A short survey about the Wheel of Time

[Notharah]

note: I hope I'm posting this in the right section. If not, feel free to correct me moderators.

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Dear readers,

 

My teacher fed me the idea that for a cultural assignment I could also pick a writer or a series as a subject of research. I immediately thought of Robert Jordan and the Wheel of Time and how they dragged me into the fold of fantasy-fans and really got me back into reading again (something I had forgone on for a long time before that). I had always enjoyed fantasy as a form of art and in movies, but it was the Wheel of Time that reminded me of the fun in reading and the joy of using your imagination to form the world based on what was written.

 

So that's why I am holding this survey for a small dossier I am compiling for my study. The assignment I have given myself is to find out as much as possible about Robert Jordan and the Wheel of Time and how these two have influenced the fantasy genre, its writers and its readers alike. Seeing as how you are all no doubt fans of his I thought it would be worthwile to ask you a few questions as well, so as to get real points of view from readers.

 

So without further ado:

 

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

 

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

 

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

 

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

 

 

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If you would like to help me with this I would be most thankful :). You can email me your answers (with name or anonymous, both are o.k.) to notharah@gmail.com or meem0800@iec.nhl.nl or post a reply here and I will check back here next week. Even after I'm done with the assignment I'd still love to hear your stories and thoughts, so don't hesitate to send it to me anyway.

 

Thanks in advance to those who'd care to help!

 

Kind regards,

 

Olaf Meems

[DocBean]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

A friend I grew up with recommended it to me probably 15 years ago.

Took me a year or two to take his advice.

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

It was my first attempt at Fantasy besides the Dragonlance series that I read a few of when I was much younger.

I didn't finish Dragonlance, but for some reason I kept up with Wheel of Time.

It was my first love, and you never forget her.

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

Tolkien created a world of Good and Evil, you knew who the good guys were, and who the bad guys were. It's like watching your favorite sports team play their biggest rival.

You just enjoy the show, and hope for your team to win – meanwhile knowing that you're team is superior and probably will win.

In that way he's basically stuck to the same rules as Tolkien, but expanded on that style.

He used more ink to tell a bigger story.

It's not more dominate then Tolkien, and George RR Martin's series is probably better, but Martin doesn't use the good guys vs bad guys motiff.

After 20 years I'd say it could have been finished sooner, they say the story grew in the telling, but I'd say the story got a little fat and bloated in the telling.

Tolkien created his world in 3 books, 4 counting the Hobbit. Jordan was still expanding his when he died.

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

These characters have been like close friends of mine that I grew up with, and like I said earlier, most of my friends grew up with them too.

I'll be more sad when the series is over, then I was when I graduated High School or College, and left friends behind.

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

It's getting a worthy closure. The end is bitter sweet, I'll be proud to see it through – which I haven't done with any series this grand yet, but sad to see it go.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

nope.

 

 

[Jillain Sanche]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

I am a lifelong scifi and fantasy fan, but there are so many authors it would be impossible to read them all nor would I like each one.

So, every year I try to sample at least a couple more to see who I might like and who I would dislike. Two years ago I picked up EoftW at a summer book sale. (Heck, there was most of the first half of the WoT in paperback there, but I only picked up no. 1.) I sent it to my Dad, and he was not into it, though he was beginning to have problems with macular degeneration and frustration in reading becoming difficult.

I got it back before Xmas and then dug in. I was pleasantly surprised and engaged. And I thought, after all these years, I have finally found another master of fantasy, in addition to J.R.R. Tolkien, of course, in Robert Jordan (who drops us the random hints he was too, such as the reference in the end of WH to an inn called "The Nine Rings" for example.)

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

Though he mines some of the same ores in mythologies as Tolkien, he works it in his own way. He illustrates the growth of the characters from innocent youth through disillusionment and depression to acceptance and maturity all under the great pressures of impending doom and threat of corruption. He engages my imagination. He leaves me thinking when I read a passage of a development and set the book down.

But WoT is like a War and Peace for fantasy. It's amazing.

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

Eh, it's the kind of thing book publishers like to say. But he does if you take that reference to mean fantasy as a genre. Who else outside these two great fantasy authors really hold your attention again and again? There are other great writers whose works I only like maybe 50% of or less; they are not consistent in some ways or other, without naming names as such a list would vary due to subjective reasons.

