The metaphor of Brandon being Sam and not Frodo was simply beautiful.

I want to BRAG on myself just a bit. When I read Mistborn, I actually wrote an Amazon review saying that if anyone could do justice to the ending of WOT, it would be Brandon Sanderson. In some ways, I thought Mistborn was stronger than Jordan's later books. After I learned that Brandon was selected to finish the series, I was elated. I printed off a copy of my Amazon review and drove 4 hours to Seattle where Brandon was doing a book signing. When I brought him my copy of Mistborn to sign, I gave him my Amazon review and told him what I had said about him. He signed my book, "Thank you for your prescience". A treasure!

Brandon, your finishing The Wheel of Time meant the world to me, and it’s how I discovered you, after Wheel of Time was there when I needed it. Then, you were there when we needed you. Thank you.

"GRRM, at this recording, was still not done with ASOIAF" And when you are reading this comment (not only at the time I am writing it), he is still not done.

I am really sad that you never got to discover the ending of the wheel of time as a fan. But as a fan myself I'm super glad you wrote it.

I'm just shocked that Brandon ''writes half million words books'' Sanderson was at a loss for words. That's how big a moment this was for him

"I'd like the ending please" What a power play

I've heard Brandon tell this story at least ten different times and I'm still watching for some reason

I don't think you'll ever read this, but here it goes. I started reading The Wheel of Time about 5 years ago, and I was totally hooked. Then, around October 2015, my 25 years old sister was diagnosed with cancer, and they found 3 tumors in her brain. There wasn't much the doctors could do, so that sucked. The thing is, my sister wanted me to stay with her in the hospital every night, so that's how I finished the series. I read the last 3 books during her final weeks, and she passed on November 18th 2015, and now, after 5 years, I've been thinking about re-reading the whole series... It's hard to even think about it, but honestly I don't really remember much, I just remember that I loved it and that it was just what I needed to get away from a crap situation. Obviously, after reading The Wheel of Time, I had to start reading your books, and that's when you became my favorite author. I recommended your books to my girlfriend, and you've become her favorite too. Also, I convinced my aunt to read Mistborn, she loved it and asked for more books hahaha. Thanks for being such an amazing author, and for helping me get through such a painful moment of my life. I've loved every single page you've written.

One of my favorite quotes from Jim Butcher: I think Sanderson was the next best thing to crazy to take up The Wheel of Time. It doesn’t matter what he writes, there are going to be fanatic readers who are /furious/ at him. That’s just the simple truth. I loved his answer when I asked him why he did it, though: it amounted to “I loved the story and wanted it to be done right, and I knew that I would.” That’s intensely cool, right there. That’s rock star. When the game’s on the line, winners want the ball. I’ve had a little experience in working with someone else’s IP, and I’m not in a hurry to repeat it. EDIT: This was from about a year before the A Memory of Light came out.

Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong. - Mordin Solus

The wheel of time saved me. I grew up in foster care and group homes. I'm 35 now but I was 15 when I read the first book. I was able to get through those last few years because there was this world I could escape to. It kept me sane in an insane situation. Being able to finish the story really meant everything to me. I laughed and cried and smiled. When I set down the last book I didn't feel the loss I sometimes feel when finishing a series, I felt relieved. Finishing that book felt like I laid to rest that messed up part of my life, in a good way. I got closure that I couldn't get anywhere else. Now my son is reading WoT and wants to be a writer. No series has spanned so much of people's lives as this one. Thank you so much for finishing it and doing it better than I could have hoped.

The Brandon Sanderson schedule for success: 12pm: wake up 1-5pm: write 5-10pm: family time 10pm-2am: write 2-4am: gaming/hobbies 4am-12pm: sleep God I wish this were my schedule

Brandon: there are better authors out there than me Me: mmmm, good lie

Out of all of Brandon's works, him finishing the Wheel of Time is probably his most impressive piece of art. Taking a series as beloved and well written as The Wheel of Time, and not only finishing it, but finishing it in a way that was satisfying and so well written that most people wouldn't even be able to tell it was a different author, is simply jaw dropping.

