Theoryland of the Wheel of Time

I attended the book signing in Cincinnati, OH today, Saturday October 22nd 2005. There was a strong gathering of people for the book signing, much more so than it seems other dates have garnered so far. I arrived with my friend around 12:30pm and we were numbers 80 and 81 in line to have our books signed at 2:00pm.

A little before 2:00pm Robert Jordan arrived with his wife Harriet a few seconds behind him. As he entered to applause, RJ sat down at the table provided by Border's and situated himself for a few moments before addressing the crowd. He began by addressing pronunciations of several key figures and places, which have already been covered by others on Dragonmount.

RJ also mentioned a question that he suspected would be asked and answered it before someone did ask. The question was when would book 12 be out, which he answered in a humorous manner would be shortly after he finished writing it.

how many more books?

,

a memory of light

After this brief explanation and opening Remarks RJ opened the floor for questions. Some asked pronunciation about a particular name or place not already mentioned by RJ.

One man asked whether or not Perrin's dealings with the Wolf Dream would be further explained, which RJ immediately RAFO'd.

perrin

,

wolfbrothers

,

wolf dream

,

tel'aran'rhiod

My own question was whether or not RJ had in mind the numbers of chapters it would take to play out the Last Battle.

He said he did not but that it would be more than one chapter.

rj on writing

,

how will it end?

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tarmon gai'don

Another RAFO was the question of what the colors in Rand's, Perrin's, and Mat's heads when they think of each other mean.

ta'veren

,

rand

,

mat

,

perrin

A question a girl asked, which is often asked, is why Rand gets to sleep with three women.

Allentrace

rand

,

elayne

,

min

,

aviendha

,

rj on life

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the harem

RJ also confirmed that he would reveal who killed Asmodean by the printing of the paperback of the twelfth book. He stated he would only reveal it in the book if there was a natural need for it. In other words, only if it was imperative to the story line; he would not add it on a whim.

asmodean

,

a memory of light

RJ also briefly outlined in what was my favorite part of the Q and A the nature of the other two prequels. Specifically what made Tam al'Thor decide to give up a "lucrative military career" and move to the Two Rivers and buy a small farm, and how Lan and Moiraine arrived in the Two Rivers when they did in The Eye of the World. RJ also briefly mentioned that we would meet Kari al'Thor (Rand's surrogate mother) and how she came to meet Tam. All in all they were obvious answers, but nice to hear RJ confirming them all the same.

prequels

,

tam

,

kari

,

two rivers

,

lan

,

moiraine

,

the eye of the world

After several minutes of questions RJ moved to signing books, with groups of 25 at a time being called into line. All during the time I was waiting for my turn I watched RJ's interaction with the people whose books he was signing, and I can say without hesitation he was one of the nicest authors I have ever met. He never seemed bored by questions the individuals asked (even repetitive ones) as they were getting their books signed and always seemed enthused to answer them. When it came my time I was only too happy to have him shake my hand and take a picture of him signing my books. As I mentioned I would be attending the Anchorage, AK signing, he said that he was happy to be able to go and meet his AK fans and to get some salmon fishing done. It was a great day and I was happy to find that one of my favorite authors is also such a nice man.

rj the man

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rj on fishing