Lecture #5: Worldbuilding Part One - Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Welcome to the fifth lecture of my BYU 2020 creative writing class focused on writing science fiction and fantasy.
Today's class is the first part of my series on worldbuilding.

[@Ryan_Thompson_Guitarist]

Author writes 14 novels: You know, I'm something of a writer myself. Brando Sando writes 14 novels: I'm still new to this

[@Stitchpuppy01]

My first 11 I consider practice, so I felt that in my soul.

[@graycadmon]

Well you need a serious amount of writing practice to hit the bar for a decent reading experience.

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

Yet he cant understand the bible and the book or mormon is a load of poorly written bs becauses hes a mormon! (one too many ms in there!)

[@sarakat3707]

Same though, I've written 15 original novels and I don't even know how many fanfiction and still feel new 😅

[@moviefiendz]

Brandon's Mom: why not be a doctor? Brandon: my handwriting will be

[@mentalinsanity9552]

bessttttt of both worldddd

[@RedWizardFox]

Hahahaha good thing he types books and not handwrites them right? Lol

[@Kenxstudios]

My Doctor’s handwriting is atrocious.

[@amehak1922]

Best part

[@SophieTunes]

Masterclass: pay us a LOT and we'll tell you everything you need to know Brandon Sanderson:........here ya go youtube :)

[@MatPost]

the virgin masterclass vs THE CHAD BRANDON SANDERSON FREE LECTURES

[@beageler]

That's just what academic teaching should be. Unless there are proprietary elements, of course.

[@daddyleon]

*+The Butterfly* Yes, I'm loving it...BUT it's not the same as going to that class itself. If you do your homework and write stories...he ain't gonna review it.

[@vishnu2407]

@@daddyleon DIY, friend

[@daddyleon]

@@vishnu2407 help isn't a bad thing though

[@Wafflesaurus]

Responses to WHAT CAN GANDALF DO? -"Anything." -"Nobody knows." -"He can change the color of his clothes." -"It seems like he can break stone?"

[@jflanagan9696]

He makes lights and talks to moths!

[@dimitris470]

He also seems quite handy in preventing others from passing through

[@jflanagan9696]

He can allow Sam wise to drop no eaves while eavesdropping.

[@DameTara]

He can get the eagles to carry people for a bit

[@djinn4895]

Arrive late, because wizards are never late. However, he can instead _not_ arrive at all and leave the Hobbits waiting at the Prancing Pony. Also rid us from Pippin's alleged stupidity. That seems to be something only Pippin himself should do.

[@daddyleon]

6:12 "I apologize for my handwriting" "Aren't you a writer?" "Yes, but not a handwriter, just a writer" God bless computers!

[@lucasabdielsampaio3556]

The age of pen is over, the time of keyboard has come! Gothmog, writer edition

[@vivianfreitas6179]

And typewriters!!

[@yomanyo327]

My handwriting looks like a parkinson patient during an earthquake, thank god for computers

[@mtngrl5859]

@@yomanyo327 That's why it looks like that. We've lost the art of beautiful handwriting.

[@yomanyo327]

@@mtngrl5859 I know, but I'm a programmer, I do a whole lot more typing, it's sorta inevitable.

[@TheSoly78]

It's fantastic that you makes these lectures available on youtube. Thank you very much :)

[@jamiemckay6079]

agreed

[@TheEuphonage]

100%

[@hooligan1464]

Lp

[@cogliostro704]

@@hooligan1464 ll

[@unohn]

This is the age of information it makes me so mad when people don't use the internet to constantly learn and better yourself. Instead of cat videos twitch and porn

[@Blizzic]

Brandon Sanderson writing the Mistborn screenplay like: *"Fine, I'll do it myself."*

[@jondorsey2043]

I see what you did there. 😄

[@bnu872]

@@jondorsey2043 pplplllplpppppppppllppp

[@mayursurpurkar3428]

*Okay, this class is filled with fans disguised as students.*

[@Katsoup98]

You could tell by the reactions when he announced the Mistborn screenplay and from the one guy saying he was about to spoil the Oathbringer ending.

[@joanaecho]

It’s really hard to get into that class, i think it’s 250 people for 15 spots? so everyone there was *very* enthusiastic and dedicated to learn from him haha

[@MFMegaZeroX7]

I mean, when people are choosing a University to go to, Brandon Sanderson being there is probably a big pull, so I imagine that there is definitely a selection bias of the people there.

[@zackaryjackson5466]

@@joanaecho he has two classes. This one, and the fifteen person one.

[@prod805212]

"Fans" = "potential authors". "Students" can describe anyone. I'm watching this as a 30 y/o male who is completely entrenched in the fantasy world.

[@joetheperformer]

What can Gandalf do? "Change the color of his clothes!" That's hard magic right there.

[@darrenparker284]

My name is Betty. Red shirt! Your shirt is black.