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

He has caused me to lose a lot of sleep as I only have time to read late at night. [LOL]

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

I am excited that Brandon is doing this and that he is doing a great job of it. I am happy to wait for the last two books, and enjoy the anticipation. As he is working from more than copious amounts of materials left by Jordan, I do believe it will be worthy and done to satisfaction.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

I love that Jordan created such a complete and layered world. It is so full of not just plots and subplots, but countries and histories and character development, and more, that it will require more than a few reads to totally absorb it all! Years of enjoyment to come!

[Razor]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

Picked it up in a used bookstore where I was killing time waiting for my number to be called nest door while getting my auto license tags.

 

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

The characterization and story building are more complete than most books.  You read the series and begin to feel you know the characters.  They are complex enough to be of interest. They are not all good or all bad, etc.  OF course I also like the plot and am a fan of the genre.

 

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

At first it appeared it would become less so due to other comptetion but as Goodkind dissapointed in later books and martin stalled out, Jorden, evben through death, thanks to Harriet and BS, continues to roll along.

 

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

He writes such clever things sometimes, luch as Lini's sayings or some of LAn's quotes that have been useful as I go through life.  Some of the characters have been inspirational to me to try to strive to do as well in life as they have done.  Others not so much, lol (Faile must die, HA)

 

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

Sanderson's fist entry appeared to be solid and with so much of the final plot already done, either scenes written or outline done by RJ that I believe th eending will be great and worth the wait.  I will be glad

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

Robert Jordan and team have supplied me with many hours of joy.  I would like to express my thanks for such a wonderful story.

 

[darth_hel]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

A friend handed me EotW to read during the car trip on a vacation.

 

 

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?                        Extreme characterization, and although there are sources of ultimate good and evil in the books very few of the characters themselves are fully good or evil. The characters have normal flaws and make mistakes that given the information they have and the things they've been through seem like natural mistakes.

 

 

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

I'm not really sure here, granted I don't know many fantasy fans but not many people I know have even heard of RJ.

 

 

 

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

Yea it has, I lost months of my life(not in a bad way)with reading and rereading and looking through theories.

 

 

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

Well I'm happy the series will have an ending, I only agreed to read it when my friend mentioned that the story would be finished. I have no doubt it will get a worthy closure as RJ had that plotted out and Sanderson seemed to do well writing the characters and events in TGS.

 

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

I can't wait for the encyclopedia, there are so many questions I have about the WoT world that just wouldn't make sense to include in the books.

 

[Luckers]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

I was given a copy of the Eye of the World (along with A Game of Thrones) for my 12th birthday. Suffice to say a Game of Thrones proved a little beyond my years, but I fell in love with the Eye of the World, and read the rest of the series (up to tPoD at that stage) within a month and a half.

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

The complexity of the world building and storylines. RJ had many talents but his interweaving of plot and subtle mastery of foreshadow exceed any other author I know of. His world building is vibrant and expansive--which it would have to be with four million words of notes on the series.

 

The other thing I would say is the clarity of his character voices. Love them or hate them, each character is distinct and clear.

 

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

I would honestly say that Jordan's created his own sub-genre here, rather than name it an expansion on Tolkien's achievements. Others, such as Tad Williams and later George R. R. Martin began working the concept of bringing Epic Fantasy out to play, but Jordan showed more than any other the expansive depth and breadth of what may be achieved in a fantasy construct.

 

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

I couldn't define it. The pervasive way the series has intertwined itself in my life during the past eleven years would take months to delineate. Suffice to say it has put a large mark on me.

 

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

Yes, and yes.

 

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

That though I never met Jim Rigney, he changed my life.

[xenocross]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

 

1. My friend give me some books to read, and I try the first book, and hooked up with it when I read the last sentence "The Dragon is Reborn"

 

2. Because it is epic? Because the point of view of the characters are interesting and never boring, I guess

 

3. It is still true, at least until we see the final book

4. I become a reader of fantasy genre, because the wait for the next books is long, I need to find another books to read and satiate my hunger for fantasy. And Fortunately I got some good books with good story.

5. Yes of course, if not, I will curse Sanderson

6. I hope It will be a hit in my country. Here, almost nobody know about it. I hope it will be translated into my language someday

[Thorum]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

I picked it up at the bookstore.

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

forums.dragonmount.com

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

It is an advertisement. And like all advertisements, unnuanced. More nor less now than 2 decades ago.

