What I Learned Getting Rejected From Brandon Sanderson’s Creative Writing Workshop
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- Опубликовано: 16 июл 2024
- Storytime and what I learned getting rejected from Brandon Sanderson's creative writing workshop. Enjoy :)
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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:19 About The Class
4:54 Application Process
7:56 Application Day
10:48 The Rejection
11:37 Takeaways
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Развлечения
There was a guy who wrote a final paper in the 1960s about a new business idea where packages would be delivered overnight by plane. He got a "C-" on his paper. Today his company is called Federal Express. Prior to playing in Metallica, Kurt Hammet played for another band who kicked him out claiming "he didn't play well enough." A woman started a diner that served breakfast all day. She was forced out of business but decided to try again this time naming her restaurant after her nephew. His name was Denny.
Kirk was kicked out of Exodus? Wow, didn't know that. I thought he just left cause someone connected him to Lars or James after they fired Dave and he felt that was a better opportunity.
Margaret Christie made a bet with her sister agatha that she wouldn't be able to write a good crime story as she thought her writing was more superior.
I applied in 2020 and they told me they considered my application but I wasn't selected. This year I applied again and got in! :D I spent a lot of time on my personal statement, and I think it's what made the difference this year, plus a good helping of luck! Best of luck to you next year!
Congratulations!!
And how did it go?
Thank you for sharing this experience, especially since it was probably not easy. I can imagine how you felt reading that rejection mail. However, thanks to the amazing Shaelin Bishop, I've adopted a new approach to rejections: I used to fear them because they would hurt my self esteem, now I'm collecting them like little coins I put in a jar. And the fuller this jar gets, the more I realize how much I've grown as an individual, someone who is trying, and who keeps trying despite all fears and failures. Maybe this view can help you or anyone reading this.
I love that idea!! Thanks for sharing!
Reminds me of Stephen King and the nail.
@@brettwolfelodge7379 the nail?
@@SaraLubratt ruclips.net/video/afv5YMUlKEU/видео.html
@@brettwolfelodge7379 Love it!!
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Good job trying and you learned so much from the process. :)
:)
word of advice never send your work to your friends and family, they're you're friends and family if they love you they will love you regardless. You need to send it to critics or others who read fantasy. If you're lucky send it to someone who hates you then see if they will either love it or become jealous.
Good information - I didn't realize it is that hard to get into the class (though it make sense). But it was a learning experience! Thanks for sharing!
:)
Sara, you're doing great. I will say that I believe you being rejected was not entirely on you at all. I personally think that system of having a lucky draw is very unprofessional. MFA programs like Iowa Writer's Workshop have only one assistant looking through all 1,000+ of the applications and they explicitly say they make sure to READ EVERY SINGLE ONE, and then every single application gets read a SECOND TIME by the head of the fiction department and entire workshop, Samantha Chang. Other reputable workshops function this way as well. Each submission DESERVES EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. That should be a baseline rule especially for writing. So I hope that helps add some perspective as well, even though you may already have known all that haha. Cheering you on as a fellow aspiring novelist!
Totally feel you. I’m an opera singer and the amount of rejection we get on a daily basis creates another skin. Sorry you had to go through that, but good luck on your future endeavors!
Thank you, you too!
This was really insightful Sara! Proud of you for submitting an application, I too get a bit freaked out from such a process. Sanderson would be an amazing teacher, and already is.
In Australia, efforts are often more lauded than education - to hear that you have written five books already is incredibly impressive! Of course, be very proud of that!
I am much newer to my creative writing journey than you, though the one thing that has really helped me out when down is the support and feedback of my family and friends! Please don't stop sharing your efforts with your support network!
Have a great day, and good luck with draft #6!
I have both submitted proposals and reviewed proposals (to get funding for research). Most often, the ones I win are because the program manager (person who controls the money) wanted me to submit the proposal in the first place. That comes from building trust, developing a lot of relationships, and working my tail off. All that takes a lot of time and a lot of failure. Thank you again for sharing your journey. You really help a lot of people stay motivated, me included.
Know that you are disappointed that you weren't accepted to get in but you honestly have access to so much information already and I believe you are talented enough that you don't need a glorified workshop because even Brandon Sanderson( other well-known writers) have gone through trying to figure out what works for them individually. No amount of endless tips, workshops, or lectures is going to do the work for us. Or do the discovery for us. Ultimately, it's down to us. It's a bit discouraging. The application sounds quite a bit. Proud of you for taking a chance.
