24 Comments
Nov 17, 2023Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

This is amazing! I didn’t know much of anything about WoT until my husband watched the series and loooved it. You’ve inspired me to look into the books! I’m so glad you had such an incredible, life changing trip.

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The books have a bit of a slow build. The first one is very deliberately Tolkien-esque and following Rand’s POV. But it expands from there. 💫

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Nov 17, 2023Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

I've ordered book one to my local library!

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Oh, so exciting! The books have a bit of a slow build. The first one is very deliberately Tolkien-esque and following one POV. But it expands from there. 💫

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Dec 23, 2023Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

I finally got it!

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Nov 17, 2023Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

I’m just working my way through the wheel of time for the first time- (a recommendation after I finished Robin Hobb and had the biggest book hangover. I didn’t think anything could fill the void, but it is wonderful.

Thank you so much for sharing your connection to the books. I love hearing about peoples special interests, the passion and connection fill me with joy when I get a glimpse of it. They are so often dismissed by people who don’t understand them, but they can so important for finding community and balance in wellbeing.

I am filled with joy for you that you got to make this journey (and maybe a little envy) thank you for sharing it and what it meant for you.

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Thank you so much Louise. 🥰

Robin Hobb is on my list! Where would you recommend starting with her books?

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Nov 18, 2023Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

I have the same notebook and use it as a grimoire of sorts. Haven’t read WoT, but now you’ve got me intrigued. This makes me want to check it out!

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It feels magic for sure! 💫

The books have a slow build, but are really unlike anything else I’ve read. It starts very close to Tolkien and expands from there. Your library should definitely have a copy of Eye of the World. 🥰

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Nov 19, 2023Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

This is so magical!! Im so happy reading about your adventure and how much creative permission it gave you! I feel like that would make Robert Jordan so happy too ✨✨ I’ve never taken a creative pilgrimage but now I really want to - and that tree is just spectacular! 😍

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Thank you Lindsey. I would definitely recommend planning one! Another pilgrimage I’ve wanted to do for years is visit Green Gables and Prince Edward Island. 🌾

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You can be Sarah Shotts ❤️

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Indeed. 🥰

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I'm so intrigued by this series and love reading your writing about it. I'm hoping to start reading it this year. Thank you for sharing your experiences! It all sounds incredible.

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Nov 26, 2023Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

I don't read much high fantasy, and I've never read The Wheel of Time series. Thanks for writing about it. I put it on hold at the library.

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Wheel of Time is like marmite so I’m almost anxious how many people want to read because of me! 😂 but I hope you love it too. It takes a couple of books to really become the WoT. It starts focused on one shepherd and then in books 2 & 3 the world expands and more characters have POVs.

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Nov 28, 2023Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

Hahaha, I know exactly how you feel. So many of the things I like are like marmite, and I always feel responsible for people when they try something because I like it. Don't worry, if I don't like it, it's on me. Also, by the time I get it from the library, I'm sure I'll have no memory of why I put it on hold in the first place.

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Feb 14·edited Feb 14Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

I love everything about this!! As an avid reader, and someone who has flown overseas multiple times to go to conventions and various tours like the one you have described for my favourite tv show growing up - I can relate!! How incredibly amazing is it when you not only get to fall deeply in love with a book and everything it gives you, but it just keeps giving with the community you find, and you keep getting to become more intimately acquainted with the book through new ways!! Pure bliss *happy sigh* I will probably read this post multiple times for the sheer joy it has put into my world. (You've also made me interested in picking up WoT too)

Not only all the magic of falling over and over again for the same stories, but reading this line was a massive aha! moment for me - I didn’t realize at the time that my interests are a tool for self regulation and a lens I use to process the world. - I felt like something in my world clicked into place and suddenly everything became clearer.

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I love that recognition of seeing boundless enthusiasm in someone - even if it’s about something completely different. And yes, it’s a hugely regulating thing for me! I’m glad that bit helped you understand yourself better. What TV show? I’m curious. 🥰

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Feb 14Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

Supernatural 😍😍 when it finished a couple of years ago I had been watching it for more than half my life! It’s such a regulation and nostalgia show for me, I am never not watching it in some capacity 🥰

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Oh, I love SPN! I met Mark Sheppard and Jim Beaver at Dragon Con once and they were so cool they just stood around for ages talking about acting and performance with a small group of us. It must be so meta to go to a SPN con because of the cons in the actual show.

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Feb 18Liked by Sarah Shotts (they/them)

All the Spn actors are so friendly like that, it’s such a beautiful experience being surrounded by so many of them and seeing the way they interact with each other, as well as the audience - it really is one big family!

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Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story - what The Wheel of Time means to you and the amazing trip that came together for you and your fellow enthusiasts.

I'll need to check it out! And I also really appreciate that you focused on the author's creative process to inspire your own and give you permission to do things your way, too.

Excited for your fiction to come out into the light!

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