Your questions for Brian McClellan!

[Veronica, Supreme Sword]

We're having author Brian McClellan (http://www.brianmcclellan.com/) on the show tomorrow! Send us your questions!

[Yakov]

[I apologize for the length of this question.]

Something I felt you made good use of in Promise of Blood were time skips, which kept the story's pace where it needed to be while not letting it feel crammed into too short an in-world timeframe. Time skips (specifically longer ones, where days or weeks are skipped) are something that I've always had difficulty working into my writing. So basically I'd like to ask if you can share any insight as to how and when you decide to make use of (long) time skips.

[Rob, Roberator]

Oh man I really enjoyed Promise of Blood and can't wait for The Crimson Campaign.

So I have to ask... Snorting gunpowder? What inspired you use gunpowder as a magical component? Either way, I really love your magic system.

[Michael]

As a fantasy author who studied under Brandon Sanderson, do you feel the need to differentiate yourself or distance yourself from his work at all? Would you say your relationship with Brandon was more casual (ie teacher-student) or personal (ie mentor-protégé), and have you found that association to be helpful or detrimental in your own career?

[Nimrod]

What were the most important things you took from Brandon Sanderon's lessons ? Do you feel that it has influenced the writing of the Powder Mage somehow ?

[Michael]

Upon reflection I realized I probably ought to ask a question actually about the book too (which I positively LOVED by the way), so, without going into spoilers too much, what inspired you to end Promise of Blood the way you did (which was quite a badass ending by the way)? And how goes work on Powder Mage novel #3?