The Common Lie Writers Tell You - YallStayHome 2020 Afternoon Keynote

I had initially been scheduled to deliver this afternoon keynote address at YallWest in person, but Covid-19 had other plans for the world. I was grateful, however, to be able to present via livestream from my offices in Utah.
Due to it being streamed, the quality isn't as high as we'd have liked, but we hope it does the job for anyone who missed the livestream on April 25, 2020.

[@riku3716]

Bird waves leg: "You will give me an almond." Brandon: "I will give you an almond"

[@slaycg2536]

Well you have to condition your human properly. Haha

[@SeabassFishbrains]

The real truth about training a parrot: If you do it right, the parrot will think it has you trained.

[@jchinckley]

The bird is a Jedi... how else could it do the Jedi mind trick?

[@Treggify]

This comment made no sense until well into the video and now it’s amazing

[@joshuamohler2356]

💀

[@oORiseAboveOo]

How to get a pet dragon: Step 1: Get a pet. Step 2: Name it “Dragon.”

[@Chatrbuug]

Instead he chose a NERD name like Magellan!

[@FrenchToast663]

or get a bearded dragon

[@michaelpennington2870]

Also, get a lizard and put little plastic or paper wings on it. Or get a parrot, and put little horns on it. And train it to recite Smaug's lines from the hobbit.

[@gauchesymbiote1039]

I have a leopard gecko named Rand. I have a pet dragon 😆

[@_Squiggle_]

This was the dumbest joke, but it made me laugh, so I was forced to give you a like. Oh, the woes of me.

[@masonwheeler6536]

8:32: "[My mother] had been pushing me to become a doctor or a scientist instead [of a writer] because i was skilled in some of these things." For some reason, this reminds me of a quote by Pablo Picasso: My mother said to me, 'If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope. ' Instead, I was a painter, and I became Picasso. You instead chose to be a writer, and you became Brandon Sanderson!

[@princessthyemis]

Holy cow that is awesome!!!!

[@bmoneybby]

I love that quote nice

[@3.k]

@Mason Wheeler This also reminds me of Bruce Springsteen, who likes to tell the story to his audience that his parents kept telling him "you can still go back to college", when he already had sold tons of records. :D Also, in his autobiography, he says that his father didn't stop bugging him to make something out of himself until Bruce came home and put his Oscar on the kitchen table. Only then, it dawned on his father, that maybe his son hasn't thrown his life away after all.

[@peanutbuttachelly3544]

I like it, Picasso!

[@SpookySkellyGurl]

…preeeety sure people know the names of many popes and generals, though.

[@NonameWriter]

“I love big books and I cannot lie” 😂😂

[@Haran888]

Came here for this. 🤣😂

[@Haran888]

The fact that that line has gone through Brandon's mind amuses me.

[@tineputzeys]

I lolled. I need a Brandon in my life to celebrate the glory of bad jokes like this.

[@NonameWriter]

Gordon Hawkins same!! I think I laughed way harder than I should have lol.

[@NonameWriter]

I would also like to add, same Brandon, same. 😂

[@Ruylopez778]

What's funny is Brandon thinks it was *his idea* to teach Magellan to use the Force and get an almond

[@thac0twenty377]

yep. definitely a mind trick hand position not s force pull. rookies....

[@frrixz]

How do you know he thinks that?

[@stevetennispro]

So... you think this is a case of FORCED feeding? ;)

[@dig8634]

@@frrixz I think you missed the joke here

[@rayeiswriting4372]

Bwahaha! I needed this comment today!

[@Overworlder7]

The thing I like to keep in mind is that success is a spectrum, especially in a world with self-publishing and print-on-demand options available. If you write a niche book that only sells a hundred copies, no traditional publisher is going to care. And you certainly won't earn a living wage that way. But if a hundred people choose to spend a significant chunk of their precious time on this planet enjoying something you created that is still an accomplishment. A hundred is still infinitely more than zero, which is what you'd get without ever writing anything.

[@michaelandrews117]

All of this. Even writing a full novel itself is a crazy committment and requires a lot of creativity, planning, plotting and dedication. I plan to write a novel or two before I die; if I was to ask the people in my office who else has written a novel all 15 of them would answer in the negative. It's hard but doing it is a ridiculous achievement.

