About this Video

• Video Title: Brandon Sanderson — Building a Fiction Empire, $40M+ Kickstarter Campaigns, and Unbreakable Habits
• Channel: Tim Ferriss
• Speakers: Tim Ferriss, Brandon Sanderson
• Duration: 03:10:32

Introduction

This Tim Ferriss podcast features author Brandon Sanderson. The conversation covers Sanderson's writing process, productivity strategies, publishing journey, the creation of his Cosmere universe, and the massive success of his Kickstarter campaigns. The interview aims to provide insights into Sanderson's creative habits, business acumen, and the evolution of his career in the fantasy genre.

Key Takeaways

• Soundcheck Ritual: Sanderson uses the song "50 Nifty United States" as his default soundcheck for podcasts.
• Unusual Memory: Sanderson possesses an exceptional memory for stories, but struggles with everyday details like remembering where he puts his keys.
• Productivity Optimization: Sanderson optimizes his productivity by outsourcing tasks and minimizing mental load, creating systems to handle routine matters.
• Korean Language Influence: Sanderson's two-year mission in South Korea significantly influenced his approach to worldbuilding, highlighting the impact of language and culture.
• Conlang Creation: Sanderson creates constructed languages (conlangs) for his fictional worlds, but emphasizes a balanced approach to avoid getting bogged down in excessive worldbuilding.
• David Farland's Influence: Sanderson credits David Farland's creative writing class as transformative, learning practical publishing insights and a toolbox approach to writing.
• Writing Styles: Sanderson distinguishes between "gardeners" (who discover their story as they write) and "architects" (who plan extensively), advocating for a hybrid approach.
• Daily Word Count: Sanderson aims for 2,000-2,500 words daily.
• Writing Habits: Consistent daily writing is crucial for Sanderson, emphasizing habit building over sporadic bursts of creativity.
• Dragonsteel Company: Sanderson and his wife created Dragonsteel to support his writing and reduce non-writing demands.
• Kickstarter Success: Sanderson's Kickstarter campaigns have raised millions, showcasing effective fan engagement and innovative product offerings.
• Escape Velocity of Attention: Sanderson notes the difficulty of cutting through the noise in today's media landscape, highlighting the importance of momentum-building campaigns like Kickstarter.
• COVID's Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly provided Sanderson with more creative freedom and family time.
• Sanderson's Three Laws of Magic: These rules guide Sanderson's creation of internally consistent magic systems, prioritizing clarity and satisfying reader engagement.
• Zeroth Law of Magic: Always air on the side of what's awesome, even if it means breaking established rules.
• Publishing Strategies: Sanderson discusses the evolving publishing landscape, highlighting the shift from bookstore dominance to Amazon's influence and the benefits of direct-to-consumer sales and profit sharing.

Here's a list of the media recommendations mentioned in the Tim Ferriss interview with Brandon Sanderson:

Books:

• Dragon'sbane by Barbara Hambly
• The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
• On Writing by Stephen King
• How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
• Writing to Sell by Scott Meredith
• Save the Cat! and Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies by Blake Snyder
• The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
• The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
• The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan
• A Game of Thrones series by George R. R. Martin
• The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
• The Princess Bride (novelisation) by William Goldman
• The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials #1) by Philip Pullman

Movies:

• Sneakers
• The Sting
• Ocean's Eleven
• The Italian Job (both versions)
• Inception
• The Princess Bride

Please note that some titles were mentioned in passing or as examples rather than direct recommendations. The list above focuses on those explicitly presented as works worth reading or viewing.

Here's a shortened list of books clearly recommended by Brandon Sanderson during the interview:

• Save the Cat! and Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies by Blake Snyder
• Writing to Sell by Scott Meredith
• The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
• The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
• The Princess Bride (novelisation) by William Goldman

While other books were mentioned (e.g., The Wheel of Time, A Game of Thrones), they were discussed primarily within the context of genre or personal influences, not as explicit recommendations for readers to improve their craft or understanding of narrative.