Anyone notice whenever Brandon takes a drink that the camera cuts to wide shot to show him standing under the big sign that’s says absolutely no drinks allowed in the auditorium? Someone is being funny!

The fact that Jim Butcher asked for the worst idea someone could come up with, then proceeded to write a 6-book series from said idea, is absolutely legendary.

Thank you for giving this out freely and not holding this behind a "MasterClass" paywall. Journey before destination, Sir. :)

I love how he repeats every question so we can hear it... actually, I just love this whole series

I can't believe this is free. GOLD. Thank you, Brandon.

My friends: Beers after work? Me: Can't. Have class.

This man is a treasure in this world. I hope he lives at least a hundred years.

I've just found this series of lectures and I think my favourite thing about Brandon here is, unlike other "tips and tricks videos" he doesn't discourage people using tropes or well-worn frameworks. He doesn't bash the idea of needing something wholly original and doesn't act as some sort of gatekeeper. Instead his enthusiasm to see people do *their* thing regardless of where it takes inspiration from is basically infectious and makes me feel like, even if one person reads my work and enjoys it, I've accomplished something.

This perfectly communicates why everyone is upset with the new Star Wars Trilogy. Each set of writers and directors made different promises.

"Kid on a farm" Can't stop thinking about Eragon's prologue and first chapter

10:33 - What is plot? Why does it work? 11:38 - Promise, Progress, Payoff Promise: Tone, Genre, Character Arc, Type of Conflict, 18:42 - Character Arc 36:05 - Progress 45:00 - Progress in Umbrella Plot 47:04 - Matching The Right Promises with Progress 52:49 - Summary of Last Few Points 1:00:17 - Payoff

Its actually insane that we can hear a lesson from one of the most accomplished authors in the world for free.

"Another One" -DJ Sanderson

It's pretty great that BYU allows for these lectures to be shared online with students outside their university :)

I love how even he has a hard time describing his own books. “It’s a uh, it’s ummmm, a.....it’s a fairy land?”

PLOTS -A book needs to be the mashing of a lot of ideas. You can’t write a book from one idea -Good setting but bad character =bad book -Trash or cliche setting but good characters= still ok book - Try to have a strange attractor aka a spin on a familiar idea, or a mash of two ideas that don’t seem like they might go together. (Heist plus my fair lady = mistbourn) Promise - Tone: Indicates the tone and style of story you’re telling. The beginning chapters usually do this. If you want your story to be funny- the start of the story needs to be funny. Thats why the cold open is popular. *Indiana Jones. Don’t start with a kid on the farm if you want action adventure tone promise *Starwars -> that’s why a prologue is popular. Try to avoid the prologue cliche. - Character Arc: This is how the character is going to change throughout the story. Either how THEY change or their SITUATION changes. Show your character’s desires and what’s preventing them. Could also be showing reader what they know he should want, but the character doesn’t want *Bilbo doesn’t want to go on an adventure*. - General Plot: Umbrella plot (visible plot), core plot (what your actual progress and payoff is going to be). Core plot could be a romance, but the umbrella plot is “we need to do x, and while we do x we fall in love”. General plot should be the umbrella plot usually. You can be more predictable in your plot than you think as long as your setting is bomb and your characters are really likable. **Progress - This is the hardest but most imporant. - The readers want a “map”, they want to know the direction they are going and the progress they are making through the story. They want to FEEL the progress. They want to see the story building toward something, and they want to find out what that “something” is. Create an illusion for the reader that a steady progress toward an inevitable and exciting goal is happening in the story. Do this by identifying what questions the reader wants answered, that will be the reason they are turning the page. - If you make a “promise” in the book, but start taking the story in another direction then readers get bored because they feel like they are on a “diversion” from the actual plot. Thats when they get bored. Thats why the progress needs to be cohesive with the promises you make as a writer. - Starwars Example: Umbrella plot is destroy empire but the reader thinks is actually -> get the plans to the princess. Character arc is Luke trusts the force (secondary character arc of Han becomes less of a jerk). All the scenes should be working toward those goals. Thats good progress. - When you write a plot make little increments in the plot where you can show you are making headway in the goals. If you are writing a romance, you need to indicate progress is happening, so plot out little points to indicate that is blooming. - Sometimes you need to nest plots like Umbrella plot -> Character plot -> Sub plot which all gets closed at some point [ie Alderon is destroyed, we can’t take the plans there. New mini sub plot becomes turn off the death star tractor beam and rescue the princess]. - Progress should involve problems arising. Payoff - The feeling you leave the reader with when they finish your book. You make good on all your promises. - Sometimes the final sequences/plot isn’t the original promise. It can be the character growing, plot expands, or along those lines. A lot of readers will have problems with a substitute a lot of times. If you promise them a “toy car” and give them a “toy plane” they won’t like that unless you REALLY convince them that what they really want is the substitute, even though they THOUGHT they wanted the original. - Pay off should flow naturally with the progress. It should give them everything they were promised at the beginning PLUS something else and new. Give them a toy car AND a plane.