[@gold_spin1639]

That’s honestly how I look at my stuff, or at least how I try to. Am I going to be the next Tolkien? Fuck no, I’d have better odds with the lottery. Can I potentially build a up niche following online writing stories that I enjoy creating even if I’m earning zero dollars writing said stories? That’s definitely more in my cards, but still, the audience isn’t 100% of the goal.

[@zachricca4546]

Totally agree and he acknowledges in some lectures that being a hobbyist writer is 100% achievable for most people

[@subghrajputraghav]

@@gold_spin1639 I really think ots possible to be the next Tolkien with enough and quality history world building and mythology. I am working on a really bug scale thing rn

[@littleoldmanboy]

@@subghrajputraghavWhile its certainly not impossible, I think its more realistic to strive to be the next Brandon Sanderson, or even GRR Martin. Tolkien literally defined fantasy as we know it, it’s kind of hard to beat that.

[@ChiIIChief]

Having Brandon seriously discuss how he was having a crisis while a bird jumps around on his shoulder definitely brightened my day. And the video was informative and interesting. Great job Brando.

[@timphipps404]

yes! - if 19:13-15 "what am I doing with my life?" while parrot dances across shoulders doesn't become a gif/meme, the internet might be broken...

[@urorazbojnik5678]

I like to pretend it was the bird speaking all along lol

[@steps-on-legos9080]

@@urorazbojnik5678a ratatouille situation

[@9DELL0]

That is a strange chicken indeed!

[@ankitkumarlal9068]

I was looking for this!

[@hjecvatanabe1008]

Jeksonofnone

[@AtticsTV]

He 'trries' to use the force to get almonds all the time? Dunno about you Brandon, but I am pretty sure he used the force and got an almond... there was no try.

[@nicolascorrea3915]

"These aren't the droids you're looking for".

[@swordablaze9259]

"This is not the bird you're looking for."

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

That's not how the Force works!

[@swordablaze9259]

@@glenn_r_frank_author The Force is now magic xD If he taught Magellan to say "You want to give me an almond" it would be brilliant!

[@emmettfitz-hume9408]

"That IS the almond I was looking for."

[@JuaniValmaggia]

I don't know about this guy, but his dragon-parrot was spitting out straight facts.

[@Iwasonceanonionwithnolayers]

I like your name

[@gainesdominique]

Great name. Great comment.

[@bluecollarlit]

The bird puts one foot up in the air and claws at nothing. Interesting.

[@RK-252]

@@bluecollarlit according to Brandon its trying to use the force to get omelets. I'm not even joking, he actually said that. To be clear: Brandon said that, not the dragon-parrot.

[@eliasbischoff176]

Between just bringing a parrot to an interview and cutting his wedding cake with a sword, Sanderson just radiates chaotic good energy. You never know, what he will do next

[@PeregrinTintenfish]

En contraire. You know he will write another book.

[@TheModernMartialArtist]

"YOU, SIR, WHY DO YOU HAVE A PARROT ON YOUR HEAD?" "What parrot?"

[@donotfollow9529]

"What duck?"

[@Destructavin]

@@donotfollow9529 What chicken?

[@ZeldakingZ11]

What pumpkin?

[@wolfiemac32]

Buggrit! Millennium hand and shrimp!!

[@Moonwired]

I thought it was a dragon?

[@talleyrand3551]

World’s weirdest reality check curtesy of Mr Sanderson.

[@JakeHGuy]

It takes a lot of humility to admit and insist that writing is not an elitist group for people chosen by their temperament and desires, but in fact something you can choose if you want it and want to work for it. You are truly a great help to the writing community at large, not just for your literature. Thank you Mr. Sanderson.

[@squamish4244]

He is a refreshing contrast with Patrick Rothfuss, who talks about writing like it is a mystical, ineffable experience and can't finish one book in the same time that Sanderson has written ten. And I don't think he's _so much better_ in writing quality to justify the insanely slow pace.