The part that attracted me to the class is the other dedicated writers that would have been my peers. But there will be other workshops I can attend in the future even if it’s not this one :)
@@SaraLubratt well. You might still get in next time. It happens once a year you said. So maybe next year. Or perhaps there will be another workshop coming up elsewhere.
This is an awesome video - very enlightening about the process of what it takes to even submit to the workshop. Sorry you didn't make it - it sounds like you might not have been one of the 65, which is a bummer, but hopefully you'll apply again next year! I'm sure you can make it in!
:)
I've applied for that class for like the past 3 years (or 4? can't remember now) and I've never gotten in, so don't beat yourself up about it. In previous years, they've told me that I wasn't one of the randomly selected 65, but it sounds like they didn't tell people whether or not they were this year, but it sounds like I got the same email you did which makes me think that neither of us were one of the 65. Thanks for sharing though! It's good to know I'm not the only one who didn't get in--though I guess if there are that many applicants then we're definitely not alone. Glad it was a learning experience for you though! And there's always next year! (if I'm still in Utah)
Lexi! I'm so proud of you for continuing to apply! If you got a similar sounding email than I also assume we both weren't looked at. If we're both still in Utah, I'd be honored to be in the class at the same time as you :) good luck to you in the future!
@@SaraLubratt Thanks Sara! Yeah I wanted to get in so badly that the rejection wasn't going to stop me haha, especially when there's a year in between to recover from it and improve my writing. That would be so fun to be in the class together! Best of luck to you too!
Thank you for sharing. Putting everything out there, working hard and being able to honestly feel you gave your best is what counts. Being in performing arts I've heard so many stories of people who 'got lucky' but when you actually know the person, yes it's usually lucky that an opportunity came, but it's the hard work and preparation that lets those people take it and run with it. If you are not ready it passes you by. You sound like you're ready so I hope you get a chance soon and great work taking the learning points you could from this experience. All the best on your 6th draft. 😊❤️
So glad you shared about the details of getting into the class. I don’t live near Utah, so it wouldn’t be possible for me to attend, but it’s always been such a pipe dream to take his class in person. I hope you re-apply even though it’s stressful!
If I'm still in Utah, I'll reapply :) thanks for watching!
Your experience captured my attention from start to finish. I could feel the anxiety you had given the strict parameters for submission. What you went through required patience, diligence, resilience, determination, attitude-a testament to your good character. Don’t forget to get a nail and hang up that rejection letter Stephen King style.
First off, thanks for sharing!
I think your hesitation to talking about it on camera plays much more into the bigger problem with society. Everyone admitting to rejection sooo much they either don't go for things or are afraid to share. Every single successful person in all of human history failed forward. If they didn't embrace failure, they would never have been rewarded with success. Even if they did read your entry AND you weren't accepted, so what?
Samual L Jackson didn't 'make it' until he was in his late 40s and now he almost has 200 movies to his credit. JK was either homeless or just about. The guy who started raisin caines wrote out the business plan for his MBA and got failed by the professor and was told it would never work.
You've already succeeded so much so fast. Sharing the wins AND the losses helps all of the rest of us deal with our own rejections.
If you're 1% better a day, you'll be 365% better in a year.
Love that final statement!
Congrats! You're growing rejection calluses! Rejection is a part of life. Lots of gurus say to never take it personally. And it's true. Just a matter of framing it. It may always sting, but as you get older it'll sting less, or until it's just that one moment. Brush of the dust and keep moving. You're progressing. Which is a whole lot more than what can be said than many others. Keep your chin up! And always have a moving target.
Hey you can't win the Powerball if you don't buy the ticket.
😂 very true
Love the video. In my opinion, we become writers via practice. A course, even by a pro writer, is still a course, and is delaying our opportunity to learn and invent organically. The greatest of writers will find their own way through their own system, and thus, you have been pushed in the best direction.
Bless you. It must have been so disappointing to put so much work in and to receive a rejection, but it’s great that you’ve learnt so much from the experience and are choosing to view this in a positive light.
I do find the application process for this workshop quite peculiar. While I understand that there may be resource limitations, I can think of multiple solutions that would be far more efficient and fairer than taking a random selection of applicants and throwing away those who weren’t lucky. For example, a reviewer might only need to read a paragraph or two to discern that the writing isn’t up to scratch, and there is no need to even look at the writing sample if the personal statement doesn’t first show adequate motivation. Many employers don’t read through every application to an open position but they’ll implement methodologies to filter out those which aren’t what they’re looking for.
