us an anime.

10/17/2018 08:22:52 pm

Actually I think it might have been 10 million copies. An anime is like a hundred grand per episode, and I don't think Cradle could be told in 10 episodes.

Joshua

10/17/2018 03:19:56 pm

I'd just like to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you Will. I aspire to be like you one day. Your books are phenomenal and your blogs/end of book snippets are always a joy to read. Keep up the amazing work, you're honestly an inspiration in my life to keep writing even when it gets tedious or hard.

10/23/2018 08:09:13 am

Thanks, Joshua! And good luck!

Subhadeep Dutta

10/19/2018 08:28:58 am

Will , indulge a curiosity of mine if you will. A long time ago you announced a new possible trilogy titled " traveler's blade trilogy " with the world of amalgamation. is it still on the horizon ? cheers !

desperate school kid

3/29/2019 12:45:23 pm

I am doing a school report on you and your cradle series. can you provide a brief summary of your life? (im totally not stalking you)

Gary Smith

5/14/2019 09:37:33 pm

Why was Eithan not more surprised when he was spotted on the rafters? I feel like he should have fallen off or something considering he is always harping on about his skills.

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