[@LynxInSneakers]

Me, about to give up in some cinematic fashion (while sitting and writing): "I can do hard things, Doing hard things has intrinsic value Doing them will make me a better person.... even if I end up failing" Silence. Then "THESE WORDS ARE ACCEPTED" And I have sworn the first ideal of the Writers radiant. (Thanks a lot man this video was just what I needed today)

[@charlotteandrewsart2094]

Underrated comment

[@TheVampB]

Will absolute read a stormlight fanfic about the 11th order, just so I can know the rest of the ideals.

[@LynxInSneakers]

@@charlotteandrewsart2094 Thanks you so much, I missed that you had written

[@LynxInSneakers]

@@TheVampB Haha, I may try this out given time^^

[@landesfootbag]

This is the best comment, why doesnt it have 10k likes yet? I would read this book

[@erinhand6004]

I love Sanderson... But he can't compete with his bird.

[@jonahbardwell551]

The fact that the first book Sanderson wrote after the darkest moment in his writing career was The Way of Kings is beautiful in a way

[@fencserx9423]

What’s more beautiful is he wrote it, shelved it for TEN years, and now it’s “The Way of Kings”

[@jadrianverkouteren3799]

When I was a teen, my parents asked my music teacher if expressing concern if I could support myself might dissuade me from being a composer. My teacher, a successful composer, replied, "If anything you say can discourage him, he probably isn't cut out to be a composer." I am now retired and still love to compose.

[@voidsabre_]

This speech reminds me of the message of Ratatouille "Anyone can be a successful author" doesn't mean every individual person could be a professional author. It means that an author could come from anywhere

[@t.t.venkatesh8173]

This has been more helpful than 3 weeks of therapy.

[@aidreamers]

"I feel like every story was a boy and his pet dog, and the dog died. That was like, three in a row." This is why I'm very selective when people suggest me books nowadays, this is too accurate lol

[@leylajansson470]

Brandon: I can't have a pet dragon Birb: *flaps around* What am I then?

[@Purple_Lilith]

A pet dinosaur.

[@Zac_Craig-Claveau]

Lilith Ahrenholz What is a dragon but a winged dinosaur?

[@kiara6237]

A dino :D

[@Fuliginosus]

Your delightfully unassuming manner, your fumbling with the white board, and your intrusive macaw, all add to the strange magic of this video.

[@RedtsunamiTed]

As an unpublished author of 4 different novels, thank you for sharing this. I haven't stopped yet and I don't plan on it.

[@MuttFitness]

Only 7 more to go!

[@RedtsunamiTed]

@@MuttFitness One can only hope

[@aquarium985]

In this KZbin chanel, Sanderson posted his lectures about writing. In the last lectures he talks about the how to publish by traditional means and self publishing specially by digital means. It may be usefull to you.

[@iloveyourcat.it.is.minenow]

See about the self-publishing service of Amazon, I think it's called Amazon KDP. It may be what you need. Some writers were "discovered" this way.

[@laughingseagull000]

@@iloveyourcat.it.is.minenowYeah, traditional publishers are super by-the-numbers. You may have to prove your story can sell well before they will even consider picking it up, if the story is unusual.

[@jlinus7251]

I personally just got a desk job, work 9-5, come home and for straight up 2 hours, I sit and write. It doesn't give me the time to go through books quickly, but I like the security of knowing I have a career even if I never make it in the writing industry

[@DarthRelkew]

That’s really cool, I hope you finish your book

[@ammonnakai453]

9:26 Watch Magellan. He reacts every time Brandon says dragon. By the third time, he starts doing his dragon trick (flapping his wings). (Even the first time, he moved his wings a little. But 3rd and 4th, he was doing it full out.)

[@2AltoidsAlways]

Okay I just had the craziest thing happen to me. I’ve been watching all of your lectures for about 6 months now (they are fabulous by the way) and never put this together, so bear with me! Last year I was on my way to a dinner party in an uber. I was discussing books with my driver and he recommended one of your books to me. I bought it (prior to knowing about you or your videos) without even thinking about it and put it on my shelf to come back to later! A few months go by and I randomly came across your videos. Tonight, I’m looking at a plant on my shelf and look over at the book and it hits me that I have your book The Way of Kings! I had totally forgotten I had even purchased the book (don’t worry, I will be reading it when I finish my current book)! So in all of my excitement I tell my husband about the crazy coincidence and he looks at me dead in the depths of my soul and says “I’ve legit watched that guy play magic! He’s a huge fan and I hear he’s a prolific writer!” So both of our hobbies collided tonight over a chance recommendation from an uber driver last year!