Just got my first manuscript request from Writers House. Watching Brandons vids helped a lot.

I like the little Kaladin on his shirt

Brandon is like the opposite of a gatekeeper when it comes to writing. He chooses to give back his knowledge in the name of bettering the writers of the world and uploading these lectures for fee on youtube instead of keeping his secrets to himself or charging people money to access his lectures. Truly a model for anyone in any field.

This year's classes looks like it's going to be the one with the best sound.

I'm not an aspiring writer, but I'm still really enjoying these lectures! When someone is knowledgeable and passionate about a topic, I can usually listen to them for hours. And on top of that, Brandon is a really engaging speaker.

“Don’t start a wacky comedy with a prologue that makes us weep” *UP has entered the chat*

Thanks for the free knowledge nuggets. I'll pay it back by buying your books.

It's no wonder that GRRM is taking so long to write his next book. Dude has so many characters and subplots and major plot lines that makes endless promises, needs progress, and payoff that it's like trying to untangle the largest heap of yarn in the world and connect all the pieces properly into a tapestry. I do not envy him.

"Why am I here? I do not even like stories." Was supposed to be my comment but I am now realising this could be an opener for my story. God damn it. These lessons work.

I'm not writing novels but I am writing scripts and I'm gaining tons useful information and tips from this.

Brandon must be a very good person, I’m 10 minutes into this presentation and the information provided is easily worth it’s weight in gold for any aspiring new writer regardless of genre. Brandon could just as easily charged a few thousand dollars as other well established authors have ( I won’t mention names but I could) for this course and yet makes it free on UKposts! God Bless you Brandon Sanderson, you have just provided an amazing service to thousands perhaps millions of aspiring writers of fiction. 👍🏼

„No food or drinks allowed in Auditorium“ - and Brandon walking up there with his Bottle occasionally sipping like a Boss ! Lol xD but honestly thank you very much for this! Please more of it.

I think the whole ‘progress’ thing kind of explains why Season One of A:TLA, though iconic, is the weakest of the three. We establish the North Pole as a goal very early on and there are so many diversions, but it’s clever because it also introduces the whole comet thing, which keeps us hooked as an overall series end goal.

"Oh, thanks" like he didn't just drop gold.

"You cannot escape so easily, Dragon. It is not done between us. It will not be done until the end of time.” Then he was gone, and the mountain and the island stood alone. Waiting. Chapter 1: some-BODY

The bittersweet irony of the realization you spend more time watching videos about writing than actually writing. 😫

I've had a series stuck in plotting and development hell for about a decade now. This year, I'm finally getting serious about writing it. I know I'm a little late to this party, but I found these lectures at the perfect time. I followed a lot of other people who offered writing advice, but so many of them just seem to take things so seriously that it's almost like a "no fun allowed" type of thing. This advice and these lectures really resonate with me and encourage me to write more. This is honestly better than any paid courses I've seen. The fact that this is free on UKposts is an absolute godsend. Thank you!

It's funny and sad at the same time that i watched more lectures from sanderson than from my own proffessor in computer science

"And he got over himself and they got together." Sanderson casually explaining the plot of When Harry Met Sally...

Ah yes, The Master speaks yet again

Brandon makes me feel guilty for not reading more stories. It's as if these authors put their life's work into these projects, and I'm just letting all that effort go to waste.

The real payoff is the friends we made along the way.

I recently finished the first draft of my first book. This series played a big part in that.

"And the this is the surprise I used for Mistborn-" *"Requiem For A Tower" plays in the background as I frantically press every button BUT the mute button in an attempt to not be spoiled*

"You might have noticed that there are a lot of maps in my books" I wish stuff like maps were included in audiobooks in some way. I love audiobooks but it sucks to not partake in the artwork of the books.

Top work B dog. The world isnt ready for the shitty novel you are giving me the confidence to write.

His hand writing has gotten much better since previous videos.