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

see answer 2 ;D

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

I'm a my third reread now. There are a lot of other beautiful books on my shelfs which haven't been read yet. I'd like this series to end, so I can put WoT aside for a decade or so...

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

[water_seeker]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

My mom dragged me to the local mega-mart and I went to check out the books.  I saw the cover to tDR and really wanted to know more about why the guy was reaching for a floating, glowing sword.

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

A number of things come to mind really.  I'd say that the sheer number of characters and how they interact plays a major role in setting tWoT apart.  I'm devoted because in every stage I've gone through (starting @ 14 yrs old) to now, there's been a character that I can relate to.

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

I think that phrase is outdated.  He used LotR as a familiar jumping off point, but brought us into a world and style all his own.

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

My vocabulary has grown. :D  There really have been times when I'd come across an unfamiliar word and I'd add it to a list and look all of them up.  After that I'd incorporate that word into my everyday (as long as it wasn't forced) until it became natural. 

 

There were always things (events/ideas) in the books that made me really think about real life.  One that comes to mind is the "Law of Unintended Consequences."

 

Then there were stories that RJ would share with his readers of life (and since his death stories from Harriet) that always touched me in some meaningful way.

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

I am ready for the end.  For a while I felt like the story could go on forever and I'd be okay with that, but for some reason I can't put words to, I'm ready for the end.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

I just wish I could have met him...to shake his hand and thank him.

[FarShainMael]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

Almost by accident. My husband told me that someone at his workplace was selling a large collection of books, sf and fantasy. I am a voracious reader of sf (though less so of fantasy, except for LotR and Discworld) so I said I'd buy the lot for 25ukp, and sort through them at my leisure. The collection included the first eight books of tWoT, and I thought it was the complete series (er, no.. ;)  ) so I piled in. This was about a year ago, so I've been doing a lot of concentrated reading. That said, I've been through most of the books at least twice. Currently re-reading KoD.

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

Since I am a newcomer to fantasy I can't really answer this question as it is stated. I will say that RJ paints good, detailed 'word pictures' and has evidently done a great deal of research into those details. But whether that 'sets WoT apart' I cannot say.

 

The quote 'Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.' is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

Again, I can't answer this one either, but I am normally suspicious of such a sweeping statement. Comes of being an (electronics) engineer I suppose. I would say, though, that RJ possibly painted too broad a canvas - it's spread over 14 books! - and this has necessarily diluted his ideas, imposing certain limits which feel artificial to me. I refer to such things as the suicide of the inhabitants of Tremalking, the brief intro to Shara, and the slaughter of the Seanchan imperial family. We never got to see them properly, and not withstanding the opening paragraph of ToM we may not even see Seanchan now.

 

RJ may have done better to adopt an approach similar to that used by Terry Pratchett, whose Discworld series runs to about 30 books, exploring the many different aspects of DW. And he's had quite a few major climaxes along the way, comparable with TG. But then, that's just my opinion.

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

It's started me getting interested in fantasy as a genre! I suppose LotR is fantasy, though I never really thought of it that way, at least until recently. And I started off seeing DW as humour, though it has unsuspected depths.

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

Probably not as excited as some members of this board as I've only been in the WoTverse for a short time.. but definitely looking forward to seeing how the various plotlines will be resolved (or not, of course..)

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

Elsewhere on these forums I suggested that when a good story gets people thinking about deep issues such as the nature of evil, it becomes art. Someone else expressed doubt about whether art was a suitable medium for the discussion of metaphysical principles in a fantasy world that is different from our own world. Discuss (as your teacher would say!).

 

 

Thanks for listening, and good luck with the assignment.

 

 

[TheDecline01]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

I am a heroic fantasy novels fan, and naturally read the Lord of the Ring. Than I digged out for some more, and crossed the Farseer trilogy and its sequels path. That has lead me to do some research on the internet for more, and that's when I found The Wheel of Time, 1 year and a half ago.

 

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

A big grand landscapes. Huge amount of details to create a whole world living and many many characters, with deep psychology. This leads up to something quite real that I can imagine being a world of its own.

 

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

The thing is, the Wheel of Time is nothing like the Lord of the Rings. LOTR was the first to create a coherent fantasy world and dominated by the themes of ecology VS industry, rising antisemitism. The Wheel of Time seems more of a story of tis own to me. (of course, there are references to wars and politics). It was a good marketing catch though. And it was truer in the past as the first 2 books, especially the first, do resemble LOTR before the main plot takes over.

