Working on Blackflame

12/14/2016

So you remember two weeks ago when I said I was trying to get a short story out by the next day?

Well, here's why: because I was leaving my apartment to do nothing but write for two solid weeks, and I knew that if I didn't squeeze the short story out before I left, it would be two more weeks.

And I didn't. And it's been two more weeks. And I'm sorry. I need to stop calling them monthly short stories and call them something like...regular short stories. Or short stories I release when I'm not trying to hammer a book out in a short amount of time.

That said, this will be the tenth month since I started doing the mailing list short story thing, and if I finish and send out this Cradle one as well as a Simon one for Christmas, then I'll have released ten in ten months! (Though to be fair, one of them was an Unsouled preview when I had yet to announce I was writing Unsouled.)

That's just as good as monthly, right? Right? ...guys?

On the bright side, I've been working non-stop on Blackflame and I actually have some measurable progress to show you! First, I'm in the process of uploading a shiny new progress meter to the right of this very post!

And second, behold:

Gasp in awe at its wonder!

I actually have the cover for book four ready too, but the reveal for that one will have to come later!

And by "later," I mean "when I come up with a title for book four." The art is done, but the type isn't, because I have yet to actually title the thing. Speaking of art, did I tell you I got the first sketch for the Killers cover back recently?

Well, I did, and it's shaping up, but those covers take a lot longer to make than the Cradle covers. I'll reveal that one when it's ready!

More soon!

-Will

59 Comments

Scott

12/14/2016 01:11:09 pm

No, no, clearly, anything less than a brand new short story per calendar month plus regular releases of full length novels is simply unacceptable.

And you call Sanderson a writing robot...

Yay for the progress notification!

Will link

12/14/2016 01:35:41 pm

I'm trying to be as robotic as I can, Scott! I aspire only to live up to the computerized greatness of our silicon overlords!

A family of raccoons on the run from jango fet while drinking large amounts of vodka while fighting the other family of raccoons who want to fight the Roman Legions

7/25/2017 06:36:03 pm

Will, one question for you.

A FAMILY OF RACCOONS ON THE RUN FROM JANGO FET WHILE DRINKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF VODKA WHILE FIGHTING THE OTHER FAMILY OF RACCOONS WHO WANT TO FIGHT THE ROMAN LEGIONS

7/25/2017 06:39:05 pm

Where do you come up with the ideas for your amazing books? I am attempting to write a short novel but every time I do I feel like I'm copying/plagiarizing some more deserving authors work. Also how does the black flame madra power past Sandviper Gokrens technique?

Sean K

12/14/2016 01:11:34 pm

WOOT! Well congratz on getting the cover, it looks dangerous! I definatly will not complain about not getting a short story as you are hard at work! That being said, I think it is awesome to see that Blackflame is at IRON!

So, what does Iron mean? I remember talking about using the stages as the different levels, but how did you settle things out?

Also, any chance on us getting a forum so that we can theory craft on your amazing books? We (as in "I") really need a "17th Shard" to talk about things!

12/14/2016 01:36:56 pm

"Iron" means I have just evolved my body to handle the incredible stress of the sacred arts. I mean the book.

(I don't know, I'm eyeballing the stages right now. I'm writing the first draft right now, but I'm also ducking back and forth into the outline to change it as I notice things aren't working or won't be working later.)

Jeremiah

12/14/2016 01:23:04 pm

Monthly-ish or regular-ish is acceptable as terminology

12/14/2016 01:37:18 pm

Monthly-ish short stories! Perfect!

Mick

12/14/2016 03:11:39 pm

Chrono-sausages are the answer. With them, time can be bent and you'll be a writing god.

Can't wait for the short stories. Looking forward to more Simon. You could call them periodic stories?

12/15/2016 08:38:20 am

I can't envision a problem for which Chrono-sausages are not the answer.

"Periodic stories" is probably what I'll call them if I can't think of another name. Maybe "Ten Stories a Year" or something, so that I can take a month off every now and then when I'm crunch-timing on a book.

John

12/14/2016 03:32:28 pm

I wouldn't call them monthly short stories. I would go with Tidbits of Awesomeness. Or maybe pearls of wisdom from the Story Sage (That would be you). Fortunately for you, I won't kill you off like you killed the Sword Sage.

12/15/2016 08:38:41 am

Bite-Sized Nuggets of Incredibility

Brett Sherman

12/14/2016 04:54:45 pm

Thanks for the progress bar!! Love the books. Keep up the great work!

12/15/2016 08:39:00 am

Thanks Brett!