[@bateman2112]

"Behold! The mighty power of bleach!" *50s Scifi thundeclaps* New from Clorox: Gandalf the White ultra concentrated bleach. Get those pesky Balrog stains out with ease!

[@BradTheAmerican]

@@bateman2112 now I wanna see that commercial

[@kj01a]

Except Eru changed the color of Gandalf's clothes lol

[@heylondon]

Sanderson's Laws 1st Your ability to solve problems with magic in a satisfying way is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic 6:10 2nd Flaws or limitations are more interesting than powers 39:39 3rd Before adding something new to your magic (or setting in general), see if you can instead expand what you have 1:01:53 0th Always err on the side of what is awesome 1:11:21

[@moretech]

0th trust the awesomeness

[@jakescott431]

These laws translate almost perfectly to game-design: Players should understand abilities, creative flying is less fun than elytra flying, re-use abilities/buttons, make things awesome. I've gotta get Sanderson to design a game someday, would be amazing!

[@nintendsoad]

Too bad the folks writing for Lucasfilm have zero understanding of these ideas. The sequel trilogy ignores all three rules and the force is an absolute mess right now because of it

[@lumenwrites]

Thank you!

[@Bolitadewien]

0:53 He says what we all think about the Sanderson's Laws. They are incredible :3

[@markmadden84]

Brandon's such a badass that he can strut around under a 'No food or drinks' sign carrying a water bottle knowing nobody's gonna call him out on it.

[@AlexanderBC42]

no one cares anyway for those trash signs

[@Sokolva]

To be fair, as a professor and student who has been and lectured in said similar lecture halls with similar rules, I’ve never seen water be included in this rule. It’s mostly to prevent students from bringing food and sticky drinks in, which inevitably spill at some point and attract ants. Most professors and students are encouraged to stay hydrated at all times with water, which doesn’t really make a mess! Of course, students snuck other drinks in all the time with opaque bottles I’m sure, but if they didn’t spill them they weren’t caught!

[@TalmoTheSell]

Water doesn’t really count as a drink though. It’s referring more to a beverage

[@thomasA344]

I bet no one skips his class

[@kadijahamad9862]

They’d have to be crazy to

[@thac0twenty377]

Well he angages and actually teaches. Id get to the worst subject in the world if the professor has that much enthusiasm

[@aidenfair637]

i wouldnt lol

[@lburns0408]

I could be on my deathbed and still would make it there 😂

[@MystiqWisdom]

The contrast between Brandon's ability to write and his ability to write is incredible 😯

[@monochromatic9601]

Yeah, he's amazing at writing, but god is he terrible at writing.

[@aspirineye3412]

what are you even saying

[@arseniykorchevskiy1564]

@@aspirineye3412handwriting

[@milescataldo8808]

⁠@@aspirineye3412they’re saying that he’s a phenomenal author, but his handwriting is atrocious 😂

[@aspirineye3412]

@@milescataldo8808 LMAO

[@PeffeThePofua]

I have never written a book, but i still love the idea of creating your own fictional world and story.

[@JC-sr9zf]

Should give it a go! It's a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. My favourite thing is when I read back through my work and realise I remember the overall plot but none of the specific conversations, so I end up being surprised by my own work so much of the time, or laughing at jokes that I didn't even remember writing, and things like that. It's great hahaha.

[@lowercase_ash]

**whispers** dungeons and dragons

[@zephyrstrife4668]

D&D (As well as just about any sort of Tabletop RPG out there) allows you to do so, however... it depends on what kind of writing you'd be wanting to do. If you want a story with a set path, you are better off writing on your own... however, if you're looking to just create the world and have some fun with co-operatively telling a story, RPG's are definitely the way to go.

[@madmanmoon4038]

@Peffe 29 Start making a world anyway! I’m really not a wonderful writer at all, and don’t plan on writing a novel, but I am into worldbuilding for the sake of worldbuilding. I just want to make my own world! Of course I’m writing, because you need stories and history and people and whatnot, but I’m not writing any novels or anything, and don’t plan on publishing anything. The extent of using my world is *maybe* eventually once there’s enough material, I *may* use it for a homebrew D&D campaign. But that’s not what I’m writing it for either.

[@DarkSol16]

@@zephyrstrife4668 Honestly, one of the things that sorta helped me keep writing was running a D&D campaign in the world of my story. It really helps in fleshing out the world when there are people poking around and breaking things.

[@golittleworld]

The groan at 26 minutes when the guy say, "so the end of oathbringer..." LOL

[@Zero-se4xb]

That killed me lmao 😂

[@XCatherine]

When Sanderson said he’s writing the screenplay for Mistborn at 32:00 👀

[@bradleyroar7536]

I think he mentioned it in the first one too, but continuing to hear it is so exciting

[@tulkdog]

Hoping for a small screen adaptation from Amazon, HBO or Netflix. I guess if Brandon is writing the screen play I’ll be happy with whatever

[@MichaelJohnson-mt6ey]

@@tulkdog I would love to see a miniseries. I feel like 4 or 5 episodes per book could be perfect for Mistborn.

