Brandon Sanderson's 9 Step Outlining Method
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- I pored through lectures and blog posts to learn about Brandon Sanderson's outlining process. This video will show you how to use what I found to improve your own writing!
Sanderson Lectures: • Lecture #1: Introducti...
Skyward Outline: www.brandonsan...
I was blown away when you mentioned this was your first video. The setting, the audio & video quality, the editing, and the content itself-all fantastic and the work of a professional. If this is your floor, I can hardly wait to see the ceiling. Great work!
Wow, thank you! I've uploaded a few since this, and I'm actually taking a quick break from editing my next upload to reply to this comment-kind words such as these make that work a lot easier!
I thoroughly agree!
Same
Hard agree, was very shocked to read that this is the first video.
I agree. Really well done.
Step 1: Overview - One paragraph summary of plot. Set tone and concept.
Step 2: Setting - Worldbuiling; tech, magic, culture, geography, myth, biology, factions, aesthetics, societal trends, the big plot secret.
Step 3: Main Characters - Flaws, arcs, worth, goals, obstacles, persona. 3-5 paragraphs. Heading per character.
(Steps 4 & 5 follow similar format.)
Step 4: Secondary Characters - 2-3 paragraphs.
Step 5: Minor Characters - 1-2 paragraphs.
Step 6: Plot Archetypes - Plot layers, maintain cohesion, plots feed back into one another. Identify story type for study.
Step 7: Plot Endings - Figure out how all these plots end to satisfaction.
Step 8: Disconnected Plots - Filling gaps between otherwise disconnected plots. Heroes journey, save the cat, three act structure. Every story beat has a plot heading, with bullets explaining the start and end of these plot points.
Step 9: Writing Your Story - Combine these various A, B, C, etc. plot outlines. Chapter arrangement is useful. Draw bullets from the various outlines to combine things into one.
Now write the story.
You're doing God's work
Well done.
Copy pasting this into my outline document.
Big thank for saving me a rewatch and 5 minutes of writing.
Thank you sir
You sir, are a good man
this video is two years old but i just stumbled upon it and i am, in fact, here because i'm writing a story where the sun turned off.
HOW DOES IT TURN OFF?? AND WHY?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightfall_(Asimov_novelette_and_novel)
This is what a lot of new writers don't understand about outlines. The story has a lot that needs to happen, and most of us can't work that all out in our heads and retain it until it's written. You do a great job of explaining how Sando does it, and he clearly knows what he's doing. This is an excellent way to see how an outline helps work plot, world-building, and character development together into the finished product. I'm starting Mistborn tomorrow (first time reading him for me), can't wait.
Wow! I never thought to try plotting all the arcs separately and then piecing them back together like that! I have been watching Sanderson’s lectures on RUclips recently and this was really cool to see how he breaks down his outlines! Thanks, great video!
Thank you! I'd also never considered plotting arcs separately as he suggests, but it does make sense, especially if you're working on a multi-pov, multi-volume behemoth like he is with The Stormlight Archive.
I literally-literally screamed when you mentioned a plot involving the sun mysteriously turning off because that's just as literally (and in the literal-literal sense) a major plot point in a narrative I've been working on for a couple years now. Thanks for that coincidentally *very* targeted joke and cracking me up 2 years later :D
Hey i would love to read this it sounds awesome
This is the first outline method ive found that doesn't leave a huge gap between "plan your characters and jot down some key plot points" and "now you write a book". The dot point methodology from steps 7-9 are the piece of the puzzle my ADHD brain has been needing to get my stories from disconjointed scenes in my head to becoming an outline of a cohesive story. Credit to branden sanderson for his method, but thank _you_ for the video. After years of wanting to create stories and researching what makes for good writing, i finally feel not just motivated to try, but actually prepared to do so.
Ps. I did tweak it a little, i felt that "whats stopping your character from achieving their goal" was a bit... Eh. Heres what i listed down:
Main characters:
•who are they?
•what do they want?
•what do they need?
•what do they lose along the way?
•what do they gain along the way?
•How do they get there?
Secondary characters:
•who are they?
•how do they serve the story?
•what impact do they have on the main characters?
•what do they want and what do they get?
Minor characters:
•who are they?
