That's, Um...Impressive

As a volunteer with FanX, I had the opportunity to wander the vendor floor before the crowds descended. I've been involved in every show since it began in 2013. I've walked the floor every year, but this year something caught my attention, something that stopped me in my tracks.

Brandon Sanderson's Dragonsteel booth.

It's spectacular.

If you're familiar with the author and have followed his career (especially in the past couple of years...) you know he's done well, and by well, I mean...well, extremely well. And good for him. I've only met him a few times and each time, a true gentleman.

Any author who's been in the game for more than a short time, you know marketing is part of the deal. All the successful local authors I know understand they need to market not only their works, but they need to market themselves as well. But even the best salespeople know they have to produce the works...they need to put in the work.

I went back a few hours later, once the throngs of people arrived. The Dragonsteel booth was packed and the line to get books signed by the author was long as well. If you go to FanX this year, check out Brandon's booth.

It's truly impressive.

When Your Costumer Is A Brandon Sanderson Fan...

Tomorrow night we open Centerpoint Legacy Theatre's Pirates of Penzance. One of the roles I'll be playing is a pirate. The costumers for the show outdid themselves by creating unique looks for each pirate. They all look amazing, but I must admit, I love what they did for my character.

Before a show starts, we get feedback from the director, the stage manager, the lighting and audio technicians. We also get a chance to talk to the costumers. They put in countless hours creating their wearable works of art. My costume is different from the others. I wear an ankle-length duster and no hat (the bald head is a good contrast compared to my fellow hairy pirates...). 

Earlier this week a costumer showed me one of the last accessories I'd be wearing, a leather strip with small vials attached to it. She said there'd be different elements inside the vials. My friend and I (he also a Brandon Sanderson fan...) instantly thought about Alloy of Law. 

So we asked.

And she said she used Wayne as in inspiration of my costume.

How cool is that?

Answer: very.

It's been a long time since I read Alloy of Law. My friend read it more recently. As with many books, the way a character looks can vary with each reader. Some might notice the Sandersonian details of my costume. I'm sure it will be lost on many others. My friend asked the costumer if it was okay with them that the audience might not see all the cool things they've literally woven into the costumes.

Her answer was profound as it was awesome. She said, they do it for audience, but also for the actors. The actors know it's there. They know someone put in that extra effort to make a costume special. I'm glad I had that conversation with her. And I'm glad she's a Sanderson fan, too.

Come see the show and if you see a pirate and think, "That's Wayne from Alloy of Law!" I'll be me!

Attending A Nerd Wedding Reception...

When I was a teenager, something you didn't want to be called was a nerd, or a geek. Those were not compliments. I imagine to many those terms are still an insult. Over the past five years or so I've spent a lot of time with self-described nerds and geeks, and because of this, those terms mean something different. To me, they're compliments of the highest degree.

Tonight, my wife and I attended a wedding reception of our friends's daughter. From the very beginning, we knew a lot about the bride and groom. They were not ashamed of their nerd-ery. In fact, they embraced it. Our first clue was the a huge Star Wars poster that served as a sign-in book.

Very cool!

Next, a table displayed items the happy couple felt were important to them. In addition to original artwork and school degrees, there were novels written by prominent fantasy authors, journals, card games, a fencing helmet, and even a Tardis.

More coolness!

And even the treats were nerd-themed. I admire a couple who is willing to show to the world who they are. That's one thing about attending our local Comic Con that I've loved! The people absolutely cherish the opportunity to spend time with like-minded individuals. They dress how they want to, even though they may not look the Hollywood counterparts (but, then again, how many of us look like Hollywood stars? Not many...). They also respect the other people in the hall who are doing the same thing they are--having a wonderful time and not caring what other people think.

Back in the day, I know that if people confessed their love publicly for all things nerd, they would be torn apart by closed-minded people. They'd be ridiculed, mocked, disparaged. People who do this probably still exist--hopefully they're fewer than they once were. But I think, with more and more people not caring what others think, those belittling lose their power, as if they really ever had it to begin with.

Congrats, Ailwynne and Michael, for your wedding and for embracing your inner nerds!

Brandon Sanderson's "Calamity"...A Book Review

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Brandon Sanderson's third book in the Reckoners trilogy Calamity recently came available.

And we bought it.

And it's great!

When I read the first book in the series, Steelheart, I was blown away. Sanderson had created such a unique and amazing world. The baddies were truly bad and the main storyline--superheroes (known as Epics...) who were not good but bad--was fascinating. In each of the previous books, a team of rebels, human with no super powers, must battle foes that seem indestructible. 

