Lecture #3: Plot Part 2 - Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

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  • Опубликовано: 11 фев 2020
  • Welcome to the third lecture of my BYU 2020 creative writing class focused on writing science fiction and fantasy.
    This class was the second part of my lecture on plotting and is focused outlines, plot archetypes, plot structures, and discovery plotting.
    You can see the outline for Skyward, as well as my first two failed attempts at beginning, at my website: www.brandonsanderson.com/writ...

Комментарии • 958

  • @iphoneapps1175
    @iphoneapps1175 2 года назад +2212

    Brandon, I’m not sure if you’ll ever see this, but thank you for making these free for us. It’s really a treat. Cheers

    • @BrandSanderson
      @BrandSanderson  2 года назад +1610

      My pleasure. Good luck with your writing.

    • @genious7714
      @genious7714 2 года назад +166

      @@BrandSanderson By God, I shall make you an Altar

    • @Isaiah_McIntosh
      @Isaiah_McIntosh 2 года назад +94

      @@genious7714 .......don't think Brandon would appreciate that.

    • @genious7714
      @genious7714 2 года назад +46

      @@Isaiah_McIntosh Oh yeah... I shall make a holly drawing then!!!

    • @123AndJC
      @123AndJC 2 года назад +12

      @@Isaiah_McIntosh Lol

  • @GaeFootballClub
    @GaeFootballClub 4 года назад +4359

    I'm more invested in this class than in my actual college classes

  • @Josh_R2.17
    @Josh_R2.17 4 года назад +1753

    "it gives poor guys like me hope"
    -random lecture student

    • @Uberdude6666
      @Uberdude6666 4 года назад +66

      Guess he got laid that very same week end

    • @gracjanlekston134
      @gracjanlekston134 4 года назад +103

      33:24 for anyone that wants to listen to it again and again

    • @Uberdude6666
      @Uberdude6666 4 года назад +41

      @@gracjanlekston134 Once is enough, thank you

    • @mayursurpurkar3428
      @mayursurpurkar3428 4 года назад +3

      🤣🤣

    • @jus10beare
      @jus10beare 4 года назад +49

      @@Uberdude6666 The Hero's Journey

  • @haughtygarbage5848
    @haughtygarbage5848 4 года назад +3121

    Brandon, half-heartedly: "let's do claaaaass!"
    Me, clutching phone, tears streaming down my face: "FINALLY CLAAAAASS"

    • @donovangallaway3632
      @donovangallaway3632 4 года назад +54

      Lol Saaaaaaaaaame

    • @gatsuyatsu
      @gatsuyatsu 4 года назад +78

      I've never been more excited for class!

    • @ThaStikman
      @ThaStikman 4 года назад +60

      Fandersons UNITE

    • @mcrettable
      @mcrettable 4 года назад +76

      very descriptive scene and emotional reaction. you will make a great writer.

    • @billyalarie929
      @billyalarie929 4 года назад +18

      I JUST GOT THE NOTIFICATION AND I TURNED EVERYTHING OFF FOR THIS

  • @yellowfellow7246
    @yellowfellow7246 4 года назад +518

    Brandon Sanderson: "All right guys, let's do class! Yaaay! Oh boy! Class!
    Me, alone in my living room celebrating with a little dance: "Oh boy, class! Yaaaaay!"

  • @westvirginiaglutenfreepepp7006
    @westvirginiaglutenfreepepp7006 3 года назад +795

    There's something ironic about the fact that this free writing course was preceded by an ad for a paid masterclass

    • @antoniomangoni9719
      @antoniomangoni9719 3 года назад +54

      To be honest those are the only ads I don't skip 😂

    • @donovanmaxwell
      @donovanmaxwell 2 года назад +40

      Sometimes those Masterclass ads are so invigorating it helps push me to write more. I will watch them all the way through.

    • @arushi-1987
      @arushi-1987 2 года назад +13

      I watched the Margaret Atwood class. It was pretty good.

    • @DarrellWolfe
      @DarrellWolfe 2 года назад +2

      ,, 😂😂😂

    • @drishti8822
      @drishti8822 2 года назад +3

      @@donovanmaxwell yup. When i need motivation i do the same

  • @michaelwhite1552
    @michaelwhite1552 4 года назад +713

    I'm not even a writer, just a fan of Sanderson's works, but listening to him lecture about his craft makes me want to try writing in my spare time. What an incredible lecturer.

    • @xinythi
      @xinythi 3 года назад +24

      Same. He makes me want to write.

    • @lonedog80
      @lonedog80 2 года назад +17

      I saw this comment from a year ago and I wonder if you ever start writing.

    • @BlueisNotaWarmColour
      @BlueisNotaWarmColour 2 года назад +22

      Never actually read any of his books but this series was a great pitch for Mistborn

    • @zaidlacksalastname4905
      @zaidlacksalastname4905 Год назад +7

      thats most of us lol. this man's legacy will be thousands of inspired fans making cool stuff, along with some of the best fiction out there

  • @RedScotGaming
    @RedScotGaming 4 года назад +502

    59:10
    Brandon: "-having been changed so much that the Hero is no longer the person who can stay home, and often there's an epilogue where they just wander off..."
    Me, watching: "So basically the end of Fallout-"
    Brandon: "...Fallout, right?"
    Me: *Surprised Pikachu face*
    I wish I had lectures like this.

