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

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.พ. 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...

ความคิดเห็น • 954

  • @GaeFootballClub
    @GaeFootballClub 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4324

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

  • @haughtygarbage5848
    @haughtygarbage5848 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3100

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

    • @donovangallaway3632
      @donovangallaway3632 4 ปีที่แล้ว +52

      Lol Saaaaaaaaaame

    • @gatsuyatsu
      @gatsuyatsu 4 ปีที่แล้ว +77

      I've never been more excited for class!

    • @ThaStikman
      @ThaStikman 4 ปีที่แล้ว +60

      Fandersons UNITE

    • @mcrettable
      @mcrettable 4 ปีที่แล้ว +75

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

    • @billyalarie929
      @billyalarie929 4 ปีที่แล้ว +17

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

  • @iphoneapps1175
    @iphoneapps1175 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2146

    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 ปีที่แล้ว +1571

      My pleasure. Good luck with your writing.

    • @genious7714
      @genious7714 2 ปีที่แล้ว +162

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

    • @Isaiah_McIntosh
      @Isaiah_McIntosh 2 ปีที่แล้ว +93

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

    • @genious7714
      @genious7714 2 ปีที่แล้ว +46

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

    • @123AndJC
      @123AndJC 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@Isaiah_McIntosh Lol

  • @Josh_R2.17
    @Josh_R2.17 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1718

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

    • @Uberdude6666
      @Uberdude6666 4 ปีที่แล้ว +66

      Guess he got laid that very same week end

    • @gracjanlekston134
      @gracjanlekston134 4 ปีที่แล้ว +101

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

    • @Uberdude6666
      @Uberdude6666 4 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      @@gracjanlekston134 Once is enough, thank you

    • @mayursurpurkar3428
      @mayursurpurkar3428 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      🤣🤣

    • @jus10beare
      @jus10beare 4 ปีที่แล้ว +49

      @@Uberdude6666 The Hero's Journey

  • @michaelwhite1552
    @michaelwhite1552 4 ปีที่แล้ว +705

    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 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Same. He makes me want to write.

    • @lonedog80
      @lonedog80 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

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

    • @BlueisNotaWarmColour
      @BlueisNotaWarmColour 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

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

    • @zaidlacksalastname4905
      @zaidlacksalastname4905 ปีที่แล้ว +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

  • @yellowfellow7246
    @yellowfellow7246 4 ปีที่แล้ว +507

    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!"

  • @savioneves8791
    @savioneves8791 4 ปีที่แล้ว +736

    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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      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 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

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

  • @westvirginiaglutenfreepepp7006
    @westvirginiaglutenfreepepp7006 3 ปีที่แล้ว +783

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

    • @antoniomangoni9719
      @antoniomangoni9719 3 ปีที่แล้ว +53

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

    • @donovanmaxwell
      @donovanmaxwell 2 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      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 ปีที่แล้ว +12

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

    • @DarrellWolfe
      @DarrellWolfe 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ,, 😂😂😂

    • @drishti8822
      @drishti8822 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

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

  • @appledough3843
    @appledough3843 4 ปีที่แล้ว +719

    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

    • @lowercase_ash
      @lowercase_ash 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Thank you

    • @appledough3843
      @appledough3843 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@mitchelldkirby
      All in a days work, citizen.

    • @vaibhavgore165
      @vaibhavgore165 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you hero 😅👍

    • @appledough3843
      @appledough3843 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@vaibhavgore165
      👍👍👍👍👍👍

    • @the_ricku
      @the_ricku ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Legend

  • @RedScotGaming
    @RedScotGaming 4 ปีที่แล้ว +496

    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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ayy Redscot

  • @LagMasterSam
    @LagMasterSam 4 ปีที่แล้ว +720

    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 ปีที่แล้ว +54

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

    • @AvalynGirl
      @AvalynGirl 4 ปีที่แล้ว +42

      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 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      same.

    • @elcidbob
      @elcidbob 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      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 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      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.

  • @MrK.A
    @MrK.A 4 ปีที่แล้ว +577

    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 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

    • @donz6211
      @donz6211 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      College is dead. TH-cam killed it. Should we save it? Hell no!

    • @lyingcat9022
      @lyingcat9022 3 ปีที่แล้ว +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 2 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Infamous1892 what’s better about SKs advice?

  • @dillongunn
    @dillongunn 4 ปีที่แล้ว +506

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

    • @HeyMykee
      @HeyMykee ปีที่แล้ว +3

      But we need him!

  • @SrikkanthG
    @SrikkanthG 3 ปีที่แล้ว +146

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

    • @alvenkaiser4549
      @alvenkaiser4549 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      And annoying for poor aromantics like me.

  • @Bayani01
    @Bayani01 4 ปีที่แล้ว +601

    PRAISE THE SUN!

    • @JuaniValmaggia
      @JuaniValmaggia 4 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      PRAISE THE SHIRT!

