Will Wight, New York Times Best-Selling Author of 'Cradle'
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In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.

Because everyone loves compromise! Right? RIGHT?

10/18/2016

115 Comments

 
After much soul-searching, and some ear-whispering from both the angel on my right shoulder and the Cradle fan on my left, I've come up with something of a compromise!

But it's going to require some explaining.

First of all, what makes Elder Empire such a big deal to write is how long each pair takes to create. Six months is an optimistic estimate, assuming that everything goes well (which, for Dawn, things did not go well. I had to start it over, which led to me excluding certain Easter eggs that I had promised would be included). And 6-9 months with no releases means my momentum, and by extension any word-of-mouth recommendations, grind to a halt.

Which means that during such a time the business isn't growing much, I'm not gaining many readers, and (incidentally) I'm not making money.

At the same time, they are "difficult" to plan, in much the same way that it is "difficult" to juggle a plate in each hand while riding a bear. I'm writing two books, which you would reasonably expect to take twice as much effort, but in fact it's more than that.

The Elder Empire books encompass four storylines over three timelines that all intersect and interact with one another. And with the other books in the series. I have to know where each character is, was, and will be at all times for everyone, or I risk digging plot holes big enough to squeeze a Great Elder through.

Which means that the hardest part of those books, and the step that often takes the longest, is the planning stage.

For many authors, that's normal. They might spend two months planning for every month of writing. Not for me. I'm more of a "Why would I need an airplane when I have the seat of my pants?" kind of guy. I always have an idea of where my stories are headed and what I want to do with them, and I'm always headed toward those milestones, but I'm also always open to changing my mind and veering into unexplored territory.

Such variations in schedule led to the birth of Kai. And the talking dolls. And the mask. And Bliss. And Kelarac. And Cradle's entire existence.

(To clarify, most of the major plot twists in the Cradle series I had planned from the very beginning--including ones that haven't come about yet--but I never would have written Unsouled in the first place if not for my nigh-suicidal eagerness to plunge off the predicted course).

I expect to spend the first period of time--let's call it a month or two--of the Of Kings and Killers writing cycle doing nothing but planning and re-planning. As I considered that reality and contemplated my calendar, I realized something: there's no reason I couldn't be writing another book while I'm doing that. I won't be putting out word count on OKAK, I'll just be plotting and fact-checking, so I can still hammer out words on something else.

This brings me to the title of this post, and the aforementioned compromise.

I'm going to alternate.

I started planning Blackflame yesterday morning, after which I will begin to write the first draft. While I'm doing that, I'll start plotting OKAK. When I'm editing Blackflame, I'll start writing OKAK's draft. Then I'll release Blackflame.

So the plan is Blackflame in 3-4 months, Of Kings and Killers in the middle of next year. And maybe if the simultaneous writing thing works out, I might get Cradle #4 out of it as well. As sort of a surprise.

As usual, though, let me give the required caveat: all release date information is subject to the cruel and fickle whims of fate. No release date information is final until I say it is (which usually means the final announcement comes only a week or two before release, as longtime followers will both loathe and remember).

Let me know how much you hate me to my core/want to kiss my beautiful face in the comments, and as always, thanks for reading! I know I'm always changing things around, but I'm figuring this out one step at a time. I'm just trying to keep getting better, and to keep writing books.

Thanks for sticking with me.

-Will

P.S. For a little bit of context, yesterday and the day before were my highest sales days ever. And this month, October, is going to be my best-selling month so far. That's not just from Cradle--although it is mostly Cradle--because my Traveler's Gate sales started climbing almost out of nowhere as well, and even Elder Empire has picked up.

It's almost as though, when people enjoy Cradle, they go back and read my other books afterwards.

​Imagine that.
115 Comments
James A.
10/18/2016 08:21:12 pm

Awesome. Unleash your Sanderson.

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Will link
10/18/2016 08:27:23 pm

He's the master.

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Jake
10/19/2016 12:39:56 am

This was exactly what I was thinking. Well said.

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Aaron J.E.
10/18/2016 08:21:46 pm

I like the Eldee series - a lot - but I'm willing to wait if that works out better to your schedule. Looking forward to Blackflame in the meantime.

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Aaron J.E.
10/18/2016 08:22:43 pm

*Elder*... bloody smartphones...

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Will link
10/18/2016 08:25:56 pm

Thanks, Aaron! Hope I won't keep you waiting on the Elder series for too long.

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pa4m3
10/18/2016 08:35:45 pm

Just keep doing what you're doing, Will. You've become a day 1 purchase, pause whatever else I'm reading, entertaining as hell writer. Your books are just plain fun.

For my money Cradle is your most entertaining series. Regardless of story, though, I love the more bite size rapid release schedule/format.

Great job! I think you're also wise to occasionally, for a very short time, make a book free to get people into your work or a series. I know I've recommended to a few during these times and they've ended up reading your other stuff after trying Unsouled of House of Blades for free.