 

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

The way to behave with people, like never lying but bending the truth, or showing as little emotion on my face as possible (in certain cases anyway, I'm still a living human in the real world). Concerning stories, I'd say that he revealed how complex a story could get to me and how careful planning and thinking ahead is important.

 

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

Excited obviously. Sad too, knowing that it finally comes to an end. It's like losing a long term friend that we have grown used to living with. A worthy closure? I sure hope so, though with the exceedingly high anticipation I have, it may surely be (a bit) disappointing.

 

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

It is a fabulous story, amazingly long and catching once we're into its world. The complexity of the plot is absolutely unknown to me and that's what makes it so special. People can go on and on for hours and thousands of topics just to share their visions, exchange on theories and so on about the series. That is, I think, unique.

[JenniferL]

I put this on Twitter for you. =)

[deviant728]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

I discovered the Eye of the World in my middle school library. The prologue just sucked me in and I couldn't put it down.

 

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

The depth and scope of it. Other people try to build fantasy worlds and don't seem to have the patience to put in all the leg work. Jordan is unique in how deep his cultures are and how tightly interwoven the world as a whole is. Not many authors can do that.

 

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

I would argue that it is true, though, truth be told, I am not as widely read in the fantasy genre as to make my arguments soundproof. Tolkien was the first to world-build, but it was incomplete, too binary. Jordan built on the motif of good and evil and introduced so many levels of gray that it is hard to pinpoint the absolute good. The things Jordan added were believable as well; Frodo's selfish inability to throw away the ring is ultimately redeemed, but Jordan's world is like living with Frodo after he succumbs to the ring's power. The way Jordan pervades his novels with varying degrees of evil is unparalleled, at least as far as I am aware.

 

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

Anytime I read any novel with a form of magic, like Edding's books, the magic systems just seem so off. Jordan did a great job of balancing magic with the physical world.

 

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

I am so sad that Jordan couldn't live to see his child grow up, but am very happy to know Sanderson is finishing it. I think Sanderson's modesty and approach to the series as someone's other than his and not his own will ensure the final books will get the attention they deserve.

 

 

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

I want to thank Jordan for introducing me to the phrase, "Time to roll the dice".

[TheBeerPatriot]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

Stumbled across EotW in a bookstore in '92 while browsing. 

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

The characters, first and foremost.  RJ created characters that you love or hate, and they are STRONG characters.  I also love the mythological backgrounds that RJ employed into the WOT (Arthurian, Hindu beliefs).  RJ never relied solely on the mythologies, but hinting at those mythologies gave more layers to his world.

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

I've never agreed with this quote.  I've always felt that fantasy has had some great writers in the last 20 years: Tad Williams and Patricia McKillip come first to my mind during this time span.  Having said that, RJ's worldbuilding has no peer.  I'm consistently blown away by the sense of history and details that RJ put into building the WoT.

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

The WoT has influenced me to include much more background details in my writing than before I picked up this series.  I've never re-read a series multiple times until WoT, and that is a testament to how much you can pick up upon each re-read.

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

After 20 years, I am indeed excited for the conclusion.  While I may be a bit bummed when the realization hints that the series is over, there will always be tons of discussion topics around this series.  Yes, I feel that the series will get a fantastic ending in the hands of Sanderson.  I was a fan of his dating back to Elantris ('05, I believe), and was elated when he was selected to finish the series.  Gathering Storm exceeded my expectations, and I'm really looking forward to Towers of Midnight and Memory of Light.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan? Ever since I started reading the series in the early 90's, I've always lurked or participated on WoT forums.  I haven't done this for any other book series, and this speaks loudly of what an incredible and powerful series the WoT is to myself and others.  While I feel Tolkien is still the founder of modern fantasy, Jordan has created his own niche with his detailed and engrossing world.

 

Thanks for allowing us to participate in the survey, and hope your project goes well!

 

[Gilmadin]

Q: How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

A: When I was in High School, I was working at a grocery store, and one night I saw this book in the tiny book section there called "New Spring: The Novel." I picked it up, got kinda curious, so when I got off work that night, I bought it. I read it in just a couple of days, and I liked it a lot. I had never heard about the Wheel of Time at this point, and even after reading it, I didn't know the Wheel of Time existed. I know, stupid me. Anyway, I thought that New Spring was going to be the first book of a very simple trilogy. Then one day at school I saw a girl reading a book by Robert Jordan. Can't remember which book it was (book 4 or 5, I think) but I made the comment that I had read a book by that same author. When I told her which book, she told me that New Spring was the prequel to a then-10-book series. I bought all ten books within the next week and read all ten of them in about six weeks.

