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Lecture #2: Plot Part 1 — Brandon Sanderson on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Brandon Sanderson・52 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.

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