[@MichaelJohnson-mt6ey]

@@tulkdog as a random aside, the song Louder Than Words by Les Friction always gives me epic Mistborn vibes. I could totally see it being an end credits song if a movie were made.

[@carlosroman7552]

​@@MichaelJohnson-mt6ey am reading the second book at the moment and i'd say they can do 1 seasons with 10 episodes just from the 1st book. Maybe 3 or 4 seasons would be the right amount, a finite serie, but not a miniserie

[@Alihassan9193]

Damn... He's a really dedicated teacher.

[@tsilb]

Years and years of watching Cinema Sins on KZbin, and this guy manages to explain Deus Ex Machina in one sentence.

[@legosalamander]

Brandon isn’t just a fantasy author, he’s a fantasy engineer.

[@adamrodger5351]

Y'know, honestly, I don't really care for his books, but I was in his 15-person hands-on workshop version of this class, and he is an excellent teacher. I always left his class feeling energized and full of new ideas.

[@saltytree729]

Is he an engineer? Or did he not just take everything from Tolkien pratchet Rowling etc etc?😊

[@SilverstreamPJ28]

​@@saltytree729 tell me you've never read a Sanderson book without telling me you've never read a Sanderson book

[@saltytree729]

@@SilverstreamPJ28 tell me youve never read a tolkien book without telling me youve never read a tolkien book oh wait anything fantasy is tolkien :D

[@TaerTech]

@@saltytree729 Fantasy existed long before Tolkien. Ever hear of mythology?????????????

[@lawrencekemp2889]

Speaking on originality, Shakespeare is widely considered the greatest writer the English language has ever known. As I understand it, he wrote not one single original play, but every story he told was a revision of an already popular tale, or an examination of history.

[@artofthepossible7329]

Indeed, and that is his originality.

[@thomasmorrone893]

Yeah, but you can argue that every author does that to some extent.

[@andersonjunior4529]

@@thomasmorrone893 Exactly, and I think that's the exactly point Lawrence and Brandon Sanderson were trying to rise.

[@ianbyrne465]

That is true. But what is key in Shakespeare, is that he improved upon what he was basing his stories off of (in the case of plays that he was using as a base for his) You can steal shit, just try and make it yours and make it interesting

[@avisian8063]

The quest for originality is a new one. Back in the days of the Rat Pack singers all released their own versions of the same songs. The Three Theban Plays were retellings of plays done by a half dozen other poets in Sophocles era. Do not buy the lie that copyright protects creators. It protects the middle man industries that bleed creators dry.

[@willheydecker6179]

Lol at 20:07 I literally paused the video, went and picked up the copy of Name of the Wind I bought a month ago, read it cover to cover over a few days, and have now returned to continue the lecture. I did the exact same thing during the 2016 lecture when he went, "Now, this might be a bit of a spoiler for Mistborn..."

[@TileBitan]

really tells a lot about the power of naming...

[@gary.oneill]

Now enjoy waiting for book 3 like the rest of us.

[@Sebster85]

Book 3 should come out around the year 3000

[@gary.oneill]

@@Sebster85 Can confirm.

[@doesntlikeu]

I am reading it right now. It’s so amazing. Also it just so happens that I reached the part he was talking about just last night. The magic system is so cool.

[@mayeenmdtasin8584]

Each time i listen to Brando Sando's lectures, i keep getting all these crazy ideas for my story. Keep trying everyone. We can write that gem.

[@josefopeda]

Not only is he a fantastic writer, he is also a very good teacher.

[@kaustavsood2107]

Talking about stories about overpowered individuals, no story does this better than 'One Punch Man'. It's incredible how the story manages to make Saitama and the world interesting.

[@Ekkaisara]

Yes. I typically use this as the quintessential op character story. If you have an op character he does need sone sort of flaw. Saitama is not omniscient and is lazy. Also if you do have an op character you don't need to develop them so much, instead focus on the development of the people around him. That being said, saitama is really being developed a bit as a character himself. His personality may not change much, and his fights are all the same, but take his level of friends at the beginning and then go to the moment where his home is crowded with people. He's developing close relationships with many people in an interesting way. I love it

[@donz6211]

"I make scientificy things". Love it.

[@toppersundquist]

"Gandalf is not a tactical nuke." Hello, merchandising possibilities!

[@elhilo1972]

Brandon Sanderson: "Inventing new magic abilities to save your characters will often feel unsatisfying." Shonen authors: *sweats profusely.