15:40 right as he goes for a drink the camera pans out to the no food or drink sign

Even if you've studied a topic for years, hearing things again can still be super useful. Case in point: I've listened to two previous years of his lectures, many seasons of Writing Excuses, and have a B.A. in Creative Writing, but despite having heard almost all of this a hundred times before I still discovered a promise that was missing from the beginning of my book that I spend half the novel paying off without setting up properly.

Thank you so much...from a guy who barely makes ends meat and can't afford the masterclass or the formal education. This is a gold mine for me. Thank you, I dont know of a better way to say that at the moment so just...thank you.

Hi Brandon! I know you probably aren't going to read this but I just wanted to say how wonderful these lectures have been. I have always wanted to be a writer but have been too afraid to begin out of being the worst or not good enough, and last year I decided to finally give it a try. I wrote my first draft of my book idea and ran into so many problems which is when I ended up finding your lectures! It has helped me astronomically already. All of your advice is wonderful and I appreciate you giving writers like me this free and open resource. To anyone who passes by this comment and is just a watcher: Hi!!!! lets connect and write some good stories together (:

I am an aspiring Dungeon Master in Dungeons and Dragons. That format of storytelling and story writing is very different than a movie or novel, as my players are the main characters and their actions influence my story as it proresses. These lectures, despite being designed for authors primarily, are incredibly helpful for me in laying out my initial ideas and even as far as helping me with bringing these ideas to life! Thank you for having these on UKposts!

Toph Beifong is definitely an "iconic character."

Yes, another one! these things are gold for aspiring writers such as myself. Thank you so much Brandon!

These lectures are returning my desire to write again. I've not been writing for a very long time, but I am finding a return to it cathartic. This is the class I needed as a young adult dreaming of being a writer.

As someone with ADHD, and a very small attention span, I was engaged and enjoying this entire lecture. This is really rare for me and I appreciate how good of a teacher you are. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to enjoy your classes remotely.

Lord Ruler, I'm dying for the 3rd class!

I've always felt like anything and Pokemon would make an awesome book, especially in the arms of an experienced writer.

"let's talk about progress for a little bit, because this is the most important of them, I think." Journey before destination, Radiant

This is seriously amazing, and convinced me to keep writing. Thank you Brandon.

His classes are The Oasis in a desert for writers like me... THANK YOU so very much for these videos.

Brandon, thank you for giving back! You've inspired me to write again!

Game of thrones TV show writers should have watched this.

This man seems like a remarkable teacher from what I've seen this far.

In college, I've never spend much time in the classroom...guess, this would have been very different with Mr Sanderson as professor! Thank you so much for uploading this!!!

Progress... omg this is why I loved Ready Player One and The Martian so much. I haven’t had that reading experience in a long time. I just needed to keep going to get to the promised destination! The Martian has the map too for his journey to the MAV and the journal so we can see days passing. And ready player one has this urgency of a race to get all the keys. Such a valuable lesson thanks Brandon! I will definitely put this in my writing.

Honestly I have never read any of Sanderson’s books, but I’m an English major studying in Omaha, Nebraska so I hear his name a lot !! Always was skeptical bc I was afraid that he was just an overhyped fantasy writer, but this series has completely changed my perspective of Sanderson and the fantasy genre overall !! This is an AWESOME resource if you don’t have time or can’t afford a creative writing class, but this goes even deeper than any writing or creative writing class I’ve been in. Not only is he giving a “how to” but also a “why this works so well”. I really admire Sanderson now and understand why he’s such a huge name in the English field. Truly deserved !!

Can't believe no one laughed at the speed limit because we are being recorded

I just finished "Alloy of Law" and I can definitely see how the brainstorming process led to that story. "So, how about if The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. was mixed with an updated version of Mistborn?" Great book, can't wait to get into the 2nd and 3rd books. Bonus points for the 'Wax and Wayne' word play....

shoutout to the person that subtitled this whole video

Brandon Sanderson, Thank you for your generosity to share your experience and knowledge. You didn't have to, but you have a generous spirit. Thank you! Also, I love how you repeat the questions we can't hear from the audience. Wonderful teaching. gush gush gush

Imagine giving this a thumbs down. One of the greatest writers in the world is willing to teach us what he does, and how he does it, for free. And you're like, "Hmm, nah, no good." Impossible. Thank you, Mr. Sanderson. You are, quite literally, an inspiration.

I'm attempting to rewrite the novel i wrote in high school (badly) and with my most recent rewrite of the outline I was struggling to figure out how to start. When I did, the first few paragraphs felt WRONG. Now I know why, I wasn't making any promises as to what the reader should expect from me the author, the characters or the plot. I was just creating a scene without giving it a reason. This lecture was eye-opening. I can't wait to watch more.