For all young aspiring writers who love Brandons books, imagine being asked to finish The Stormlight Archive, thats what Brandon did pretty much.

It took me over a decade after Robert Jordan's passing to start the heretical impostor's novels to finish the series. Loved them! So happy Brandon Sanderson took on the job. He's no longer the heretical impostor.

"I was not Frodo, I was Sam" That is such a great metaphor. I loved the way you finished the series, you did an honorable job. Thanks for all the hard work.

You could write a prequel: "The Lever of Time" or a sequel "The compound Pulley of Time".

I dunno man, that sleep schedule is pretty normal for me on weekends

I was emotional when Jordan passed. And I'm even more emotional when I think about how it's finished. I remember when Robert first announced his disease he said the WoT will be finished even if they have to nail him shut. He lived up to that word. I get chills just thinking about it

As an old man who has read fantasy for nearly 55 years, I'm 67, Brandon, thank you so much for you stories which forced me to read late into the night and almost complete weekends because your books were they took me to a different universe. I also knew if I took a longer time, the thrill wouldn't be as Intense. It's like a roller coaster, the faster, the better. Also, you made a great Sam, faithful, humble, and true to your word.

The photo of mat, Rand and Perrin looking over you and Harriet made my heart lurch, beautiful art and beautiful final books to the wheel of time. Thank you for doing what you do Brando Sando

I got around 7 books into the wheel of time three years ago before life happened and I couldn’t finish it. Finally got around to rereading it, it’s all coming back like a fever dream

Someone must be chopping onions nearby... I’m so grateful that Brandon was able to finish this. I never fail to get emotional when Brandon tells this story.

"She had considered George Martin and discarded him very quickly because she realized his fans would revolt if he were given another project, because he wasn't finished with The Song of Ice nad Fire, which at this recording he still isn't. It was probably a good move." Talk about subtle burn. Took me two months to realize how much does this sting, precisely. (P. S. - Yes, I know that Brando Sando basic setting is "Minnesotta (eh...Utah) nice" and he probably didn't mean it that way, but the burn is still real, nonetheless.)

I found Sanderson because he took over writing WoT. I was floored when RJ died and when I heard Sanderson was taking over I picked up mistborn and fell in love with him as an author. You did a great job finishing Wot Brandon and made a life long fan out of me!

"Just a little book called Ender's Game, is you've ever heard of that". Is there a bit of Mormon rivalry between Brandon and Orson?

I feel like he was being incredibly sarcastic when he said "It'll be fun to document the WHOLE STORY for the channel," like he hasn't had to tell this story a thousand times in a thousand venues.

Awww. I love this. I grew up with Wheel of Time, starting at 15 in 1991. And I became a huge fan of ASoIaF in about 2003. I have spent years waiting for those two series to finish, and then I discovered Brandon's writing when he picked up RJ's mantel. Now I'm also a fan of both Mistborn and the Stormlight Archive. And now, I'm finally writing my own! Thank you, Brandon Sanderson.

Brandon Sanderson is a ray of light in these dark times

All I gotta say is...Book 14's ending was beautiful. I was in tears. Sanderson was the perfect choice. May peace favor your sword!

brandon really reminds me of tarantino a lot. the way they both talk and their passion and knowledge about their crafts is fantastic to watch

I'm glad you believed in yourself. I am trying to do the same.

I would love to see The Travels of Jain Farstrider! That would be a great look at other places within the WOT world and give it even more depth.

"By the way, your dress is green" is the most epic line I've ever read. Thanks for making this difficult decision and writing the best out of it.

The last paragraph in WOT was the perfect setup.... I never saw it coming. When Rand lit his pipe, I just sat there gobsmacked for like 5 minutes while every single loose end and puzzle piece of the last 25 years of me reading this series came crashing in to place and tears came unbidden to my eyes.... Bravo Sir! Bravo!

