Five Tips for Writing Your First Novel—Brandon Sanderson

Summary

Brandon discusses National Novel Writing Month, a challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in one month. He shares five writing hacks: borrowing structure from existing genres, starting with a character monologue, exploring a character's wants and needs, choosing a type of progress for the story, and priming the mind before writing. These tips aim to help writers overcome obstacles and produce a novel quickly.

Takeaways

• 📅 National Novel Writing Month challenges writers to complete a 50,000-word novel in one month.
• 🛠️ The challenge aims to help writers overcome writer's block and silence their internal editor.
• 🎉 Brandon's novel 'The Way of Kings' was born from this challenge, proving its effectiveness.
• 🚀 Writers can 'borrow' successful story structures to kickstart their writing with a solid foundation.
• 🎭 Starting with a monologue can help authors deeply explore their characters, even if not writing in first person.
• 🧐 Understanding a character's wants and needs, and the obstacles to achieving them, can drive the plot.
• 📈 Choosing a type of progress (like a journey or information gathering) helps maintain a compelling narrative.
• 📚 Signposting progress is crucial for reader engagement and maintaining a book's pace.
• 🚦 Misaligning the type of progress can confuse readers and affect the story's appeal.
• 🧠 Priming the mind with other activities before writing can enhance creativity and focus.

Q & A

What is National Novel Writing Month?

National Novel Writing Month is an annual challenge where writers aim to write a novel of approximately 50,000 words within the month of November.

What is the primary goal of participating in National Novel Writing Month?

The main goal is to encourage writers to overcome writer's block, ignore their internal editor, and focus on the act of writing.

How did Brandon use National Novel Writing Month to his advantage?

Brandon used the challenge to write 'The Way of Kings,' which later became part of a published series.

What is the first writing hack that Brandon suggests for starting a novel?

The first hack is 'borrowing your structure,' which involves using the structure of a favorite genre or story as a foundation for your own writing.

Why is it beneficial to borrow a structure from a familiar genre or story?

It provides a framework that can help guide the writing process, especially for those attempting to write a novel in a short time.

What is the second hack Brandon recommends for writers?

Starting with a monologue, even if the story isn't in the first person, to get into the character's mindset.

How can a monologue help in character development?

A monologue allows writers to explore a character's thoughts and backstory, which can later be used as epigraphs or to inform the narrative.

What is the third hack for developing a character's plot?

Asking what the character wants and needs, and why they can't have either, to construct a plot centered around the character.

Why is it important to differentiate between a character's wants and needs?

It helps create depth and conflict, ensuring the story is character-driven and not just an observer's account of events.

What is the fourth hack for structuring a story?

Choosing the type of progress that will drive the story, such as physical travel, information gathering, or emotional development.

How does signposting progress help in storytelling?

It keeps the reader engaged by showing clear movement toward a goal, which is crucial for pacing and maintaining interest.

What is the final piece of advice Brandon gives for writing a book in a month?

Priming the mind by doing something else before writing to get into the right mental state.

Why might a writer abandon the National Novel Writing Month challenge?

A writer might find that the challenge does not align with their personal writing style or that the quality of their writing suffers under the pressure.