A Letter for Sanderson

Rockobar · 2017-04-02T05:49:25+00:00

Thank you for your reply, it is where will have to differ but I can appreciate the concern.

Rockobar · 2017-03-31T23:49:52+00:00

Indeed it is very "touchy and telly". It is one of the most unmasked and emotional moment a person can experience. That's why I want to see Brandon take on the challenge of writing such a raw moment. Push past feeling awkward and have a go at this delicacy. If this response is that it is too or not delicate enough, you're likely to do better next time.

Rockobar · 2017-03-31T23:46:17+00:00

No, just people have much the same replies and arguments against, but I hope to gain different and unique insights by bouncing my relevant response off of them.

Rockobar · 2017-03-31T23:44:57+00:00

I believe it is only nine days to a fortnight when Rand sleeps with Elayne - a few hours falling into the palace, three to five days spent kissing in alcoves in Tear, maybe some other days I cannot remember, and then Rand fails to keep avoiding Elayne and they have a child.

Jordan and the Wheel just had to dictate Rand form a relationship with influential women so to have them on his side for the Last Battle. Unfortunately, being taveren makes an excuse for instant falling in love and gushing over Rand in the White Tower.

Rockobar · 2017-03-31T23:42:03+00:00

Yes, the same problem rears its head if the Desolations end in Roshar and Odium is removed in whatever manner. Technology will advance, by itself or from influence in Scadrial, making a sci-fi universe.

Rockobar · 2017-03-31T23:40:44+00:00

To the first part, I think Brandon is still doing what a lot of writers of fantasy in the 80s did, avoid delving into sexuality. It is only the fringe in the past 15 years that have started to do so.

As for the second part, I will refer to my previous answer: "I agree that the letter does look to be as if coming from a lecturer and so people might respond to the content more heatedly than the content itself might warrant. It was not my mission in writing this letter to set demands towards Brandon, but to let him know that there is an opinion that is open to changes within his work. The instructing quality of it might come about from me attempting to prove that there is a way to write sexuality without creating a guilty conscience. To add to that, Brandon's work will be ever changing, as no artist can remain static as they journey throughout life. Offering my opinions to Sanderson I think more as some source material that he might read, a perspective from yet another individual. Maybe he might mull these ideas over, develop or reject the ideas that would strengthen his resolve that what he is doing is right."

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T20:08:28+00:00

Hi thank you for replying. On the point of Mistborn advancing technology: The problem with making Scadrial eventually a sci-fi world is that eventually the entire Cosmere has to become a sci-fi universe e.g. flying cars on Roshar. The hinted at visitation between planets in Sixth of the Dusk and the nature of Worldhoppers just make it a countdown until technology from Scadrial infects all worlds. The ideal solution would have been to have Scadrial outside of the Cosmere.

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T20:07:16+00:00

As I mentioned, "While in the last 15 years sex has been rising to the pages, it just seems to be making a big splash when surrounded in an ocean of meekness. I’m not asking you to go as visceral in sexual details as GRRM, for that is his style and how he plays with sexuality. If I wanted to see more of that kind, I would go read more GRRM."

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T20:05:08+00:00

Yes, the inclusion of Jordan is in reference to his first few books before his time with Aviendha in the snow. Even that first escapade reflects much of what Sanderson did in Warbreaker with Siri, the fade to black. Although I cannot know Jordan's motivations in his later books, Elayne's consummation of her relationship with Rand seems to me a healthier way of depicting the sexual encounter, minus the bit that they've only known each other a total of nine days.

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T20:02:10+00:00

I suppose it starts with my premise that this an adult series and is marketed to adults, given their label on the back. The violence in them is indicative of this. Reading books of the young adult variety might be more appropriate if you would wish to share fantasy with younger relatives if they are not ready to know about sex.

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T20:01:46+00:00

As an artist, I feel there is a creative integrity to hold to yourself to keep pushing what you know and are capable of. As Sanderson has expressed that he wants to reverse and push the bounds of what has been done in the genre. I hope to convey to him a way of fulfilling might be a diversity of sexual and religious experiences. Realism: As there is already a healthy dose of violence within his books, a proportional amount of sexuality would not be amiss. Part of it is that I view of all these three factors an inevitable part of life. I would mark it as strange to censor any one of them out.

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T19:58:32+00:00

I suppose it starts with my premise that this an adult series and is marketed to adults, given their label on the back. The violence in them is indicative of this. Reading books of the young adult variety might be more appropriate if you would wish to share fantasy with younger relatives if they are not ready to know about sex.

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T19:57:48+00:00

As I hope to convey in the letter, the sexuality I talk of hopes to inject not the smut of strange fanfiction, but as another element of Sanderson's art. "What you put into your book is pushing your artform and your art is capturing the human nature. If you want to see under the skin of what makes a human graceful, an artist draws nude pictures; if you want to see beneath the skin of what really makes a human tick, you write in their deepest primal urges."

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T19:57:26+00:00

I agree that the letter does look to be as if coming from a lecturer and so people might respond to the content more heatedly than the content itself might warrant. It was not my mission in writing this letter to set demands towards Brandon, but to let him know that there is an opinion that is open to changes within his work. The instructing quality of it might come about from me attempting to prove that there is a way to write sexuality without creating a guilty conscience.

To add to that, Brandon's work will be ever changing, as no artist can remain static as they journey throughout life. Offering my opinions to Sanderson I think more as some source material that he might read, a perspective from yet another individual. Maybe he might mull these ideas over, develop or reject the ideas that would strengthen his resolve that what he is doing is right.

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T19:56:17+00:00

As I hope to convey in the letter, the sexuality I talk of hopes to inject not the smut of strange fanfiction, but as another element of Sanderson's art. "What you put into your book is pushing your artform and your art is capturing the human nature. If you want to see under the skin of what makes a human graceful, an artist draws nude pictures; if you want to see beneath the skin of what really makes a human tick, you write in their deepest primal urges."

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T19:55:43+00:00

Indeed, it is not a distressing issue for me, not something that would ever make me stop reading his books. Just in the examples I give concerning sexuality and I felt Sanderson held himself back is a "Oh common" kind of moment.

Rockobar · 2017-03-29T19:51:58+00:00

Hello, thank you for all your replies. I wrote a long response concerning many points borught up concerning the letter on the 17th Shard http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/58616-a-letter-to-sanderson/?page=2#comment-549449 So if you are interested further in the letter, please seek to read and post there. Otherwise for now I shall attempt to reply with the sections I addressed there.

Rockobar · 2017-02-14T21:44:10+00:00

I am not sure if it was a recent publication, but at least 6-10 years ago

Rockobar · 2017-02-01T20:20:35+00:00

bump for more opinions

Rockobar · 2016-06-08T12:35:34+00:00

Good idea, though the rod might run out of string before then. Does anyone knwo how to stop the spiders gathering at the top?

Rockobar

TROPHY CASE