    • @JuaniValmaggia
      @JuaniValmaggia 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

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

    • @davidwilson6577
      @davidwilson6577 4 ปีที่แล้ว +35

      Umbasa

    • @Yora21
      @Yora21 4 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      @@davidwilson6577 Ah, a fellow intellectual.

    • @davidwilson6577
      @davidwilson6577 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

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

  • @KiernanAlex
    @KiernanAlex 4 ปีที่แล้ว +93

    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 ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

    • @erwinl.3817
      @erwinl.3817 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @claremccullough
    @claremccullough 3 ปีที่แล้ว +177

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

  • @nicholassels7411
    @nicholassels7411 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      NICEEEEE

    • @htgg9006
      @htgg9006 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      A pre elden ring dark souls player, I respect that

    • @storm1364
      @storm1364 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @Mclearmountain
    @Mclearmountain 4 ปีที่แล้ว +157

    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 3 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +16

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

    • @hariman7727
      @hariman7727 3 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @rodrigo3732
    @rodrigo3732 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

    • @rodrigo3732
      @rodrigo3732 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@billyalarie929 thanks man.

    • @sofiaamm
      @sofiaamm 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      parabens!! qualquer progresso ja é ótimo :)

  • @JRoseBooks
    @JRoseBooks 4 ปีที่แล้ว +100

    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 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That's really helpful, thank you!

    • @jakehopkins6989
      @jakehopkins6989 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      This comment reads like an advert.

  • @DrEllert
    @DrEllert 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @erin350
    @erin350 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

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

    • @poppyleanne
      @poppyleanne 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Bruh

    • @Drejoze
      @Drejoze 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It's the right choice.

  • @1993Nautilus
    @1993Nautilus 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    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!

  • @endymionas8240
    @endymionas8240 3 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +43

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

  • @itachi1839
    @itachi1839 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Well a student confirmed he is writing a Mistborn screenplay adaptation

    • @YourBlackLocal
      @YourBlackLocal 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jacob Licklider あ

    • @AnIndependentCat
      @AnIndependentCat 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@n0zenzur sorry who?

  • @losticarus
    @losticarus 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    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!!

  • @donovangallaway3632
    @donovangallaway3632 4 ปีที่แล้ว +98

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

  • @jeljeffery4712
    @jeljeffery4712 4 ปีที่แล้ว +135

    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!

  • @TunezCottage
    @TunezCottage 3 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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!"

  • @bathtubmafia2042
    @bathtubmafia2042 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

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

  • @CantStopTheMadness
    @CantStopTheMadness 4 ปีที่แล้ว +33

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

  • @astevenswrites
    @astevenswrites 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

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

  • @jacksonkerr2095
    @jacksonkerr2095 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @mikhail_roberts
    @mikhail_roberts 3 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @MetaI4Brains
    @MetaI4Brains 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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

  • @MateusAntonioBittencourt
    @MateusAntonioBittencourt 4 ปีที่แล้ว +104

    I would love to see that Skyward or Steelheart outlining.

    • @hibak8196
      @hibak8196 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Please, please, please

    • @DaiLusional
      @DaiLusional 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +45

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

  • @indylockheart3082
    @indylockheart3082 2 ปีที่แล้ว +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

  • @DonaldWilson
    @DonaldWilson 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +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.

  • @BillBelew
    @BillBelew 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    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.

  • @felipecampos3045
    @felipecampos3045 4 ปีที่แล้ว +83

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

  • @youngjung161
    @youngjung161 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +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 ปีที่แล้ว +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!

  • @Brendonherring522
    @Brendonherring522 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

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

  • @AvalynGirl
    @AvalynGirl 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @Noakwolf247
    @Noakwolf247 4 ปีที่แล้ว +35

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

    • @Yora21
      @Yora21 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      It's research!

    • @hibak8196
      @hibak8196 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      This *is* productive.

    • @clintonleonard5187
      @clintonleonard5187 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

    • @oswin5775
      @oswin5775 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm here researching for my speech class 😁

  • @dannyt4663
    @dannyt4663 4 ปีที่แล้ว +98

    That guy's red beanie is like a beacon lol

    • @jakeblottenberger3699
      @jakeblottenberger3699 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

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

    • @Nivalyr
      @Nivalyr 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It’s a beacon of hope for me

  • @jadonwalker5991
    @jadonwalker5991 4 ปีที่แล้ว +30

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

  • @aaronhicks4889
    @aaronhicks4889 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +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

  • @GhxstGhost
    @GhxstGhost 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +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.

  • @svensorensen7693
    @svensorensen7693 3 ปีที่แล้ว +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

  • @christerdehlin8866
    @christerdehlin8866 ปีที่แล้ว +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!

