Brandon Sanderson interview with Peter Orullian, Part 2

[matrixinterface]

I'd say "epic" is a matter of scope, and to me the distinction is whether we're talking about a whole world or very large scale of things. I'd also say that to me personally it also has some of that heroic line thrown in a bit too. For example, the Illiad is about the kingdom of Troy and includes any number of heroes that push the limits of heroism. WoK is epic because it involves the whole world and many heroic characters. But that's my opinion :)

[iilloopp10]

@matrixinterface I agree. I also think that a book is 'epic' by the amount of effort the author puts into it. It doesn't always have to be about dwarves and elves and a boy with a sword and a dragon. People like Sanderson and Robert Jordan and Rothfuss have been putting a lot of effort into their works trying to sort of change the usual tropes and everything. It's the guys like them who are the real epic fantasy authors.

[matrixinterface]

@iilloopp10 Yeah good point, epic also reflects the work put into it and I love the way they keep the core concepts of Fantasy but decide to really show what can be done. As Brandon has often said, Fantasy doesn't have limits, it can be anything you can imagine.

(On a side note James Cameron was working as a truck driver when he had a dream with these beautiful images and scenery in it. He realized these came from him and the next day quit his job and began working in the film industry.)