Ian

12/14/2016 04:55:56 pm

The cover looks great. Just as a warning, I can't easily see "author of soulsmith. I'm not sure if you care. Looking forward to the book.

12/15/2016 08:40:05 am

I know, and I don't really care. I'm not even sure why "Author of Soulsmith" is on this cover. Why would someone buy this book if they didn't already know I wrote the last one?

Brian S

12/14/2016 06:04:16 pm

Heh, I'm just waiting for the death matches. I'm sure they will be epic. You know that is the whole reason your developing all these characters Will. So that one day you can pair them off against each other in their disparate worlds and determine who can kick whose but.

As far as the shorts go, anyone who whines about their free story being late is an ingrate. Love this series by the way.

12/15/2016 08:40:57 am

Thanks, Brian! Death matches are, of course, my primary motivation, but I have many others. Like all the riches and fame.

Captain Nemo

12/15/2016 01:36:21 am

So, I'm curious. Why did you go away from having a badge on the cover like you did with the first two? Is it for the same reason that you didn't include a SOUL syllable in the title (unSOULed, SOULsmith, then Blackflame) -- that is, you didn't want to get caught in a tradition?
Please understand, the cover is amazing, but I'm simply curious.

NotVoss

12/15/2016 02:27:41 am

Sort of got the impression we were looking at the badge burning, but I still feel like these are good questions!

12/15/2016 08:43:21 am

I have an answer!

To be honest with you, I wasn't crazy about the way the title and cover image combined on Soulsmith (although I like both the title and the image separately). Because I knew that if we did a badge again, people were going to think that we would have "Soul" titles and badges every time.

I never intended that. Here's the pattern I'm going with: made-up compound words that all have something to do with Lindon's advancement (as titles) and circular objects having to do with the events of the book (as covers).

12/15/2016 09:19:12 am

Not to criticize, but it looks more like Lindon is joining the brownflame clan than blackflame clan.

12/15/2016 11:25:39 am

Yeah, I reduced the quality so I could fit in the post small enough that it didn't split my words too far apart. As a result, it looks kind of muddy.

Simon link

12/15/2016 10:01:01 am

I have a couple of other questions about the universe you have created Mr. Wight. I’ll submit my other questions in your next post so you are not overwhelmed with writing a short novel to answers my questions.
You have stated that there are powerful characters in wuxia fantasy. I like to think about which fictional character is the strongest. So far, you’re strongest is Suriel and the Abidan Court. (By the way, couldn’t Suriel have promised Lindon when she saved him that she would take care of the threat to Sacred Valley? I’m sure she could handle it, or is she not allowed to change the flow of fate? Or maybe….even she is not strong enough to handle it!). In wuxia, how strong are the strongest characters? Do you think they could defeat Goku or Superman easily? Are there omnipotent beings? What is the most impressive/powerful feat you have read?
I notice you like swords a lot. Who can blame you? Sword fights are epic and your animne-inspired fights are epic as well. Traveler’s Gate fights were amazing, particulary the Kai and Simon v.s. Indirial fight. I was just wondering how come you don’t write fights with more hand-to-hand combat. That is the only thing I woud want more from your fights. You know, that epic dbz-style or Superman-style of throwing punches capable of destroying planets. I think that having those types of scences would fit well in Cradle.
I like to listen to a genere of music called Epic Music, which is basically music that goes along well with fights. Its the type of music your hear from movie trailers. There are a few examples below of the music I listened to when reading the fights in Traveler’s Gate, making it a really epic experience. I was wondering if you listen to any music when you right as I think this music might inspire you. You can listen to them when writing fights for example. Just wondering what you think about the idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuPSlNo7ViI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H25iM7eRiIQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhBOupzMEKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqANfn_zVyI