In Calamity, the battle is for all the marbles. David, aka Steel Slayer, leads the group to battle perhaps the most power Epic in the transformed city of Atlanta. Sanderson has developed the world and the magic systems so well, we understand how the epics--each with varying levels of power--work together to maintain total control over the humans. Just as the rebels must utilize their individual talents, so must the epics.

David and his group go from one situation of certain disaster to another. I listened to the audiobook version at work and more than once I found myself tapping my fingers on my desk worried for the humans as they battled. There's travels to other dimensions, technology using epic parts of epics, deceptions, twists, and turns.

I would recommend you read Steelheart and Firefight first. There's a lot of stuff you'll need to know before you venture into Calamity. I know some people complain when the third book of a trilogy seems to go "off the rails" and become something different from the previous two. I feel you don't have to worry about that with this book. Sanderson did his usual fantastic job. Calamity is true to the series, a great way to wrap it up.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15704486-calamity?ac=1&from_search=1&from_nav=true

Brandon Sanderson's "Firefight,"...A Book Review

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You ever feel sometimes like you're one of those people who is fighting an evil superhero and your mission is clear--kill them before they kill you?

Then after you DO kill the evil superhero that no one believed could actually die, life gets even more complicated?

Personally, I've never been in that exact situation, but that's what life is like for Jason, the main character in Firefight, Book Two of Brandon Sanderson's Reckoners Series. You'd think after taking down a seemingly un-killable foe Jason's life would be easier, or if not easier, less complicated. But, as in real life, with one challenge conquered, things don't get easier...they get crazy.

Jason is a reckoner, one of the freedom fighters who take on epics, or those with super powers who have chosen to use their talents to forward their evil desires. The thing about epics is each one has a weakness. The trick is finding out what that weakness is and Jason is the best around and determining what those weakness are.

In Steelheart, Book One of The Reckoners Series Jason and his friends take on Steelheart, a wicked ruler of Chicago, a Chicago set in the near future after epics have basically taken over America with each evil superhero claiming a city. Against all odds Jason and the Reckoners defeat Stealheart and are now moving on to a future New York City. The new city presents new challenges with several high epics (the most powerful...) tormenting the citizen. And because of how Stealheart ended, Jason must not only face evil superheroes, but love as well.

The book sets up perfectly a third installment of the series with just enough of the story wrapping up to make Firefight a very satisfying read, but with enough loose ends and potential storylines to make me look forward to reading Book Three to find out how this grand adventure ends.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15704459-firefight?from_search=true

Brandon Sanderson's "Mitosis"...A Book Review

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If you're a fan of Brandon Sanderson and a fan of Audible audiobooks, let me tell you about a deal you're going to love. The only downside is Mitosis, A Reckoners Story audiobook is only an hour and three minutes long.

Did I mention it's free at Audible?

Mitosis is a story from the world Sanderson created in Steelheart, which I believe is my most favorite Sanderson novel. In this new world superheroes, instead of being honorable and good, are anything but. They've realized that with their unusual powers they can rule cities, spread fear and basically get whatever they want.

The trick is stopping them. Stealheart is a great story about how a group of rebels take on an conquer a being so powerful, the tasks seems monumental. In Mitosis the group is back, this time fighting another superhero bent on domination and the cleaver way success is achieved.

If you don't necessarily like audiobooks, go to Audible (link can be found: HERE), sign up and get the free book, and if you like this story, please check out Stealheart. You won't be disappointed.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18966322-mitosis

Brandon Sanderson's "The Rithmatist"...A Book Review

Brandon Sanderson added some personal notes at the end of his book, The Rithmatist which provides some insights into how the book came to be and that he began this project seven years before it became published in its present form.

That little bit of information gives me hope.

Sanderson has proved over and over again that the man can see a project through. The man creates epics and then turns them into incredible stories that give us, the readers and fans hours, weeks, and months of literary pleasure.

I bought and had signed by the author The Rithmatist earlier this year. I finished it today. The book is a blending of elements we've already seen and somethings that I don't believe anyone's ever seen before. The story is set in America, except instead of a solid continent, the states are a series of islands. On one of these islands is a school, a school where students possessing magical skills are educated alongside students that lack magical abilities. That may sound familiar, but what's not familiar is the magic system invented by the author.

It's brilliant!

And it involves chalk.

Students who are training to become rithmatists learn how to create designs with chalk, designs that come to life with the ability to kill, or designs used as defenses against such attacks. Before each chapter illustrations give the reader an idea of simple and complex defenses, and like putting a gun in  the first act of a story that will eventually be used in the story's third act, the illustrations give notice of upcoming events.

