Jordan Chat on AOL #1
Aaron Bergman
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Jordan2 : T Hope B: We're here. We don't know the private-chat
commands.
THopeB : Ok, thought you were going to be here under another
name. :)
THopeB : Ok, everyone, let's get started!
THopeB : Tonight we have the honor of presenting the NYT
best-selling fantasy author....
THopeB : Robert Jordan!
THopeB : Tonight we'll be having a question and answer
session.....
THopeB : and will be on full protocol meaning....
THopeB : that if you'd like to ask a question or make a
comment....
THopeB : please type "!" or "?" onscreen and I'll call....
THopeB : on you in turn.
THopeB : That way we won't have 20 conversations going on at
one!
THopeB : That's "once".
THopeB : And Robert can answer your questions completely.
THopeB : One more thing....
THopeB : after you're done asking or commenting, please type
GA for "go ahead", so we can.....
THopeB : know when you're finished...
THopeB : Well, I'm not going to have time to introduce you;
let's get right to the questions!
THopeB : Jdieu, you're first with a question for Robert
Jordan!
Jdieu : Hello, just to say I LOVE your books, I was
wondering how long you will continue the saga...
Jdieu : because I read in the prologue of the first book that
the battle lasted about ten years?
Jdieu : And it's only been about two up to the 6th book GA
RJordan2 : It will last several more books, until I reach the
last scene, which has been in my head...
RJordan2 : since the very beginning.
THopeB : Drayken, you were next.
Drayken : I was wondering if you will ever write a book based
on the age of
Drayken : legends.GA
RJordan2 : No.
THopeB : Ok, Tibur, you were next up!
Tibur : Hi.I Love your books and I was just wondering where
you got your ideas for the series.
Tibur : its like nothing ever published before! GA
RJordan2 : It all started with wondering what it was
really like to be tapped on the shoulder...
RJordan2 : and told that you are the savior of mankind.
Ten years of thinking about that, and...
RJordan2 : I began writing.
RJordan2 : ga
THopeB : Scarlet, you have a question or comment for Robert
Jordan?
Scarlet 1 : Hi, it's such a pleasure to meet you, I'm a BIG fan.
Anyway, your books have so many richly
Scarlet 1 : developed characters and so many complex, interwoven
plot threads, could you please comment
Scarlet 1 : on your preliminary processes such as outlining,
character biographies, etc.? GA
RJordan2 : I'm sorry, it just isn't that simple. I
simply _do_ it, and it would take me...
RJordan2 : all night to explain how, if I could.
THopeB : Drayken, this is the first of a number of times I've
got you down for a question! Go ahead!
Drayken : When did you decide to become a writer? did you
always want to write
Drayken : or did it come later in life.GA
RJordan2 : At five, while reading Huckleberry Finn and
Tom Sawyer, I decided I wanted to write,
but...
RJordan2 : I always thought I would do it "one day,"
after I had a practical career. Then I was
...
RJordan2 : injured and I had a lot of time on my hands,
so I decided to put up or shut up about
this...
RJordan2 : "one day" stuff.
RJordan2 : To my surprise, somebody actually wanted to
buy it, and that was that.
RJordan2 : ga
THopeB : Aaron, you're next with a question for Robert Jordan;
go ahead!
Aaron17 : Hi. I suppose you already know through some of the
signings and various letters that you have large...
Aaron17 : fan clubs on most of the major online services and
that we've basically been going through the books
Aaron17 : with a fine tooth comb. I believe you've even seen
the FAQ. I was wondering on whether you excpected
Aaron17 : anything like this and has it affected you in any
way? GA
RJordan2 : I never expected anything in the _least_ like
this, and as far as affecting me in any way --
RJordan2 : I now look through the peephole before I open
doors.
THopeB : Jdieu, I've got you down next; go ahead. (excellent
questions, by the way!)
Jdieu : I was curious if you could clear something up for me,
The Dragon Lews Therin ended the Age of Legends
Jdieu : ,but Rand Al'Thor is the next dragon, And he's not
coming out of the Age of Legends? GA
RJordan2 : Jdieu, could you clarify? I'm not sure I
understand the question. ga
Jdieu : Well, you write that Lews T. ends the Age of Legends,
that time repeats itself, and..
Jdieu : I would think that Rand would in turn be ending the
repeated Age of Legends, but...