[@JohnnyRocker023]

Every time a gundam pilot pulls something out of their mech's ass to beat the bad guy lol

[@itscharlieschannel]

The funny thing is, what makes death note so good is that the rules are clearly laid out, but the sense of wonder still exists until the end. This is why the train scene with Ray is so cool. You know the limits going into it, but the sense of wonder still exists because the rules are pushed to its limits.

[@IllustriousBagel]

The sense of wonder there comes more from how Light is going to use it, which is something I love about the series. We know all the rules from the get-go and yet Light still does things that I never would have expected.

[@papercutseven1926]

"Always err on the side of awesome" That really is a damn good rule

[@blingwraith6951]

yeah it's great life advice too

[@turkeyherder9456]

Basically the rule of cool 😎

[@jimschuler8830]

The Science/Wonder spectrum applies to much more than magic systems, such as races in science fiction (example from Star Trek: Cardassians vs. Prophets). It's the difference between an action piece (Starship Troopers) and horror (Alien). Demystification is when things drift from the Wonder side to the Science side as the story progresses and characters gain more experience with it (The Ancients from Stargate)

[@tovekauppi1616]

For sure. The framing around a magic system is just a way to make it understandable. It can be applied to any type of story.

[@AbelMuga]

Demystification. this tip is brilliant.

[@sethb3090]

I'll argue that science fiction and fantasy are the same genre, and most of the divides between stories are how hard the magic or science is, and usually whether the science or magic drives the plot or enable the setting. In Star Wars, for example, technology is there to let the characters Do Cool Things. All of the conflict comes from the characters. The Force aside, it's a soft science fiction story and it plays out just like a soft fantasy story would. In harder stories, the technology or the magic tends to be the source of the conflict. Hyperspace breaking casualty and causing problems. How the economy functions when interplanetary shipping is commonplace. Ethical problems inherent in mixing cultures and even biologies. The literal fallout of warships being destroyed over planets. Things like that.

[@billyalarie929]

Sanderson's First Law: 6:20 Sanderson's Second Law: 39:41 Sanderson's Third Law: 1:02:00

[@Wordsmiths]

25:05 - Sanderson's Caveat for his laws!

[@disenchanter]

i never thought a lecture on world-building by Brandon Sanderson would make me cry, but there is something over-arcing about how every bit of advice he relates to writing can be taken and applied in some way, shape or form to life in general. I have been struggling with some really heart-breaking stuff these past several years of my life, and tonight, at 2:30 am, as I listened to Brandon talk about how most flaws are borne from circumstance in a character's life, and not by their own doing ... meaning, one is not responsible for their flaws, they are only responsible for how they take the punches life throws at them. I really, really needed to hear this right now in my life. I've needed to hear this, put in such a general, yet understandable way, for so damn long, if I'm to be completely honest. And I'm crying writing this. Because, not only has Sanderson - an author who I've never felt I shared much in terms of my own writing style with - taught me valuable lessons on writing, he has also reminded me of a universal truth: I am not the sum of my parts. I am what i make of the parts I have been given. I am so grateful that Brandon has agreed to share his lectures not only with a private institution, but with the world, regardless of economic or racial background.

[@ythn---4760]

Be strong my friend

[@jamiemckay6079]

i hope you overcome said heart breaking stuff

[@csmadsen1347]

AtR, I hope your situation has improved. If not, I hope you continue to work on improving it. Random internet folks are cheering for you, mate.

[@deahalis7933]

its been a while, but i hope you're feeling better. you can do this!!

[@disenchanter]

@@deahalis7933 thank you. I am getting better.

[@yerabbit6333]

damn, i would pay good money for this lecture. this man knows his stuff.

[@Lmaxter500]

Thankfully we get it for free!

[@jordanrowland2049]

This rocks. I'm not even a writer, this randomly came into my feed, and I've enjoyed it immensely.

[@amybeatty4323]

Brandon - I have no idea if you read the comments, but just had to tell you this. Maybe whoever monitors the feed will pass it on. While you were writing Sanderson's First Law on the board, my teenage daughter wandered through the room where I was watching. She heard you say that you actually wanted your students to be able to read it this time, so you were going to try to write legibly. She gave me a funny look and said, "Doesn't he USUALLY want his students to be able to read stuff?" I said, "Well, he's a little self-conscious about his handwriting. That's all." She was curious, so she came and lurked over my shoulder to watch you write. About halfway through, she said, "Hey! His handwriting looks like MY handwriting." "Yes," I said. "Yes, it does." And she heaved this huge sigh and straightened her shoulders. "Suddenly, I feel so much less alone," she said. "And so much less broken." So thank you for showing off your handwriting to the world, Brandon. Don't let anyone tell you it's "bad." It was VERY good for my daughter to see.

[@JC-sr9zf]

Hahahaha I somehow missed the 'teenage' bit and for some reason pictured like a five year-old in my head, and I lost it when I imagined a young child saying 'suddenly, I feel so much less alone, and so much less broken.' That is a hilarious mental image.