[@TheSeherK]

I love coincidences like this. Read The Way of Kings as fast as you can because it's amazing!!

[@Rafdi13]

Please let us know about your reading of the way of kings.

[@DRicke]

Hoping you've finished it and read the sequels too...

[@JJMB27]

"If you want to become anything difficult, you gonna have to figure out how to make yourself do the things you'd wish to have done." I printed it and put it on the wall. Its a little rephrased but got me to start writing my thesis for my bachelor degree in Biology after six months.

[@TheAmpharosFreak]

Rhythm of War is the one thing that can save 2020

[@depifiaad2046]

Rhythm of war os the one only thing that can save de f*** world

[@lilyme3]

Sadeas is skeptical about your trust in a book. _Also, the way 2020 is going, Moash will most certainly be rewarded by the universe._ xD

[@onlirier2993]

If we're lucky, maybe The Lost Metal will save 2021. At this rate it'll take another decade though.

[@tejpatel5320]

Kind of ironic though, isn't it. A book with "war" in its title will save us.

[@TheLordofMetroids]

Now I love Stormlight just as much as ya'all do, but lets not forget we are also getting TWO Dresden Files books this year.

[@AllTheNamesIPickedWereTaken]

I did not expect my feelings to be validated today. Not trying to become a writer but I am trying to become a doctor and I have moments where I wonder if I'm really cut out for it because a lot of times I just don't want to study and would rather do other stuff. I guess being told that it's ok and natural, while obvious, is something I needed to hear. So thanks Brandon and I'm super looking forward to Rythm of War.

[@Trisjack20]

I love how this applies to so much of what we hope and dream of. If what you are doing has value to you and to others regardless of whether or not it leads to you being considered successful you should stick at it. What you are studying sounds extremely hard but extremely valuable not just to you but to those you will meet. I think as long as that brings you satisfaction it is brilliant that you are determined to persist!

[@AllTheNamesIPickedWereTaken]

Roxanne G Got my acceptance into medical school today actually. I'd rather try and fail than not try at all. Thanks for your reply ^^

[@AllTheNamesIPickedWereTaken]

Trisjack20 It definitely helps to be aware of the fact that imposter syndrome is playing into my doubts about my capabilities to deliver. Thankfully I have friends who are there to remind me that no I'm here because I deserve to be and it's immensely reassuring. Thanks for taking the time to post this ^^

[@Trisjack20]

@@AllTheNamesIPickedWereTaken Especially if even some level of failure still brings satisfaction. I don't think it is so much about achievement as about what makes you happy. The difference between I exercise because I like being healthy and how it makes me feel or exercise as a price I pay to get a gold medal. If I don't achieve the gold the first still makes me happy the second I feel like all the exercise was a waste. Trying for you sounds like it brings real satisfaction that is its own achievement. It will likely lead you to more and more success but even if it does not it will not be wasted energy.

[@user-bs1fn3to5x]

Im in the same seat. In medical school too and studying gets really hard sometimes, other times i can study for hours and hours and still not get tired

[@Piqipeg]

This is basically what I was taught in project management class. Set achievable goals, break them down to manageable tasks, know how you work, know how the people with you work, make sure you have a hard and a soft deadline to work towards, don't beat yourself up if you don't make them just readjust them etc. They're solid advice, but if you're not used to working like this it's hard to start.

[@Jujukungfu]

Do you have any advice on navigating the difficulties of getting started?

[@Piqipeg]

@@Jujukungfu not really, the only advice I got was basically "just do it", so experience plays a big part. I think the best way to start is to to set goals and break them down, after that you can usually estimate how long each task will take (and if you need to do them chronologically or can switch between tasks) and through that you can begin setting realistic deadlines (always give yourself a little more time per task).

[@corvoattano8567]

Man, this guy is my hero. I'm not an author but Brandon's leadership and modeling style are just so genuine and well-meaning.

[@didriketholm6852]

Brandon, you're clearly warming up to a new profession, as a great Professor. You sir, clearly are an incredible story teller, be it written or the spoken word. Now I have to try to explain to my friends, that there's this inspiring writer whose lecture they have to see, while also warning them there's a parrot involved.