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Will link
10/18/2016 08:58:25 pm

Yeah, the free promotions have been huge. I had no idea they would work as well as they did.

Thanks for reading for so long! I know I have fun writing the books, and I always hope readers have fun with them too.

Also, the smaller-but-more-frequent release schedule is one of the major factors that led to the creation of Cradle in the first place. It works really well for Kindle, though I would like to try and write a really long novel at some point. Just to broaden my horizons.

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John
10/18/2016 09:01:29 pm

Really long like 200K words? Or REALLY long like 400K words?

Will link
10/18/2016 09:08:07 pm

Either one would be a stretch for me, but I imagined something around 300K.

I know that looks like I'm splitting the difference, but it's really the approximate length of one of my trilogies. I'd imagined working on a single story of trilogy length, without doing it a one-third-length arc at a time.

John
10/18/2016 10:06:34 pm

Do you think you would be able to work on a longer novel in the background, while continuing to write and release shorter books at the same time? I think some authors find alternating work on two stories to enhance productivity, since if they get stuck or bored with one, they can switch to the other one and be more productive.

Maybe the Cradle / EE work will give you practice doing just that, since two EE books together are probably not much less than 300K words.

If you can perfect that technique, you will have reached at least true gold author level!

Will link
10/19/2016 10:50:37 am

Yeah, that's the dream. I try to make my writing process more efficient every time, so someday I'll be writing six books by lunchtime.

Wait.

Jacob
10/18/2016 08:43:02 pm

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN ABOUT TRAVELER'S GATE, WILL??? You're killing us my friend!

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Will link
10/18/2016 08:55:18 pm

Uuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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Elfishpirat
10/19/2016 03:14:20 pm

....This means no Traveler's Blade until at least 2018, doesn't it...?


No...don't mind me. I'll just crawl back to my little corner and sob uncontrollably in a fetal position for the foreseeable future. Thanks

Chris
10/18/2016 08:54:27 pm

Awesome! Glad you succumbed to our reasoning! This seems like a nice compromise. It sounds to me like Brandon Sanderson does something similar, so seems like writing two stories at the same time might be too much, but writing one while doing some planning or editing of another might actually be a good break at times. Should be a good experiment either way.

Out of curiosity, how would you manage the time, and what is your writing day like? Half or two thirds of the day writing, and then a couple of hours plotting at the end of the day? Or mixed together? Curious what your writing process is actually like?


Thanks,
Chris

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Chris
10/18/2016 08:59:01 pm

...and does this mean that you're also currently writing the short stories while plotting Blackflame, since you said in the other post you were trying to this week? Seems like an early experiment to see how writing and plotting simultaneously works...

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Will link
10/18/2016 09:04:25 pm

I'm really just getting the ball rolling on Blackflame so it's easy to come back to. I'm going to focus primarily on short stories this week.

Will link
10/18/2016 09:02:00 pm

Well, Brandon Sanderson is a relentless cyborg. Little-known fact. So I'm not sure I'll ever be able to keep up with him, as my typing fingers are nothing more than weak human flesh.

But I suspect it will be a couple of hours writing, a solid block of planning, and close out with a couple more hours of word count. Sometimes I'll need to take whole days off for one or the other, but that's normal. While writing a draft, I semi-regularly have to take a break for a day or two to re-plan or flesh out the world some.

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Mick
10/19/2016 09:55:17 pm

I really don't see the enjoyment of refreshing beverages in that daily schedule.

Given the quality of your work, I'd shout you a beer but I think it better if I just keep buying your books.

John Bennett
10/19/2016 05:43:38 am

Will, I love your work (really enjoyed Unsouled!) and will pre-order your new books from Amazon as soon as they're listed ... whenever that happens!

I will wait. I can't wait!

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Will link
10/19/2016 10:51:59 am

Thanks, John! I haven't liked pre-orders in the past, because they spread ranking out over a long period of time instead of spiking and increasing visibility, but I'm up to try them again.

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John
10/19/2016 07:58:56 am

Dude. You rock. I am up for some compromise. Especially if that means Blackflame sooner.

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Madeline
10/19/2016 08:05:58 am

Yessssssss compromise.
I just persuaded a friend to start reading these books, and he's currently hesitating to jump into Cradle because it's only two books out of an unknown number of books published. Blackflame's existence would help me persuade him to start reading!

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Will link
10/19/2016 10:54:22 am

Many people have reading preferences that are strange to me. I love it when I run into a series in the middle; I'd rather get onboard early.