Jdieu : It doesn't appear to BE a repeated Age of Legends. GA
RJordan2 : It doesn't follow that simply because the Age
that Lews Therin ended is now called the...
RJordan2 : Age of Legends, that this age which Rand lives
in in any way is a repeat of that...
RJordan2 : particular age. What is/was the Age of
Legends _will_ repeat eventually, but not
until...
RJordan2 : the Wheel turns considerably further.
THopeB : Pamela, go ahead with your question. (Peandrag, I'll
get to you in turn)
PamelaESP : After reading the first five books (thanks for many
wonderful hours) and starting the sixth...
PamelaESP : I find myself wishing for a "Wheel of Time
Encyclopedia"--something with longer glossary entries
PamelaESP : to help me remember who's who and who's done what.
Any chance of that happening?
RJordan2 : An Encyclopedia will have to wait until the
Wheel of Time is finished, but the guys who...
RJordan2 : did The Illustrated Guide to Pern and The
Illustrated Guide to Amber are interviewing
me...
RJordan2 : next month for the same sort of book about the
Wheel.
THopeB : Drayken, you're next in line!
Drayken : Are there any other books you are working on now or
plan to do that is not involved with this world?GA
RJordan2 : Yes, in a way. I started--about a year
ago--_thinking_ about the book or books that
I...
RJordan2 : will write immediately after the Wheel is
done. That has a little way to go, though.
THopeB : Sharon, please go ahead with your question or
comment!
Sharonprd : Hi Mr. Jordan. I was at your conference yesterday on
Compuserve but didn't get to finish
Sharonprd : asking the rest of my questions. At book signings:
how mnay books do you sign per person
THopeB : (the line of questions is pretty much set for the
rest of the hour, folks)
Sharonprd : and if asked would you sign a book in your real name
and pen name?
RJordan2 : Generally I sign as many books as anyone
brings, but the practical limit is set by
how...
RJordan2 : many people there are and how much time I have
to spend at that store. For the rest, ...
RJordan2 : are you saying Robert Jordan isn't my real
name? ga
THopeB : Sharon, do you want to answer that?
Sharonprd : nah
THopeB : Batlar, it's your turn, go ahead!
Batlar : I'm curious, What happened to the Black Ajah's
Warders? Did they kill them? GA
RJordan2 : Those who did not die on the night that
Liandrin and the others left, died not long...
RJordan2 : thereafter. Not all of them _had_ warders,
remember. And not just the Reds. ga
THopeB : Jdieu, you're next in line. Go ahead!
Jdieu : I was wondering if the Dark One is ever going to be
manifested into a single person, and was also...
Jdieu : wondering where you went to college?
RJordan2 : I graduated from The Citadel and, for the
rest, read and find out! That is neither to
say..
RJordan2 : yes nor nor; just read and find out.
THopeB : Phylwriter, please go ahead with your question.
(laughing at the last answer....)
Phylwriter : I was wondering more what your "writing life" was
like...you know, like an every day kinda thing...
Phylwriter : could you tell us what a normal, RJ day is like?
(enjoy the rhyme?)... :)
RJordan2 : Average day at beginning of book is: have
breakfast, answer letters and telephone calls,
...
RJordan2 : then write for six to eight hours. Do this
five days a week. After a while, this gets
to..
RJordan2 : be: drink a quart or two of strong coffee,
write for twelve to fourteen hours a day,
and...
RJordan2 : do this seven days a week. Eventually the
book is finished or I am dead. ga
THopeB : I'm sorry but no more questions after the line-up we
already have. RobertJ has to get to....
THopeB : to the Center Stage by 8:55! JayRL, your turn,
please!
JayRL : Hi Robert. I have devoured all of the Wheel of Time
books up to The Fires of Heaven.
JayRL : My father & I love the series. If I remember War &
Peace was how long......
JayRL : We cannot get over how you continually capture our
imaginations while we
JayRL : anticipate every page thats turned....Thanks! :>
GA
RJordan2 : You're welcome! ga
THopeB : Mnemnose, it's your turn now; go ahead.
Mnemnose : The flow of your work is ASTOUNDING-is it as easy to
write as it is to read?Are you a conduit/observer
Mnemnose : to the world you've created or is it a constant
struggle? ga
RJordan2 : Not hardly, Jack! ga
THopeB : Bela, ask away; I understand you've got two
questions!