[@kwanladaayesrijomkwan7839]

I’m writing my first novel after writing only fanfictions for many years, and the firt part of this video was really depressing.... but I somehow got inspired by the end! Just got pass the 30,000 word count today, and I’m going o continue writing it everyday! Thanks for all the tips Brandon, take care!

[@joepalkovic]

How's your progress 1 year later?!

[@jacobstevens7046]

@@joepalkovic I wanna know too.

[@laughingseagull000]

What IP are the fanfictions in?

[@sebastianwalt9991]

is it ready?🎉

[@walterpinkmantanay1577]

*when you get a notification from your favourite person in the world and 3 minutes in the video you realise that this is just the opposite of what you needed and you start having existential crisis*

[@ascalon8001]

It's actually not if you listen to the end though, he expressed this idea before in his lectures

[@tawnyflower-in5yy]

Yeah, I watched this when it was being originally streamed and I was really taken aback at first but by the end I appreciated it

[@noobermensch8113]

His message might not have been the one you wanted, but its probably the one you needed. One of the primary sources of disappointment in life is having unrealistic expectations. Ambition is great, but it needs to be built on the right foundation.

[@dirtywashedupsparkle]

He did preface it was going to be a bit of a downer before it got better, and it does. Trust your favourite person in the world, he's not turning on you, he's saving you from the danger of being overidealistic or giving up.

[@swordablaze9259]

The brutal truth needs to be heard. You could write a top quality novel that isn't what the current market wants while someone else writes a pretty good novel that agents are looking for. They'll get published instead of you dispite the quality. Brandon is right. It is largely luck. Hang on to your hope and manage your goals ^_^

[@thefrancophilereader8943]

I am a PhD student in French. Survivorship bias is huge in my world. My parents have given me the same speech as your mom did, Brandon. So have other professors. They are all right. The market is nonexistent. But I'm fine with doing this research short-term and afterward doing something very different. Still, there's the question of transferable skills. All of us in the arts and humanities have such skills but it has to show up on our CVs in some way. When people ask me about doing graduate work, I give them the speech too. I tell them that unless this is what they dream about doing for the next 5 years there's no point. There are no jobs. Only the 1% win. One of my favorite quotes, I heard from Kate DiCamillo. I don't think she came up with it but I will always associate it with her: "I hate writing but I love having written." I feel this so much.

[@melaniedelaney6059]

Yes! I got in trouble from a parent when they discovered I had told my son that people just can’t always be or do whatever they want, even if they work really hard for it. Know your strengths, find your passion and live your life well.

[@nanotyrannus5435]

Magellan is so cute laying in brandons arms. And Brandon: You might want a Magellan proof jacket with magnetic buttons that Magellan can't reach.

[@RK-252]

magnetic to counter its allomancy?

[@logankelly4794]

I love at the end when he was out of almonds he gave the bird a toy and the bird was like "This is acceptable."

[@ChBrahm]

This video is the writting equivalent for Ratatouille´s *"Anyone can cook"*

[@reapr31337]

34:34 "It's good for you to write books." *Magellan peeks over head for emphasis.*

[@tineputzeys]

We need to turn this into a meme.

[@bassboy14110]

I have no desire to be a writer, and this is one of my all-time favorite videos. Everyone should watch this.

[@tineputzeys]

Brandon: I like big books and I cannot lie Birb: I like big buttons and I cannot lie

[@DeannaGilbert616]

“You can’t control who you’re competing against.” In 2014 I was part of the Firefly RPG design team, and we were nominated for an Ennie award. Problem was, that year, Dungeons and Dragons 5th Ed was published. We didn’t have a chance. 🙂 But a year later I got on the design team for Torg Eternity, a game I loved in the 90s...and got to write huge portions of three sourcebooks, and even reboot the classic adventure trilogy from the first edition. Haven’t won any awards, but I’m still pinching myself I got to do this. And it was a combo of skill, persistence...and luck. A whole lot of luck. But one of the best feelings was getting to make OTHER authors’ days by bringing them onto the team themselves. Next step is novel writing. I’ve probably written 200,000 words for Torg Eternity so I’ve already proven I can finish the thing. Just need to convince myself I’m good at the other things too. 🙂 Though then I remember that my first editor on a game said that I was one of the most enjoyable writers he’d edited before. Impostor Syndrome is a @$*$#,. But I definitely needed this video. Thanks, Brian.