Madeline
10/19/2016 03:37:09 pm

Yeah the only author who has made me regret getting pulled into a series before it is done is Rothfuss. And that's more because I am now afraid that he will die before he writes the last book. Authors who die before they write the last book are mean. (I personally loathe Robert Jordan for sticking Brandon Sanderson with the ultimately impossible task of finishing WoT without editting anything he'd already done)

Dustin
10/28/2016 10:51:11 pm

Just point out this website to your friend. I can understand the hesitancy of picking up a new series/author. Usually I won't do it if they don't have a blog/website that is updated on a fairly regular basis. I definitely won't buy a book from an author that I can't find any info on at all, but if I can clearly see that the author is active and posts updates then I figure there's a pretty good chance they'll continue writing.
And I still haven't finished the WoT series. Not because I don't enjoy Brandon Sanderson's writing. I'm sure he did a fine job of finishing up the story, but it was just such a long time that I kind of gave up on the series and moved on.

Tyler
10/19/2016 09:00:46 am

YES!!! I think this is a great compromise. Potentially toss in a Valin or Simon short story now and then, and I think you have the makings of a output machine here. Write one book, draft and plan a second, short stories every month!!

Side Note: When can we get some merch?

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Will link
10/19/2016 10:56:30 am

If I can keep this output machine cranking, I'll be pretty excited.

As for merchandise, I've looked into that possibility. But I'd need someone to manage the store end, so finding the person to do that would come first.

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Valin
10/20/2016 12:29:20 am

You better not be hawking off my missing swords, Mr. Author. I still have some pull with the more colorful denizens of my territory and they would be MOST displeased.
Oh and the couch ate your EE notes from last night. Sorry bout that.

Will link
10/22/2016 06:08:40 pm

Don't make me toss you into an endless void between realities.

Again.

Matthew
10/19/2016 09:37:14 am

I'm... actually OK with this. Far more than I thought I would be. in fact, I'm kind of excited about how ingenious this compromise is. I was really pulling for EE, but honestly I read everything you write so as long as you're writing something I'm happy.

Especially because as you mentioned it would be so long before EE was even completed, it would have been a long drought of no Will Wight. Which is never a good thing.

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Will link
10/19/2016 10:57:18 am

Yeah, the long drought is really what I'm trying to avoid. I'm glad you're looking forward to it, Matthew! I'm excited about it too!

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Andrew
10/19/2016 12:02:13 pm

Oh man! oh man! oh man! I had resigned myself to not getting blackflame for 8-10 months and now it's coming so much sooner. I still have the habit of checking the blog four times a day for updates from when I was waiting for soulsmith. maybe I should cut back a little.....

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Will link
10/22/2016 06:09:09 pm

No! More! MORE!

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Andrew
10/22/2016 09:26:11 pm

Must not..... Hit.... Double digits..... Everyday...

Elfishpirat
10/19/2016 03:11:52 pm

No kisses for you! *soup nazi voice*





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Brett
10/19/2016 06:16:59 pm

Will,
Like many here I have been with you sense book one and have only participated a few times on here, but I sometimes am compelled to share. So here goes... You put out whatever you want I will buy into it and enjoy every second. So twist my arm when you say that you are going to give me a book in a few months. Just promise we will get Elders in the near-ish future. Much appreciated!

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Will link
10/22/2016 06:09:46 pm

Thanks for sticking with me for so long, Brett! I promise, I want you to have the stories ASAP! All the stories! ALL OF THEM!

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Adarsh
10/19/2016 07:18:14 pm

Oh yeah, Im definitely more of a Cradle fan than EE(though i prefer travelers gate) since in my opinion they have more re-read value. Ive read Cradle and TG like 4 times, but only once for EE. Any clues on what the short stories are going to be about?

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Will link
10/22/2016 06:10:56 pm

Once EE is completed, I think it will have quite a bit of re-read value. The books are recursive, when completed; the flashback storylines will end in Book 3 where the present-day story began in Book 1.

No clues for the short stories, although I will say that (because I'm working on three different ones) they will each be set in a different universe.

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Corey link
2/23/2017 11:54:17 am

Multi-Verse crossovers confirmed!

Bryce
10/19/2016 08:21:11 pm

I see a couple mentions of Sanderson in the comments and thats something i both like and hate. I have enjoyed many of Sandersons books but the fact that i am STILL waiting for the next Stormlight book(and will be for awhile) drives me crazy.

Some pluses to doing what you are planning (at least according to what i saw Sanderson say) is that it can keep you fresh. Your not just doing one series at a time. Which while it does make it take longer to finish it it keeps things more fresh. I wouldn't be surprised if one book influences the other.

While i would love more Travelers Gate at the very least you DID finish that storyline so there is no PRESSING need to go back to that world right away (so long as you DO at some point).

It looks like 3 books a year is easily doable for you. Maybe once you finish OKAK you could start up the next Travelers Gate and then a new series as well. Two established series/worlds and a new one. Then you could more easily rotate.

