Writing Tips-Introductions: How Long is Too Long?

[@davidchs2821]

The class clapping after the Oathbringer joke as if he was doing stand up comedy! lol

[@killfacebalor2474]

Also they were clapping at his very well placed humble brag about publishing the single most pre-ordered book in the history of audible.

[@briannewman9285]

My problem is writing too short. I tend to visualize in my head what is going on and not realize that what I got in my head isn't all being transmitted to the reader.

[@savitaverma2623]

Same problem, with me bro

[@oneclipleft]

This is something that needs to be talked about a lot more. It's also why alpha/beta readers are so important. They will let you know instantly the things you can never see for yourself because the author is too close to the work.

[@MKTraxel]

The more your audience is committed, the more you can get away with. See Wheel of Time Prologues - book 2 (I loaned out book 1): 14 pages. Book 11: 94 pages. Book 12 (Sanderson's first): 34. Book 14: back up to 74.

[@rasaecnai]

I think its what Brandon said, if the reader already know you they have more patience. After reading the eye of the world, we already know what type of book we reading, its tone and all the expectations of the series. I do not think of them as introduction really, but more like re acclimatization portion of the book. To get the reader to remember what the world he/she previously experienced.

[@gavasiarobinssson5108]

Yeah I read a fantasy series last summer and I was impressed how high paced it started and thought this was new. But, alas, I mistakenly started with the second volume.....

[@michaelklaczynski3650]

Robert Jordan: *NOT LONG ENOUGH!!!*

[@ludgerhoutman4464]

Came looking for this comment.

[@great-wall-of-nowhere9377]

Let's give this bakery wench a *20'000 word chapter* Robert Jordan 1995

[@nathywg]

Love your lectures! They have help me a lot to get motivation to follow this path, thank you!

[@JesseVanWagner]

I'm loving these little bit sized snippets of the lectures.

[@patrickthornton840]

Okay, I've never read any of Brandon Sanderson's books, but I've watched a few of these videos now and he comes across so interesting and likeable that I immediately want to start. What's the best book of his to start with?

[@brynnyoder5433]

Patrick Thornton, I’ll steal Sanderson’s answer here. Mistborn.

[@65Drums]

Mistborn

[@OgreManGaming]

Depending on age, either Mistborn for more of a young adult or older, Steelheart for early teenagers and some well vocabulary wise kiddos.

[@Gigglepud]

If you're willing to trust him, go for Way of Kings. People suggest not to, for the very reason he mentions in this video, that if you don't trust/know him yet it might be intimidating (it's 1000 pages and a slow build). Mistborn is more digestible and will give you a good idea of his writing first. But if you can already get a good grasp of who he is from these videos, then Way of Kings really is the superior book tbh.

[@arianna9770]

Depends on what you're looking for. If you love complex fantasy and want to jump right into it then sure go for Way of Kings, though it'd probably be easier to start with Mistborn first. But if you want to work through easier books first to give yourself more of a feel for Sanderson as an author and establish that trust with him so that you can look at the thickness of Way of Kings less skeptically (lol), then I would say start with one of his YA series like Skyward, Steelheart or The Rithmatist. All of his books that I've read are amazing btw, cannot recommend them enough.

[@chrisbaygin8914]

Thank you so much for these videos. I am not a writer but a huge fantasy & sci-fi fanboy and I love thinking and learning about the creative process that writers o through, it's fascinating. I will also take this chance to mention that I am also a HUUUGE fan of yours. Was turned on to Mistborn earlier this year and I have to say I have not experienced anything like that with a book in a long time!! Love your style and can't wait to get deeper into the Cosmere. Keep up the great work!

[@rasaecnai]

same. the way i think about stories changed because of sanderson. its like having a deeper understanding what i am reading.

[@grantcory6093]

I've been wondering this for a while, thank you so much! Your books are amazing and I take inspiration from them.

[@BonnieDragonKat]

I love watching your lectures! You are such an awesome inspiration! Thank You!

[@elax4141]

I just wanted to say, your videos are very helpful and informative (obviously, I suppose), and I really enjoy your books.

[@Joe-mz6ez]

If I could get a coin from each time I have heard a writer giving me an advice beginning with "It depends" I would be rich! No joke! Also, I love this lessons. They keep me going with my unexisting novel

[@HeadCannon19]

Joe if I wrote one page for each time I heard that, I would be able to finish all of the stormlight archive

[@Joe-mz6ez]

@@HeadCannon19 Finish it as in writing something as long like that or as in reading it? I just finish Way of the kings, my annoyance in Shallan plotline aside I enjoy it! Solid reconmendation!