In all honesty, Brandon rescued the Wheel of Time series for me. I almost completely lost interest at about book 8. I felt Jordan had dug himself into some ruts he wasn't able to see his way out of. But, Brandon breathed new life into the characters that were growing stale and fixed some story lines that had been mundane. I know lots will disagree, but it's just my humble opinion about a series I love even more thanks to Brandon.

Thanx for the video Brandon! Awesome! I think they should ask your advice on the Wheel of Time Series coming out on Amazon!

Brandon Sanderson finishing WoT is what got me into reading his books. I'd never heard of him before that. Now I'm enjoying Sanderson Books as much as I enjoy WoT.

I remember the loss of R. Jordan and being deeply saddened that his master piece that id been reading for so long would never truly be finished. I remember hearing about some (to me at least) unknown author being given the task of completing the saga and thinking ' Oh no! There is no way this is going to feel right'. I am so glad to say I was wrong, very wrong. I felt Brandon lifted the story back to it's dizzy heights of the first 5 books after it has slipped a little and gave it the best possible conclusion anyone other than Jordan himself could. I also found a new favourite Author, I have read everything he has published and loved each of them. Now with the discovery of his youtube channel it turns out he is also a really nice guy too! Thanks Brandon for providing me with a holiday from the world from time to time I really appreciate it. Keep up the good work.

The prequel that needs writing is "The Whitecloak War" starring Tam Al'thor. Then finish the New Spring trilogy with "The Tower Unbroken" following Gitara Moroso from the POV of the Accepted Verin.

I don't know how it would have ended if another author picked this up, but I am glad it was you. Thank you for finishing it and for the Cosmere.

I can't imagine the pressure. Like the feeling of being honored, but not wanting to screw up the thing you and other people love. It would be like if after "The Wolves of the Calla", Stephen King died and they asked me to finish "The Dark Tower." Like, what do you say? Yes? No? Like I would be so conflicted, like it would be a huge honor, but the pressure would be so much. I would never want to destroy a story by an author I love, but I would almost do it for the author and the fans. Could you imagine that? Like, I don't know man.

The last book I read to my father as he lay dying from stage 4 lung cancer he passed a few weeks after we finished the series for the final time those books are a giant part of my life I've read the entire series more times then i can remember and arguably I wouldn't be who i am without them thank you for finishing them and i can forgive you for being from Utah (I'm from wyo )

I was surprised to find myself crying at the end of this interview. These books were a light in dark times Thank you, Brandon

Thank you for this. WOT was my first ever fantasy series even before Narnia. I stopped when RJ died. Then I read you continued it. As a Filipino who's eager to know what the world was like in my country before to colonists came, I've always dreamed of writing a fantasy hero-epic that shows our original heritage. RJ inspired me to start this dream and now you are continuing it. I am now a screenplaywriter and almost forgotten this dream but I saw this video. I'm going back to my writing from way back college to resume building this dream. Thank you, RJ. And Thank you, Robert! I'm starting your series and I am looking forward to receive them in the mail.

Or it would have been like the Star Wars sequel trilogy: You get screenwriters/editors that are neither fans nor are they good writers.

I'm not sure you would ever have time again without dropping your own ambitions for the Cosmere. I am happy to say I do wonder where I will be when I read Stormlight 10

It speaks strong of Brandon's character to step back on a potential cash hog. As a result I bought into the stormlight archive

Humility, that’s the mark of a person with honor,

Brandon brought back the focus and direction to the series that started to slip as RJ lost his battle. The readership owes Brandon Sanderson a huge debt of gratitude for giving us closure and at the same time showcasing his talent to a wider audience. Finishing the last book will stay with me forever and I owe it all to Brandon Sanderson, the absolute machine :)

Brandon, I have issues with some of your work, and genuinely adore some of it. However, I'm always profoundly fond of the thoughtful, succinct manner in which you discuss the industry and its history. I enjoyed this story very much.