[@lyingcat9022]

Brandon, you would make a horrible “Get Rich Quick Fake Guru”! Way too much honesty... you should probably stick to being a best selling author ;)

[@Trisjack20]

LOL love this!

[@Xsdwolf]

Brandon Sanderson: Describing his crisis of faith in his early years of writing. Magellan: YOUR DREAMS ARE BAD AND YOU SHOULD FEEL BAD!!! I DANCE ON THE WRECKAGE OF ALL YOU HOLD DEAR!!!!!!!

[@InfidelProductionz]

You gave me the free Ways of King's today and now this... Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.

[@JonLee123]

This video was just for me. Brandon said exactly what I did. I sat down tonight to write, but played a video game instead... "You're just human" - Brandon Sanderson 2020 Mind blown, really. Time to get back to writing!

[@jakobbolt6044]

Brandon, I'm not asking for the world. I'm not asking to become obscenely rich, famous, well-known. None of it. I write because I wish to free the magical world bumping around in my head. I write because I want to share its mysteries with others, even if it only be a single other human. I write because if I were to die, this fable Ive been nuturing for years disappears with me. This is what keeps me going to be honest. Otherwise, what's the point?

[@MadAtreides1]

Stephen King is that you?

[@Pagansong]

yes I am right with you.

[@benjaminthibieroz4155]

I can relate to that. I hope your faith endures

[@Bilboswaggins2077]

This is my point of view exactly. I just want at least one person to ask “tell me more.”

[@TheMusicscotty]

^that. So much that. You're a writer I'd love to swap with, sir.

[@HeavyMetalMal42]

"You're going to end up playing the Switch instead of writing your book a few times." Literally what I was doing the entire time I listened to this video. I feel so called out. But in a good way. Struggling with distraction doesn't make me any less confident that I want and need to keep writing. Thanks for being inspirational as always, Brandon. Now, time for me to get back to work.

[@azriel9499]

I could stop writing if I wanted to (I don't). I actually just spent an entire month not writing, which was really hard (absolutely torturous some days). Ironically, not writing taught me a lot about writing, and is helping me write more consistently, which has been a real struggle. Great video! I always look forward to your videos.

[@romana316]

Unlikely you'll ever see this, but this was actually very encouraging, thank you! And your wish for it having a broader application than just for aspiring writers has come true. I write for pleasure on occasion, but I have no particular desire to ever publish anything. I am however a PhD student having a "oh god what am I doing with my life" crisis. And this was helpful.

[@prayforpeace2204]

I am a screenwriter and I can confirm that I've learned everything he has (the hard way, like he did). Keep writing. If it happens for you, great. If it doesn't, at least you got to spend your life doing what you love. And trust me, even if it does "happen for you", it's not as great as you might think. Success means money, which means pressure from other voices in the room. Many successful writers complete their most creative and fulfilling work in their breakthrough script/novel.

[@aurorasmith5098]

"I can't have a Dragon" Has an evolved dinosaur instead...

[@alexcormack7337]

Me, a teen, watching the beginning: Brandon: There is a lie lots of adults tell you... Me: Ohhhhh... Brandon: ...Particularly the media... Me: He's gonna say something amazingly inspirational! Brandon: that lie is that you can do it.

[@anival9576]

It is so true though. I wish I had seen this video when I was a teenager. That advice is solid--as is the second part of his advice: "Learn how to do difficult things." Speaking to my own teenage self, I'd say, "You can do many things that you think are too difficult, but you can't do just anything." My career opportunities came from doing things that were scary for me---traveling on my own, learning a second, third, and fourth language, public speaking professionally, teaching composition to non-native English speakers. If I chose not to do the difficult things, my life would have be a lot smaller.