12/15/2016 10:31:00 am

I said I would wait until the next post…...but I’m sitting here in my Avid 12 high school class watching the 1964 Rudolph movie.
I’m just gonna go on ahead and ask my other questions.
1). How strong are your characters in comparison to say Goku or Superman. Your strongest character so far must be Suriel or another Abidan Court member like Ozriel, Gadrael, and Makiel. I'm curious on how powerful they would be. I don't see Suriel having a 1v1 fight in the series as she would probably just banish someone like she did with Li Markuth. But if you could say without spoilers how strong is. I know you said strength is not the best tool Sacred Artists have, but how much would Suriel be able to life? A castle? A planet?
2). Moving on to Simon, how fast and strong is he? He can't be faster than Suriel, who is known to be faster than sound. That's 340.28 m/s or 761 mph.
How do Iron bodies work? I know it gives you more strength, probably slightly less than Valinhall Steel. I thought it would make them unable to be wounded, like the power Kai used where he could harden his skin so the golems teeth could not pierce his skin. Iḿ assuming that only someone with an Iron body as the strength to wound another Iron body so a regular human could not hope to even scratch them, right? Which body could handle the most stress? I'm assuming that for a regular human trying to cut an Iron is like trying to cut through actual iron.Which body would be harder to pierce through: the most powerful Iron bodies or Valinhall powers and the Incarnations--who also have powerful skin? I don't remember if Valinhall Steel gives one harder skin. I'm thinking Simon has the edge in strength as you said that he is roughly above Underlord/Underlady level with his mask on.

4). I know that splitting your core was created by the rival of the first Empty Palm-user. I just do not think that Simon and the rival are the only people in the world who have thought of this. Surely their must be others. Also, can one keep splitting their core repeatedly. I can imagine how strong Lindon could he be if he had multiple paths in his body. I'm still unclear if splitting your core doubles your madra and if it has a cost. Another thing that comes to mind is can Lindon upgrade one of his cores to jade while still having his other core at the copper-level?

12/15/2016 10:33:15 am

Dang it, I forgot to ask how much can Simon lift with his Valinhall Steel also. Could you give it in tons?

Simon

12/15/2016 12:44:25 pm

If Simon became an Incarnation, or if another Valinhall Incarnation entered Cradle, it sounds like the Underlords would be dead as their power is unlimitted. Probably anyone higher than Underlords would handle them.

RBK

4/14/2017 06:58:29 pm

So the book is based on wuxia novel. Did you actually read novel by Louis Cha, especially legend of the condor hero (LOCH) or Shendiao Shia Lu.

Coz it seems your empty fist is a copy of Zhou Botong Vacant Fist. Are we going to see 18 dragon subduing palm or dugu 9 swords etc?

12/15/2016 11:19:02 am

I listen to epic music all the time, man. DragonstarDT was one of my favorites, but he stopped uploading not too long ago. Sometimes I just leave his mixes on loop.

When I'm writing (and when I'm brainstorming) I listen to a pretty eclectic mix of music, but it's almost always something you could choreograph a fight to. So that ranges from trailer/epic music like you're linking here to AMVs or original video-game raps (Dan Bull, TeamHeadKick, JT Machinima) because they tend to have intense beats and lyrics that make me picture big confrontations.

***

1.) How much would Suriel be able to lift...that's kind of a difficult question, because it's like asking how much a Star Destroyer can bench-press. "As much as she needs to," would I think be the most accurate answer. She'll have some fights, but fights among Judge-level individuals are less "I'm going to punch you," and more "I predicted where you were going to be standing and I already willed that space out of existence."

2.) Suriel slows down to the speed of sound when she's in atmosphere so she doesn't destroy anything. Usually, she would just slip between space and teleport where she needs to go, but that's most useful over very short or very long distances.

Steel reinforces your body in general, so your muscles and bones are able to handle a greater degree of stress. It affects your skin to some degree too, but not like it's going to turn a knife blade. There would just be a little more resistance before it cut you. Turning a knife blade is what the stone is for.

In terms of Iron bodies, the "perfect" Iron bodies introduced in Soulsmith are specialized. So some of them would have tougher skin, others would have greater strength, others heal faster. In general, leaving aside the specialization, an Iron body is just the result of your spirit improving and to some degree perfecting your body. It's a general physical upgrade.

Simon, when drawing on the Valinhall powers, would be better than an Iron body. But a sacred artist would also be using Enforcer techniques, which could compete on the same level. It would depend on the specific situation, but in general, Simon is going to be Underlord-level physically with his mask on. Truegold-level would be his peak without it.

Of course, that's purely in terms of physical strength and ability. Also, there would be some Enforcer-focused Underlords who might be able to trade punches with him in the mask, and then when the mask wore off, they would tear him apart.

3.) ???

4.) This will be explored in Blackflame, but I don't really consider it a spoiler, as it deals with mechanics we've already seen in the books.

If you're especially allergic to SPOILERS, stop reading now.

Now!

No, the Heart of Twin Stars is not the only technique in the world for splitting cores. Others have done it, and I expect we'll run into them.

Yes, you can split your core repeatedly.

Splitting your core does not double your madra, and there's a very slight loss in energy when you split. So if you had 100 MP before the split, now you have two sources of 49 MP each. The other 2 MP are lost in the process.