Hopefully you can apply next year and have better luck then! Everything happens for a reason.
The best part of this video is your takeaway from it all. Thanks for sharing. Keep it you.
Thanks for watching :)
Thanks for sharing, I recent got rejected for my MFA program that I applied for for this school year, so I know that feeling. It good you tool away some learning points it only makes you better.
I'm so sorry to hear that! But rejection is apart of our journeys :) and it will make us better
Thank you so much for sharing this video! I love the feelings you shared and the peek behind the curtain you gave us. I'm from Utah and went to college here (not BYU though) and have heard about his class for years but this was a lot of stuff I didn't know. I'd also like to suggest checking out David Farland's 318R course online--he's the one who taught the class at BYU when Brandon was a student. I took it last year and it was phenomenal! By far the most informational writing class I've ever taken, and I've taken quite a few now.
I'll check it out too, thank you!!
I keep meaning to watch the lectures... I'm sure there will be another opportunity for you to do something like this, I imagine there are a huge number of applicants.x
Yeah, like 175-200 and the applicant pool grows every year. The lectures are great! I highly recommend watching them
Great work: I think you should share your work with more people and look to get published regardless of what happens next year
This must be one of your first videos of mine that you’re watching ;)
Hello, thanks so much for sharing this video all your experiences are amazing, dont worry nobody is safe to be rejected sometimes thanks for this one have a nice day.
❤️
First time watching one of your vids, that's a shame, I'm sure it must have hurt at the time as being rejected really sucks! From a fellow writer I truly hope you keep going and achieve everything you set your mind to 😃 stay happy! 😁
❤️ thank you! Good luck and happy writing to you as well!
You are very talented and this is not a reflection of how amazing you are. ❤
:)
That's crazy you had the opportunity to apply to get in! I was so afraid you were going to say that somehow the timing turned out to be the wrong time window or something. That's too bad it got rejected.
I haven't ever applied for something that cool, but I've submitted my writing to a few different contests and journals and never got anything picked even though I'm pretty confident in my writing skills. However, with contests, they tend to be looking for something super specific genre-wise, and my writing tends to be more character-driven than action-driven, so that also probably ties into why my writing didn't get chosen for anything.
One thing I will say too about getting feedback from people--it can be really hard to get quality constructive criticism from family especially and friends who do not also write or read a lot of books. In the future, if you do choose to apply again for the workshop, and just in general for improving your writing, I highly recommend looking for more writer's groups, critique groups, etc. so you can get unbiased feedback on your writing from people you don't know as well. It's really scary I know, but your writing will benefit a lot from it.
Stress baking apple crisp is an endearing character trait
😂❤️
Unrelated to the topic, but your eye makeup looks really pretty in this video!
Thank you!
Keep moving forward the journey will only get more interesting .
Yes it will :)
Good morning, Sara! I hope you're doing okay and I'm very sorry that you got rejected. That sucks but I'm also very proud of you, I really am for taking that first step of putting your hard work out there to be viewed and get feedback from others. I've heard after watching other Author videos that they've also got rejected a lot at first before being accepted. "If you get knocked down, you get back up and try again" is a Medifor I've always heard. I understand but I don't think you needed that workshop, because you're already a strong, talented writer and you know what you're doing based on all of the advice you give in your videos. You got this, Sara because I think you're awesome! ❤❤❤And it's his loss!
Failing is key to success. It's physical/tangible proof that you are trying to get better. I had a question for this community when it comes to writing everyday. If you don't have a current project you are working on, what daily writing excersizes are you doing everyday to stay fresh? I know of "free-writing" where you jot down random thoughts and ideas, but this feels too broad in terms of actually writing to sharpen your skills. If anyone has any input of what you write about daily, non-project related, let me know. Thanks!
I like to do 1 page scenes or flash fiction sometimes their pretty fun
Good luck with querying! It’s the absolute worst thing. Don’t get discouraged by the inevitable rejections. it’s tough, but it happens to basically everyone.
❤️❤️❤️
You are a great person. Don't let the negative people do any more than why they exist. They exist to build your core strengths. Just think of yourself as a tree. This sanders guy is wind.....😊😊😊
It only got to me for a few days :), very cool experience to try applying tho
Thank you
Thanks for watching!
