Do you know this? Lost in thought, you scroll through the daily flood of emails, news and advertising – and suddenly you get stuck on something that surprises you and won’t let go. That’s what happened to me when I came across a link to a new course by Brandon Sanderson. Maybe you know him: He has already published an impressive series of lectures on writing at Brigham Young University several times – free of charge and in English (Brandon Sanderson’s Writing Lecture #1).
I must admit that I have followed all the courses so far with great interest. Even though the focus is on fantasy and science fiction, Sanderson’s insights are often universal. Many of his tips always inspire me to question my own writing and discover new perspectives.
One statement from his introductory lecture particularly stuck with me: you should have written about five books to find your own style. This idea motivates me because it takes away the pressure of having to be perfect right from the start. It shows that the process of writing itself is a learning path on which you are constantly developing.
I have already published one book, and since it was published on Amazon KDP, I was able to learn a lot about the whole publishing process and gain valuable initial experience. Nevertheless, this statement liberates me because it makes it clear that it’s completely okay not to do everything perfectly right from the start. At the same time, it makes me think, because it shows that writing is an ongoing learning process – no matter how many books you’ve already published.
At the same time, this idea challenges me, because writing five books sounds like a daunting task. But it is also an opportunity to discover and refine my own style step by step. A thought that both motivates and challenges me – I still have a long way to go. In any case, I already have ideas for the next five books. 🙂
For me, these videos perfectly complement the Textmanufaktur course, which I continue to attend. The combination of theoretical input and practical feedback is invaluable for my learning process.
If you are looking for German-language inspiration alongside Sanderson’s English-language courses, I can recommend The Stories Within Us by Benedict Wells. An inspiring book that is not only exciting for writers, but for all story lovers.
How is it with you? Have you discovered any courses, books or lectures that have influenced your writing? I look forward to your recommendations and experiences in the comments! What has inspired you the most in your writing?