    • @nicomultilocke
      @nicomultilocke 3 года назад +30

      Dude, the exact same happened to me with the Bilbo and Canto Bight examples. Plus, look at his shirt. I love this guy

    • @dane6079
      @dane6079 2 года назад

      Ayy Redscot

  • @appledough3843
    @appledough3843 4 года назад +724

    4:00 Pros of an Outline
    6:40 Brandon’s Outline
    10:08 Plot
    35:51 Outlining Backwards
    41:17 Bullet Points
    54:21 Plot Structures

  • @MrK.A
    @MrK.A 4 года назад +580

    Thanks Brandon for putting these lectures up. You're helping a ton of aspiring writers. I've paid for content that's way less useful than yours. So to get all this information for free is a blessing. Cheers.

    • @Infamous1892
      @Infamous1892 4 года назад +2

      Stephen King is better. His advice will get you that first draft.

    • @donz6211
      @donz6211 3 года назад +16

      College is dead. RUclips killed it. Should we save it? Hell no!

    • @lyingcat9022
      @lyingcat9022 3 года назад +5

      Personally I’ve paid for Every Single book Brandon has written :) And I’ve recommended his work to dozens of people over the years. My point is that I’ve probably made one or two of Brandon’s car payments in that time haha. So I think I’ve earned a couple free lectures ;)

    • @OpiatesAndTits
      @OpiatesAndTits 3 года назад +8

      @@Infamous1892 you mean his book On Writing? Or does SK teach a class. My copy of on writing is dog eared. I was always a “discovery” writer but was never confident that my stream of consciousness style could result in real marketable books. King taught me that’s a valid way to write even though everyone was telling me my whole life to make detailed outlines etc.

    • @luxomoore6711
      @luxomoore6711 Год назад

      @@Infamous1892 what’s better about SKs advice?

  • @dillongunn
    @dillongunn 4 года назад +511

    This is the most helpful insight into writing I've ever seen on YT
    We don't deserve Brandon

    • @HeyMykee
      @HeyMykee Год назад +4

      But we need him!

  • @LagMasterSam
    @LagMasterSam 4 года назад +724

    I struggled for a long to time to actually get a first draft done because I didn't realize I was an extreme discovery writer. If anyone struggles with just getting words on the page, try unbridled discovery writing. Just write without concern for it being good in any way. Even if it's a total disaster, each word written and then later studied is a learning opportunity. I learned so much faster this way than by trying to plan anything.
    However, I also feel like this only works so well for me because I actually like revision unlike Brandon. I like going back and "optimizing" what I've done. It's like playing Factorio, learning something really cool, and then trashing your previous build to replace it with something more awesome.

    • @nathanj3528
      @nathanj3528 4 года назад +55

      I'm going to screenshot your comment and keep it for motivation

    • @AvalynGirl
      @AvalynGirl 4 года назад +43

      I have found that I am getting better, maybe someday when I am pro I will be able to do a full draft before editing. But right now what is working for me is to 1) plot out my story arc with multiple plot lines 2) discovery write a chapter or two until I come to point where I don’t know what to do 3) read what I wrote and decide what works and what needs to come next, then fix it doing a single full edit of that first chapter. 4) Repeat steps 2 and 3. It’s like two steps forward, one step back, but that still makes gradual progress.

    • @vanhooligan7532
      @vanhooligan7532 4 года назад +2

      same.

    • @elcidbob
      @elcidbob 4 года назад +10

      Also, try writing longhand too. It gives you more time to work out what's next because of how much slower it is than typing.

    • @mene1in
      @mene1in 4 года назад +21

      Factorio is a good analogy for discovery writing. It's a game about efficincy but you don't feel bad about being inefficient your first time playing. You're just happy with something that works eventually. Then you optimize. Even if you don't ever get to max possible efficiency, you're satisfied with what you end up with at the end.

  • @SrikkanthG
    @SrikkanthG 3 года назад +149

    Brandon : Why is there romance in every book?
    Random Student: It gives poor people like me, hope. ❤️❤️

    • @alvenkaiser4549
      @alvenkaiser4549 2 месяца назад +2

      And annoying for poor aromantics like me.

  • @savioneves8791
    @savioneves8791 4 года назад +742

    Not content with being the greatest living fantasy author, Sanderson has to remind everyone what a fantastic teacher he is. What's next for him? Nobel prize in Medicine? Olympic medal in Judo? Only time will tell.

    • @ryviwinter
      @ryviwinter 4 года назад +63

      @Jester Well that might be subjective. GRR Martin bores me, i like his story(mostly GoT) but his writing didn't affect me as Sanderson does. I do like Patrick Rothfuss writing but he's still struggling to deliver his next piece. Sanderson for me is consistent in what he performs. I feel like (again subjective) it boils down to each of them having different strenghts that everyone feels differently about.

    • @valentinkoch6972
      @valentinkoch6972 4 года назад +36

      @Jester Everyone has different opinions on books. I don't think theres such a thing as "best author" since some books just work for some people and others wont. I have a friend that is obsessed with "Throne of Glass" which is, in my opinion, really bad.

    • @Divinemakyr
      @Divinemakyr 4 года назад +12

      @@valentinkoch6972 Throne of Glass has many objective problems even when using YA as a looking glass. But hey, we enjoy awful things all the time. Objectivity does exist, but it all matters on what looking glass you use.