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Will link
10/22/2016 06:11:53 pm

That's exactly the plan, Bryce! One of the main reasons I started Cradle was that I wanted a "backbone" series that I could alternate around. Something like: Traveler's Gate, Cradle, SOMETHING NEW, Cradle, Traveler's Gate.

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Madeline
10/20/2016 05:46:07 pm

I just thought of more justification for this plan. Write Blackflame for NaNoWriMo

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Will link
10/20/2016 07:30:59 pm

Since June 2013, it's been about 40 months. I've put out 9 books and some short stories in that time, totaling approximately one million words (slightly under, but a million is a good round number).

That averages out to 25,000 words a month, or roughly a NaNoWriMo every other month.

MUST GO FASTER

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Andrew
10/22/2016 09:30:38 pm

I tried to write a book for NaNoWriMo before.... It was terrible.... Like absolutely awful. It definitely made me enjoy reading other people's work more.

Emily
10/20/2016 06:45:05 pm

So does this plan just include one of the OKAK books or both? From the blurb it seems your plan just includes Of Kings and Killers...what's the plan for Of Killers and Kings?

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Will link
10/20/2016 07:37:54 pm

Sorry, I phrased that in a confusing way. Let me clarify:

I meant both books. I said "Of Killers and Kings" to mean the whole set, because typing "Of Killers and Kings / Of Kings and Killers" is clunky and sounds weird.

But it's also an ambiguous way to phrase it, so I'm sorry about that. I'll be writing both books together and releasing them simultaneously.

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Jordan
10/21/2016 06:52:12 pm

Not really related, but something that's been bugging me for the last couple weeks. I don't like the idea of London's body not getting another upgrade when his second core goes Iron. I have reasons too.
1.His first core's upgrade wasn't a choice, while the extremism of its execution was, it was essentially you're getting this body, and that clashes with the idea of choice mattering in the general scheme of things.
2. It would make sense, as when the cores advance, they strengthen the body around them, so why wouldn't the second core do the same as the first as well, andupgrade the body again.
3. It would be something to make London more unique, as so far, really all that's special about him is his "sparkling" personality and his unaffiliated matra.
4. It would help the plot, as there's really no other non-plot eschewingish way to give Lindon any semblance of a fighting chance, as he's has so far to go in so little time if he's going to survive Jai, who wil become incredibly powerful.
5. It would be cool. Really, really cool
6. It would help the numbers game of giving Lindon a chance of making it to Underlord and beyond, as snores make it that, that extra boost would help make it seem more believable.
7. It would help the idea of the meta fights you said would be coming later on, making Lindon so much more effective.
8. Did I mention it'd be $uper awesome?
9. I would really like it, and I'm pretty awesome too
So yeah, he should get the double iron body treatment.

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Gage
10/22/2016 12:08:56 am

I think the problem you are missing is that the Iron body isnt just an "upgrade" its a comete reforging of the body. If hypothetically his second core could cause a second Iron body it would reforge the body and overwrite the old one.

Itd be like forging a sword or a piece of armor. You get a nice finished product, if you tried to reforge it again, the old form would be gone.

Plus Will said that Blackflame will be exploring how secretly OP his new body will be. Personally I think his current body is going to be hos scapegoat against all the probabilities that basically said Lindon is screwed at the end of the recent book.

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Will link
10/22/2016 06:07:55 pm

I agree with Gage completely, with this addendum:

Lindon's going to get everything you listed. Especially the "really, really cool" part. He's just not going to get it BY collecting Iron bodies.

He's going to have a bunch of cool powers, don't worry about that. They just won't be Iron bodies, because he's already got one of those.

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Luke
10/31/2016 04:44:50 pm

Wait, it is possible to "collect Iron bodies"? Could you provide more... detail?
Does this mean that it IS possible to "upgrade" or at least "reforge" an Iron body? If so, would appear to be a lifesaver for a really impatient Sacred Artist condemned to a cap of little/no real power, like everyone else in the Sacred Valley.

Will link
10/31/2016 05:46:31 pm

No, it's not possible. That's what I'm saying. He's not going to use that mechanism to gain power because it's impossible.

Dustin
10/28/2016 10:39:45 pm

Even though his iron upgrade wasn't really a choice it seemed to me that he still did a pretty ultra version of the upgrade. His Iron body was the typical one the Sandvipers did, but if you'll recall, when it presented the Iron body ceremony being done to a Sandviper member it was just a tiny amount of the venom being introduced to the individuals body. I can't remember if it was 3 or 4 sandvipers that injected all of their venom into Lindon, but I gathered it wasn't the typical Sandviper Iron transition that's for sure. I'm pretty sure Lindon got a super hardcore Iron body from that.

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Will link
10/29/2016 08:01:59 am

He did.

Luke
10/31/2016 04:39:11 pm

Not to mention that he was using a parasite ring to double the effort (and gain)... to the effect of like using up 8-10 sandvipers versus just 4-5 because of the double exertion/reward as he was trying to "forge" his new insane iron body.