 

Q: What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

A: There are a few things that set the Wheel of Time apart, and they are also the reasons that I am such a devoted fan. First, the characters. I think that Robert Jordan had a talent for making believable, realistic-feeling characters. Every time I read a character in his books, I feel like I actually am that character, and I love that feeling. Second, the world of the Wheel is so meticulously detailed that I feel as if it actually exists somewhere, like I should be able to put the book down and book a plane ticket to Tar Valon or Tear or Seandar, or anywhere I want to go in Randland. Third, the plot of the Wheel is so epic, and so far-reaching, that it makes me pay attention to as many of the details as I can at once. Jordan foreshadowed events in the first book that still have not been resolved. That's incredible. His mastery of plot -- his multiple, multi-volume plotlines (that are all connected in one way or another) -- is one of his greatest strengths. He makes the multiple books of his story feel as if they are a single, large book, and that's something that one doesn't find in too many series works in just about any genre -- when you move from one book to the next, you can usually tell that the author thought of each book as separate, but slightly connected. It's as if Jordan thought of his story as a whole, but thought of each book as a chapter. Gives a very connected feel to the whole series that I think is fairly unique to him.

 

Q: The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

A: In my personal opinion, Jordan has far surpassed Tolkien. Tolkien's greatest strength was the detailed formation of his world, the way that Middle-Earth felt REAL. Well, Jordan has managed to do that, and has also added a level of complexity to his characters that Tolkien never had.

 

Q: Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

A: I have wanted to be a writer since I was about nine years old. I first read the Wheel of Time when I was seventeen. Reading the Wheel of Time finally convinced me that writing the epic fantasy I had been kicking around in my head since I was nine years old was possible. It's a huge epic on the same scale as the Wheel. I have since learned that beginning a writing career with something so ambitious is akin to suicide and I have moved to smaller projects to start with. But he inspired me to write more, to write harder, to focus attention on my characters and my world-building. I can't explain exactly what I learned from the Wheel of Time, but I do know that my writing, when I was in high school, improved drastically (or so I was told by my friends) after having read the Wheel of Time and asking myself the question "What is it about this story that I like so much?" And I'm not talking about copying his characters or his plot elements or his world. It just, made me see that it was possible, with a lot of work and dedication, to write things as good as this.

 

Q: We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

A: I am both excited and sad that the series is ending. It's such a huge part of my life that I don't want it to end. But at the same time, I want nothing more than to know what will happen in that final scene. And yes, I feel the series will get a worthy closure. Jordan, from what I hear, wrote the last few chapters himself, and I have every confidence in his ability to wrap this thing up.

 

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

A: I'm very thankful to Mr. Jordan for writing everything that he did, and to his family and Brandon Sanderson for finishing it after his passing. I will also treasure the one time I was privileged enough to meet Mr. Jordan, on the book tour for Knife of Dreams. Drove 600 miles to get to it, but it was totally worth it.

[Musashi]

 

 

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

My Fathers Rabbi's Son gave me the first 5 or 6 Books along with countless other ones when i was about 8 years old. I started reading them when I was 13 and was hooked because of the story and the length I read all of the books that were out at the time which i think was up to Crossroads of Twilight:Book 10 in that first month.

 

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

Everything is wonderful but what sets the Wheel of Time apart is the cast and the world that its set in which is our world in another age with enough hints and references to our world it makes it fun, but most of all the characters are so deep and human that in Brandon Sanderson's words "They are like old friends who I've known for years"

 

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why? It is so true Tolkien may have been RJ's Inspiration among other things, but Robert Jordan is a master gleeman/bard where as Tolkien is something less, but don't get me wrong I love both authors  I just love Robert Jordan's work more.

 

 

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

The biggest mark that is has made on me, was last year in the fall 2009 The Gathering Storm was released I was lucky enough to be able to get every single book in audiobook format, which let me listen to it while I did homework for 16 hours a day. The Audiobooks are always wonderful, but the Wheel of Time books gave me hope when I had none and was almost driven to taking my life in despair, If it weren't for Robert Jordan and Harriet, and Brandon Sanderson for writing and finishing this series, respectively of course, I may not be who I am now or I may not even have been here today. They saved my life and for that I cannot thank them enough for all their work and effort they put into making this series what it is.