    • @wyocowboynblue9011
      @wyocowboynblue9011 4 года назад +22

      Mr. Sanderson writes great books, and a lot of great books. He does not rely of graphic descriptions to pull out strong emotional response, but is still able to create such response. I never thought anyone could satisfactory finish Jordan’s WoT series, but Mr, Sanderson did just that. I do enjoy the Storm Light books, but I am sad to recognize I will finish before that series will be finished.

    • @miralabualjadail4206
      @miralabualjadail4206 4 года назад +7

      Jester I thought the best thing about Sanderson was his magic systems.

  • @claremccullough
    @claremccullough 3 года назад +180

    Brandon Sanderson is my writing guru, I have watched this lecture series three times through at least since COVID-19 lockdown on march 13th

  • @1993Nautilus
    @1993Nautilus 6 месяцев назад +14

    You gotta love how on the ball Brandon was with the romance question.
    "Why do writers put a romance in everything?"
    Student: gives guys like me hope!
    Student isnt even fully done speaking...
    Brandon: WISH FULFILLMENT!!! Yes!

  • @KiernanAlex
    @KiernanAlex 4 года назад +95

    Wonder if the young man in the middle will one day regret the fact that his expressive arm motions have been immortalized online.
    Low key sour grapes on my part since I really wish I could be in this class.

    • @eodico
      @eodico 4 года назад +2

      We get the same as everyone else minus the writing groups.

    • @erwinl.3817
      @erwinl.3817 3 года назад +2

      I think he´s got tourette or some sort oft that

  • @losticarus
    @losticarus 11 месяцев назад +12

    this is the first time ive EVER heard another author dedicate so much time to talk about HOW to outline your plots and im so glad! outlining has always been something that ive struggled with, so to get an author like brandon to just state "here's how i outline, heres an example" is invaluable. thank you for putting this series out for us to watch!!

  • @Bayani01
    @Bayani01 4 года назад +608

    PRAISE THE SUN!

    • @JuaniValmaggia
      @JuaniValmaggia 4 года назад +25

      PRAISE THE SHIRT!

    • @JuaniValmaggia
      @JuaniValmaggia 4 года назад +7

      @@hunterbartley7071 is that a Dark Souls thing? If not, then no

    • @davidwilson6577
      @davidwilson6577 4 года назад +35

      Umbasa

    • @Yora21
      @Yora21 4 года назад +20

      @@davidwilson6577 Ah, a fellow intellectual.

    • @davidwilson6577
      @davidwilson6577 4 года назад +7

      @@Yora21 Here's where I admit I've never played it. :(
      Watching AGermanSpy's playthrough is good enough, right?

  • @jeljeffery4712
    @jeljeffery4712 4 года назад +136

    Keep them coming Brandon. Your knowledge and expertise are invaluable and its such a selfless thing you do to share it for free. You're a gentleman and a scholar, literally!

  • @Mclearmountain
    @Mclearmountain 4 года назад +159

    The Kaladin underdog story was some of the most impactful stuff I’ve ever read! It brought out so many emotions in me

    • @Infamous1892
      @Infamous1892 4 года назад +1

      Kaladin was a little bitch. Always crying about how much of a leader his was, then whining about how he has to protect everyone, then the constant going back in his past for him to be all sad and depressed about Light eyes. Who gives a shit? A good character has confliction, but isn't inconsistent. One second he's the most special leader amongst men, next he's crying about how he's a slave. He's boring.

    • @dumbledalfthewizard9486
      @dumbledalfthewizard9486 3 года назад +16

      @@Infamous1892 bruh
      Kaladin isn't inconsistent
      just because your brain is too small doesn't mean this guys brain is

    • @hariman7727
      @hariman7727 3 года назад +25

      @@Infamous1892 Kalladin is suffering from depression and survivor's guilt. I find his story compelling because of that, and hard to read because it's pretty damn fucking REAL. People DON'T magically overcome depression and survivor's guilt in an instant. It can take years to make progress, and it's a constant struggle to not backslide.

    • @Iluvatar196
      @Iluvatar196 3 года назад +3

      I wont lie, coming from fast paced YA books and even Mistborn, the Way of Kings and Kaladin's bleak, dreary and miserable start failed to grab my attention the first 3-4 times i tried to read the book. The rest is history though

    • @hariman7727
      @hariman7727 3 года назад +1

      @@Iluvatar196 heh. I'm going in the opposite direction. I read The Stormlight Archive, Elantris, and a couple others of Brandon Sanderson's work first, and Mistborn is next on my list after Rhythm of War.

  • @nicholassels7411
    @nicholassels7411 4 года назад +97

    I don't even want to be a writer, but these lectures make me feel like I get to pick your brain an hour at a time. PRAISE THE SUN!

    • @htgg9006
      @htgg9006 2 года назад +1

      NICEEEEE

    • @htgg9006
      @htgg9006 2 года назад +3

      A pre elden ring dark souls player, I respect that

    • @storm1364
      @storm1364 2 года назад +2

      I've been going down the comments trying to find one comment about his shirt🤣

  • @CantStopTheMadness
    @CantStopTheMadness 4 года назад +34

    Your man at 50:26 reeeeeeeeeeally likes Inception. He even does a little dance after it's mentioned.