RJordan2 : I meant:
RJordan2 : ...that it's a constant struggle. ga
THopeB : There we go, Bela. :) Ask away!
BelaHorse : How about, I've noticed that the history of Rand's
"parents" hasn't really been developed.
BelaHorse : We know a bit about Tam (and the original correlation
with Rand's Character)
BelaHorse : could you tell us something about Kari? GA
RJordan2 : Not really at this point. We'll find out a
little bit more later. ga
THopeB : Sharon, you're next in line.
Sharonprd : Is your wife on the book signing tour with you--if so
will she be at the signings? ga
RJordan2 : Yes and yes. ga
THopeB : Astro, please go ahead with your question!
Astrocyte : A basic question.....How do you approach Point of
View in your stories? GA
RJordan2 : Well, I tiptoe up to it, then I grab it by the
throat, throw it down, and kick it. ga
THopeB : CyberL, it's your turn!
Astrocyte : Thanks.
CyberLanky : Do you ever write on other types of books to take a
break from your series? GA 8-)
RJordan2 : I have written other kinds of books in the
past and I will write other kinds of books
in...
RJordan2 : the future, but at the moment the Wheel takes
all of my time. ga
THopeB : Batlar, you have a question? Go ahead.
Batlar : I have noticed some similarities to The Lord of the
Rings. Was Tolkien an inspiration for
Batlar : for you? GA
RJordan2 : I suppose to the degree that he inspires any
fantasy writer in the English language, ...
RJordan2 : certainly. ga
THopeB : JCoolET, we finally got to you; your turn.
J Cool ET : You seem to have a great grasp of history; what is
your background? Do you know how the
J Cool ET : wheel will finally turn,yet? ga
RJordan2 : Well, I've been reading history as a hobby
since I was five or six, and yes, I do...
RJordan2 : know how it will turn, and how it will end.
THopeB : MonaS, your turn to ask Robert Jordan a question.
MonaS : I enjoy the many nations and peoples in the Wheel of
Time..
Pellican : hello all
MonaS : an how richly their societies are detailed! What was
your inspiration...
MonaS : for the Ogier?
RJordan2 : It's really impossible to say here. The Ogier
came from a dozen different sources, at ...
RJordan2 : least. ga
THopeB : Paendrag, it's finally your turn! Ask away.
Paendrag1 : /could you discuss your imagery as it relates to book
of Revelation--and other sources-language use?
RJordan2 : Sorry, not in under four or five hours. ga
THopeB : Fable, it's your turn. Go ahead!
Fable : I've always admired the incredible patience you show
in your writing moving from major event to....
Fable : major event (like moving Rand from the Stone of Tear
to the completion of events in the Aiel Waste)...
Fable : Do you have any precise method you use, or does that
flow naturally? Do
Fable : you ever write the events then fill in the spaces, so
to speak?
RJordan2 : No, I never "fill in the spaces." Sometimes I
have to cut events out, because I've ...
RJordan2 : become entirely _too_ patient, getting from
one place to another. For the rest ...
RJordan2 : I don't really have a "method" beyond telling
the story. ga
THopeB : Jdieu, yours is the second-last question tonight!
Jdieu : I was just wondering two things: one, what books do
YOU read, and what are some of the titles and...
Jdieu : types of your other written books. I'm really
interested in reading more of your writing! GA
RJordan2 : I read about four hundred or so books a year,
half nonfiction, the fiction spread over...
RJordan2 : almost every genre. I have written Westerns,
historical fiction, international intrigue;...
RJordan2 : I've ghostwritten some books; but everything
except the fantasy is out of print...
RJordan2 : at the moment.
THopeB : Bela, you have the honor of asking the last question.
:)
BelaHorse : Why did you choose to go with such an experimental
style for LoC?
BelaHorse : It seems to me that LoC is really just half a book.
Many characters become
BelaHorse : more fully fleshed out but very little happens. Some
characters seem to
BelaHorse : develop positively, others negatively--but all within
a framework of
BelaHorse : "wait, wait, wait..." How did you choose this
approach? GA
RJordan2 : Sorry -- that's just the way it worked out.
ga
THopeB : Robert Jordan, thank you very much for joining us in
the Writers Club tonight!
RJordan2 : Thanks, everybody, for having me.
