How Do You Keep Your Drive to Get Published in the Wake of Failure? — Brandon Sanderson

Interested in signed books and swag?

You can also follow me on:

[dukeofdenver]

Brandon has no idea how many future authors will grow up on his lectures. God bless you for making these available for free

[hertaru]

I'm not a writer, but still love the content.

[farahd]

Your message, Brandon, reminds me of the message in Pixar's film "Soul." Especially the scene at the barbershop when the main character believed his barber was so talented, he was born to become a barber--and discovers that his barber didn't aspire to become a barber. In fact, his barber had wished to become a vet. Life can throw you curveballs and your aspirations may change. It doesn't mean that you should not write. Only that you might do a great many other things, on your writing journey. In fact, it can only make your writing richer in the end to have gone through all those different jobs and life pursuits.

[TheRealAlpha]

"It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." -Jean-Luc Picard

[wintersking]

Lol, "I've never been in a bar" I get how that feels talking to people is hard.

[Kopa_Malphas]

We also want to realize that there are also options to self publish as well. You may not be successful, however it IS possible to be published. If you don't get a novel published, you may be able to get a novella or short story published. :) As cliche as it sounds...you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. If you don't try, then you won't make it.

Brandon has it right, even if it's a small niche group that likes your stuff, that's still a success. I have a small group of friends that genuinely enjoy my writing, and even though it's not a published work, it's still satisfying. It's the same reason we all sit down to play D&D, sometimes the act of story telling is the enjoyable part, not the publishing portion.

[dantheman]

I really needed this video. I have always been terrified of being forgotten so part of me wanting to be a writer when I grow up is because I want a legacy and to not be forgotten. I have always felt like the forgotten friend and person in every group and/or gathering. Writing is the only thing I can see myself doing at the moment. I have no other skills in computers, science, math, sports, law, engineering, cooking, or anything. Writing is the only thing I'm okay at and I have no other hobbies that I feel like I could turn into a business or career. I stress myself out all the time over not writing every day even though I'm just a 16-year-old high school student who needs to be focused on school and doesn't have a full career as a writer yet. I've just gotten myself stuck in this loop of perpetually stressing myself out over writing and becoming emotionally exhausted over it. So thanks, Brandon. I needed this video today.

[PureMagma]

I had to take over my aging parents business and I have cared for them (my father passed away in 2018) but between running their business and giving them extra care, I have an Aunt who asked me "Do you ever find time to get away? Take a vacation? " and I told her: "I do. I write on a sci-fi novel Ive been working on since 1994 whenever I need to escape. (Which is similar to 'me playing Barbie dolls' without the physical dolls & accessories) I call it "grown-up safe Barbie escapism." 😁 Every time I book a real vacation I end up canceling it, so I am content with my writing escape!"

But in all honesty, my friends who have read chapters of my unpublished 'thing' have begged me to at least make it available for people to read online. But I can't send something that I care for to (what seems a bit like) a meat-grinder of criticism right now, because I have real responsibilities that don't need me feeling defenseless. Right now I just enjoy the escape to my private undisclosed island.

[McConkeyOnnaDonkey]

By far my favorite Author and storyteller.

[dik]

Loving the process rather than pining for a result is also a good mindset to have to not burn out on gym going/healthy eating and stuff like that.

The easiest first step is to start thinking of yourself as a person who engages in the process: "I'm a writer", "I'm a regular gym-goer" etc.

[damnitohwell]

I apply his words with all forms of art <3

[meteorite]

What's your biggest fear?
Regular students: snakes? spiders?
Creative writing students: *starvation.*

[taylorrowe]

Very good advice for life and not just writing

[theoriganalxldub]

I want to write in order to get the ideas in my head out in circulation. I hate the process, but I've written and published 11 chapters with between 1000-1400 words each on an light novel app... Hopefully I can learn to love writing itself by the time I finish the story. I already feel good each time I post, so my goal is to find joy in every step

[CatchaBreathIsMyNicknameGetOff]

The very best advise on being a writer i saw.... and i watched and listend to a whole ton of them. Thank you Mr. Sanderson. Hope you have a great time :D

[ColombianThunder]

This is one of those things that's hard for me because i literally have no interest in anything else but writing. I can't see myself going to law school or doing computer programming or any of that if i don't make it, and even if nothing ever happens, of course i'd write anyway, but again, the problem is i have interest in nothing else, and that's where I begin to have some sort of existential crisis.

[billyalarie]

i'm going to lose my MIND i need the full thing!!!!

[ddfstar]

I never liked to write, but one day I had a dream of a scene in my head. It inspired me so much that I began to learn and practice how to write and started developing a whole fantasy story around this dream. Wish me luck guys. My biggest inspirations for writing is george rr martin and Brandon Sanderson.

[GroundbreakGames]

I make video games but your content has been incredibly helpful for me. I just wanted to say thank you.

[BrandonNinja]

Definitely going the self-publishing route.