[@amybeatty4323]

@@JC-sr9zf You know . . . this particular child might have said something like that at five. She's a quirky one. In all the best ways. But it's hard to be her sometimes.

[@Hadrian1616]

Brandon Sanderson, being relatable & inspirational, setting uneasy minds at ease. Speaking to the foundations of our souls.

[@zachwilcock6199]

It's nice to know I'm not the only teenager with mad handwriting. Now I feel less alone.

[@amybeatty4323]

@@zachwilcock6199 Dysgraphics of the world, untie!

[@fencserx9423]

I love that he talks about his own mistakes when writing his books. And that things are fixed AT THE END OF THE PROCESS… like I feel bad when I have to rewrite parts of a book I haven’t even finished. God bless this man for his honesty

[@kitsunesanchez6720]

The gasp after the “yes im writing a mistborn script” left me dead

[@seemslegit1615]

I love how you don’t want to give spoilers for some stories, but then your just don’t even think about spoiling Lord of the Rings because it’s such a common thing for people to have seen or read

[@queenb2450]

The thing is- Lord of the Rings is still so good even if you have it spoiled because of the journey so you can rewatch a hundred times and never get bored whereas other pop culture stuff like, let's say End Game, the directors were so keen on no spoilers because it would ruin the whole movie experience for you (hence I think Endgame isn't the best STORY wise).....

[@guidestone1392]

@@queenb2450 A good story can not be spoiled.

[@ginge641]

@@queenb2450 Eh, Endgame's kinda a bag of shit regardless of spoilers. Spoiling something ruins the surprise of a given element and takes away the feeling of discovery as the story puts certain pieces together. It also undermines the effort the writer puts into setting up twists or layering in foreshadowing. I've seen this described as turning the first viewing into a second viewing, where nothing surprises you but you are now fully cognizant of how things are put together and where they lead. Emotional impact is ruined by this in a lot of cases, too.

[@gmscott9319]

I don't think anyone can claim "spoilers" against something that's been out for almost 70 years. There's only so long people should be expected to wait. ;)

[@jlighter1]

Exceptional stories withstand the effect of spoilers, but as was mentioned previously spoilers can destroy elements of a “first experience” of a story. A merely amazing story with a well-crafted twist can still be good but not hit the same way when you know it’s coming. That said, when something has become such a cultural icon it’s hard to avoid some amount of spoilers. Example: _The Empire Strikes Back_ had a fantastic twist (to the point that the actors didn’t know about while shooting until Vader’s voice was dubbed in later) that likewise people already know is coming since the movie I s over 40 years old and in some respects a cultural cornerstone.

[@andrewdetterbeck1720]

The fact that this video has 30 thumbs down displays perfectly that you can not make everyone happy.

[@theever-presenteye2044]

I think KZbin agreed...

[@Isoquant]

What I learned about magic from this lecture: Magic (or technology, etc) exists on a continuum from "Hard" to "Soft" "Soft" magic doesn't have well-defined rules--at least so far as the reader knows--and is used to give a sense of wonder, mystery and awe (i.e. Gandalf). "Hard" magic follows a more established set of rules (i.e. Bilbo's ring). Sanderson's Laws of "Hard" Magic Systems: 1st Law: The ability to solve problems with magic in a satisfying way is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic. 2nd Law: Flaws, limitations and costs are more interesting than powers. 3rd Law: Before adding something new, expand on what you already have. 0th Law: Always err on the side of awesome.

[@Nocturnecreedminis]

Rule of cool will always reign supreme!

[@Wordsmiths]

Love the zeroth rule.

[@amirsteinhart3301]

I can’t believe he managed to make a lecture like this be so enjoyable

[@tobi79777]

Zero student naps or doodling present

[@kiara6237]

I can listen to him for hours.

[@Bunnycatnielle]

He really makes me WANT to buy his books, both as a reward for these wonderful lectures and because he seems like a really cool guy.

[@wilfchapman-gandy8120]

6:41 when he wrote 'satifying' but with a G that looks like a y so started adding another 'ing', I felt that in my soul.

[@tRuStThEsCiEnCeBiGoT]

Love the 5th Element t-shirt, too!

[@larkinlover]

Glad you commented this, I was wondering why his shirt looked familiar and was hoping someone had an answer!

[@bumblehoney7206]

I was sent here after venting on facebook about anxieties related to details and worldbuilding. This clarified everything so well and it's a huge weight off my chest.

[@reliant1701]

Zuckerberg be like: I got you G

[@kjelliWWW]

I take notes for most of the lectures: If anyone want them I can share.

[@leethoven]

If you'd be so kind, I'd like them please.