However, does anyone here have any ideas/theories on how going to Jade would affect his dual cores? Here is a list of mine

1) Jade doubles/increases overall madra available for Sacred Arts techniques/usage, and so would give Lindon around double the amount of madra a typical Sacred Artist would have (if both dual cores are at Jade level, of course).

2) Going into Jade also "upgrades" the Copper vision... so would Lindon be able to "see" more clearly and deeply than a normal Jade *just* because of having an extra core? Doesn't seem very likely to me, but I am just going to put it out there. Maybe it would be useful/viable against subterfuge/illusion-focuses Sacred Arts styles (like the Wei Clan's)

3) Perhaps the transition to Jade also increases the bodily strength/other factors of going into Iron? I remember reading about Yerin saying something about her Iron body that would supposedly give her the most possible amount of bodily strength... but ONLY when she hit High-Gold. Likely, Jade might at least be a transition closer to Lindon gaining obscene amounts of healing/defense from his Iron body, if not gaining at least a little extra outright (The reason why I like this theory is because as Jade is supposed to increase the madra flow/amount of the Sacred Artist, logic follows that it should strengthen any connections/flow-lines for the Sacred Artist's Iron body).
4) My next consideration is that there are simply other attributes that we do not know of attainable only when hitting the level of Jade. I would imagine this because there seems still to be more information/knowledge to understand about how the magic system works. Simply "having" more madra already seems to be a natural process of cycling to advance. What I mean here is that perhaps there are a couple unknown powers that a Jade gets that are not too important/significant to really note. Especially since Lindon hasn't really had too much time to focus on all the details, what with the level of urgency his training has had throughout the adventure (with both Eithan and Yerin) due to the amount of dangers they almost constantly have little time to avoid/prepare for.

Lastly, I wanted to mention that perhaps there are some other unknown/unseen effects of such a relatively powerful attainment of Iron. After all, since Lindon has an abnormally powerful Iron body with such an incredibly sped up healing that it far surpasses Yerin's healing... for more minor injuries. The effect of such a powerful metamorphosis is perhaps likely to carry over to Jade. Perhaps Lindon gets an upgrade on unexpected powers/capabilities (from his insane Iron body, of course) when he goes into Jade. My reasoning for this is that all the madra flow-lines in Lindon's body would be strengthened and sped up, influencing not just healing capabilities, but also strength/balance/whatever else comes with an Iron body. It is noted and mentioned by Will that the next book in the series Blackflame will be about Lindon's Iron body capabilities.

Luke
10/31/2016 04:41:52 pm

Another thought about having Dual Cores at Low-Gold level: possibility of having 2 attached compatible Remnants instead of just 1? Would love to read thoughts/comments on this one, too.

Dustin
11/3/2016 06:27:54 pm

I forgot about him using the parasite ring. I'm sure we'll definitely see some different effects from his overpowering iron transition, since we didn't really get much time with him in his new body.

If he got more healing power he may be a bit too overpowering. Being able to heal from something that should have completely killed him in less than a day already seems pretty overpowering.

The problem with being able to get 2 remnants instead of one is that he would have to find 2 bad ass remnants. You don't want him to have some celestial dragon or something along those lines and then have his other remnant be an above average size frog remnant. :P

Aaron J.E.
10/21/2016 10:31:10 pm

On a random subject, I am kinda surprised by the title of the next Cradle book: Blackflame. I'm used to your books titles following similar patterns, so I was expecting a 'Soul' title like 'Soulbound' or something like that (signifying the Lowgold bond). But, it's not really a gripe. Still gonna read the hell out f it.

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Will link
10/22/2016 05:58:13 pm

You know, this was one of the reasons why I settled on "Blackflame."

I had a lot of internal debate about the title of this book, but there was one thing I knew for sure: I didn't want the word "Soul" in it. Because if it was called Soulsworn or Soulforged or something, then I've established a pattern. I wanted to break that pattern ASAP.

In fact, each title should be a single compound word related in some way to Lindon's advancement.

For instance (THESE ARE JUST HYPOTHETICAL):

Unsouled
Soulsmith
Blackflame
Skysworn
Underlord

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Aaron J.E.
10/23/2016 07:50:42 am

...I accept this reasoning. :) Also, the hypothetical Skysworn gives me a lot to think about.

Jimmy
5/5/2017 06:45:04 am

Is there any chance you have estimated release dates for Skysworn and Underlord? (i.e. Summer 2017 :) ). I keep track of the ongoing series I am reading and like to list them in order of estimated release dates so I know when to start looking. I tore through Blackflame in two days so now, lucky me, gets to play the waiting game.