 

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

I want it badly and I don't want it to ever end at the same time. Other books have made me feel this way but none this strong that it makes me weep thinking about it ending. Brandon Sanderson will not let us have a bad ending and Robert Jordan spent his last weeks writing out his notes so that the series could be finished, He was a good man and I know that if he didn't feel like he wrote down enough to finish the series in his notes his willpower and support from his family especially Harriet would have let him finish his notes.  

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

That if you had to read only one series of books ever make it the Wheel of Time. I am forever in your debt Robert Jordan, Harriet and Brandon Sanderson and I will not be able to repay you for what you have done for me.

 

[Notharah]

Wow! So many replies already and it's just been a little over a day! :D

 

Needless to say I'm over the moon :). Keep them coming! I'm loving the answers already and the varied yet consistent image they portray.

 

Thanks Kathana for the twitter notice, I'll be sure to check it out :)

[trench]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

I found tEotW at the Laundry mat on base. It was a terribly beaten copy that had been sitting on the windowsill for months. Eventually I picked it up and was hooked by the Rinse cycle.

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

The world and the Magic system, it felt like I had found an actual world full of history culture and life. I have never read much fantasy, what always has attracted me is historical fiction and in some ways this series could almost be in that genre if not for the whole make believe thing. WOT feels so real and the world is so rich, I just wont feel complete until I know this world as well as Robert Jordan, or at least Maria.

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

I would still say its true but Jordan has taken the ball and run it much further then Tolkien ever did. In fact he took the ball and ran it into another field and made up a new game.

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

Before I began this series I was a book snob. I only read the biggest names in literature I wouldn't have even thought of reading a fantasy book or any genre type story. If it wasn't on par with Dostoevsky, I looked down on it. This series showed me how big a fool I was. It showed me how good genre stories can be how meaningful and beautiful they can be.

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

Oh yes, to both questions. I haven't been around since the beginning but this past decade has been a blast and in many ways im ready for it to be over but once it is there will be a whole in my life and I think Brandon Sanderson may just fill it for me with the Stormlight Archives.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

Mat "Bloody" Cauthon is my hero

[goldeneyez06]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

I was given a copy by one of my high school friends, about year 8. (I'm in Australia, I was about 13, so what ever that works out to be for you) and have been thoroughly hooked since!

 

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

Lots of things set this apart in MY mind. The quality of the writing, the amount of thought that has gone into the creation of RJ's world. And also purely the fact that he's set the story up so well you just HAVE to keep reading to find out what happens in the end! and I also LOVE how he combined multiple current demographics to get his nationalities etc.

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

Most certainly still does! I'd have to say it is even more so now as he (and Sanderson) have delved SO much into this world now over the last 12 books that in terms of the "worlds," there's nothing else out there to compare to it. However, I do hear that The Way of Kings (Sanderson) is being reviewed as the next WoT. Even in terms of the story, I don't think there has been a Sci-Fi story out there that has gone on for so long (and please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!)

 

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

I must agree with you, I enjoyed reading BEFORE picking up WoT, but have enjoyed it even more so since. If I find that I'm getting away from reading, all I need to do is pick up tEotW and I'm hooked all over again. (Although there is one point in the series I dread reaching as it just DRAGS, but I understand where RJ was coming from when he wrote it). I've gone from just a humble reader 13 years ago to a (not quite) complete WoT NUTCASE now. My user-namesss are usually goldeneyez (a reference to Perrin, NOT James Bond as 99% of people ask me) anI'mmm even saving up to go the WHOLE nutcase... A Wheel tattoo...

 

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

Having been initially worried about it not getting finished at all, I now know that due to RJ's copious notes it will get finished that way that he wanted. The only difference will be the way it's written. Rand will still defeat the DO @ TG etc., it'll just be Brandon writing how it happens. Yes, I'm MILDLY disappointed that it won't be RJ, but having read tGS, I have EVERY confidence in Brandon that he'll do the Creator proud.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

Just that RJ was a genius and his writings will be sorely missed. I MAY pick up any outlying books that get written (I.E. the remaining two prequels etc.) but I honestly don't think that, unless Brandon writes them, anyone else will do them any justice. Sorry to all those aspiring writers out there looking to cash in on the WoT phenomenon, but IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN! LOL

[Notharah]

Thank you all once more for the wonderful replies :). This is really going to help out majorly with my assignment ;D.