Thank you for sharing this story. Like millions of other fans, I was saddened by the death of Robert Jordan, and worried that I would see how the story ended. You did an amazing job of finishing a classic series. Thank you, and thanks to Harriet for choosing you. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.

I had never heard of brandon when he was chosen. Best choice ever. Was very nervous when the books came out but was so happy with the way they turned out. Became a Sanderson/ cosmere fan because of it.

You're reasons for writing the last book were similar to the reasons Perrin decided to lead the two rivers. He didn't trust anyone else to do it.

I feel Jordan's world is pretty complicated and the transition was seamless. I maybe even enjoyed those books you helped write better. Maybe it's because all the loose ends were coming together at last after over a decade of waiting. I loved it. Thank you sir.

The Samwise analogy, just beautiful

Brandon: "I don't think Robert Jordon would want me too." Logically he would want you to if anyone was going to be the person to do it. You respected his vision for the Wheel of Time and did an incredible job finishing the series. He probably feared if others wrote in his universe that they would miss it up. You (Brandon) proved that you can successfully write in his universe and I think that would have made all the difference to him. It does to the fans at least. (P.S. I love all your work and can't wait to receive my Dragonsteel copy of Way of Kings, do you think the leather-bound Mistborn books will be in stock on your website any time soon because I was too late to get to reading you and missed out on buying that series. Thank you for all you do especially the free writing classes you post on UKposts. You are an incredible author and person and I can't thank you enough!)

This is the best faq yet! Eyes the awesome illustration pointedly...

I was absolutely amazed how when reading the final trilogy, i couldn't tell someone else was writing it. I think that's amazing!

Yesterday I finished the WoT for the first time and the void I now have inside me is something I don't have words to explain. Today in a youtube video someone said the word "pattern" in a completely unrelated topic and I started crying. I don't know how can anyone get over this, but I suppose that the wheel weaves as the wheel wills. Thank you Brandon, it was definetely an ending

Christopher Tolkien finishing his father’s works is one thing. Someone writing new books in Middle Earth? Unconscionable.

Good metaphor about Sam and Frodo. Though from memory Sam helped Frodo with his burden multiple times.

It's always said when you find out someone you admire now died during your lifetime and at that time, you didn't even know he existed. Felt that way for Terry Pratchett as well.

Brandon, this was excellent. Looking forward to future episodes.

Loved a memory of light great job man.

Your books in the WoT series was how I became a huge fan of yours. You breathed new life into a series that was starting to drift away. That you felt it necessary for you to finish WoT because it needed to be done right isn't ego - that's just simple fact. You, sir, did the series justice and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I picked up Mistborn after a random UKposts video popped up from Daniel Greene. I had just recently got back into the fantasy genre, and didn’t know who Sanderson was. I flew through the book and bought the rest of the Mistborn series. Here it is over two years later and I have most of Sanderson’s books. He is an amazing author. After watching his interviews, he seems like a genuinely smart and humble author. If ever I have a chance to meet him, I will do so without reservation!!!

Ahhhh This was so amazing, thank you SO much for sharing your story, Brandon! :D

This is fantastic! Love it, thank you so much!

Brandon is so down to earth, what a great personality, love to see it. Really want to see his perspective on the tv series of WOT when it comes out.

Brandon, when asked by fans, Robert Jordan used to say that he would never need to write a prequel to The Wheel of Time to deal with the first war against the shadow, because by the time he finished the series every interesting story about the first war would have been told. I don't think that's the case at all. He seems not to have gotten around to it, for good or ill, and with no fault to him. Do you feel that a prequel is lacking? Asking this, because I don't think a sequel is warranted, at least not without stepping on Robert Jordan's wishes, but a prequel would seem to have more merit.

Thank you Brandon, for everything you have done.

Brandon Sanderson here answering questions I didn't know I needed the answer to. Again 🤣 Thank you!

I am at 9:36 at the moment and had to laugh several times already. You are not only a very skilled author but also very good at telling a story live. Regarding your fear, you would mess up the WoT series, i can assure you, that you did a terrific job to knot together all story lines and to keep Mr. Jordans style to tell a story. Thank you for finishing R. Jordans work :)

I often wondered. It was how I heard of and became a Brandon Sanderson fan.

