Key insights

• Importance of Revision

  • 🔁 Revision is important for refining a book and making it great
  • 📝 The revision process involves multiple drafts and targeted revisions
  • 📖 Feedback from alpha and beta readers is crucial for identifying and addressing plot and character issues
  • 🖊️ The final revision focuses on polishing the manuscript for readability and preparation for copy editing and proofreading

• Insights and Enjoyments

  • 🌌 Brandon's positive review of The Mandalorian, particularly praising the beginning and end episodes
  • 🎥 Appreciation for the collaborative and fun atmosphere among the directors of The Mandalorian
  • 📘 The flexibility and application of Sanderson's First Law in adding new magic smoothly
  • 🔄 Challenges and perspectives on the revision process in writing, likened to sculpting

• Challenges in Writing and Editing

  • 📰 The magazine market for short stories dried up, making it tough to break in as a writer
  • 🖊️ Becoming an editor as a backup for writing is challenging due to fewer editing jobs
  • 🚀 Breaking into sci-fi/fantasy editing is particularly difficult and requires dedication and networking
  • ❌ Weaknesses and limits in books should be supported by internal or external logic to avoid feeling contrived
  • 🔗 Magic systems in novels can be tied together by using consistent themes and getting readers to buy in

• Book Finishing and Evaluation

  • 📝 Focus on finishing the book and then consider revision
  • 🏰 World building can be adjusted based on the book's selling point and reader feedback
  • ✅ Magic systems should be evaluated based on the author's goals and the audience's response
  • 📈 Writing advice may vary based on changes in the industry over time

• Challenges in Genre Placement and World-Building

  • 📕 Struggle of placing work in specific genres due to cover marketing and blurbs
  • 🔍 Internal logic should override conflicting external logic
  • 🌍 Real-world mythology requires careful handling to manage reader expectations
  • 🕰️ Writers can delay extensive world-building until after finishing their book, especially if they are discovery writers

• Age Group Categories in Writing

  • 👶 Division between children's, middle grade, and YA books based on age and content
  • 🚫 New adult has not become a thing
  • 📖 Challenges of writing adult books with child protagonists and marketing categories

• Creating Believable Magic Systems

  • 🔮 Using logic and genre conventions can help create a magic system that feels believable
  • 🤔 Explanations can be used to build mystery and surprise readers
  • 👁️ Internal logic and maintaining mystery are key in fantasy writing
  • 🧒 Writing for different age groups does not necessarily require changing the rules of magic systems

• Topics for the Class

  • 📚 Next topics for the class: character, writing business, and Q&A
  • ✨ The importance of internal and external consistency in magic systems for storytelling

Q&A

• Why is revision essential in writing?

  Revision is a vital part of refining a book. It involves multiple drafts and targeted revisions based on feedback from alpha and beta readers to improve the book's plot, characters, and readability.

• What are Brandon's thoughts on The Mandalorian and Sanderson's First Law?

  Brandon enjoyed The Mandalorian, especially the beginning and end episodes, appreciating the teamwork and fun atmosphere among the directors. He also finds Sanderson's First Law helpful in adding new magic smoothly but acknowledges its flexibility.

• What challenges do writers face in the industry?

  The magazine market for short stories dried up, making it tough to break in as a writer. Becoming an editor as a backup for writing is challenging due to fewer editing jobs. Breaking into sci-fi/fantasy editing is particularly difficult and requires dedication and networking. Weaknesses and limits in books should be supported by internal or external logic to avoid feeling contrived. Magic systems in novels can be tied together by using consistent themes and getting readers to buy in.

• When should authors focus on revision and world building?

  Authors should focus on finishing the book and then consider revision. World building can be adjusted based on the book's selling point and reader feedback. Magic systems should be evaluated based on the author's goals and the audience's response.

• Why do authors struggle to place their work in specific genres?

  Authors struggle to place their work in specific genres due to the need for cover marketing and blurbs. Internal logic is crucial and should override conflicting external logic. Real-world mythology requires careful handling to manage reader expectations. Writers can delay extensive world-building until after finishing their book, particularly if they are discovery writers.

• What is the division between children's, middle grade, and young adult (YA) books based on?

  The division is based on age and content. Middle grade books have simpler world building and less complexity compared to YA. Writing for different age groups does not necessarily require changing the rules of magic systems.

• How can magic systems feel real in stories?

  Using logic and genre conventions can help create a magic system that feels believable. Explanations can be used to build mystery and surprise readers. Internal logic and maintaining mystery are key in fantasy writing.

• What are Brandon's writing flaws?

  Brandon's writing flaws include his eagerness to work on new projects and his neglect of the revision process.

• What are the upcoming topics for the class?

  The next topics for the class will cover character development, writing business, and a Q&A session.

• 00:00 Brandon discusses the upcoming topics for the class, shares personal writing flaws, and talks about creating magic systems that feel real in stories.
• 10:05 Using logic and genre conventions can help create a magic system that feels believable. Explanations can be used to build mystery and surprise readers. Internal logic and maintaining mystery are key in fantasy writing.
• 18:39 The division between children's, middle grade, and young adult (YA) books is based on age and content. New adult has not become a thing. YA is not edited for content, while middle grade is. Middle grade books have simpler world building and less complexity compared to YA. Writing adult books with child protagonists is challenging and may not fit marketing categories.
• 27:57 Authors struggle to place their work in specific genres due to the need for cover marketing and blurbs. Internal logic is crucial and should override conflicting external logic. Real-world mythology requires careful handling to manage reader expectations. Writers can delay extensive world-building until after finishing their book, particularly if they are discovery writers.
• 37:21 Authors should focus on finishing the book and then consider revision. World building can be adjusted based on the book's selling point and reader feedback. Magic systems should be evaluated based on the author's goals and the audience's response. Writing advice may vary based on changes in the industry over time.
• 47:12 The magazine market for short stories dried up, making it tough to break in as a writer. Becoming an editor as a backup for writing is challenging due to fewer editing jobs. Breaking into sci-fi/fantasy editing is particularly difficult and requires dedication and networking. Weaknesses and limits in books should be supported by internal or external logic to avoid feeling contrived. Magic systems in novels can be tied together by using consistent themes and getting readers to buy in.
• 56:55 Brandon enjoyed The Mandalorian, especially the beginning and end episodes. He appreciates the teamwork and fun atmosphere among the directors. Sanderson's First Law helps in adding new magic smoothly but can be flexible. Revision is a challenging process in writing, akin to sculpting.
• 01:06:05 Revision is a vital part of refining a book. It involves multiple drafts and targeted revisions based on feedback from alpha and beta readers to improve the book's plot, characters, and readability.