  • @donovangallaway3632
    @donovangallaway3632 4 года назад +98

    I hard stopped a 30 Rock episode when this showed up. So...A+ on engaging lectures?

  • @JRoseBooks
    @JRoseBooks 4 года назад +101

    I'm a natural discovery writer, and I'll share the tool that has helped me write nine of my books: Jami Gold's (free) story structure spreadsheets. The idea is that you work out the rough structure--enough to give you a path, and then discovery write from there! (This means everything from opening hook, inciting incident, doorway of no return, midpoint, pinch points, dark moment, climax, etc) As an added bonus, it also gives you something to share with your editor, so they can give it a look before you dig in too deep. (Even though I may not follow this spreadsheet exactly, it helps me come up with a much cleaner first draft! It also helps with tracking multiple plot/character arcs.

    • @r-pupz7032
      @r-pupz7032 3 года назад +1

      That's really helpful, thank you!

    • @jakehopkins6989
      @jakehopkins6989 3 года назад +25

      This comment reads like an advert.

  • @DrEllert
    @DrEllert 4 года назад +52

    about when you pitch an idea (46:00 ~) a friend of mine gave me a great tip: start from the most interesting, outstanding, awesome scene in your story... and then as the convo progresses, get into details. A lot of times screenwriters\authors try to start describing the story from the start, which is not always that interesting, because of all the details. So instead, just start from the fun, and gradually go into depth.
    I hope this helps anybody!

    • @mattiOTX
      @mattiOTX Год назад +3

      When writing my first draft I literally skipped most of the start except the interesting parts. I'm currently working on the 2nd draft where I'm adding in those details and can focus on making these parts go somewhere and be interesting. I found it easier to do like this as I got these bright shining ideas out of my head and I can now see the rest of the proverbial room clearly.

  • @endymionas8240
    @endymionas8240 3 года назад +26

    This class completely unlocked me. It was like fog all over my uni where they teach us again and again about plot structure but never about plot archetypes! Now I see it! A thousand times thank you for your gift.

  • @shaunmontgomery3555
    @shaunmontgomery3555 3 года назад +44

    Dropped out of college 5 years ago, back in college on RUclips. Thanks Brandon for making class interesting

  • @TunezCottage
    @TunezCottage 3 года назад +34

    The whole progress thing, and how important it is explains so much about my frustrations with Game of Thrones' final two seasons.

    • @hariman7727
      @hariman7727 3 года назад +11

      That, and the sudden plot armor when Game of Thrones was defined by a LACK of plot armor, and the bad/rushed writing that said "X Happens Because The Writers Say So!"

  • @erin350
    @erin350 3 года назад +35

    The fact I'm procrastinating my own uni lectures to binge watch all of Brandon Sanderson's at once

    • @poppyleanne
      @poppyleanne 10 месяцев назад

      Bruh

    • @Drejoze
      @Drejoze 6 месяцев назад

      It's the right choice.

  • @BillBelew
    @BillBelew 3 года назад +15

    I was going to listen to this guy while I was doing something else. I couldn't do anything else. I had to stop and listen.

  • @astevenswrites
    @astevenswrites 6 месяцев назад +7

    Can't stop watching these since I discovered them the other day. Thanks so much for providing these to all of us!

  • @bathtubmafia2042
    @bathtubmafia2042 3 года назад +29

    I love how Brandon gets an applause every time he's done with a lecture.

  • @rodrigo3732
    @rodrigo3732 4 года назад +98

    You know,i always feel guilty when i can,t write and then i watch something related to writing. I am so happy because today i managed to write 7 pages in 3240 words. I write in portuguese so i don,t know it this changes a lot but anyway,i am so happy that i can hear this with no guilt trip whatsoever. I can do it,you can do it,just sit you ass down and write,goddamnit!!!

    • @nathanj3528
      @nathanj3528 4 года назад +2

      I'm not able to finish a single page lol. 7 pages is an accomplishment. I definitely need some motivation 😓

    • @rodrigo3732
      @rodrigo3732 4 года назад +7

      @@nathanj3528 to be honest,this rarely happens. Most days i strugle to make anything,and if i get 1 page done i consider ot enough. Writing is so weird,sometimes it,s exhausting and miserable,other times its pure joy,but you can,t wait for the day when it will be goo,cause it doesn,t happen by itself. You have to try every day and it, sooooo fucking hard.

    • @billyalarie929
      @billyalarie929 4 года назад +5

      @@rodrigo3732 many times I feel accomplished if I eke out a paragraph. We all have our pace. And the language difference MAKES no difference in terms of productivity. You did 7 damn pages!

    • @rodrigo3732
      @rodrigo3732 4 года назад +2

      @@billyalarie929 thanks man.

    • @sofiaamm
      @sofiaamm 4 года назад +1

      parabens!! qualquer progresso ja é ótimo :)

  • @mikhail_roberts
    @mikhail_roberts 4 года назад +50

    Thank you, Brandon. You break it down in such a way that makes me go, "Oh yeah! I CAN do this." Having all the tools is part of it. It's so awesome that you've made these public. Love your work, love your humorous teaching style. You're a class act. Again, thank you.

  • @jacksonkerr2095
    @jacksonkerr2095 2 года назад +13

    Brandon Sanderson - you begin talking about the heist archetype, and something dawned on me. One of my favorite novels as a teen, and even now, The Hobbit, could very well be cast as a heist story.
    Thank you for putting out these videos. I'm greatly enjoying them.