Nathan
10/21/2016 10:41:48 pm

Mr. Will Wight,
First, allow me to say I'm a fan of your work since House of Blades. I remember anxiously awaiting the next book release and just taking the weekend to binge read. Once again you've accomplished just that with the Cradle series. I eagerly await to see what Lindon and everyone else has in store for them. Thank you for your time.
Patiently waiting,
Nathan
P.S: Is there any chance you may return to the the Traveler's Gate series? Maybe to an experienced and aged Simon?

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Will link
10/22/2016 05:54:44 pm

Thanks for sticking with me for so long, Nathan!

I absolutely will return to the Traveler's Gate world. The next book will take place after City of Light, and will follow Simon.

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Jimmy
5/5/2017 06:41:21 am

Has this already been released and I missed it somewhere?

Dim
10/22/2016 02:46:47 pm

I read untitled first and then when I was waiting for soulsmith I read travelers gate and then I started the elder empire series then soulsmih came out and I read it and then I finished shera's side of elder empire.

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Dim
10/22/2016 02:47:55 pm

*unsouled first

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Will link
10/22/2016 05:53:50 pm

Wow, thanks! That's a big vote of confidence!

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Parker
10/22/2016 10:21:09 pm

I should probably go to sleep, but I just finished soulsmith, and I was so excited to get the next book in the cradle series that when I saw this post. My heart nearly broke in half. I really haved loved both cradle books so much, and thank you for that. I hope that you will write blackflame book with a suprising amount of speed and endurence. I can't wait for the next book, Godspeed to you my good sir.

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Will link
10/23/2016 12:34:32 pm

Come on, it won't be THAT long! Keep your heart intact, I beg you!

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TS
10/23/2016 12:23:12 pm

Do whatever works best for you man. I know anything you put out is gonna be awesome. I've enjoyed everything you've written immensely. I came across House of Blades in the Kindle unlimited store when it was first released. I judged the book by its cover and thought, "that looks pretty bad ass." It was, and I've been hooked ever since. I can read your books for free on unlimited, but I buy them because I love them. Keep doing what you do, it's working.

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Will link
10/23/2016 12:35:20 pm

Thanks for sticking with me, TS! I'll keep doing my best!

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Impatient reader
10/23/2016 11:33:48 pm

So when are we getting those short stories? I can't wait!!!

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Will link
10/24/2016 06:41:39 am

Soon, now! Soon!

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Confused reader
10/24/2016 12:06:05 am

Anyone else noticed how the date of this post changes between the 18th and the 19th?

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Will link
10/24/2016 06:42:13 am

I had some problems posting this. I don't know why. The site freaked out on me.

Maybe it's haunted.

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Metatron
10/24/2016 10:13:13 am

It's healthy for authors to have multiple projects going at once. You get stuck just work on something else. That being said I wouldn't necessarily use Sanderson as a role model.

This is just my (most likely) minority opinion but Sanderson has too many spinning plates. I think he should consolidate down to just cosmere stuff only and focus on it. /shrug

For you, three major projects is a good number. It's enough to keep you busy without overwhelming you, which again I think is something that is happening to Sanderson. I lost count of how many different series he's trying to keep going now which is not exactly good. It may lead to early burnout. Obviously the reverse is true as well. Only one project leads to early fatigue and burnout all too easily. (Jordan and GRRM)

Don't worry about the compromise. Just keep going. You're doing great in my opinion.

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Madeline
10/24/2016 02:17:45 pm

Ehhhh.
Most of the books he has going now are Cosmere books, with the exception of The Rithmatist's sequel and the Arcatraz books, and I think the Arcatraz books are books that were previously written and released under a different publisher, which stopped publishing them and were forced onto the back burner for a while because of that. So it's really not much that isn't Cosmere.

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Adarsh
10/26/2016 07:38:53 pm

So when can we expect those short stories?

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Will link
10/28/2016 10:43:09 am

Starting tomorrow!

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Tanya link
10/27/2016 11:14:31 pm

Hi just wanted to leave you a note Will just to let you know I have just found out about you and I have devoured your first two books of Cradle!!!! Wow I'm in love with your story line and writing wish I could hurry you up with Blackflame but then it gives me a chance to read all your other books.

I started out reading Raymond E. Fiest and Katharine Kerr and found it hard to find other other authors then slowly by word of mouth I started to expanded and now I'm just so grateful that authors like you are out there writing Fantasy please don't stop. Amazon are the ones who email me with suggestions as to authors I might like so I always try the suggestions boy oh boy am I glad I tried out Unsouled!!!

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Will link
10/28/2016 10:44:29 am

Glad you enjoyed the books, Tanya! Thanks for giving me a shot!

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Lightsyde
11/26/2016 11:21:44 am

These authors are like Will in what way?

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Stewart
10/28/2016 01:44:29 am

So I absolutely adore the Elder empire series but i can see how they must be a nightmare to plot. I'm also loving the Cradle series and i want another one of those too.

