Tips for Writing Like Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a master of storytelling, known for his intricate world-building, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. While it's important to read his works for inspiration, there are specific techniques you can emulate to enhance your own writing. Here are some key tips for crafting stories in the mold of Sanderson.

World-Building

Complex Systems

One of the hallmarks of Brandon Sanderson's writing is his intricate and believable world-building. This involves creating detailed and unique magic systems, technologies, or societies, each with its own rules and limitations. By investing time in developing a complex and realistic world, you can transport your readers to a vivid and engaging setting. Consider the following steps:

Create a Detailed Magic System: Magic should have its own set of rules and limitations that characters must navigate. This adds depth and provides challenges for the protagonist and other characters. Immerse in a Rich Backstory: Develop a comprehensive history, culture, and social structures for your world. This helps the story feel authentic and richly textured.

Magic Systems

Hard vs. Soft Magic

Sanderson often employs a system known as "Hard Magic", where the rules governing magic are clearly defined and have significant consequences. This can be contrasted with "Soft Magic", where the rules are more flexible and undefined. Emphasizing hard magic can create a sense of rigor and realism in your story. Here’s how to implement this:

Define Clear Rules: Establish a set of rules for your magic system and stick to them. This ensures consistency and makes the world more believable. Consequences and Challenges: Characters should face real consequences for their use of magic, creating moral and narrative dilemmas. This adds depth to the story and challenges for the protagonist.

Character Development

Flawed Characters

Brandon Sanderson is known for his well-rounded and deeply flawed characters. By giving your characters strengths, weaknesses, and arcs, you can create relatable and compelling protagonists. Here are some tips for developing your characters:

Cultivate Internal and External Conflicts: Characters should face both personal and external challenges, leading to internal growth and change. Multiple Perspectives: Using multiple points of view can provide a broader understanding of the characters and deepen the narrative. This allows readers to see different angles and motivations, enhancing the story's complexity.

Plot Structure

Intricate Plots and Twists

Brandon Sanderson’s stories often feature complex plots with multiple intertwining threads. Creating a well-structured plot is crucial for maintaining reader engagement. Here’s how to structure your plot:

Careful Plot Planning: Outline your story meticulously, ensuring that every subplot contributes to the overall narrative. This helps to keep the story focused and coherent. Unexpected Twists: Incorporate unexpected plot twists, building them up with foreshadowing to create a satisfying reading experience for the audience.

Themes and Philosophical Questions

Sanderson often explores moral dilemmas, leadership, and sacrifice. By engaging with these themes, you can add depth to your story and stimulate meaningful discussions among readers. Consider the following:

Moral Dilemmas: Tackle big philosophical questions in your story. How do characters navigate moral challenges and what sacrifices are they willing to make?

Dialogue and Writing Style

Natural Dialogue and Exposition

Natural dialogue is a hallmark of Sanderson’s writing. Characters should have distinctive voices and personalities, reflected in their speech patterns. Here are some tips:

Realistic Dialogue: Write dialogue that sounds authentic and true to the characters. Avoid expository monologues and instead reveal information through action and interaction. Exposition Through Action: Use characters' actions and interactions to reveal necessary information, keeping the story paced and engaging.

Writing Process

Planning and Editing

Brandon Sanderson is known for his meticulous planning and editing process. Emphasizing this in your own writing can improve the quality and structure of your stories. Here are some strategies:

Outline Your Stories: Create detailed outlines before you start writing. This ensures that your plot is on track and focused. Revise and Edit: Be prepared to revise and refine your drafts. Editing is a crucial part of the writing process and can significantly enhance your work.

Study and Broaden Your Reading

Finally, immerse yourself in Sanderson's works and the works of other authors. By studying his techniques and methods, you can gain inspiration and insights to enhance your own writing. Here’s how to do this:

Read Sanderson’s Works: Start with his popular series Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive. These books are excellent examples of his storytelling prowess. Explore Other Authors: Read a diverse range of authors to see different styles and methods of world-building and character development. This can broaden your perspective and provide fresh ideas.

In conclusion, by focusing on these elements, you can develop a writing style that resonates with Brandon Sanderson's approach. While drawing inspiration from his work is valuable, it's also important to find your unique voice and perspective. Happy writing!