I am sure that you will succeed in writing. You work hard enough.
Workin on it!
Hey, thanks so much for posting this video. I'm actually in the process of applying to a summer creative writing workshop myself (but for highschool students). I applied for it last year and got rejected, trying again this year. I was told that I made it to some quarter-semi-whatever finals but they wanted more from my personal statement. Any personal statement advice?
I hope you try again and get in next time. Good luck!
❤️
While it's unfortunate that you didn't get in this time, I wish you all the best for next year. As you said, so much of it is chance alone. Good luck for 2024!
Thank you!
I’m excited for Project D.E. And I barley read in my spare time lol
Thank you! I'm working on getting it done!
That application process sounds unnecessarily difficult.
It was quite a process
@@SaraLubratt good on you for drawing a personal growth silver lining from it. First video I saw of yours, subbed.
@@sturmherooflance Happy to have you here!
Lol 500k words is about a Storm light book by Sanderson so his admin is probably used to that.
Lol I had the same thought
Well this will prepare you for the rejections during querying 😂
Very true!
I THINK your quote or paraphrase was your brain paraphrasing "luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" from, according to google, the Roman philosopher Seneca (which I didn't know, thought it was more modern) . Hopefully you don't get spammed with people saying this. Good luck next time!
Yes, that sounds right, thank you!!
Thank you for sharing! Isn't uni applications soooo stressful? This gave me 2nd hand stress
Lol yes! And I'm a few years out of school and so it was super weird to re-live!
I can understand how stressed out you must have been, I mean I get already stressed out just hearing you talk about it!
Lol it was very stressful 😂
Man it’s got to be so tough to pick only 15 people for a tiny workshop like this
I’m sure it’s a big job, especially with how amazing I imagine the writers are
❤️
❤️
I'm learning a lot from the critique group I found on the Meetup website.
Good to know!
Are there other creative writing workshops you would like to apply for?
Not in my area that I know of right now :/
Without checking, did you apply for 2023?
I did and probably will continue to until I either get accepted or leave Utah lol
Fun video. And wow... we have all been there with deadlines and the wringing of the hands, etc. Try again next year.
Comment: Five novels and your parents haven't read any of them yet? I could understand if they are really personal or erotica or whatever, but ... Let your parents in. :)
Finally, I'm in the middle of forming a critique group to fulfill all that stuff you said at the beginning. I'm not sure why so many writers avoid sharing their work in an organized setting. So, to all of your RUclips watchers: consider a critique group.
Some advice from someone older… you’d be better off using that time and money to take a trip to a foreign country you haven’t been to before and expanding your horizons. Most of the writers in that class will fail because they know little about the world. Get interesting experiences and go distant places, it’ll help fuel your imagination and mature your writing
Or really even closer to home just seek out interesting experiences. That’s the fuel of good writing
I do :) and am excited to do more of it! Thanks for your advice
Peter Griffin getting the golden ticket, and then he falls down and scrapes his knee.
Except you wouldn't fall down, because you stay in shape! 😁
😂
:)
That ‘luck of the draw’ stage one seems like BS to me. Yes, have a time limit but to not even read them all? Seems unfair.
🤷♀️ someone else commented that they used to read all applications until it became too much for his assistant to read them all
@@SaraLubratt I feel for his assistant, but surely the university would supply him more help to deal with applications during this time? Or Sanderson would plan this out better to allow for all applications to be read? Seems disorganised on top of unfair (or maybe I just don’t get how American universities work?) Either way, I’m certain your writing is great enough to be published without Sanderson’s help.
I've also heard that if they don't get 15 good applications from the 65 randomly selected, they look at more applications.
@@janelf5 I've heard that as well
possibly the stupidest system I have ever heard. The chances of the best writers being left out of the course because his assistant isn't bothered to read them is ridiculously high. Most of us who are trained in this industry have been trained to read 4 or 5 books a week, she should have been able to read the submissions within a week and a half. Leaving people out based on random lottery is just detrimental to the quality of students that you accept, which is bad for your entire course especially when students are reviewing each others work.
🤷♀️ I don't make the rules. I wish they would have read all of them but it is what it is
@@SaraLubratt I guess the worst part about it is that next year if you want to reapply you have no idea if you should just submit the same thing again because they didn't read it, or submit something different because they did read it and are looking for something different. Either way I wouldn't let that bother your confidence they probably didn't even read it. If I had to guess the first 60 submitted in the first 10 minutes and they just cut it off after that.