  • @MetaI4Brains
    @MetaI4Brains 4 года назад +94

    "If you cheat at a mystery and the reader couldn't figure it out, it'll feel unsatisfying."
    This is exactly why I hate the BBC Sherlock show. The viewer never has a chance to solve the mystery themselves. We're never given enough information because Sherlock just magically knows everything.

    • @Erdnussbuttertoast
      @Erdnussbuttertoast 3 года назад +12

      True, but the actual Sherlock Holmes stories are told in the exact same way because we see it even more directly through the lens of Watson who's an absolute idiot at seeing things

    • @sherlockholmes6171
      @sherlockholmes6171 3 года назад +8

      Same thing about Agatha Christie. I couldn't every figure out who done it because she hides some stuff which her heroine magically figure it outs

    • @r-pupz7032
      @r-pupz7032 3 года назад +2

      Exactly what came to mind when I heard that! If you want a good Sherlock adaptation the Mary Russel books by Laurie R King are awesome, basically Sherlock post retirement training a young female apprentice and getting dragged back in, really exciting and satisfying mystery books that stay true to the source material but don't just rehash the original stories, they have the hypercompetent protagonist etc but also with some great flaws & they get the mystery payoff exactly right IMO. Some are stronger than others of course, but all are great. They can be read as standalone mysteries but some great overarching plots develop too, and the character work is excellent. Think the first is called The Beekeeper's Apprentice.
      I really want to write a fantasy mystery now!

    • @christopherstorz6184
      @christopherstorz6184 3 года назад +5

      This is the difference between the "fair play" mystery story---where all the information available to the detective is available to the reader, and the "classic" mystery story--where there is a gulf between what the detective knows and the reader knows. Holmes, both written and adapted, is definitely of the "classic" type. "Figuring it out" really isn't the point. The "why" is usually far more important than the "how" or the "who".

    • @StarryEyed0590
      @StarryEyed0590 3 года назад +5

      @@sherlockholmes6171 Agatha Christie's are usually fair plays. Sure, she "cheats" a little at times, and, of course, "common knowledge" bases change, so we modern readers are often at a disadvantage understanding oblique or casual references to things that don't exist in the same state anymore, but her mysteries ARE written to be solvable

  • @DonaldWilson
    @DonaldWilson 9 месяцев назад +7

    I have found your lectures to be super well spoken and informative. I am not sure how I can thank you enough, not only for the information, but for the way you deliver your thoughts. Stay epic, and keep doing big things.

  • @itachi1839
    @itachi1839 4 года назад +227

    >Brandon Sanderson talking to a Russo
    Don't do that, don't give me hope (for a massive, MCU level adaption of Stormlight Archives)

    • @Newt5996
      @Newt5996 4 года назад +18

      Well a student confirmed he is writing a Mistborn screenplay adaptation

    • @YourBlackLocal
      @YourBlackLocal 4 года назад +20

      @@Newt5996 In one of his streams he said he's been having frustration with getting people to pick up Mistborn so he's going to write the screenplay himself. I wouldn't take that news as a sign of it being picked up

    • @n0zenzur
      @n0zenzur 4 года назад +6

      A Russo ? Couldn't you pick up more exciting name ?
      I will be very dissapiont if The Russo will direct a Sanderson novel.
      We need somone like Ari Aster rather than a Russo.

    • @CarlysBuchsucht1
      @CarlysBuchsucht1 4 года назад

      Jacob Licklider あ

    • @AnIndependentCat
      @AnIndependentCat 4 года назад +6

      @@n0zenzur sorry who?

  • @MateusAntonioBittencourt
    @MateusAntonioBittencourt 4 года назад +104

    I would love to see that Skyward or Steelheart outlining.

    • @hibak8196
      @hibak8196 4 года назад +1

      Please, please, please

    • @DaiLusional
      @DaiLusional 4 года назад +2

      Yeah I was hoping he would have a link in the description to it or something. But sadly no.
      Man I would love to see it.

    • @DeeSnow97
      @DeeSnow97 4 года назад +45

      He linked the outline here: www.brandonsanderson.com/writing-advice/ (down there below the NaNoWriMo pep talks)

  • @youngjung161
    @youngjung161 10 месяцев назад +3

    Brandon, you are a legend. As a speed reader who has read around 1,000 books and reread ten times over that, I can honestly say you are my favorite author. Thank you for this resource as I now look to write my own novel.

  • @voltiolord57123
    @voltiolord57123 Год назад +11

    The fact these lectures are free for everyone online is so cool, so great getting to see the inner workings of a mind like Brandon's in a long structured format. I become more of a fan each day!

  • @felipecampos3045
    @felipecampos3045 4 года назад +84

    15:36 "you sonofabitch, i'm in"

  • @dannyt4663
    @dannyt4663 4 года назад +98

    That guy's red beanie is like a beacon lol

    • @jakeblottenberger3699
      @jakeblottenberger3699 4 года назад +11

      Danny T THE BEACON OF MINAS TIRITH! THE BEACON IS LIT!