This is great. I sat glued to my computer and felt sad when you said we're out of time.

You just changed my life 7:10. Jim Butcher is my favorite author, and Codex Alera is my favorite series. I even have a tattoo with Codex Alera and the Dresden Files. Codex Alera got me back into reading; it was like breathing life itself after denying my own humanity. I don't think I can look at the books the same way now lol. When trying to get other people to read I always explained it more as Avatar the Last Air Bender, but fantasy. I had the most amazing experience with Jim maybe 9 or 10 years ago. I sent him an email asking if he would say hello to a friend who was also a big fan. I honestly didn't think he would do it, a famous author and all probably doesn't have time for random fan emails. He sent the email saying hello, and did something so amazing to this day it makes me smile. He sent me an unedited first couple chapters of his 13th Dresden File book. I got to see the changes from when the book was actually published and that version. I always struggled with spelling, grammar, and bad hand writing; so to see that version really inspired me to write my own short stories. I still write to this day, but never actually finished a full story.

The first I ever saw of Brandon was him making a weird statement at a panel, then the other 3 members explaining why he was wrong. Then it was this series. I've been recommended Mistborn by a friend too, so I am a little apprehensive I know too much going on, but his story sound genuinely awesome and I love his approach to writing. It is very true that no one is an architect or gardener 100% either, everyone is on a scale and works differently- the key is learning how to manage and support how your creativity, passion and joy comes naturally.

Great teacher, imagine if ALL teachers were this passionate, our country would be in a better place.

When delivering a lecture, I find it important to keep a few things in mind: -Be Knowledgable -Be able to pass that Knowledge along -Be Funny -Be Honest -Be Detailed -Be Expressive Sanderson NAILS all of these. These lectures are perfection and awesome in the literal sense of the word.

The fact that this is free is just incredible. Props to you.

Brandons mastery of the subject matter really comes out in the Q&A. Just hitting home runs each time, with great examples for reference.

16:56 best spoiler for Wall-E I have ever seen

"They kept waiting for the diversion to end. If you've ever been in a movie where you've been like I am SO BORED, even though exciting things are happening, cant they just get back to the main plot? ... Canto Bight" Love this man.

It's characteristically magnanimous of you to make these available here, Brightlord 🙏.

Thank you so much for uploading this with subtitles. You're allowing foreign people that are not quite good in English (as I'm not) to learn.

This is the greatest thing new writers could watch. I would love to take this class just to be able to interact with the legend. The classmates at BYU are fortunate!

Taking notes to a UKposts video. Never thought that day would come. haha

Thank you for putting out this free golden nugget for us! I wish the best for you and your family.

You just made my night, Mr. Sanderson!

I’m so happy you mentioned Jim Butcher and Codex Alera. I’m going through it right now am enjoying it. And one of the reasons why I checked it out was precisely hearing that story good writers can take the most insane idea and make it work. Just look at Stephen King?

This is gold. I've seen like 4-5 mastercalss courses and I guess there was only 1 good one (Dan Brown). But the others didn't make me rethink/redesign stuff in my work to be better at all. This 1 hour had me write up bounch of stuff on a note already. Thanks!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us. Just by watching this I’ve come up with a idea, which isn’t to say that it’s any good but you inspire this creativity just by sharing your experiences and professional advice.

Thank you so much for making these lectures public! Feels like coming home.

Thank you! Making this free was awesome, I have never thought about 90 percent of the material that you teach.

I listen to these lectures with a Lord of the Rings soundtrack on in another tab! It adds a fun element to these already great vids. Thank you so much for releasing these!

I can't even describe how glad I am, I found this playlist. Thank you so so so much!

Thank you so much from Switzerland for uploading this series! You are helping so many people around the world, designing their stories! Thank you!

Just started Starsight and have already gotten chills multiple times. Love the lecture videos.

Thank you so much for uploading these classes online. Even though I'm not a writer or necessarily want to become one in the future, stories have fascinated me since I was a child and knowing about the ways writers set up to build them has always interested me.

Thank you for improving the creative output of so many storytellers! Love these!!!

This is great, helping me think about interesting structures my story could take and giving new places for ideas to go. Thank you!

I love this. Love how you explains how Romance fits in as well. The umbrella plot, and then the romance is what you are actually here for. haha! So true

I'm convinced Brandon would look fly with a big, bushy moustache. Bert Reynolds style.

Thank you so much for all lectures, Mr. Sanderson!

Thank the cosmere you put this online, I'm going to have to hear this session more than twice for sure. Lots and lots of important insights!