@@justbrandonokay Yeah I have no idea how they randomly select people. I'll take a look at my writing again next year and just see if I still think that chapter is the best I've written at that point or if I have something I'd rather submit. I'll figure it out :) I did have someone message me on Instagram that they had a friend who took the class and that person didn't get in until their 5th year submitting
They used to read every one but I guess as it's become more popular in recent years it got overwhelming for them since they're only having one person go through the applications. I think they should have more than one assistant handling it but 🤷 super frustrating though
@@lexi_coop_ That makes a lot of sense!
I feel the application process is questionable. The fact that he teaches a creative writing course is cool. But it's obvious that many people will apply for his course. If you give such a course, you have to be aware of that and provide the appropriate resources to sift through all the applications. Not to mention, under 200 applications is not very many. Applicants would also wait three or four weeks for a response if it was their skill, or talent, that made the difference and not pure luck. Every applicant puts a lot of time and heart and soul into his or her documents. I don't think it's very respectful how this is handled.
Considering thousands of people apply to those workshops, you might not be on the top 65 out of what? 3000 applications? Doesnt mean you are not good. You arent on the top 65 but being on the top 200 out of 3000 is still good enough. Tell yourself that.
Random selection for the 65 is the kicker here. Thanks :)
I wonder which creative writing course James Joyce, F Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, etc. enrolled on. Surely talent - of any kind - is inate: it can not be instilled. I think that the many creative writing courses and 'masterclasses' mainly feed on the literary aspirations some people have. Those who subscribe to such courses might gain a spurious 'Diploma ' and the dubious kudos of having their work assessed by a famous writer, but do they go on to actually write that elusive novel?
It’s better to be LUCKY than GOOD. 🍀
And ideally you can be both!
@@SaraLubratt 💯!!!!!!!!!!!
You just need to submit your work and not focus on getting a writer to tell you how to write. A sixth draft is a bit much and you probably already have a book that an agent or unsolicited submission may get you published. I cannot do entire drafts myself, I will just edit or add extra, yet drafting for me (my own experience) will end up with an entirely different story from what I wanted. I also cannot for the life of me create an outline. You looked to stressed out too and made me want to cry from it. I do hope you focus on you and WE get to read your work.
I feel like this isnt well organized though! They could AT LEAST let you know what stage you 'failed' at so you know what tp work on next time
Personally, it's probably better not to specify that part because some applicants might react violently if they knew they were rejected just because they were unlucky in the draw.
Yeah I can see that point :/
I agree it could be nice to know. Apparently they used to let you know until a few years ago
… so… first?
love it
sorry....but everyone has a unique signature..thats what makes art art..i think you should trust your own signsture instead of trying to copy anyones else no matter how good..that enriches creavivity..add instead of subtract as szeth would put it...thats why the rejection was a good thing
I find women's perspective on rejection really interesting. I was faced with rude and brutal rejections constantly as a young boy. It wasn't something I could fear, I was forced to accept it.
The thought there're other adults who fear it is... weird. No offense but it sounds like weakness to me. But I had rejection from the fresh age of 8 years old.
What kind of rejection did you experience from the fresh age of 8, does it have to do with writing? Also why differentiate on gender
You must not have watched the whole video
There are so many quotes about luck and preparation! 💖 I collect quotes and here are a few of my favorite:
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” -Seneca
“Luck is equal parts grace and gumption, and both of these things require your active participation.” -Sarah Ban Breathnach
“How can you say luck and chance are the same thing? Chance is the first step you take, luck is what comes afterwards.” -Amy Tan
“People do make their luck by daring to follow their instincts, taking risks, and embracing every possibility.” -Estée Lauder
“You cannot control luck, but you can get its attention.” -Chuck Wendig
“Luck? I've never banked on it. Luck to me is something else: hard work-and realizing what opportunity is and what isn’t.” -Lucille Ball
“Luck is a very good word when you put a ‘P’ before it!” -Mary Engelbreit
“You gotta try your luck at least once a day because you could be going around lucky all day and not even know it.” -Jimmy Dean
☘️🌈✨🦄🍀
You’re definitely taking the right steps, working hard and also taking care of yourself, pursuing new things with your writing and work. Great things are waiting for you! 🤩