    • @Nivalyr
      @Nivalyr 4 года назад +11

      The guy with the white shirt in the middle is so overexcited at times, maybe he should have worn that beanie. He is definitely more of a beacon :D

    • @callum7081
      @callum7081 4 года назад +3

      It’s a beacon of hope for me

  • @indylockheart3082
    @indylockheart3082 2 года назад +11

    Im 38 years old and was brought up by a family where college never a real option outside of crippling debt which I passed on bit ive always loved writing and have always wanted to take classes. I very much doubt that I will ever write anything that will inspire or change the world in any way, but yhe fact that I am essentially taking these classes for free as a middle aged man makes me very hopeful for the future. 20 years ago when I was 18 simple creative writing classes seemed put of reach. If time continues with the same rate of progress future generations will be more well equipped for life than we could ever imagine. Could just be wishful thinking tho

  • @MemeGod791
    @MemeGod791 Месяц назад +1

    Ahhhh, Brandon Sanderson.... where do I even begin? Oh, How I love you. You bring your great knowledge onto us feeble peasants for a mere price of.....nothing. Simply, our time to learn. I edge to this video series weekly. The pure....passion. It.... gives to me is..... unmeasurable. I love you, Brandon Sanderson. You. Are. My. God

  • @Brendonherring522
    @Brendonherring522 2 года назад +10

    PRAISE THE SUN BRANDON! And thanks for the lectures. -Brendon

  • @AvalynGirl
    @AvalynGirl 4 года назад +22

    *devours every word” I look forward to these, I’ve run out of previous years’ lectures to watch, I started watching them again. I get new things out of them each time that I can apply to my own writing to make it better.

  • @xxSpoonverine
    @xxSpoonverine 2 года назад +3

    38:50 Not Brandon listing out an EXACT scene I have in my romance WIP my jaw dropped

  • @svensorensen7693
    @svensorensen7693 3 года назад +11

    "You cannot escape so easily, Dragon. It is not done between us. It will not be done until the end of time.”
    Then he was gone, and the mountain and the island stood alone. Waiting.
    Chapter 1:
    Some-BODY

  • @aaronhicks4889
    @aaronhicks4889 5 месяцев назад +1

    I don't know if Brandon still reads these comments, but his style of plotting was a game changer. It makes it so much easier to write scenes now without stressing about the entire plot

  • @Noakwolf247
    @Noakwolf247 4 года назад +36

    And here I was, getting ready to be productive, OOOOOH WELL.

    • @Yora21
      @Yora21 4 года назад +6

      It's research!

    • @hibak8196
      @hibak8196 4 года назад +4

      This *is* productive.

    • @clintonleonard5187
      @clintonleonard5187 4 года назад +1

      Watching a lecture isn't exactly slacking off...haha.

    • @oswin5775
      @oswin5775 3 года назад

      I'm here researching for my speech class 😁

  • @christerdehlin8866
    @christerdehlin8866 Год назад +6

    These lectures are amazing. There's so much directly useful info here that I ended up creating a plot with a setting and a rough story outline while watching, instead of just taking notes for later use. Pure gold! Thank you very much!

  • @buckle9733
    @buckle9733 2 года назад +4

    You explain everything better than any writing youtuber and I love it. You really make writing feel more freeing than the cage it has become about writing right and like others.

  • @lord-licht
    @lord-licht Месяц назад

    This class has clarified things for me that I have struggled to conceptualise for a while now, great lecture in general, love how Brandon handles the class with respect and some lil jokes, examples and easy to understand explanations. THANK you so much for sharing this for free! It means the world to people like me who have currently no option to officially study creative writing. Much love!

  • @basilpshegubj4765
    @basilpshegubj4765 2 года назад +3

    This man is literally changing my life

  • @crazyconan28
    @crazyconan28 2 года назад +3

    I'm not a writer, I'm a reader. But I'm also a software developer, and like with video games or technology in general, it's amazing to see behind the curtain the magic, sweat, and knowledge authors have when crafting what I and others take for granted when teleported to different worlds.

  • @jadonwalker5991
    @jadonwalker5991 4 года назад +30

    Updated bucket list:
    Convince Brandon Sanderson to have a dark souls co-op adventure with me.

  • @DShayShaidarol
    @DShayShaidarol 2 года назад +1

    What makes heist so interesting? A competent and intelligent and dangerous adversary.

  • @WitchlingFairyelle
    @WitchlingFairyelle 18 часов назад

    The way this is all I wanted when getting my English degree. I just wanted writing courses, there were about three available for the entire 4.5 yrs I was there. All I was able to choose were classes where I read books (Zero of them were fantasy related).
    I love reading obviously but what I really wanted was to learn how to write properly so thank you Brandon for sharing these for free it means so much to an aspiring fantasy writer

  • @Xylos144
    @Xylos144 4 года назад +11

    For the Act Structure, I find a really useful, functional definition is "A point where your character makes an irrevocable choice." Basically a decision is made and that sets or alters the course moving forward from there. And maybe a more elaborate definition would be "makes a choice they wouldn't have made at the start of the act." so that we're not just counting decisions made because of circumstance that don't offer any suggestion of character growth.
    In movies there are typically two to five acts. Three acts is plenty common in movies or plays, which is where the 'thee act structure' sort of comes from. But I don't see how anyone can look at a movie and a book and say: "yeah, one of these is five times longer than the other, with five times the detail, plot, and character interaction, but it'll still only have 3 acts." The longer books I've read I could consider as having over a dozen acts.

  • @BBURN2007
    @BBURN2007 4 года назад +55

    Will you post your Steelheart or Skyward outline to your website?