Wow this was so interesting to listen to. Thanks Brandon!

I read his articles back in my formative years, great to re-hear it on now.

So glad you were able to offer insight to the TV show, I feel like we are all a little afraid of the show being a disaster

Hey Brandon! I had first picked up Wheel of Time when I was 10 years old, and it was my first introduction to a lifelong passion for fantasy. With your continuation of the series, it was also my first introduction to your writing! I feel that you absolutely did the series justice, and loved in particular how you developed Perrin's character leading up to and during the Last Battle. I'm a huge fan of all your works, and want to say thank you for inspiring the next generation of authors!

Thank you so much Brandon Sanderson!

And you did an absolutely incredible job!!! Thank you for giving us all closure!

This is a year and 1.1k comments later, but I guess it's never too late to mention how grateful I am that you finished my most beloved series of books, and did it so well. I actually remember getting Mistborn and reading it specifically because I wanted to see what kind of guy they had put in charge of it, and I haven't stopped reading since. Mistborn, Elantris and Warbreaker are all favourites of mine, and I think Stormlight is right up there with Wheel of Time for me now. I absolutely adore it. As an aside, I'm really happy to be getting more Elantris soon!

Brandon being such an amazing author, a likeable person, and a relatable person makes reading his stuff all the more satisfying.

I wish the show writers had the same care and respect for Robert Jordan's work that you did when you finished the series. You did a beautiful job; where as the feel I'm getting from what has been leaked about the TV series is exactly what your fear was if you didn't do the books yourself. It looks like we have a good screen writer that isn't a fan of Wheel of Time. Changing things like having Moraine announce she's an Aes Sedai as soon as she enters Edmonds Field. Makes no sense and is completely outside her character. Books go into great detail how they were trying to hide what she was and why and they just do the exact opposite. I'm so MAD!

This is a great story. I was wondering this question just a week ago. Wonderful to know.

The Best story Ever written. Anyone else tear up watching this interview..

This is such a fantastic story, because it illustrates the idea that small acts of kindness can go so far. So many people were hoping or even trying for the opportunity to do this, but your eulogy was what won her over. Obviously, if you sucked as a writer, she would have read Mistborn and not been interested, but your genuine respect for the man and selfless act of writing the eulogy as an homage to the man really picqued her interest.

I'd love a biopic film of Brandon finishing the wheel of time, like flashbacks and flash forwards. Robert writing WoT and then Brandon Writing WoT, I could only imagine the surreal feeling Brandon felt seeing and reading Roberts notes for the final books

Love the illustration coming to life throughout the video. Simply brilliant! 😍 Thank you, Isaac (I presume?) 👏

What a wild sleep/work schedule. I'm such a jealous 8-5 office worker.

Sanderson is so reliable as a writer that I actually started reading WoT after reading Stormlight + Mistborn + Skyward series BECAUSE Sanderson wrote the last 3 books and I wanted more of him!

This was beautiful 😭

There are neither beginnings nor endings to the wheel of time. I really hope Brandon and Harriet change their minds and give us just a little more.

Brandon, to be honest I haven’t read any of your books yet, and despite that, you’re an inspiration to me. I’ve been reading through the Wheel of Time and should start your portion early next year, and I’m certain the next series I pick up will be Mistborn. Your lectures and advice as a professional writer, provided for free, have given me something to work towards. Even if I never get published, I want to have finished novels and put the stories in my head out into the universe. You have my respect and I truly can’t wait to read your books!

You did a great job finishing the series. I always hoped to read the story of lews therin.

Wow! This is a fantastic story/video!

I absolutely LOVE the illustration

I read The Wheel of Time just a few months ago. It's a masterpiece of fantasy and it's some of the greatest writing I've ever had the privilege of reading. Sanderson, I know I'm not the first to say this, but you did a fantastic job of finishing the series off