He can upgrade one core without the other. At the end of Soulsmith, one of his cores is Iron and the other Copper. But he's considered an Iron, because his body was upgraded.

Here's something else that will be dealt with in Blackflame: an Iron core split into two doesn't make two Copper cores, it makes two very small Iron cores. Your stage of advancement is based on the quality of your madra, not the amount.

12/15/2016 11:21:35 am

As far as how much Simon can lift...I'm not sure how to answer that without contradicting something in the books or irritating somebody who already has a specific answer in mind.

I know how strong I think he is, but I'll leave specific estimates to you.

12/15/2016 03:33:03 pm

Seem to me that 'simon' is trying to get some insights before the aforementioned death match. I'm not sure it should be allowed :)

12/15/2016 06:43:13 pm

Maybe Mick, maybe.

Also, I mentioned that I would like to see more hand-to-hand combat. I wrote an action scene below to show what I mean. I am by no means a professional author and am just writing because, like Will, I sometimes make up anime-inspired fights while listening to epic music. This scene has not super powers involved, I just wrote it because I was bored. I did it in about half an hour, so it probably will not make sense to someone who actually knows martial arts. Feel free to give your opinion on what you guys think.

Grady turned red. His cronies cracked their knuckles. No professors were in sight.
“You’re dead,” whispered Grady.
Harold moved his body to the left to dodge Grady’s punch. The cronies surrounded him in a circle. Behind him one of them began to throw his own punches at Harold’s head. He moved his head swiftly from side to side, listening to the air to dodge it without even looking.
Grady twisted his body around and kicked Harold in the chest. He let it hit him, allowing the momentum to push him back and send the cronie behind him toppling backwards and falling into the fountain.
Everyone attacked as once as the cronie splashed about.
Harold turned and dodged, turning away punches with the sides of his hands. He trapped kicks, striking at throats as he grabbed one’s ankle.
The courtyard echoed with the sound of flesh clapping with flesh.
Someone grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back. He turned around, twisting the hand down, and delivered a devastating kick to the side of the cronie’s face.
He then turned around and caught another’s punch, rotating the arm down and chopping him twice across the throat, bringing him down.
Behind him Grady tried to tackle him.
Harold twisted around, sliding his backpack off of him, and slammed it across Grady’s head.
Free of its weight, he began to perform his actions faster.
Harold stepped backward, dodging two uppercuts from a cronie. He caught the third one by catching the elbow with his left hand, stopping it from hitting his face. He slammed the cronie down into his knee, splitting his lip.
Another two cronies threw themselves at him. At the same time four attacked from behind.
Harold let the ones in the back hit him, propelling him forward. Their own force drove his knee into a cronie’s throat, bringing him down. He sent the other one going down with a spinning kick. He turned to the attacking four cronies, catching a punch to the face. He jumped backwards to avoid another’s kick.
He brought his right arm up, his left arm touching his right elbow. When they attacked again he thrust his left elbow forward, breaking the first one’s nose. His right hand grabbed the cronie’s hair and shoved him back at another, knocking them both down. The two other cronies kept coming, dropping their backpacks on the ground.
Harold blocked their punches with his forearms, engaging in a flow of hand motions that turned away and shoved their movements away. He was at the defensive as he blocked all their moves.
One tried a spinning kick on him. He dodged it by bending backwards at the waist, watching the kick extend over his nose. Before it could snap back, he caught the ankle and used it to stand back up faster, shoving the cronie into the fountain.
The last one took out a knife from his pocket.
Harold felt fear for a moment, but his body reacted just fine. He sucked in his stomach and jumped backwards to avoid being stabbed. As the cronie overextended, Harold caught his wrist, trapping it.
He turned around and flipped him over his body, slamming him into the marble floor. A quick punch to the face convinced the cronie to stay down.
In seconds, the courtyard was littered with his guilt.

(P.S. Yes I know I overused the word Cronie. Its cheesy but I'm not trying to write a book here. Also, writing action scenes is hard as you have to make sure each action flows with the rest. I know mine is choppy so I respect Will for knowing what he is doing).

A soup ladle

12/17/2016 07:01:00 pm

Wait, you write your books while listening to people like Dan bull and JT machinima? I've always read your books while listening to those people!

12/17/2016 07:52:32 pm

That just means you have good taste, Soup Ladle.