[@rayeiswriting4372]

As Someone creeping into my late 20’s, I wish I had this advice! The problem is that those who say “you can do anything” do profit off your hope, then leave you to flounder. It’s like saying “you can swim across this lake”, and then you’re wondering why you’re sinking. You CAN swim across the lake, but it takes hard work and determination and training. Another thing is that you’re not the only one working in your dream field. Everybody wants to be the star actor, but we’re competing in a big cast of players. We can still become amazing, but we have to see where the line between luck and hard work lie, and to not get discouraged.

[@MalyKrtko]

How am I supposed to watch other Brandon lectures without a dragonbird eating his buttons after this??

[@Manamaraya]

fellow fantasy creator with parrot as surrogate dragon friend 🙌 I started watching this specifically because of Magellan in the thumbnail haha What a good baby 💖 Oh, and--the lesson was excellent, too!

[@mattosso7676]

Thank you Brandon! This was exactly what I need to hear, exactly when I needed to hear it. I'm having "that moment" right now.

[@micahtataje]

Wow, such a great topic to discuss! Love that you’re willing to discuss it. Love the Parrot

[@cbpd89]

As a musician, I really feel this. I got into my college music program on a talent based scholarship, but that in no way guaranteed I would de well in my program, get good roles in Operas or especially have a career after college. There is nothing I can do about who I am auditioning with, what my competition is, or what a given director is looking for. Several of my classmates are making a living performing and I am so proud of their work! A greater number of them-equally talented, skilled, and educated-are teaching or working in an unrelated field, and talent had nothing to do with that.

[@hcstubbs3290]

I find it weird that I enjoy Sanderson's lectures more than I enjoy his books. So interesting and informative. I wish more writers did stuff like this and made it freely available for their fans.

[@rhuntern]

This has been exceptionally insightful. Can't thank you enough for the uploading of this keynote and the previous lectures. They have been really motivational for me.

[@A11sopp]

IDK why some of the people in these comments are acting as if this was some doom and gloom 'hit you with hard reality' sort of thing. This was probably the most inspiring reminder to stay grounded I've ever seen.

[@michaelpepin1103]

I came across this video on the exact day I received my first rejection letter from a short story I seriously cared about. This helped me understand it's not always in my control, even though the moment was hard. Thank you, Brandon.

[@N0noy1989]

Thank you very much for making this available on YT.

[@endymionas8240]

One thousand times thank you

[@CrapE_DM]

Thank you, Brandon! I love it when people tell the true part of this message

[@riviri1923]

Thank you. This really helped today. I've been in a writing rut for a while, and I'm periodically trying to break out of it, but nothing seems to be working (I think there's a lot I need to sort through with that and many other things). But this is some really good realistic advice. Writing has been my dream for awhile, the thing I've been setting my sights on for as long as I can remember, but it's gotten so much harder and more complicated over the years. I think this'll help, though. There's a lot of great stuff here to remember. So, thanks.

[@mansap]

Brandon, this was some very insightful and comforting wisdom you have given us. Thank you very much.

[@tyramasters-heinrichs921]

Thank you, Brandon. This is very apt for me right now. Thank you from Manitoba, Canada

[@NoNameMan-oc5kh]

Great honest and blunt advice. It can be an excruciating life for a writer that thinks he or she is better than what they actually are. And they set unachievable goals. And when they can't reach those goals, the burden can be heavy.

[@StarlitSeafoam]

Thank you Brandon; when you talked about you goal shifting from being published to simply writing regardless, to telling the stories you love to the best of your ability, it resonated so much with me. Thank you for reminding me why I write.

[@colinshanteau5118]

This is actually much more optimistic advice than what it seems at first. Setting goals & milestones, becoming a student of your own psychology/motivations, breaking stuff down into manageable bits - these are all aspects of the dream-making process that you can control. Hence, where the tangible joy of the journey is. There’s something so remarkable about this video.... maybe it’s Brandon Sanderson being as generous and insightful as he is, side by side with a macaw who knows the force. Their thu’um is strong.

[@edwardstrinden]

Thu'um? What is that from?

[@colinshanteau5118]

@@edwardstrinden Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. The Dragonborn can speak the language of dragons (Thu'um = power of the Voice). Just a dumb joke combining the idea of the force with the fact that Brandon taught his macaw how to plume like a dragon.

[@Trisjack20]

@@colinshanteau5118 We all appreciated it! Nice crossover!