I've sent an email to Brandon Sanderson as well with a related question. Should he email me back I'll post his reply here (I'll try not to forget!), but we'll see when he finds the time to answer :).

 

Of course more replies are still welcome :) I'll come back occasionally to see if any new people have responded ;).

 

For now, take care people and enjoy the ending of this cycle of the Wheel :D

 

*edit, ow and how can I forget: thanks to the people who've sent me an email as well!

[Durinax]

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

The thing that sets it apart is that it takes the history of the world, all the good bad and inbetween and throws them all together and show how the past influences the future and how communication is important, and how important the phrasing of something is. he has shown how bad corruption can be and how it can start, how bad a system it is where only one gender has most of the power. He also includes many foibles to the characters, and shows them to be irrational and rational in the same books, shows how they progress and how these progressions would be different giving different pressures (mat, perrin, rand, egwene). Its like reading my favourite histories (templars and mesoamerica) and how they would interact with other cultures if they had exposure.

[Shimmer]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

A friend suggested i started reading it when i was 11.

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

The Wheel of Time has a depth, vision and scope unlike any other series/book i have ever read. Not only does the series have great characters and plotlines, it also has the "little bit of extra" (i.e. the magnificent history of the cultures and countries as well as the traditions/customs). It simply has an irresistible appeal even after numerous re-reads.

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

RJ did start tEotW in the Tolkien style but he soon found his element and it's more about his style rather than "'the world".

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

WoT made me admire literary complexity even more and it influenced my personal writing style as i started to give more importance to the setting itself and it influenced me in developing my own characters more.

 

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

I am very excited yet at the same time it will be a feeling of sadness. WoT has been a part of my life for more than 3 years now, and although that is a short time, there has been a great concentration and once the series finishes, it will relax and i particularly enjoy the speculation before a release as to what might happen to the plot/characters,etc. Nevertheless, I'm sure it will be an epic closure for an epic series.

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

I wish i could have met him or even seen him. It would have been fantastic just to see the man behind the genius that is WoT.

[Notharah]

Hey all :)

 

I just wanted to, once again, thank you all for your replies.

I handed in my report a couple of weeks ago and got an A+ !! :D

 

There were some really useful quotes from your responses I could use and the whole survey proved a solid base for the research.

I immensely enjoyed reading all of it and, evidently, so did my teacher :P.

 

Kind regards,

 

Notharah

[Luckers]

Hey all :)

 

I just wanted to, once again, thank you all for your replies.

I handed in my report a couple of weeks ago and got an A+ !! :D

 

There were some really useful quotes from your responses I could use and the whole survey proved a solid base for the research.

I immensely enjoyed reading all of it and, evidently, so did my teacher :P.

 

Kind regards,

 

Notharah

 

Wanna post it? :)

[Guest Toucan Math]

How did you come into contact with the Wheel of Time series?

 

My sister brought me a copy for my birthday after being recommended to her by a friend

 

What, in your opinion, sets the Wheel of Time apart? And/or, why are you such a (devoted) fan?

 

Probably the amount of detail and characters, and I love how the complex story unravels

 

The quote “Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal.” is written on each of his Wheel of Time novels. 20 years after that phrase was first used, does that statement still hold true? Or is it less or even more so than before? And why?

 

Since the Wheel of Time got me into fantasy novels I still consider them to be the best, however since I've started reading the genre I've been introduced to many great writers, but the Wheel of Time still has a special place in my heart

 

Robert Jordan ensured I started reading again and often inspired me to think up stories of my own. How have the series and its writer put a mark on your life?

 

Read most of the books during my first year at university, so they were a pretty big part of my life, since then I continue to read the books and listen to the audio tapes

 

We all know the series will be finished by Brandon Sanderson. I will finally have time to read The Gathering Storm this summer and I'm eagerly anticipating. Are you excited for the story to come to an end? And do you feel the series will get a worthy closure?

 

Very exited to hear the conclusions, but I'll be sad when the entire stories been told

 

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Wheel of Time or Robert Jordan?

 

When I heard that RJ had passed I wasn't sad because I might not hear the end of his tale, but because I felt I knew him after following the books for a number of years