I just finished the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson.
Full disclosure: I don’t read that much anymore. While consuming literature – particularly fantasy, with a dose of sci-fi and horror – was a preoccupation of my youth, I’ve found less and less time for it in life as the years roll by. As a write, I naturally find this admission a little painful. And to my credit, whenever I’m feeling stuck in my own writing I tend to pick up a book.
I have been fortunate in that I have always found inspiration in art. Some writers or musicians absorb another artists’ work and feel intimidated, maudlin, or downright depressed. Even though much of my craft is relatively mediocre – with a maddening penchant of making me work all the harder for Every. Little. Scrap – I have always found motivation and inspiration in other people’s work.
I have to admit… I’m struggling with that a little bit right now. The Mistborn books are an excellent read, and Sanderson is more than proficient at creating compelling characters and weaving a story that holds you as it moves along. Still, I read the books in fits and starts over the course of two or three months. At times it felt like he was wandering a bit, and much like my absolutely favorite writer Mr. Robert Jordan – and, not coincidentally, yours truly – he likes to switch perspectives every few chapters to create an illusion of momentum that pushes everyone along separately in the same narrative. It’s effective, but a little disjointed at times.
And yet I never questioned whether I would push on to the end of the series. It was just too good.
I finished the third book less than an hour ago. (And yes, I know that if you look up Mistborn you’ll find three more books that follow the trilogy, but if you’ve read this stuff you know why the end of book three hit me so hard.) And for the first time in a long time, I’m simply stunned. Flummoxed. Intimidated, even. I just don’t know how to get back to my book after that. I’m still reeling.
I know that time and distance will offer perspective, but I have to say that I rather enjoy being in this place. I kinda want to hold on to this feeling for a while, even if it makes me effectively unproductive.
Read Mistborn. It’s worth it.