Lecture #1: Introduction — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Brandon Sanderson

22 Jan 202063:52

EducationalLearning

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TLDRBrandon Sanderson lectures aspiring fantasy and science fiction authors, drawing from his experience and sharing advice. He discusses his writing journey, emphasizes finishing stories, cautions against obsession consuming life balance, and explains pros and cons of writing groups. Sanderson aims to provide practical guidance on plot, character, and business aspects of writing.

Takeaways

😊 Writing is good for you and everyone can tell stories they want to tell
📝 Consistency in writing is key - find what schedule works for you
🤝 Form writing groups and communities for support and feedback
😐 Manage expectations - your chances of publishing are low but writing has inherent value
📚 Outlining works for some but others write best through discovery - know thyself
👪 Balance writing with living life to avoid burnout and have more to write about
🎯 Focus feedback on emotional impact, not prescriptions for changes
🤔 As a writer, listen to feedback before deciding what, if anything, to change
✏️ Finishing stories is an achievement in itself - be proud of consistent output
☑️ Consider self-publishing if you write well but traditional publishing doesn't work out

Q & A

What was the origin of the science fiction and fantasy writing class at BYU?
-The class originated in the 1980s when Orson Scott Card was going to teach a creative writing class on campus but was unable to, so a literature professor who liked sci-fi started teaching a class on writing sci-fi/fantasy for the students who had signed up for Card's class.
What makes writing groups useful for writers?
-Writing groups provide deadline accountability, emotional support from peers going through similar struggles, and over time can provide quality feedback from people who understand your style and goals.
What is one key tip Brandon gives for balancing writing and personal relationships?
-Set boundaries around your writing time to be fully present with family and friends outside of that, which helps refresh you and makes sure writing doesn't overly consume your life.
What did Brandon find was the biggest cause of tension between writers and their spouses/families?
-Writers can get consumed by their imaginative world of writing which makes spouses and family feel left out and invisible.
What are some good habits Brandon suggests developing as a writer?
-Having a consistent writing practice tailored to your schedule, finishing stories you start, being proud of your writing whether you publish or not, understanding your process and tools, and having a life outside of writing.
What two general approaches to writing stories does Brandon discuss?
-Discovery writing, where you explore the story as you write with little planning, and architect writing, where you outline in detail first before writing.
Why does Brandon say you have to be willing to ignore writing advice sometimes?
-Because every writer is different, so advice that works great for one writer may not work at all for another. You have to try different techniques and keep what works for you.
What does Brandon say is the biggest selective barrier for writers?
-Actually finishing writing a novel, since far more aspiring writers start novels than finish them.
What are some good tips Brandon gives for giving effective writing workshop feedback?
-Be descriptive rather than prescriptive, focus on your emotional experience as a reader, highlight what is working, and don't require specific changes.
What does Brandon recommend writers do when receiving writing feedback?
-Don't change anything right away, don't defend yourself, consider the feedback and whether the reaction is what you intended, then decide later what revisions to make.

Outlines

00:00

🤓 Introducing the class history and focus

Brandon introduces the class, its history starting from Orson Scott Card in the 80s, its focus on nuts and bolts of writing like plot, character, setting and business, and his goal to provide practical advice for aspiring professional writers.

05:05

😊 Balancing passion and practicality

Brandon discusses balancing writing passion and practicality - while encouraging writing for fulfillment, he focuses teaching on publishing for those interested, noting the select group who finish novels and recommending celebrating achievements.

10:09

🤔 Overcoming despair and making connections

Brandon suggests overcoming despair by hoping for eventual success, focusing on controlling finishing stories and quality, considering self-publishing, and connecting with the writing community.

15:11

👥 Getting into the writing community

Brandon notes that the class and its writing groups are ways into the writing community, which helps with idea exchanges, deadlines, shared experiences and eventually better feedback.

20:16

📝 The pros and cons of writing groups

Brandon explains pros of writing groups like deadlines, support systems and eventually good feedback, and cons like trying to redirect your story and lack of workflow familiarity.

25:19

✏️ Tips for giving and receiving feedback

Brandon provides tips like describing emotions rather than prescribing solutions, not changing things immediately, listening to understand reactions aimed for, and highlighting what works.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

This refers to the genre-specific focus of Brandon Sanderson's lectures, emphasizing the creative writing process within the realms of science fiction and fantasy. The video script highlights how the class aims to guide students in crafting compelling stories in these genres, touching on elements like plot, character development, and world-building. The historical context provided, mentioning Orson Scott Card and the evolution of the class at BYU, underscores the genre's significance and the pedagogical legacy the course draws upon.

💡Creative Writing Class

This concept is central to the video, describing a structured educational setting where individuals learn to express their ideas through narrative, focusing on elements such as character, plot, and setting. The class taught by Brandon Sanderson at BYU is specifically tailored to writing within the science fiction and fantasy genres, offering students a unique opportunity to learn from a professional writer's experiences and insights.

💡Professional Writer

Mentioned in the context of David Wolverton/Dave Farland teaching the class, this term refers to someone who earns their living through writing, possessing significant experience and success in publishing. Sanderson highlights the value of learning from a professional writer, as it provides practical insights into the craft and business of writing that are often not covered in traditional academic settings.

💡Publishing

This key concept is discussed in relation to the journey of becoming a published author, including the challenges of refining manuscripts and navigating the business aspects of the writing industry. Sanderson shares his personal experiences of learning about publishing contracts and the professional side of writing, emphasizing its importance for aspiring writers aiming for a career in this field.

💡Character Development

This refers to the process of creating and evolving characters within a story, making them complex and engaging for readers. Sanderson notes the difficulty his previous professors had in teaching this aspect of writing, highlighting how specialized knowledge from professional writers can significantly enhance a writer's ability to craft compelling characters.

💡Plot Structure

Mentioned as a critical element of storytelling that Sanderson felt was effectively covered in the class, plot structure involves the organization of events in a story to create suspense, interest, and emotional investment from the audience. The ability to adapt and innovate on traditional plot structures is presented as a skill that can set a story apart.

💡Writing Groups

This concept is introduced as a supportive community practice where writers share their work for feedback and critique. Sanderson emphasizes the importance of writing groups for personal growth, professional networking, and improving one's writing through constructive criticism and encouragement from peers.

💡Discovery Writing vs. Outline Writing

Sanderson discusses these two approaches to writing, where discovery writers (or 'gardeners') write spontaneously, exploring the story as they go, while outline writers (or 'architects') plan the structure of their narrative in detail before writing. This distinction is crucial for understanding different creative processes and finding one's own writing style.

💡Professional Endeavor

This term relates to Sanderson's discussion on treating writing not just as a hobby or artistic pursuit but as a career with goals such as publication and financial stability. He talks about the commitment to writing consistently and treating it as a serious professional endeavor, regardless of whether one aims to be published or not.

💡Feedback and Revision

Feedback from writing groups or workshops and the subsequent revision process are highlighted as essential steps in the development of a manuscript. Sanderson advises being open to feedback but also emphasizes the importance of discerning which critiques to act on, suggesting a balance between openness to improvement and staying true to one's vision.

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Transcripts

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