Can I ask one thing though ahead of the next Elder book(s) - can you put a recap in it? I'm pretty sure that the gap is going to ruin me in terms of remembering the various plot points. I know I'm asking to do even more work, but it would be appreciated. Even if you just threw them up on this site as opposed to the books.

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Will link
10/28/2016 10:45:26 am

You know, I liked the recap enough when Brent Weeks did it in Blood Mirror that I might actually do it myself.

Even if I don't, I'll put one up on the site.

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Alex
10/30/2016 07:25:37 pm

Brent is still getting hammered in his reviews for Blood Mirror (admittedly not due to his recap though) but it is so much cooler to re-read earlier books. But I don't think you will have that problem of you keep writing books every 3-4 month ( you are a beast btw).
Also coming back to iron body argument and questioning why wouldn't London get to use locking any other upgrades when his second core reaches iron level. Levelling itself is an upgrade but it also ( as far as I understand) locks in the upgrades to the body done before the core upgrade. E.g.if Lindon used less poison he wouldn't have gotten as many madra channels and thus after his first core reached iron level his new Iron body would have been subpar. Iron levelling LOCKED in the changes. Lindon will be undergoing one more Iron core upgrade with purification and such and thus locking any other gains ( sitting 3days and nights in liquid or other possibilities for iron body) . hey that could be an argument in the book of London wanted to try sadomasoxistic attempt to try to pick in more gains and we will see what happens.... or not. Hoping that maybe Lindon can have 2 Remnants to his 2 core( or possibly one remnant and one friendly and alive Sylvan with special powers to be revealed in future.
Whatever you come up with sure will stir our imaginations

Will link
10/30/2016 08:01:13 pm

I understand why he's getting hammered in reviews. I was disappointed in this book too. But the recap was great.

I think you'll be satisfied with the route I'm taking to upgrade Lindon.

Stewart
10/31/2016 02:05:29 pm

Brilliant. Thanks. It's makes a big difference, especially for something with as much plot as Elder. I think it should be standard in all series mind.

Luke (to Alex)
10/31/2016 05:02:40 pm

Yeah, Lindon might get punished for trying to min/max ALL of his possibilities since some things (such as an Iron body) seem to be nigh unchangeable AFTER he locks down the forging of it. Especially since his Iron body is already insane.

Terry link
10/28/2016 02:30:24 am

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Kaden
10/28/2016 07:12:59 am

I am not angry Will not at all just disappointed. You keep dangling OKAK in front of us but always drag it just a little farther forever farther and farther from us. So at this point I have no more ability to be angry at you and am therefore just disappointed that you continue to drag it forever onward just out of reach. I bid you a good day and good luck on writing blackflame.

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Will link
10/28/2016 10:46:04 am

Sorry you're disappointed, Kaden, but I can't keep everyone happy. OKAK as soon as I can!

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John
10/28/2016 07:30:03 am

I get the decision (of course I want Blackflame so it is easier for me to be happy). If someone told me I could spend 3 months working and make $30k or spend 6 months and make $15k, it would sort of be a no brainer. Of course it is complicated by the fact that you can piss off your fan base if you start and don't finish a series. I know I hate it. Still, hard to argue with more money and more visibility to new readers, which in turn makes you more money.

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Will link
10/28/2016 10:47:06 am

That's basically the situation I'm in, John. But I still want to finish EE, because I enjoy the story, and I know many other people do too.

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Alex
11/1/2016 06:22:01 pm

Will for simplicity why not combine the 3 rd book for OKAK fans and bring both lines to temporary conclusion. Planning and writing two final books for OKAK line will take forever. Heck that's almost like killing 2 books with one author.

Wes
10/28/2016 08:34:50 am

Will as someone who is a big fan of yours and someone who reads probably a book a week, I completely understand. I personally have liked the Travelers Gate and Cradle books more that Elder Empire. The Cradle books really remind me of a Zelda game and i think that's really cool. I am liking them more than Travelers Gate actually. Wishing you continued success and ever expanding readership.

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Will link
10/28/2016 10:49:09 am

Glad you're enjoying them, Wes! I think Cradle has the potential to be my favorite world to write so far, since there are so many ways I could go. I'm having fun with it!

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Empty
10/28/2016 08:49:23 pm

Haha, I don't know any any place to discuss Cradle, and I like to to discuss the worlds of series I read, and I saw some cradle discussion going on here.

I should re read both books to polish up on my knowledge but...

I wonder how valuable scales are in the Blackflame empire, Lindon should be able to make more scales as he advances, as long as he has a pure core. Sounds like a nice way to fund his Soulsmith studies, and create/buy some nice items

Lindon just got out of Sacred Valley and he already knows enough to turn the place upside down, especially with the process of preparing an Iron body. Maybe a handful of the people in their schools know about it.

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Gage
10/29/2016 01:37:01 am

I wish there was a good spot to discuss is more too. Maybe its time for a cradle subreddit?

