This was very important for me to hear. As a new writer who was discouraged from writing by school and my parents, I'm far too critical of myself when I write. I have so many ideas but I've been afraid to put them on paper because because I've been afraid of how bad they'll be and I won't meet the standard I want to meet. I'm not having fun writing, rather I'm turning it into a job I hate because I'm afraid of making mistakes and not playing with my ideas. I need to remind myself to have fun and that not everything needs to be perfect. I think the advice or guidance to having fun and enjoying the writing process is the best advice for all new authors.
I told a friend about my current book, and he was so excited by the idea of it, and keeps asking when it will be finished, which I find extremely inspiring that someone is actually waiting for my book to come out. MAybe don't be afraid to tell people, just, know who it is your telling.
Sanderson's joy of writing is infectious. When I discovered Sanderson, he reminded of my 10 year old self - that kid wrote a damn book, and at 20 years old I couldn't even write a single page. Brandon Sanderson brought out the imaginative kid within me, and I finally starting actually writing again. He's been my biggest inspiration since then, nobody has come close (even before I started reading his books...)
I once read the writing advice, that you often start a book because you have a story to tell. And if you start telling your friends or family about the full story before you have finished writing the whole book, you might have accidently already scratched the itch of telling this story and diminished that fueling urge to write. Because of that it's better to keep the story secret or not give away any details or the ending etc.
I really appreciate you taking the opportunity to talk about this. It’s a terrible trap to fall into, when the work we do out of love gradually turns into something we do out of obligation rather than passion. It doesn’t get talked about enough, and I really like the ideas you present here!
I listened to the initial revelation of the secret books. Now, I refer to Brandon Sanderson when I am trying to make my friends read his books: "Fantasy author. Writer who writes books, to have a bit of rest from writing." Very inspiring! =))
This is very true. Thanks so much for this. It really resonated with me sometimes I get so caught up in talking about books and writing and projects but I get side tracked and don't actually get any writing done. I love the fact Sanderson went back to the love or writing and no pressure of deadlines. He even self-published so thats awesome as well. Great video Jed keep em coming!! Really good stuff!
I go out to my car every morning at 5am to work, and the only thing that sucks about it is knowing that the best part of my day is over before most people even wake up.
So true! I started telling everyone, even mentioning writing in conversations with people I barely knew, and I noticed I was getting the sense fulfilment from the positive feedback and not writing itself.
I always hate when rich people use kickstarter. It was meant to help people without means make things now it's mostly large companies or celebrities and industry professionals using it to milk fans for a product they were going to make regardless. Like this guy already had the books written so what was the kickstarter for? Took a lot of money from other projects from people who actually needed a kickstart.
He didn't take anything from anyone. You're assuming everyone who donated money to him would given that money--at least as much money--to someone else otherwise. Which is just not true.
I read The Final Empire recently and came away thinking ‘lazy writing’. It seemed incongruous that a prolific hard working author could make me feel this way. I realized that Sanderson writes the fast food of literature. He enjoys the process because he doesn’t put in the kind of mental energy needed to write a book that’s actually memorable.
JK Rowling is the fast food of literature. Sanderson isn't. 'Writing' is more than just prose. Plot, setting and character are also part of writing. You can't deny the brilliance and originality of his plots and worldbuilding even if his prose, yes, ranges from mediocre to bad.