Sure, it's about teenagers and magic and Sanderson proves the formula is far from exhausted. It's a fun read with wonderful artwork. I enjoyed the book very much.

And Sanderson gives me hope that all those little projects I've started and abandoned will one day see the light of day.

Brandon Sanderson's "The Way Of Kings"...Thoughts On A Big Book

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I've come to the conclusion that I will probably not read every book Brandon Sanderson writes, which, considering how long it takes to write a 1000+ page book, I should be able to keep up. Unless, of course, if the man can write faster than a normal person can read. Then there's no hope for any of us.

I've read a few of Sanderson's books, which is like saying I've seen a few Michael Caine films. My favorite Sanderson book (so far...) is Steelheart. Today I finished all 45+ hours of Sanderson's audiobook The Way Of Kings, Book One of The Stormlight Archive. Folks--that's a lot of reading, or in my case, reading pleasure.

One thing I've found out about myself that when I listen to an audiobook epic fantasy novel, I quickly get lost--mostly with the characters. When I read a book, my eyes can identify the different characters (even though in my mind I'm always mispronouncing their names...). I can also go back and read a paragraph or a page of text if I feel like I'm getting lost. I suppose I can do that with the audible version--it's just not as convenient.

Needless to say, there were several times when I didn't know what was going on, but I kept going, kept listening until the very last word. And why?

Because I like the way Brandon Sanderson writes. 

He's so good that even when I'm lost, I still want to listen and by the end of the work, I know what's going on (even though much of the stuff between the book covers went in one ear and out the other...).

I know this is a series with many many chapters in the story to come. Will I read them all? I hope so, but of course, there's always that "Mr. Sanderson writes faster than I can read" issue.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7235533-the-way-of-kings?from_search=true

Introducing Brandon Sanderson's Steelheart...Not Quite A Review

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 I must begin by saying I have not completely finished Brandon Sanderson's latest work. In fact, I've only just begun listening to the audiobook. So, this is not a review, but more some general thoughts.

Since I began going to writing conventions last year, I had the opportunity of hearing Mr. Sanderson speak several times about writing. I even got to ask him a question. "Brandon!" I yelled across a crowded hall. "Do you know where Mary Kowal is?" He did answer me so I guess we've met. My son was lucky (and brave...) enough to ask him a question on a Q & A session he and the other members of the Writing Excuses Podcast members did at the LTUE conference in 2012. I believe that's the year their podcast won a Hugo award. I like to think my son had something to do with it.

But enough of that. Like I said, I just downloaded the Steelheart audiobook this morning and I'm about a 90 minutes in. I knew nothing of the book except he wrote it. In a way, that's a wonderful way to start a new book. The entire experience is something new, unknown. So far, it's fantastic.

Since I listen to many books, I rarely write reviews. I've liked this one so much, I did a preemptive review, so not really much to discuss. Maybe in a few days, that will change. So far, it's a great read.

...Or listen.

* Photo used without permission from: http://brandonsanderson.com/books/steelheart/steelheart/

Authors, Egos, And The Lack Thereof...

I've never met Brandon Sanderson and I'm admitting here that I've never read anything he's written (I just haven't had the time--hopefully that will change, and--come one--the guy writes 400,000 word books...). Today my son and I attended the Life, the Universe, & Everything writing conference at Utah Valley University, and it was the first time I saw the author Brandon Sanderson in person (he's at the far right in the above picture...). 

To the attendees at the conference the writers who produce the Writing Excuses podcast are like rock stars, except I doubt they have ever trashed a hotel room...okay, maybe Mr. Tayler has in the past. When my son and I checked the day's schedule we noticed that the conference set time aside at 7 p.m. this evening for book signings by the authors in attendance. My son brought a copy of a Brandon Sanderson book in hopes of getting it signed. Unfortunately, we had to leave before the signing time. During a break between podcast recordings the authors remained in their seats and fielded questions from brave fans, but mostly they signed books. They didn't need to, but they did. My son got his book signed by the author. That's a first for him and the simple gesture impressed me. Mr. Sanderson didn't have to sign the book. He could have said just wait until tonight, but he didn't. Thank you Mr. Sanderson for making my son's day. He even got to ask the last question of the day to the panel--he was flying!

Egos. I can't say if these authors have huge egos. I mean, I've only spent a few hours in the same room with them, but if they do, their egos did not interfere with our experiences. We had a good time and when someone takes time out of their life to do something special for someone else, especially since they don't have to, that's a class act. That's what I saw today.