As for th scales I think its going to be more valuable to himself than as currency. Hes already realized that he is in a position to abuse the scales in a manner no one else really can, and has already wondered how many scales itd take to jump him to jade.


Plus he already has a sponsor of sorts now so I dont think Lindon will have to worry about finances till at least after his big match. We will have to see.

Reply
Will link
10/29/2016 08:01:17 am

I know, I too wish that these comments were a better place for discussion.

The mention of a subreddit just caused me to lose an hour on reddit, so I hope you're proud of yourself.

Luke
10/31/2016 05:05:35 pm

Then again, Eithan doesn't exactly strike me as the type to hand an advancement to Jade on a silver platter... Lindon is more likely to end up having to get/produce it himself instead of being provided with it for free. At most, it would be like any transaction, instead of just a patronage. Once again, due to Eithan's personality/"a flower grows better in the wild, not when it is cultivated" point of view.

Paul
10/29/2016 03:18:08 am

Is it really juggling if you only have 1 plate in each hand?? Isn't that just holding?

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Will link
10/29/2016 06:30:20 am

Maybe there's a plate in each hand and one in the air, for a total of three plates, but never more than one in a hand.

LOOPHOLE!

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Lyndrek
10/29/2016 05:35:08 pm

Who else thinks Lindon is going to split his cores at least one more time. I see him with at least three cores, two he will use for differing paths, The third he will keep pure. He will learn a technique in each path that will enable him to convert pure madra quickly onto path madra, thereby not watering down his path madra, allowing him to use his third core as a battery backup for his other at least two cores. And I say at least one more time, because why would he stop?

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Will link
10/30/2016 07:58:17 pm

I think he's going to do that.

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Lyndrek
10/31/2016 06:32:10 pm

I have to say I have all your books and re-read them in my book binging cycles. Awesome work.

Will link
10/31/2016 08:51:46 pm

Aw, shucks.

Thanks, Lyndrek! I'll do my best to make my future books EVEN MORE AWESOME.

Luke
10/31/2016 04:54:50 pm

Curious, I also see that as a very strong possibility. I just wonder if it would be as easy to do as at first. For one thing, Lindon would have to change his cycling technique (again) just to split his core(s). I like the idea you presented there, with a suggestion to it. Based on how the Spear works on madra stealing/absorbing, I am not sure if it is possible to have 2 completely differing paths that would end up canceling each other. For instance, having a water and a fire path (at least too close together) would likely cause some... complications. Unless there is a way to combine fundamentally conflicting paths.

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Alex ( to Luke)
11/1/2016 06:44:41 pm

This idea of splitting cores brings even more possibilities in Jafe stage when an artist (usually) absorbs remnant and utilizes its powers in tandem with no body. It is a distinct possibility that one remnant is maximum ( but what was that blood red remnant wrapped as a belt?) Also the development of Sylvan is intriguing: it needs pure madra for development.What if Lindon inadvertently bonded Sylvan to him/his pure core. This adds one more twist at Jade stage as this outside Remnant-like creature can grow to become a powerful and somewhat independent from Lindon character ( day Lindon is injured/unconscious and Sylvan can cycle Lindons madra to allow healing. )
Also what if Lindon tatooes his body ( like Warded man or small tattoos that Abinan judge had on her eyes, and Lindon tries to become a like her and he did notice her micro script.)
Love the world/character building totally feels like a game.

Adam
10/30/2016 04:37:47 am

The cradle universe is an amazing creation and diverges nicely from standard boiler plate fantasy molds! I am reading everything else you've written just kill time until the cradle book comes out! Keep it up and Happy Halloween.

Reply
sol
10/31/2016 10:22:11 am

i was looking for a good book just to pass the time till a book i was waiting for came out and found your book unsouled. once i started reading it i fall in love with it. as i was reading it, the book i was waiting for came out. but now i just cant stop reading your books. i just finished Cradle Book 1&2 and i will buy the third as soon as it comes out. in the mean time i just got house of blades and i am sure i will buy most if not all of your books. keep up the good work you have made a fan for life out of me thank you.

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Paula link
11/2/2016 03:17:51 pm

As long as months don't turn into years which turn into an HBO series which turns into "you'll never get the next book out until the HBO show is done" kinda thing I rekon I'll survive lol

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Brett
11/5/2016 07:03:27 pm

I went though all your stuff in October (just finished the Traveler's Gate short stories). Just like you'd guess, saw Cradle 2 on Amazon, read Cradle 1 and 2, then the rest. Just joined your mailing list. Great writing, keep it up.

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Lightsyde
11/26/2016 11:31:02 am

I'm delighted to hear this. I think it's good you're being flexible and trying to avoid a drought. The Elder empire series and the Cradle series are both incredible. I'm so excited for Blackflame!!

Reply



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