  • @basilpshegubj4765
    @basilpshegubj4765 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This man is literally changing my life

  • @crazyconan28
    @crazyconan28 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @Xylos144
    @Xylos144 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @coraurum3835
    @coraurum3835 4 ปีที่แล้ว +78

    PRAISE THE SUN, PRAISE THE STORM!

    • @Yora21
      @Yora21 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      \[T]/

  • @buckle9733
    @buckle9733 2 ปีที่แล้ว +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 14 วันที่ผ่านมา

    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!

  • @TTTrouble
    @TTTrouble 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      TTTrouble It’s on his website!

    • @TTTrouble
      @TTTrouble 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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!

  • @Tenacious4Life00
    @Tenacious4Life00 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you Brandon. These lectures are priceless.

  • @vic2rvic
    @vic2rvic 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you, Brandon Sanderson, for your existence and for sharing your knowledge.

  • @AmeliaOak
    @AmeliaOak 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I am so thrilled that these are on TH-cam!

  • @Jon1213
    @Jon1213 2 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว

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

    • @Jon1213
      @Jon1213 ปีที่แล้ว

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

    • @watashiwa8551
      @watashiwa8551 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@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 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@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

  • @allisonsipe7503
    @allisonsipe7503 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

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

  • @user-oy4vu3ck3u
    @user-oy4vu3ck3u 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    These lectures get me so excited to write! Thank you Brandon!

  • @ahcenebelhadi955
    @ahcenebelhadi955 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @Ardorstorm
    @Ardorstorm 2 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @ivancito7790
    @ivancito7790 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Love that he’s wearing a Dark Souls shirt.

  • @Piratequeen010156
    @Piratequeen010156 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Watching these lectures are amazing. I am learning so, so much. It is SO helpful to see the students ask questions and to have Brandon giving good and bad examples of things and relating the terms to real works. Thanks so much for making this available on YT.

  • @CarrollTheChimp
    @CarrollTheChimp 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Brandon, thank you so much for making these public. Your lectures have been so helpful to me.

  • @MemeGod791
    @MemeGod791 7 วันที่ผ่านมา +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

  • @Mikeztarp
    @Mikeztarp 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

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

  • @jenniferdilts5507
    @jenniferdilts5507 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 :)

  • @alecray2118
    @alecray2118 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love your passion for teaching and the craft as a whole. Thank you!

  • @UkeRebuke
    @UkeRebuke 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @ramonterrell1897
    @ramonterrell1897 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

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

  • @radrose4864
    @radrose4864 2 ปีที่แล้ว +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 💕

  • @arockr8998
    @arockr8998 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love to hear Brandon Sanderson talk about his craft. Truly he is a master at it.

  • @39Lords
    @39Lords 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I really appreciate this lecture series. It's completely reinvigorated me as a writer.

  • @diegooland1261
    @diegooland1261 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

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

  • @TimTYT
    @TimTYT 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

    • @kevinscales
      @kevinscales 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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.

  • @HannahLazyknife
    @HannahLazyknife 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +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.

  • @EDDIELANE
    @EDDIELANE 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @crystalsotelo9912
    @crystalsotelo9912 ปีที่แล้ว +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!

  • @loganman70
    @loganman70 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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 :-(

  • @Derekad55
    @Derekad55 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    These classes have been so helpful, I've already gone back and made improvements on my own fiction.

  • @christinacreech1974
    @christinacreech1974 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you for everything you do for the writing world! We appreciate it so much!

  • @aayushshrivastava5514
    @aayushshrivastava5514 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

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

  • @deathpresent101
    @deathpresent101 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This is godly knowledge!

  • @ninor6377
    @ninor6377 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    These are the best videos I've ever seen in my life.

  • @aflameinthevoid8047
    @aflameinthevoid8047 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Watching through these as I build the skeleton of my first attempt at a book and grapple with self-doubt on writing ability and follow-through. Thank you for providing the structure and motivation to take these initial steps!

  • @BBURN2007
    @BBURN2007 4 ปีที่แล้ว +55

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

    • @BingeWatchers
      @BingeWatchers 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

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

  • @TyloSB
    @TyloSB 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    THAT SHIRT THOUGH

  • @roguegn
    @roguegn 4 ปีที่แล้ว +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

  • @zachary9925
    @zachary9925 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wish I would have found your videos earlier. I learned so much of this the hard way, through trial, error, and piles of rejections. Thank you for posting this info! You're doing writers a huge service!

  • @FantasyBuchSchreibende
    @FantasyBuchSchreibende 4 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    33:25 press f to pay respect

  • @MrMetal4Ever123
    @MrMetal4Ever123 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

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

  • @lbentforleather9654
    @lbentforleather9654 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thankyou so much for making these videos for free! It's really helping with my own writing attempt, as plot is one of the biggest hurdles for me.

  • @LPChipi
    @LPChipi 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

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

    • @1608svetlana
      @1608svetlana 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I hear Griffin McElroy