Lecture #2: Plot Part 1 — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
Brandon Sanderson・5 minutes read
Sci-fi/fantasy writing emphasizes plot, characters, and setting, with Mistborn combining a unique plot idea with magical elements and character development. Authors must skillfully execute ideas to engage readers, making and fulfilling promises through storytelling to create compelling narratives.
Insights
- Sci-fi/fantasy writing often starts with plot, character, or setting as key elements shaping stories.
- Mistborn's unique plot was inspired by a Dark Lord's success, blending fantasy heist and magic elements to create a fresh narrative.
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What elements are crucial in sci-fi/fantasy writing?
Plot, character, setting are essential in writing.
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Summary
00:00
Crafting Sci-Fi/Fantasy Stories: Plot, Character, Setting
- Sci-fi/fantasy writing often begins with plot, character, or setting, with stories being composed of these elements.
- Mistborn was inspired by the idea of a Dark Lord succeeding, leading to a unique plot idea.
- The concept of a fantasy heist with magical characters was developed separately.
- The mist and cathedral visuals were combined with character development to create setting details.
- Three magic systems in Mistborn were initially designed for separate stories before being combined.
- Ideas are collected in notebooks or computer files, with novels growing from the combination of multiple ideas.
- Authors must skillfully execute ideas, as demonstrated by Jim Butcher's successful fusion of disparate concepts in Codex Alera.
- Setting is considered the least important element in sci-fi/fantasy writing, with characters and plot taking precedence.
- Stories make promises to readers, including tone promises that set the mood for the narrative.
- The cold open technique, exemplified by Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, is used to establish the tone and theme of a story.
14:58
"Story Promises: Action, Adventure, and Intrigue"
- The cold open in a story sets the tone and promise for the audience, often involving action and adventure.
- Prologues in fantasy are popular as they convey a promise of action and adventure, unlike starting with a kid on a farm.
- Star Wars exemplifies starting with action and adventure before transitioning to a character like Luke on a farm.
- Pixar uses color palettes to set the tone in their movies, showcasing how colors can influence storytelling.
- Promises in storytelling are crucial, focusing on tone, character arc, and plot to engage the audience.
- Character arc promises show how a character will change, while plot promises outline the main story progression.
- Balancing predictability in storytelling involves giving subtle inversions to promises to keep the audience engaged.
- Inversions like having a female Gandalf character in Eye of the World can add intrigue and freshness to familiar tropes.
28:58
Crafting Engaging Stories with Progress
- Mistborn is a heist story with unique elements like different magical talents and a master-apprentice plot.
- Terry Rossio, screenwriter of Pirates of the Caribbean, talks about the "strange attractor" concept in storytelling.
- Mistborn is a blend of a heist movie in a fantasy world and My Fair Lady, creating a fresh and intriguing narrative.
- Iconic characters like James Bond or Sherlock Holmes do not require character arcs and can be enjoyed for other reasons.
- Different promises in stories work based on individual tastes and experiences, influenced by the reader's preferences.
- Progress in a story is crucial, as it keeps readers engaged and leads them towards the payoff at the end.
- Progress is about creating an illusion of steady advancement towards an exciting goal, controlled entirely by the author.
- The sensation of progress is vital in making stories engaging and compelling for readers, regardless of the genre.
- Authors have complete control over the pace and progression of their stories, shaping the reader's experience.
- Creating a sense of progress towards a captivating goal is key to crafting a page-turner, irrespective of the genre or plot elements.
43:55
"Engaging storytelling: promises, progress, and plot"
- Story arc and umbrella plot can be different; consider why readers are engaged and what questions need answering.
- Multiple questions can drive a story, especially in longer works.
- Identify the type of plot to create compelling story and character arcs.
- Example using Star Wars: umbrella plot of destroying the empire, character arc of Luke trusting the force, secondary character arc of Han becoming less of a jerk.
- Progress in a story should align with promises made to readers.
- Example from Oathbringer where a diversion led to a boring sequence due to a broken promise.
- Proper promises and progress are crucial for engaging storytelling.
- Changing promises can significantly impact reader engagement.
- Every scene in a story should advance key plot points.
- Different plot archetypes can guide progress in various types of stories.
58:48
Nested Plots and Payoff in Storytelling
- Plotting in writing is compared to nesting plots in code, with umbrella plots and mini plots being common structures.
- In storytelling, mini plots with their own problems are introduced, leading to a visualized plot structure that tends to work effectively.
- Payoff in a story involves fulfilling promises made at the beginning, with a classic archetype involving a progression from promise to failure to eventual success.
- A twist in storytelling can involve a plot expansion, where the outcome exceeds the initial promise, providing readers with more than expected.
- Substitution plot twists can be risky but effective if done well, involving convincing readers they want something different before delivering an unexpected outcome.
- The importance of ensuring that the payoff in a story aligns with the progress made throughout the narrative, ideally providing both what was promised initially and something extra.