William H. Smit
> From the coffers at AOL, the first of the two hour long Jordan chats:
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> J Cool ET : You seem to have a great grasp of history; what is
> your background? Do you know how the
> J Cool ET : wheel will finally turn,yet? ga
> RJordan2 : Well, I've been reading history as a hobby
> since I was five or six, and yes, I do...
> RJordan2 : know how it will turn, and how it will end.
Does anyone besides me wonder if "how it will turn, and how
it will end." means that the wheel will end? He doesn't actually
say the series, or capitalize wheel, so maybe he's let
something slip here.
(Or maybe not.)
Courtenay Footman
about events in the books that we did not already know.
In article <abergman-201...@td-college-kstar-node.net.yale.edu> aber...@minerva.cis.yale.edu (Aaron Bergman) writes:
Batlar : I'm curious, What happened to the Black Ajah's
Warders? Did they kill them?
RJordan2 : Those who did not die on the night that
Liandrin and the others left, died not long...
RJordan2 : thereafter. Not all of them _had_ warders,
remember. And not just the Reds.
--
Courtenay Footman I finally got back on the net.
c...@alchemy.ithaca.ny.us Now I will never get anything done
A broken sendmail.cf frequently causes the "ithaca" to disappear in
"reply-to's". This can be fixed by hand. Sorry.
Aaron Bergman
(Courtenay Footman) wrote:
:Here is an edited version of the AOL #1 chat, containing all the information
:about events in the books that we did not already know.
:
:In article <abergman-201...@td-college-kstar-node.net.yale.edu>
aber...@minerva.cis.yale.edu (Aaron Bergman) writes:
:Batlar : I'm curious, What happened to the Black Ajah's
: Warders? Did they kill them?
:RJordan2 : Those who did not die on the night that
: Liandrin and the others left, died not long...
:RJordan2 : thereafter. Not all of them _had_ warders,
: remember. And not just the Reds.
:
What do you mean???
He had some nice snappy comebacks:
Sharonprd : Hi Mr. Jordan. I was at your conference yesterday on
Compuserve but didn't get to finish
Sharonprd : asking the rest of my questions. At book signings:
how mnay books do you sign per person
THopeB : (the line of questions is pretty much set for the
rest of the hour, folks)
Sharonprd : and if asked would you sign a book in your real name
and pen name?
RJordan2 : Generally I sign as many books as anyone
brings, but the practical limit is set by
how...
RJordan2 : many people there are and how much time I have
to spend at that store. For the rest, ...
RJordan2 : are you saying Robert Jordan isn't my real
name? ga
THopeB : Sharon, do you want to answer that?
Sharonprd : nah
Here's some real information:
Question : how do wise ones get gaishan? (they don't fight,
right?)
RJordan2 : They can be traded, though. Besides which, there are
other ways, if you read LoC, to...
RJordan2 : become gai'shain.
(I guess he was referring to whatshername who addressed a Gai'shan as a
real person.)
And a little more stuff: (my question, in fact :)
Question : I was wondering if you could comment on some of the
clues that Randland (as we call it)
Question : seems to be written as a future earth..
RJordan2 : Time is a wheel. If you look in one direction, you
are looking at the past. If you...
RJordan2 : just turn around and look in the other direction, you
are looking at the future. The...
RJordan2 : books are set in our future _and_ in our past,
depending on which way you look.
Some confirmation that Aran'gar and Osan'gra are _NOT_ Lanfear and Asmodean:
Question : Your style of writing is so simple, yet so complex
that it is a genre all it's own.
Question : Will Moiraine come back from the dead since Lanfear
and Asmodean apparently have?
RJordan2 : Read and find out -- in fact, I _really_ suggest you
read and find out.
How he responds to...interesting...questions from people who shall remain
nameless:
Question : I hear your next book is "The Wheel of Shogun". Is
this true?
RJordan2 : Not exactly.
Some more stuff (which I inadvertantly deleted from the posted stuff)
Question : How did the White Tower form after the Breaking?
RJordan2 : Aes Sedai slowly got together.
And, of course, the question and answer to end all question and answers:
Question : Why is Perrin's horse in LoC called Slayer and not
Stepper?
RJordan2 : Because it's a different horse.
(note that he didn't correct Slayer...)
So there was _some_ new information...
Aaron
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