•how do they serve the plot?
Hearing that I've helped someone take a step toward writing their story is my favorite way to start my mornings-I'm glad you found the video helpful and thank you for the comment!
Thank you bro, this makes writing feel so much more straightforward and it’s a lot shorter than Brandon’s lecture videos. I like how I can easily come back to it as I go through each step to anchor myself and determine a concrete objective.
TIL I outline like Brandon Sanderson! It's weird because it's literally exactly the same. It was just so much easier to outline when I knew the plot archetypes and how each of those would morph before putting them all together in a massive outline. Great video!
I’ve never written a book before. I’ve found I’m very picky about what I like in my fantasy and figured I would enjoy writing a fantasy series. This is exactly what I did as well before watching this video. I didn’t have any knowledge of writing a book before but this is all pretty common sense/logical stuff. I don’t understand how someone could write a series any other way haha
It's always frustrating (in the best way) when I see a video like this, one that summarizes all of the issues that I'm having with some particular endeavor and then provides such a structured and succinct solution for me. This is a great video! I plan to try all of this for the book that I'm writing currently, since I'm needing to go back and rework the first few chapters. There is simply too much going on for me to be able to write it by the seat of my pants. And I think I'm learning that about myself, that one of the reasons why I can't write like that is because I simply want to put too many things into my novels for them to accidentally come together perfectly. I need to plan and design my elements with each other in mind.
Thanks for the video!
Watching this in 2024, when you said this was your first vid, I was utterly shocked. Very impressed, and definitely subscribing!
Legendary RUclips Debut 😮
You should do this for all of his lectures! Just finally came around to rewatching and writing notes for myself and this was so good!
Getting an overview of the story has always been the most difficult part for me, this method forced me to start with that step and oh god it helped a LOT. Thank you for sharing this and huge thanks to Brandon Sanderson as well!
What a fantastic, workable summary of Sanderson’s lecture on outlining! Great work! Hope to read something by you someday! :)
This video made my heart sink when I realized just how incomplete my narrative is. But at least now I know what I need to do to fix it. Great video!
New subscriber in the first 50 seconds. Incredible quality of content. Keep going like that, you have a great potential!!
Thank you! New videos coming soon!
I can not stress enough, how top notch this video is for your first one! I'm just beginning my writer's journey, and this video has helped me out so much. The rewatch value of this video is amazing as well.
This just might be the outlining method that helps me finally finish my WIP...The structure of it all!
I love the video. This is the best and clearest description, I have seen, of how Brandon Sanderson outlines his work. Keep up the good work.
Happy to hear you enjoyed it, thank you!
Found your video 2 years later, impressed that this is your first, your production setup is pretty good. Can't wait to dig around your channel and see what else you've got 😊
This actually helped me quite a lot, thank you.
Quality for a first video. A lot of work went into getting this "right". I'm about to write my first ever short story, and your summary of Brandon's Outline is gonna help immensely. Thanks!
Thank you for saying what you did about how this outlining method isn't the only and infallible way to outline and plan a story. I subscribed and liked immediately when I heard that. So many times I see new writers (like me when I first started writing) believe that the way other people outline and plan their novels is the only correct way. The point of outlining and planning is to create a map of the story you are writing so you know what's going to happen. Because of this, every person creates their map differently and its so important that all writers know they can create an outline that works for them and not just to make it look "perfect" or "accurate" by someone else's standards.
On another note, I really loved learning more about Sanderson's outlining method. I'll definitely play around with this method and add it to my own outlining process. You did a great job breaking down his outlining method and explaining how writers can apply it to their own writing.
Good video! Thanks so much for sharing and keep it up! :)
I just found this video while scrolling through videos on writing in between writing spurts, and I have to say I was blown away by the idea of bullet points and using them to fulfill A, B, and C arcs. I just wrapped up my first novel, but after editing and pushing it out, I'm definitely doing that idea for my next one.
I'm a bit late to the party but this has been the key video I needed to stop just thinking about how wonderful it would be to write a novel and actually starting writing things down. Besides the content of the video, your way of communicating is amazing, and as a not native English speaker your way of speaking is so clear that even without a high level I could understand every single part. Im surely checking your other videos, so I hope you don't stop doing what it seems you enjoy. Thanks a lot!