[@kjelliWWW]

@@leethoven I will do it tomorrow! 👆

[@leethoven]

@@kjelliWWW Thank yoooooooooooou

[@billyalarie929]

i would love this. please. :)

[@damionmurray8244]

Once you compile your notes you can share them as a Google Doc and drop a link here.

[@mattwcook9127]

Good gravy, I've learned more about stories in just a few days than I ever knew in 20 years! Amazing series, Brandon

[@libbyhyett6625]

Right?! Healthy binger 🙋‍♀️

[@kiara6237]

I'm creating a game, not and book, but nothing more is better than a Brandon Sanderson class, my favorite writer, to get a general idea to how to build my universe to don't get lost in the middle of the thing and ending is a weird way where I couldn't continue the things as I originally desired(I would hate it). This class helped me a lot.

[@raetekusu1]

"You can have, at the 90% mark, a long-lost uncle walk up and say 'Oh, by the way, she's royalty, you guys can totally get married,' and evaporate the conflict." Yes, but *then* you turn it right around and say "Turns out she's actually a member of the royal family in that nation-state that your nation-state has a sworn hatred of and is at constant war with." Now, not only have you made that patch a lot more intriguing, but you've also swerved the conflict into something a *lot* more difficult to overcome than merely being different social classes, while also implicitly giving a hint of a solution via political marriage. Basically, I'm describing Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia here.

[@lisamedla]

I thought it was Romeo and Juliet

[@stefan1924]

Two things about LOTR: I think it's absolutely amazing how we don't really know how the fight between Gandalf and the Balrog went on. In the book it says something like you could see lightning striking on the mountain from far away. This ends up creating so much fuel for the imagination of how much of an epic battle took place up there. There's something about things "you don't really know" that create a sense of "more". Same with the fact that there's a Barlog in Moria in the first place. Makes you think: What else is lingering in the secret places of Middle Earth? And a thing about The Return of the King. In the books the Rohirim are much more decisive for winning the Battle of Minas Tirith and the ghosts play a relatively minor role in defeating the corsairs. I think this is where the film made a big mistake, because the ghosts really feel like deus ex machina.

[@matt_9112]

Yeah, ghosts vs corsairs is basically two not really setup forces neutralizing each other off-screen simply to add a bigger scope to the war/world building (if I had to guess the purpose). Cut both the Corsairs and the ghosts and nothing really changes on the Pelennor fields plot/battle wise. The small human contigent/Aragon's extended entourage in the books was in no way as game breaking as the oath-breakers in the film (unless I'm misremembering very badly).

[@maegansmith2687]

"Oh no, I need 10 PhD's to write this book!" 😅😅

[@georgethakur]

"NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED IN AUDITORIUM" as he lugs a flask about in brazen view. Such a legendary fantasy writer that the rules of this world simply fail to restrict him.

[@TheGeekSquaredified]

I love how my favourite writer has bad handwriting makes me and my younger brother feel so much better about our scrawl

[@azriel9499]

(I know I'm late, but I have to say it.) Vin was already doing things “outside normal Allomantic powers.” Piercing copperclouds and such, and the mists were always special and seemed tied to Allomancy. I don't know, the ending seemed totally satisfying to me.

[@fartfartfartization]

She actually can pierce copper clouds because her earring is a bronze hemalergic spike. So she is like a double seeker. This is also why she senses The Well of Ascension.

[@stephenkelly8312]

I thought it was satisfying too. Not only did we not know the reason she’s able to pierce copper clouds (hemalurgy isn’t explained till book three), but Rashek being effectively immortal (we didn’t get decent explanation for that till 600 years later) felt like cheating. Vin being able to burn the mists felt like balance. Both Vin and the Lord Ruler able to do things that regular Mistborn couldn’t. Some of it was hemalurgy, some was compounding, and some was Preservation. None of it had a real explanation in the first book.

[@Isoquant]

@@fartfartfartization spoilers, people!

[@officiallyaninja]

I believe that was added in later based on the feedback eh received

[@MrManlify]

12:49 One of my favorite example of this as a kid was the Mary Pope Osborn series "Magic Tree House" It was when the brother and sister had 10 spells they needed to use, and each spell had one use. And mission only allowed 1 use of each spell. I remember being hooked for those 3-4 books to see how they solved those magical problems.

[@metalvisionsongcontest7055]

I would like to add Foreman's Law: "If you hear the thunder of hooves, think of horses - not zebras." Basically the House, M. D. version of Ockham's Razor. 😊

[@FonzieKree]

I am not just excited about lecture.. I am also excited about what t-shirt will Brandon wear this weak. It shows subtly what other works might influenced his own creations

[@Jasonwolf1495]

I wish I could be in his class. At the same time I enjoy listening to them over lunch, so I wouldn't be allowed in.

[@pixelofdoom]

Fifth lecture, Fifth Element. I see what you did there, and I like it.

[@luciuspuck4612]

I've been having a rough time identifying problems in my books and these lectures have helped immensely! Thank you kind sir for posting them publicly!