[@derpy566]

That's why we love reading books. We like to see a world with characters that defy the ugly truth. The beautiful success stories are few, so we go looking for more in fiction.

[@SomeTomfoolery]

The bit about the things you "want to have done" as opposed to things you want to do absolutely grabbed me. This is **exactly** the way I've always phrased it to myself every day. I have so many things that I never want to do when I have the time, but I do want to **have done** them. So uplifting to hear Brandon talk about that exact feeling.

[@ticonofruger573]

May the 4th be with you Master Sanderson.

[@ladyethyme]

I hate dark fantasy…I’m so happy you write like you.

[@RC-lw5lw]

Thank you for this vid, Brandon. It was both sobering and hopeful. It was very truthful, and you know what they say about truth. It hurts. But it can also set one free. Glad Magellan was there to lighten the mood. The force is strong in that one...

[@tawnyflower-in5yy]

I really love this. I was lucky enough to see it live as part of the conference and it left a deep impression on me, and I think really changed my outlook on writing and why I write just as I’m beginning to get more serious about it. Thank you.

[@penkaur]

Wow Brandon. I'm impressed how you can always continue with your speech after each macaw intermezzo. I love the bird because it didn't disturb the flow of your thoughts and you could always continue seamlessly. Hats off.

[@sharonmolloy3732]

Great advice, not just for writing, but for life in general. Thank you.

[@w0rmsterr]

Thanks Brandon for your story. You always share such genuine advice and this is no different. The importance of setting goals cannot be understated in any creative profession. Thank you again.

[@ozzie8821]

Thank you for your honesty and insight. That is truly refreshing.👍

[@gabgonzales4570]

Maybe its partly my fault, but that parrot really got my eyes almost throughout the video

[@aronoiiel]

Amazing down to earth advice that qe can really personalize to our own situations. Thank you for this!

[@simpletown]

the most helpful thing i've ever heard about writing. and the most honest. thank you.

[@nvhaskell]

I appreciate your message on the intrinsic value of writing. Thank you.

[@GeorgeKinsill]

Three lessons from the lecture: 1) Set goals that you can control. 2) Learn how you work, and make it rewarding to you. 3) You can't have my buttons!

[@dragonstooth4223]

Brandon - I hope you see this because your videos have been such a huge inspiration to me. You're advise is spot on and practical and you don't sell us the illusion, you give us reality. thanks for these videos :)

[@ricekrispies1917]

I loved this lecture. Loved it so much I wrote notes and everything XD. This advice has been so helpful and valuable. I'm still astonished by the fact that your giving it away so freely to the aspiring writer. Thank you for sharing your journey and explaining the power of realistic goals to us. I know it will be very helpful for my own journey

[@DDSHADE]

Fantastic advice! Will re watch this to help motivate myself next time I feel unmotivated!

[@DrowSorcerer]

I was just wandering around and found this. If you ever read this Brandon, you have given me one hell of a push today, and I'm extremely grateful for your words and your hope. Thank you.

[@Snarflelocker]

What a wonderful world where I can watch this for free. I really needed this. Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever is it your life seems to be circling around, remember: please give me money, but never give away hope.

[@mattpierce4108]

I always appreciate your no nonsense brutal honesty.

[@jexgor3113]

you dont know how good I feel after this speech, I was actually having a crisis about my writings and this advice was just what I needed, thank you very much for sharing these sincere thoughts. :)

[@slaycg2536]

"The world is your oyster" is the one I find most baffling. Such an odd metaphor. Your 'random rant' is exceptionally well spoken and genuine. Thanks for taking the time.

[@julieaubutgaudet4403]

I was worried at the beginning there for a little bit, but in the end you have really inspired me. Thank you!

[@ThomGStratton]

Thank you, Brandon. I need that.

[@caesarjulius6058]

Amazing. This and his "five things I wish I would've known as a teen writer" video are life changing. Thank you for making these videos, Brandon. There's an honesty and a clarity that others writers lack when they give sometimes dogmatic advice.

[@TheKrazyLobster]

The Master on May the Fourth! 😍 Edit: wonderful lecture. And Magellan is one wonderful bird. I'm so thankful we can share a time and a planet with Brandon Sanderson.