Robert Jordan was born today in writing history, October 17. Celebrate the author’s birthday by learning more about his life and contributions to the writing world. Aspiring writers should also use this opportunity as a writing exercise. Look for inspiration today in writing history.

Writing Prompts for Today In Writing: October 17

Please take this opportunity to learn more about Robert Jordan and his contributions to fantasy literature. The Wheel of Time exceeded the author’s original six-book series. It would achieve bestseller status for several of the later sequels. The popularity of Jordan’s narrative would grow to such heights that it outlived its creator.

What led Robert Jordan to write? Where did the inspiration for his ideas come from? And what helped the author create his literary style? Find inspiration about Jordan, learn more details about his life, and write!

Robert Jordan Biography

Robert Jordon (James Oliver Rigney Jr.) was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 17, 1948. Jordan was exceptionally literate at a young age. With the help of his older brother, the author taught himself to read by the time he was four. At five, Robert Jordan was reading novels from literary greats like Jules Verne and Mark Twain. 

In 1966, after graduating high school, Jordan enrolled at Clemson University. However, he dropped out after his first year to enlist in the US Army. Robert Jordan served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter gunner from 1968 to 1970. The author was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star for his service.

Education at The Citadel

Following his tours of duty, Jordan returned to the United States in 1970 and attended The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina. He graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science. Following graduation, Robert Jordan took a job with the US Navy as a nuclear engineer. 

Robert Jordan’s Writing Career

Robert Jordan’s writing career began in 1977 under a series of pen names. His first published novel, The Fallon Blood, was released in 1980 under the name Reagan O’Neal. It would spawn two sequels over the following two years, dealing with the history of the South, a topic of great interest to Jordan. Although the author had plans to further the series, he admitted he got bored with it and moved on to other ideas.

The author continued to find inspiration from his deep passion for history. In 1982, he wrote a western, Cheyenne Raiders, under the pen name Jackson O’Reilly. Robert Jordan would be one of several writers chosen to work on the new Conan the Barbarian series.

Robert Jordan, Conan the Barbarian

When Robert Jordan’s publisher, Tor Books, acquired the rights to Conan the Barbarian, Tom Doherty, the publishing house’s founder, wanted stories quickly. Harriet McDougal, Tor editor, and Robert Jordan’s wife, suggested the author for the task. Robert Jordan wrote his first unpublished 90,000-word novel, Warrior of the Altaii, in thirteen days. His speed would be a valuable asset.

Robert Jordan would write for Conan the Barbarian as the character’s popularity skyrocketed in the early 1980s. As a film series starring a young Arnold Swarzenegger lit up the box office, Jordan authored seven novels for the Conan series between 1982 and 1984. According to the author, the process was enjoyable and an exercise for his writing.

Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time

Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series began on January 15, 1990, with the release of The Eye of the World. Originally planned as a six-book series, its popularity made the author expand on his original idea. The series would span fourteen books, sell millions of copies worldwide, and achieve fantasy acclaim parallel to The Lord of the Rings. Jordan regularly published sequels over the next decade and kept his avid fans up-to-date with his progress through his blog.

Illness and Death

On March 23, 2006, Robert Jordan revealed he had been diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, an extremely rare blood disease. With an average life expectancy of four years, the author was courageously optimistic about beating his illness. According to the author, he had ideas and plans to write for another thirty years and intended to do so. 

Jordan began chemotherapy in April 2006 and participated in a study for a new drug that hadn’t been tested for amyloidosis. Despite his fearless outlook, Robert Jordan died on September 16, 2007. He had published eleven of the fourteen novels in The Wheel of Time.

Completion of The Wheel of Time

Robert Jordan stayed devoted to writing his Wheel of Time series until his death. The author regularly revealed ideas and updates through his blog as he worked towards completing his vision. However, closer to the time of his death, Jordan shared essential plot details for completing his masterpiece without him. 

On December 7, 2007, Tor Books announced author Brandon Sanderson had been chosen to finish the Wheel of Time series. Harriet McDougal decided on Sanderson after reading his novel Mistborn: The Final Empire. On January 8, 2013, the fourteenth and final book of The Wheel of Time series, A Memory of Light, completed the series.

6 Robert Jordan Quotes

1. You can never know everything, and part of what you know is always wrong. A portion of wisdom lies in knowing that. A portion of courage lies in going on anyway.

2. Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this. Men forget, but never forgive; women forgive, but never forget.

3. We are always more afraid than we wish to be, but we can always be braver than we expect.

4. Never think I have abandoned you. When the sun shines on you, it is my smile. When you hear the breeze stir through the apple blossoms, it is my whisper that I love you. My love is yours forever.

5. What can’t be changed must be endured.

6. Death comes to us all; we can only choose how to face it when it comes.

Robert Jordan Books

The Fallon Blood (1980)

The Fallon Pride (1981)

The Fallon Legacy (1982)

Cheyenne Raiders (1982)

Conan Novels

Conan the Invincible (1982)

Conan the Defender (1982)

Conan the Unconquered (1983)

Conan the Triumphant (1983)

Conan the Magnificent (1984)

Conan the Destroyer (1984) 

Conan the Victorious (1984)

The Wheel of Time Series

The Eye of the World (1990)

The Great Hunt (1990)

The Dragon Reborn (1991)

The Shadow Rising (1992)

The Fires of Heaven (1993)

Lord of Chaos (1994)

A Crown of Swords (1996)

The Path of Daggers (1998)

Winter’s Heart (2000)

Crossroads of Twilight (2003)

Knife of Dreams (2005)

The Gathering Storm (2009) coauthored by Sanderson

Towers of Midnight[6] (2010) coauthored by Sanderson

A Memory of Light (2013) coauthored by Sanderson

Today in Writing: October 17 – Daily Writing Exercise

Now that you have done some reading, it is time to write. Aspiring writers should look to the stories from Today in Writing: October 17 and Robert Jordan’s life. Read his quotes and study his writing to understand the author’s style. 

Find a topic and freewrite for 10 minutes. Robert Jordan’s idea for Wheel of Time grew past his original concept. A beloved series, Jordan wrote for his audience and reached out to them regularly. Jordan worked unflinchingly to complete his idea in the short time he was given. Aspiring writers should look for inspiration in this writer’s determination and start writing.

Don’t let any opportunity to write go to waste. Aspiring writers: Practice your writing today. Celebrate Today in Writing History October 17.