In a recent interview with IGN, bestselling author Brandon Sanderson delved into a range of topics, from his newest book, Blightfall, to the complexities of adapting massive fantasy worlds for screen and game.
Sanderson, who recently released Blightfall with co-writer Janci Patterson, detailed his process for managing multiple writing projects. He explained that while he often focuses on one new piece of material at a time, juggling revisions for other books, like Blightfall, requires dedicated periods of focus. "It's always a bit of a challenge!" he admitted, noting the necessity of pushing through difficult sections rather than abandoning projects.
He expressed no immediate plans to slow down his prolific output, citing the inherent tragedy of art that there's never enough time to pursue all desired projects. His upcoming release, The Fires of December, is part of a series that includes Tress of the Emerald Sea and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, featuring a "storytellerish" feel. Sanderson also shared that he has completed the first draft of the screenplay for the Mistborn movie, though he anticipates it is still many years away from release, factoring in revisions, director selection, and extensive visual effects work.
Regarding adaptations, Sanderson stated he does not consider a project's adaptability during the writing process, preferring to focus on crafting the best story for the book medium. He expressed interest in potential video game adaptations, particularly for Mistborn, but emphasized the need for the right partner due to the significant investment involved in game development. He also voiced enthusiasm for the possibility of a Cytoverse tabletop collaboration, similar to his work with Brotherwise Games on Cosmere titles.
Reflecting on the cancellation of The Wheel of Time television series, Sanderson called it a "tragedy" for the cast and crew, lamenting that the story remained unfinished. He noted his past disagreements with some changes made to the source material, stating he wished he could have persuaded the creators to adhere more closely to Robert Jordan's vision. While open to future adaptation involvement, he acknowledged his past vocal criticism might affect his opportunities.
Sanderson also offered his perspective on George R.R. Martin's struggle to complete the Game of Thrones series. He urged readers to remember Martin as a person and a significant figure in the fantasy genre, highlighting the challenging and solitary nature of writing. While acknowledging the responsibility authors have to their readers when starting a series, Sanderson stated he is the "wrong person" to finish A Song of Ice and Fire, should Martin ever consider such a path, emphasizing that fans would likely agree and that Martin deserves someone who is a more natural fit for his world. He stressed that authors cannot promise future works, as unforeseen circumstances can arise, but that the core contract is a commitment to dedicated effort. He also wryly noted that he himself is overdue in delivering a sequel to his own book, The Rithmatist.