[@cindygrape]

I've never read a more perfect magical system than Allomancy! I love chemistry, so add magic to that and I'm sold! The way the magic is described in Mistborn is next level. I have really tough time to visualize things in books but I could see that magic working right away! Clear as day! And I love magic having rules! Gives it an edge of relatability and the story has to obey the rules which makes it not infinite.

[@joaofarias9986]

I would like to see what Kvothe would say to you when you compared his magic to poetry

[@chrishaselden]

Haha, I didn't catch that and now I can't stop laughing.

[@tovekauppi1616]

Yeah, I was about to comment something similar. 😂😂

[@turkeygoblin]

We'll never know, since Rothfuss has given up on himself.

[@yremogtnomnad]

Didn't even think of that, nailed it

[@adagalant8506]

Wow. I am so happy that I can watch it online because I am from Poland and I haven’t thought that I will be aver able to take part in your lectures. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! It.s so outstanding to actually see my master 😍

[@reagame8700]

No spoilers or anything, but at the end of Oathbringer...

[@milospollonia1121]

No spoilers or anything, but at the end of A Memory of Light...

[@mshtysf4646]

dude the execution scene from the mistborn first book is a masterpiece of masterpieces

[@grahamjames9162]

YO thank you for allowing us to view this! KZbin is the new classroom, we get to pick the subject, the teacher and the classroom. Thanks again Prof Sanderson.

[@ratunde454]

I've been wanting to get into writing for a long time, and have especially been drawn to fantasy writing. I had an idea that completely brought me to life and I have had such a fun time exploring it, but I've had the worst time trying to organize myself enough to make the thoughts congruent and writeable, these lectures have really helped me and I feel like now I have everything I need to actually write a book. Thank you for making these free, it's made a world of difference for me!

[@Jahnkster]

His students are so lucky, I’m forever jealous Thank you so much for posting these lectures here! I love your commitment to educating the next generation of story tellers, you’re truly a genius

[@ravocado4566]

"Gandalf is not a tactical nuke that you are using in a specific place for a specific purpose." -Brandon Sanderson

[@grantwilliams630]

I'm not even a writer, but i love hearing the thought process behind how Sanderson has done his books.

[@mlabuguen]

"am I original?" I remember when I came up with the idea of orcs and elves in a modern setting and told a couple friends and the next week we saw the trailer for Bright lol. My friends always tell me "Will Smith ripped you off so bad" lolol

[@lord-licht]

LOVE these lectures so much! A million thanks for sharing them for free. There is so much great information in here, but just as much I deeply appreciate Sanderson making clear that these are tools people can use or not use if they don’t work for the individual story one wishes to tell. This in itself shows such understanding of storytelling imo and so much grace. Thank so much! Will for sure be watching all of these multiple times.

[@isaacgruver7061]

26:35 I love that there are like 8 characters that this applies to at the end of Oathbringer but he's saying it as if it's only one of them.

[@inkfeats1143]

After listening these lectures I feel like I am a super writer. I get so many ideas for my stories and they sound really awesome and I know they are going to be awesome! Everyone is going to love my stories! Then I sit down in front of my laptop.... and I cry a little on the inside.

[@Asthamedos]

Hey bud, got any stories we could read yet?

[@monochromatic9601]

Dude you broke my soul a little. I think you'll do just fine as a writer and storyteller.

[@johannfowl8653]

I think we can't thank Brandon enough for such a good class -- and for free!

[@StarlitSeafoam]

I've always thought superhero stories, especially superman, should focus more on how annoying it would be to try to, say, hold a paper cup of coffee with superstrength. Or drive people crazy with the sonic booms everytime you decide to fly really fast, or not be able to play baseball because you turn the ball into a giant bullet with how hard you throw/hit, or accidently closing a door too hard and breaking it off it's hinges...it seems to me there would be some major downsides to superman's powers in everyday life. The Flash is another example; friction should be a major problem for him, as should whiplash when he grabs people while running.

[@artofthepossible7329]

Comic books characters certainly err on the side of awesome.

[@CutieMoli]

You should watch 'The Boys', it's exactly that

[@Suiguint0u]

You should also check out the Necessary Secondary Powers trope, which addresses exactly this.

[@Ignasimp]

The Incredibles deals with things like this. Dash can't compite even though he is highly competitive because he has to keep his power a secret. Bob has problems controling his strenght and breaks things unporpously (he cuts the table with a knife, he damages the car by grabing it too strongly, he almost kills his boss when angry...)

[@z-beeblebrox]

There are plenty of stories that deal with these problems. You'll never see it addressed in Superman though. That's a little too outside the purview of his stories and doesn't fit the tone.

[@anthonypeltier4039]

From the future: the Robinette lecture is very well done.