Very professional! And concise -- I so much appreciate that. A lot of great information! Thank you so much! Wonderful work!
You can shape then create or create then shape, those are the two main ways people write.
shape than create is dreaming up your story, point forming it, then creating the story based on that outline.
Create than shape is dreaming while writing a rough draft, and then shaping the story after the rough draft - that might actually take the form of an outline or just notes.
Great video! When talking about step 7 and plot endings, it made me think of The Otherland series by Tad Williams. It's a near future science fiction story vaguely similar to Ready Player One but not at all the arcade style that that particular story rolls with. Williams' story is dark, and scary and intense and very weird throughout. But concerning plot endings, the Otherland story (4 books) is hands down the most satisfying read I've ever experienced.
WAIT THIS IS A FIRST VIDEO? IT LOOKS AND SOUNDS SO PROFESSIONAL
Just found this via RUclips recommendations. Great overview, very helpful, and way above average quality for a first video. Nice work .
This is such a great video. You had me laughing out loud when you were talking about the speed limit and being happy that people still cared about writing in the "future"!
1. overview
2. setting
3. main characters
4. secondary characters
5. minor characters
6. plot archetypes
7. plot endings
8. disconnected plots
9. writing/connecting plots
This is SO helpful! Thank you so much for the time and hard work you put into this! I watched some of Brandon's lectures and read the Skyward outline in the past, but this has made it much more understandable to me. Thank you!
beautifully presented. also love when creators are understanding, you can always just tell. much love everyone
What a way to hit the ground running, would never have guessed this to be your first video. I am currently putting together different types of advice about outlining and your video was an immense help, thank you!! I am not yet finished but I believe it will be the foundation for the main structure of the model I plan on building!
Your wording is wonderful, such as the wording you use when cautioning the viewer to not view the steps you discuss in this episode as those that the viewer needs to follow.
Love how I have been kind of doing some of this. Writing is so natural in the most random ways 😂
No joke, I'm working on a novel where the Sun does turn off. It's because of a science experiment that goes horribly wrong. Glad I could clear that up for you.
You should read A Deepness in the Sky by the great Verner Vinge. It has a sun that turns off and back on. I don't recall if they ever explain why, but it's a fantastic story with amazing world building.
What a fantastically well put together video for a first video! And thank you for all the info. I'm outlining what I hope will be my first full length book right now and this was very helpful.
You have explained it even better than Brandon Sanderson in his lecture! Wow
I still have to check that out, I kinda thought that's what I was clicking on, pleasantly suprised, I liked the delivery and explanations.
What a great debut! Subscribed. ^_^
I love the way you described this. Thank you so much. Hope you get back to making more videos!
Hi, I just stumbled on this video. I'm so glad I did. I've watched Brandon Sanderson's videos and this summed up his method perfectly. Thanks for making an entertaining and informative video. I'll definitely watch more.
Man you are really good at explaining why did you stop making videos, i myself write novels for a uk company and i can tell the things you explain help a lot
Drinking my morning coffee and came across this video. Great stuff, so subscribed straight away
This was excellent. I am in the middle of a story that was beginning to wander. Now I know how to fix it.
Wow! Your first video ever? You did such an amazing job. Keep going.
Thank you! I've uploaded a handful of videos since this one, and there are plenty more on the way!
Sometimes the B story is just a friendship. The most important part of the B story is exposition of your protagonist. The B story is where we learn about the protagonists flaws, hopes and fears, quirks and failures. We should see character arc in the B story. Thank you for your video!
Hey! This was so helpful. Thanks and congratulations on your wonderful first video.
Found this channel just now. Pretty cool
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir has that setting!! Maybe you already know this, it's been a while. Awesome video!
Great video! I'm going to watch your career with interest. All the luck in the world for you!
Thank you!! I'll do my best to create a career worth watching :D
Thanks for this. I listened to all of Sanderson’s lectures but sometimes he can get a little rambley so it’s nice to have someone else speak of it clearly and cohesively. Now on to your next video.
This information is so helpful I get so distracted when writing and these tools (guidlines) I know will be so helpful thanks
This was very helpful. I've been outlining a story for a year now and still haven't gotten to chapter 1! Really need structure and guidance.