Emily

12/15/2016 10:02:00 pm

Looks awesome, but what about OKAK why only a progress bar for blackflame? I hate complaning however I feel a need to stick up for the minority of us anxiously awaiting more Elders and hoping they aren't forgotten among the sacred artists

Fernando

12/16/2016 04:56:18 pm

Glad to see I wasn't the only one wondering this too!

Kade

12/16/2016 06:49:51 pm

He is not working on Elder Empire right now so that's why there is no progress bar. Or at least, I think he will set up a progress bar for Elder Empire. Maybe it will have an Awakened stage or something. After BlackFlame comes out probably in February, he will finish the Killers books, which I'm thinking will come out Summer 2017.

12/17/2016 07:55:22 pm

After the Cradle progress section I'll switch it to Elder Empire. I'd like to try one first before doubling up.

Nocturniquet

12/15/2016 10:47:08 pm

Alright I'm fucking hyped. Cradle has been the funnest series I've been into in a while. Book 3 hype train is go

12/17/2016 07:56:43 pm

Get hyped! I'm really pulling out all the stops: there's a TURTLE in this one.

THEY SAID I WAS CRAZY...

12/18/2016 06:21:57 am

WHAT!! There is a Turtle!? That is so awesome!!!

HYPE TRAIN! HYPE TRAIN! HYPE TRAIN!

WOOT WOOT!

12/18/2016 03:56:13 pm

I'm honestly not sure if I should have included the turtle, Sean.

Because I don't know if you can HANDLE IT.

It might be TOO EXTREME FOR YOUR PUNY HUMAN MIND TO CONTAIN.

Flordia Time

12/18/2016 05:09:03 pm

Woah Will, you wake up at 7?
I used math to find out time zone differences....so I'm not actually standing behind you right now

12/18/2016 05:51:12 pm

Well, if the turtle takes inspiration from the turtle in Kung-Fu Panda, then I'm all on board for the turtle, even if I can't handle the awesomeness, then I will have died happy!

12/19/2016 11:03:05 am

I often do wake up at seven and go to bed early when I'm working on a book, but I didn't post any of these comments at 7 AM. One of them was at 7 PM, though.

Ruan

12/16/2016 09:34:00 am

Despite reading fantasy since I was 8 years old and being a fan of the genre my entire life this is the first time I've commented on any writer's blog. Will, I am at an impasse... I would really like to recommend your books to my girlfriend... But if she doesn't like them I will have to break up with her. I commend you for the work you have done, and waiting for your next book keeps me up at night, but I curse your for the turmoil this dilemma has brought in my life.

12/17/2016 07:59:16 pm

This is a true test of your relationship, Ruan. But since she has good enough taste to stick with you, then of course she'll like the books. She obviously has a refined eye.

James J link

12/19/2016 08:32:15 am

Will,

will you be at Pensacon in February?

12/19/2016 11:01:53 am

I wasn't planning on it, because I haven't ever heard of that convention.

James j

12/19/2016 11:17:28 am

LOL it's a Comicon in Pensacola. I read that you were from Florida and was curious.

john

12/19/2016 12:07:57 pm

I just want to know how you get so many fruit flies in your jar.

12/19/2016 01:38:04 pm

With vinegar, John. Contrary to popular belief, honey doesn't work as well.

Jack Skipper

12/21/2016 01:54:16 pm

Just wondering when you think the book will be out. Keep up the great work!!!

Duane link

12/25/2016 04:10:42 pm

Will, i have a few questions on the cores and goldsigns:

1) You said that splitting the cores doesn't double the madra. So does that mean that Lindon is now actually weaker (for the lack of resources compared to someone who has only one core) since his split? And can the size/comparative weakness of his cores be compensated for or corrected by use of elixirs, pills and the like?

2) How many goldsigns can Lindon (or other multi-core people) have?

LeGrand

1/4/2017 05:18:48 pm

Along with 2, could someone have a double specialized Iron body? Lindon had one Iron core and the other was Copper. So when his second core advances, could he prepare his body and receive double specialization? Because that would be mind-blowingly awesome.

Jacob

12/31/2016 10:16:09 pm

Sounds great, can't wait to read it!

1/6/2017 09:13:18 pm

Do you know when may have book 3?

1/16/2017 04:04:31 am

umm...what are the stages of the progress meter? copper, iron, jade,gold? Or does it keep going (lowgold, highgold, truegold, underlord, ...)?

Just finished Soulsmith. Can't wait for Blackflame!

Awesome series!

wes

4/15/2017 08:46:16 am

Will can we have a guess as to when blameflame maybe be released? Nothing firm and I don't want to rush you but I'm dying to know can't wait to read it.

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