[@OrganicTherapySolutions]

Every time he mentions name of the wind, my heart sinks. I am convinced it will never be finished.

[@stevenfullenwider3178]

TheAnaranth : Sadly I agree with you.

[@Jan-gh7qi]

About the LotR comparisons around 25:00: I think a key difference v/between the two scenes is, that while Gandalf at Helms deep is an outside force, thatbcould have been a deus ex machina if not set up so damm good, Aragorn with the ghosts is in some way the main plot. The quest in Helms deep is "you have to survive until Gandal arrives" the main quest in Minas Thirith is "you have to arrive at Minas Thirith with reenforcements, before everyone is dead." This quest is the again split into the Rohirrim reenforcements and Aragorns quest to bring even more troops. This is, why you need the extended cut with all the adventures of Aragorn with the ghosts to get it. The problem in my point of view is, that everything with Gondor and the Rohirrinlm is so much cooler than Aragorn and his quest for ghosts.

[@lutherfloyd597]

Yes, I was excited for this list! I'm for sure going to try and read all these excellent recommendations. This is my favorite fantasy channel.

[@ninabondar9848]

you're an amazing lecturer, thank you so much for your work and for your openly sourced videos. Truly the first writing class I've gained from

[@Piratequeen010156]

at 1:05:21 does anyone else see the one kid that REALLY agrees with what he's saying 😂 aside from that, wow this was so helpful and I appreciate these being on KZbin! I watched the full video and will watch the other ones too.

[@falklouismusic]

this is the comment I've been looking for

[@CPNSTRAdiction5925]

Thank you so much for these lectures! I've finished one book (at least up to 2.5 drafts) and have been working on several others. And this video in particular helped me past a point I've been stuck on in my magic system for one of my favorite story ideas. Thank you so much!

[@sashaandosova5978]

Thank you very much Brandon! You inspire us all!

[@michaelkokenos2042]

Thank you SO much for these. You’re amazing for putting these up.

[@connorquinn8087]

I really appreciate you uploading these as someone whose trying to become a writer

[@nehalb7626]

Thank You so much Brandon for sharing these amazing lectures with us ❤️🙏🏼

[@Matt-dk3wl]

Mistborn 1 ended great, I think. ;) Vin using the mist was pretty cool. You smoothed it out a lot by having her agonize over it so it worked really well. I read all the books and liked them so much I read them all to my kids (who loved them all just as much as the Percy Jackson, New Heroes of Olympus, Trials of Apollo & Eragon series'. This was the one step up from children's fiction to adult fiction they needed.

[@YondaMoegi]

I feel so validated right now! In the Uni of Film and Television our group master always asked what our deep and grandiose meaning was first. Like, what do I want to say about the situation in the society? Or, what kind of personal emotional trauma I’m going to explore? And all I wanted to do was to make stories about cool sky pirates. Like, yeah, I’m gonna come to some deeper meaning while working on it and imbue the MC with some of my personal trauma, but at its core it’s a cool story about pirates in a flying ship

[@dreamstorm947]

Always er on the side of awesome- LOVE IT. Another brilliant lecture. Thank you so much for sharing these.

[@MrPappy-tk1vy]

I could listen to you lecture all day right now. I just know that every second spent listening to this advice is going to save me hour and hours as I get deeper into my novels. Thanks so much for making this expert advice available to all of us. It means more than you could ever know to me. I love your work and worldview and opinions. You have a good head on your shoulders.

[@TheYashakami]

The magic system in Mistborn has been an inspiring influence on all of my creativity since I was a young age. I absolutely love it.

[@nestortomaselli6372]

This lecture is amazing. A well of knowledge. Thank you Brandon for making this wealth of education available to all of us on youtube!

[@contradict8996]

17:48 Kid who said gandolf can change the color of his clothes need more recognition for his humor

[@thesage-emperor-acou-king3798]

You have no idea how grateful we are to be able to watch this fantastic Lectures! Thank you very much!

[@teabooksgirl854]

Brandon, thank you so much for posting these lectures. You are so encouraging and so inspiring to listen to. Your advice to just keep writing and to fake some of the world building are helping give me the confidence to finally actually finish a draft of my epic fantasy story . Also, The Stormlight Archive is so awesome!!!

[@Snarflelocker]

I've been really depressed (even by artistic standards) and watching these has been an amazing reprieve. I'm learn a lot ya but I feel like I'm with my own kind when watching these lectures. I wish I could thank you more, but you're not in my genre, so.... but seriously, thanks. I think each point you make is applicable to every genre of fiction or 21st century journalism haha

[@clfrantom]

Thank you very much for the opportunity to learn from your lectures!

[@spinwardbound]

Thanks Brandon. I've probably watched this series half a dozen times.

[@adamwey2673]

very excited about the stormlight chronicles! when I read the Mistborn and saw how you broke down powers into an elemental base. I was hooked!