    • @BingeWatchers
      @BingeWatchers 4 года назад +18

      Daniel Blackburn he did! www.brandonsanderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Skyward-Outline4796.docx

  • @GhxstGhost
    @GhxstGhost 4 месяца назад +1

    Attempting to write my first book as I listen to these. It’s amazing. I just rewind and let things kind of soak in sometimes. I just finished chapter 1 2800 word count.

  • @NoahPopejoy
    @NoahPopejoy 2 месяца назад

    Genuinely can't believe these are available for free on RUclips.
    Super helpful so far. I was always jealous of the students who were able to take a class from such a talented writer. Then I learn he made his 2020 creative writing class available for free!

  • @Mikeztarp
    @Mikeztarp 4 года назад +8

    Endgame is a heist too. I hadn't noticed it about Infinity War. Interesting.

  • @allisonsipe7503
    @allisonsipe7503 4 года назад +14

    So excited that you're including Indie-pub this year!!!

  • @Jon1213
    @Jon1213 2 года назад +4

    I'm at 6.5 pages of notes at this point in the series. By word count, I think I've taken more notes for these lectures than I did for a full semester of many of my college classes. Thank you for putting these up, Brandon.

    • @watashiwa8551
      @watashiwa8551 Год назад

      hey can you share the notes :) I have a hard time making notes, trying to decide what to write what not.

    • @Jon1213
      @Jon1213 Год назад

      @@watashiwa8551 Uh, I'm at about 45 pages of notes for the course. I'm not sure that will fit in a RUclips comment

    • @watashiwa8551
      @watashiwa8551 Год назад

      @@Jon1213 of course lmao maybe you can put it in a drive link or if you're on telegram you can send a document or word file maybe ? maybe ?

    • @Jon1213
      @Jon1213 Год назад

      @@watashiwa8551 Fair warning: these are the notes I took for myself; I spent about 20 hours on the lectures because I kept pausing them to make sure I had time to take things down. I've also taken a few Craft of Fiction courses in the past, so I didn't write down a lot of things that were already in my toolbox.
      Good luck: docs.google.com/document/d/1HY95b2kvOPccBS87YGmEE3_q0kgsweFY_Sxy6ZNPWvY/edit?usp=sharing

  • @ivancito7790
    @ivancito7790 3 года назад +5

    Love that he’s wearing a Dark Souls shirt.

  • @Ardorstorm
    @Ardorstorm 2 года назад +3

    This is the video that _really_ tied my story together, before I've even written it. Until now I was flailing along with only vague and rather weak ideas on how my story was going to go, but not by the end, not every half hour, not even twenty but rather at least every five to ten minutes I was having revelation after revelation, big idea after big idea, overall a real, tangible sense of the many different ways I could go with my story and a multitude of ways to get there. This one video just turned my book from clay to pottery, and now I know that all I gotta do is paint it. Thank you _so_ much, Brandon, I can finally flail around with my story freely as a beginner novelist without actually feeling like I don't know what I'm even trying to achieve.

  • @TTTrouble
    @TTTrouble 4 года назад +12

    I would very much appreciate a copy of that Skyward outline referenced. Thanks for posting these, I love your books but have so much appreciation for your podcast and other material you publish regarding your methods.
    Thanks Brandon!

    • @jennamorganbooks
      @jennamorganbooks 4 года назад +1

      TTTrouble It’s on his website!

    • @TTTrouble
      @TTTrouble 4 года назад +1

      jenna morgan thanks for the suggestion. I wasn’t able to find a specific outline like he mentioned about Skyward, but I did see some drafting of Way of Kings Prime which was interesting.
      Here’s a link to what I found - www.brandonsanderson.com/the-way-of-kings-early-brainstorms-outlines/
      If you have a link to what Brandon mentions in this lecture that would be cool to see, but no worries if no ones able to find it. Cheers!

  • @boogie6419
    @boogie6419 2 месяца назад

    "It gives poor guys like me hope!"
    My friend, I don't know who you are, but you have now become a legendary figure to me.

  • @ramonterrell1897
    @ramonterrell1897 2 года назад +4

    Hey Brandon! I know you're way too busy to see this, but thanks for putting these classes on RUclips. I've learned so, so much from these! Thank you.

  • @FantasyBuchSchreibende
    @FantasyBuchSchreibende 4 года назад +22

    33:25 press f to pay respect

  • @aayushshrivastava5514
    @aayushshrivastava5514 3 года назад +9

    My favourite part when the guy says that romance gives hope to poor guys like me!😂😭

  • @EDDIELANE
    @EDDIELANE 3 года назад +2

    These nuggets are awesome. That relatable archtype to ground your plot, especially if there’s a lot of worldbuilding going on….. *chef kiss*

  • @UkeRebuke
    @UkeRebuke 4 года назад +4

    Oh thank God I've been devouring these for the last two weeks and was sure I was about to run out of vids I hadn't seen.

  • @TimTYT
    @TimTYT 4 года назад +12

    Don't know why I'm watching this. I am not planning on writing anything and I've already seen all the lectures from a couple of years ago.

    • @rodrigo3732
      @rodrigo3732 4 года назад +2

      Maybe somewhere inside you want to but is afraid. I started like that.