Wow. If this was your first video it was done very well and I found the content very helpful and succinct. Thank you!
Glad I've found this video! Thank you!
Thank you for the summary. :) This was a helpfully succinct outline to outlining a novel! I've not read any Brandon Sanderson books yet (next on my global reading list is the Mistborn series) but have heard he ties different plot arcs together well and writes relatable characters.
This video was just what I needed to help me organise the characters, worldbuilding, and plot ideas swirling around in my brain. I've written the draft of two different novels in what I estimate to be a five book series, and I'm finding I can't always keep track of where all the links between the details are. I'm a pantser in terms of getting words on the page, but I think for the process of turning these words into coherent books, I definitely see myself making use of more planning steps!
Thank you again. It was so easy to follow along with your video and understand the points you were making. :)
Hope to see you back soon, great video topics
Dude thanks. I finally understand how writing works
Great video as always. I’ve my character rolled up and ready to play solo.
Damn, I didn't expect this to be your first video. Nice job!
Great video - slick, well ordered and produced. Thank you for taking the time to make and share!
Damn dude this is great, thank you so much for an excellent, compelling, and also extremely CONCISE video.
This was great. Thank you.
Your editing delivery and bullet points are on par keep it up man.
Hello from the future. This was an exceptionally good first video. Mazel Tov.
Your first VIDEO!? I know this is old, but just wanted to let you know what an incredible way to launch your channel!
Thanks, I'm so obsessed with outlining right now. And congrats on your first video. I see this channel going places!
What a great video! Great sound, voice, knowledge, informative! Thank you !
Thanks for this video dude, really great way and entertaining way to pass some great information. Really hope you do many more videos, you’ve got a new fan here. Hope you’re well
You're welcome, and thank you for the kind words! Your music is beautiful, so I guess we're mutual fans-keep it up man, and thanks again.
Your humour is great, also your shirt goes beautifully with the lilac backdrop you chose - i think the video could be a tad more brighter, but overall - really good job on the video! :)
Just know we miss your awesome books! Hope all is well!
Nicely made good sir
I hope you create more videos, this was great
Thanks my dude, I´ll be checking out your other videos aswell. Best of luck with the channel!
Dude, you've got great content.
Would love to see more videos.
Great video, thanks for the help :D
I cant really express how much this has helped me.
Great video!
So glad I could help! Thank you!
Dude, fantastic first video.
Great video, man! Looking forward to more.
What a great video. Like actually phenomenal. You should be proud
This was extremely helpful, thank you for putting this together
I've just arrived after you have had your year long break. The sanderson outline video was well done. I also like the mistborn chapter one insights. Are you planning on more videos?
Had to giggle at the “Kaladin: is a sad boy” plot point.
Good gravy this is some good stuff!
Doing this in reverse seems like a very good method of taking notes on books.
Appreciate this! It's a great start.
Great video bro, keep up the good work. Excited to see more of your thoughts on writing. Subscribed!
Man, that's your first video? You sure went off to a great start! The production is great, the humor is on point and the tips are useful as well. Just subscribed. Keep the good work.
Thank you!
I always under write. I started out write scripts and that’s encouraged so it’s painful to change.
Great video! For a first video, you're well on your way to having a thriving RUclips channel.
This is a particularly useful outline. I am curious though if Sanderson's outline covers the inevitable moments where a new idea or reformed idea comes to mind? Sometimes I've had to completely re-write a chapter just because it didn't fit with a later development I hadn't originally considered.
Wow, this was your first video? Damn impressive.
nice job with the video. if you haven't, you might want to link to sandersons writing lectures from BYU. there's a playlist he made. i am not into his genre, but other types of fiction. his lectures are wonderfully practical, and excellent for guidance and troubleshooting.
great video man!
I wanna listen to this guy do an audiobook
Yes! I am enjoying his voice too much 😅
For the story where the sun turns off, read ( Iactually highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Ray Porter) Hail Mary.
The plot really is finding out why the sun is literally going dark and the journey one guy makes to save the planet. Theres three good twists the plot that actually completely threw me, which is rare.
Thank you Yarn
First video! Well done!
Amazing video, thank you! Keep up your good work.