The Tim Ferriss Show
#794: Brandon Sanderson on Building a Fiction Empire, Creating $40M+ Kickstarter Campaigns, Unbreakable Habits, The Art of World-Building, and The Science of Magic Systems
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Brandon Sanderson emphasizes the importance of blocking uninterrupted writing time to enhance creativity and productivity.
- Sanderson's approach to world-building involves a balance between creating engaging settings and ensuring narrative-driven characters.
- His three laws of magic systems guide readers in understanding the consequences and limitations of magic in storytelling.
- The success of his $41 million Kickstarter campaign highlights the significance of direct reader interaction and innovative marketing strategies.
- Sanderson's adaptability to changing publishing landscapes showcases the importance of exploring self-publishing and community engagement for authors.
Deep dives
Brandon Sanderson's Background
Brandon Sanderson is a renowned author, best known for his works such as the Stormlight Archive series and Mistborn Saga. He has sold over 40 million books and has been recognized with multiple nominations for prestigious literary awards. Sanderson also gained prominence for completing Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, which significantly elevated his profile in the fantasy genre. In addition to writing, he teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University and co-hosts the popular podcast intentionally blank.
The Importance of Focused Creative Time
A critical aspect of Sanderson's creative process is dedicating uninterrupted time to writing. He blocks out three to four hours each morning for generative tasks before attending to emails and administrative duties. This practice helps him maintain his creativity and reduces stress, allowing him to focus on what he genuinely enjoys—writing and crafting stories. Sanderson emphasizes the need to prioritize creative work, as getting lost in reactive tasks can hinder productivity.
The Art of World-Building
Sanderson views world-building as a crucial element of storytelling, often intertwined with magic systems. He appreciates the balance between creating engaging worlds and ensuring that characters and narratives drive the story forward. Sanderson's three laws of magic include the necessity of clearly understood magic systems, the significance of limitations and costs, and the importance of expanding on established elements rather than introducing new ones arbitrarily. These laws guide his world-building and contribute to the depth of his narratives.
Magic Systems in Sanderson's Works
In Sanderson's books, particularly the Mistborn series, magic systems are carefully designed to reflect scientific principles and engage readers in problem-solving. Each magic system has specific rules that allow characters to interact with their worlds in innovative ways. Sanderson's approach to magic is to blend logic with creativity, encouraging readers to explore the consequences and potential of these systems. This method leads to dynamic narratives where magic is integral to character development and plot progression.
The Wheel of Time: A Defining Project
Sanderson's involvement in completing Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series marked a significant milestone in his career. After Jordan's passing, Sanderson was approached by Jordan's widow to finish the series, which was both an honor and a challenge for him. His love for the series and understanding of its themes influenced his approach to writing the concluding volumes. The success of Sanderson's contributions to the Wheel of Time series helped solidify his place as a leading author in fantasy literature.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanderson experienced an unexpected creative surge as he gained time previously devoted to travel and events. Seizing the opportunity, he wrote several new works, including Tress of the Emerald Sea, which allowed him to explore fresh ideas and narratives without the pressure of contracts. This flexibility led to the creation of novels that resonated with readers and enhanced his portfolio. The pandemic ultimately became a pivotal period of rejuvenation and creativity for Sanderson.
The Record-Breaking Kickstarter Campaign
Sanderson launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund four new books, which astonishingly raised over $41 million, making it the most successful crowdfunding campaign for literature. The campaign was designed to reach both his existing fanbase and new readers, leveraging the excitement around surprise releases. Sanderson utilized a creative marketing strategy to maximize engagement and interest, fostering a sense of community among backers. The overwhelming success emphasized the power of direct reader interaction and the demand for quality literary content.
Adapting to Changing Publishing Landscapes
Sanderson's journey underscores the necessity for authors to adapt to the evolving landscape of publishing and technology. He has embraced self-publishing, merchandising, and crowdfunding as means to maintain creative control and connect directly with his fans. This adaptability has allowed him to explore new business models and experiment with delivery methods for his works, while also ensuring that he meets the needs of his audience. By navigating these changes effectively, Sanderson has positioned himself as a leader in the literary market.
Lessons from the Publishing Industry
Through his experiences, Sanderson has gleaned valuable insights about the publishing industry, particularly regarding the critical role of marketing and packaging. Understanding the intricacies of providing high-quality products and managing reader expectations has become essential. Sanderson highlights the importance of strategic decision-making in publishing, utilizing both traditional routes and innovative approaches to optimize the reach and impact of his literary works. His success is attributed not only to his writing skills but also to his keen business acumen.
Emphasizing Reader Involvement
Sanderson's engagement with his readers, through beta testing and community interactions, creates a collaborative atmosphere that enriches his storytelling. By utilizing feedback from various sources, he refines his narratives and ensures they resonate with his audience. Sanderson's willingness to share works in progress cultivates enthusiasm among fans, fostering deeper connections and creating a sense of anticipation for future releases. This strategy acknowledges the reader's role in the creative process and leverages that input for enhanced storytelling.
Brandon Sanderson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Stormlight Archive series and the Mistborn saga; the middle-grade series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians; and the young-adult novels The Rithmatist, the Reckoners trilogy, and the Skyward series. He has sold more than 40 million books in 35 languages, and he is a four-time nominee for the Hugo Awards, winning in 2013 for his novella The Emperor’s Soul.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Meet Brandon Sanderson
07:10 Soundcheck Fun and Memory Skills
11:21 Brandon's Writing Journey and Creative Process
25:35 Teaching Creative Writing and Publishing Insights
38:08 Brandon's Early Reading Experience
44:18 Discovering the Magic of Storytelling
45:32 A Journey from C Student to A Student
47:02 The Influence of a Great Teacher
48:51 Understanding Narrative and Plot
56:42 The Art of Character Development
01:09:42 Balancing Writing and Personal Life
01:24:04 Meeting Editors and Early Struggles
01:24:30 First Book Sale and Financial Realities
01:25:28 The Danger of the Second Book
01:25:49 Hitting the Bestseller List
01:26:34 Amazon and the Changing Market
01:29:03 Entrepreneurial Shift and Direct Sales
01:36:45 Building a Team and Crowdfunding
01:42:50 Kickstarter Success and Lessons Learned
01:52:22 COVID and Creative Freedom
02:02:53 Brandon Sanderson's Colbert Report Cameo
02:03:48 Kickstarter Success and Subscription Boxes
02:09:01 Test Readers and Feedback Process
02:14:16 Warbreaker and Creative Commons Experiment
02:22:50 Navigating Publishing Deals and Platforms
02:33:26 The Wheel of Time Opportunity
02:42:36 The Call to Finish The Wheel of Time
02:43:10 Negotiating the Deal
02:43:56 The Struggles of Mistborn
02:45:02 The Cosmere and Building an Audience
02:48:25 The Death Spiral in Publishing
02:52:29 Magic Systems and Their Importance
03:00:39 Sanderson's Three Laws of Magic
03:14:35 The Zero Law and Final Thoughts
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