Brandon Sanderson teaches how to write Sci-Fi
Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 11:59 am
Found this lecture series on YouTube and thought others might enjoy it. If you don't want to watch it, I'll take notes and post them here so I can retain the info a bit better for myself.
Lecture #1: Introduction
- There are two kinds of writers, gardeners and architects. Architects build outlines and then fill in details as they go. Their process of discovery is in between structure points. Gardeners take characters or premises and go where their whims take them (and outlines may take enjoyment away from these writers because they feel like they already wrote the story).
- Of course, this is on a spectrum, and you may use different methods for different stories. There's no one right method but you will have to try multiple before finding your best method.
- The process of mastering a system is starting by focusing on details (e.g. fingering chords on a guitar, avoiding passive voice in prose) then once these are instinctual you can focus on bigger elements (e.g. composition, pacing).
- Good habits for writing: creating uninterrupted space to work; consider that it takes time to rev up into writing mode
- Giving feedback: Always say what works well, so that it doesn't get lost in a future revision; Be descriptive of emotion rather than proscriptive (e.g. "I was bored" vs. "I think you should add an action scene"); try to give feedback that reflects the best version of the author's work, not the version you would write
- Receiving feedback: Pretend that people giving feedback are like a book club that you can't interact with directly - don't defend or explain against feedback; Allow feedback time to stew before trying to integrate it, and you get to choose what you do or don't integrate.