[@lonsunocook]

If I had a boxing for every time someone used the "if I had a coin" phrase I would make the Lord Ruler look poor. LoL

[@Joe-mz6ez]

@@lonsunocook hah!

[@jazzwell]

@@Joe-mz6ez Man, a lot of people dislike Shallan, but I really liked her chapters. I absolutely hated Dalinar and almost put down the book whenever he came up. I'm into the third book now, and Dalinar is still kinda boring, while I really like Shallan.

[@TheKrazyLobster]

FIFTY-FIVE HOURS OF PURE AWESOMENESS!

[@RADimation]

I love that Calvin and Hobbes shirt!

[@parkernilson8262]

i love these 5-10 minute highlight videos!!

[@luindefanel2091]

I'm going to cry here! Need to resume one of my introductions! happily, I'm still working in it, so...

[@aro1284]

The first thing I thought when I saw this title is that I still wish it had been called the book of endless pages

[@TyroHuman]

I'm definitely one of those people who look at the length of a book when deciding what to use audible credits on. 10 hours or less, I'll wait for it to go on sale and pay cash for it, but if it's interesting enough, I'll have it on my wishlist so I know when it goes on sale!

[@claracastilhooliveira3793]

Lately If I want to know if a book is worth reading/buying I usually open some random page in the middle to sample.

[@princessthyemis]

I love these videos SOOO MUCH!!!

[@josephblumenthal1228]

I hate myself for this now that I’m trying to be a writer. To give an example of this using myself. Every week I went to the VA hospital for half a day for years. I’d donate an old book then pick one up. I’d give it about 3 chapters (not consciously) and the I’d either finish it or put it back and try another. I feel guilty admitting it, but I probably wasn’t special

[@dawidwojacki5049]

I really would like to know what are major differences in creating plotline between a standard protagonist-antagonist story model and "major characters" story model (if i can call it like that. You know what i mean: Stormlight-like ones)

[@hexadeciamldm3447]

Rocking the Calvin and Hobbs shirt while teaching a class is a classic statment: No Sleeping Allowed :)

[@bonniebeingbonnie001]

SO useful

[@susanbuckminster282]

Thank you!

[@Hidebehind-500]

A good video. Also, that is a nice Calvin and Hobbes shirt!

[@SysterYster]

Few things give me the same amount of pleasure as holding a nice, new, really fat book in my hands. Or a fat book series. :D

[@mikemckenzie3488]

Are flash forwards looked down upon in a introduction?

[@lillydevil2486]

XD Lmao, I completely understand the leeway thing with writers. If I loved a previous author's sh!t before, and pick up another of their book that doesn't start good, I'll get a good chunk of the way in before I decide to trash it. Same goes for if I've never read an author's work, pick up one of their books and then find it to be absolutely unagreeable. I will then put another book from that author WAY at the bottom of my reading list XD

[@totosama1000]

Thanks

[@zyswanson7865]

Ironically I had my editor say that my first chapter was too fast and explosive 😂

[@AJ-hk2kv]

Excellent

[@FluppiLP]

I have definitely done this: Oh this one book is 9.90 for 55h, no idea who the author is, let's go! xD

[@mjdaniel8710]

He must have read Eriksons House of Chains before making this. Witness!

[@thereccher8746]

I'm a screenwriter and I don't even believe in that strict Save the Cat bullshit. It's peddled by producers who want to know the quickest way to make a buck, but lack a deeper understanding of story-telling.

[@emmanuelboakye1124]

👍👍

[@cervenypes123]

He's like the Bob Ross of writing only opposite

[@mightymouse5930]

Who downvotes a lecture by Brandon Sanderson? It’s not like KZbin sent you here at random, you looked for this content. If you don’t like this video, you’re probably a bad writer, but can’t be told differently.

[@DanMackison]

The last few videos have all been clips cut out of previous videos. Do you have plans to make new content, for those who have already seen the longer lectures?

[@LeortisBooks]

I’m surprised he can say the c word at byu

[@UnderratedSheet]

4 inches

[@wachyfanning]

Generally around 10-12 inches I'd say