    • @kevinscales
      @kevinscales 4 года назад +3

      I'm interested in procedurally generating games (kind of like Dwarf Fortress) with characters and setting and missions that can be complex and different each playthrough. Maybe one day I will get started on that. But also, knowing how and why stories work tells us a lot about people and how we should design anything that is supposed to be compelling to people.

  • @AmeliaOak
    @AmeliaOak 4 года назад +8

    I am so thrilled that these are on RUclips!

  • @ahcenebelhadi955
    @ahcenebelhadi955 2 месяца назад

    I would never have had the chance to take such a course, thank you for giving us free access to such high-quality content.

  • @MrNedinator
    @MrNedinator 9 дней назад

    "It gives poor guys like me hope" witty, quick, and correct lmao. guy's gonna be a writer.

  • @coraurum3835
    @coraurum3835 4 года назад +78

    PRAISE THE SUN, PRAISE THE STORM!

    • @Yora21
      @Yora21 4 года назад +7

      \[T]/

  • @Tenacious4Life00
    @Tenacious4Life00 4 года назад +4

    Thank you Brandon. These lectures are priceless.

  • @roguegn
    @roguegn 4 года назад +2

    I have honestly never been this excited about a class before, or even watched an hour-long video without being at least a bit bored at some point

  • @manfitxt
    @manfitxt Год назад

    Brandon, I’m not sure if you’ll ever see this, but thank you for making these free for us. It’s really a treat. I agree from Chile in 2023. Just, students calm down he he he. Sanderson didn't finisht the idea and they raise their hands. Not enough respect. But anyway, thanks!!!! Cheers.

  • @radrose4864
    @radrose4864 2 года назад +3

    Thank you so much! A true masterclass without the price tag. It feels like you’re sharing your experience with us aspiring writers out of the goodness of your heart & genuine love for encouraging the writing community. What a lovely way to spend my New Year’s Eve: sitting by the glittering Christmas tree taking notes from Brandon’s class and planning my next novel 💕

  • @MrMetal4Ever123
    @MrMetal4Ever123 4 года назад +25

    Here's me realising George Lucas named his MC Luke...

  • @ZoneTitan
    @ZoneTitan 2 года назад +1

    To Brandon Sanderson: You have given us a true trove of knowledge. It is an invaluable treasure for aspiring writers that are perfectionistic like me. Whenever I have time, I watch these videos, take notes and link these to my own writing. It is thanks to you that I broke off doing world building upon world building, although I’ll keep making maps still. TL:DR Thank you very much for sharing these lessons with us and for putting out so much content about writing on your channel. Thank you for enabling my passion to bloom from a seed to a bud.

  • @HannahLazyknife
    @HannahLazyknife 6 месяцев назад +1

    50:00 I would like to add here that if you pause a plot line for a longtime, you can also have the characters “remember” the plot line during the pause. For example, when you have a romance plot and the characters have broken up, but will get back again, then during the time they are apart, you have one of them sometimes mention the other or think about them, to help keep the memory of the plot line fresh to the reader.

  • @pietruszkapietruszkowa9713
    @pietruszkapietruszkowa9713 4 года назад +37

    Will we get to download example outline as well? :)

    • @ajg4158
      @ajg4158 3 года назад +1

      Pietruszka Pietruszkowa link in description

  • @Blu3_Mage
    @Blu3_Mage 4 года назад +15

    Omg, I'd love to see the Steelheart/Skyward outlines like you mentioned. I hope it would be public and not just for the class :-(

  • @DubCut
    @DubCut Месяц назад

    These lectures are truly a treat. Thank you Brandon.

  • @odotawaissaku3755
    @odotawaissaku3755 2 года назад +1

    Brandon's making a joke about "YAY let's have class" but I'm here legitimately excited and interested lol yes yay

  • @diegooland1261
    @diegooland1261 4 года назад +3

    this is very good, thanks for posting. And it's the most cost-effective class I've ever taken.

  • @LPChipi
    @LPChipi 3 года назад +10

    It's so crazy that I hear Conan O'Brien giving this lecture

  • @michaelcopple1736
    @michaelcopple1736 4 года назад +1

    I swear I'm not sleeping, Brandon. Too much pertinent content.

  • @nickholt752
    @nickholt752 2 года назад +1

    Brandon has reignited my muse and I'm currently working on finishing my novel.
    He's truly a gift to anyone interested in Writing/ Reading/ Understanding literature
    And
    A gift to me

  • @jenniferdilts5507
    @jenniferdilts5507 4 года назад +9

    This class was exactly what I needed! Thanks, Brandon! I'm going to start outlining and getting stuff out of my head now... Maybe it'll stop rattling around in there so much :)

  • @crystalsotelo9912
    @crystalsotelo9912 Год назад +3

    I’m in Arizona I feel like I would want to do this drive just for this! Your writing inspires me to continue in my work. I hoping one day you will get to hold my book in your hands!

  • @MarcosGarcia-et1qu
    @MarcosGarcia-et1qu Месяц назад +1

    I feel more overwhelmed now than when I started the series.

  • @Softerkek
    @Softerkek Год назад +1

    Brandon, I loved Mistborn profoundly. When they were planning the heist it made me feel like I was over your shoulder watching you write the book. I've never felt so close to the author.

    • @Softerkek
      @Softerkek Год назад

      Also I HATED heist stories when I read Mistborn I went into it ready to despise this story, but like a dang magician you completely subverted my expectations.