<aside> 💡 These notes on Brandon Sanderson’s Writing Masterclass were formatted from lengthy posts on a Discord server by a kind fella named Juicetin.

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Worldbuilding

• What is worldbuilding? **Sanderson defines worldbuilding as the process of creating a setting that feels real and immersive for the reader. This involves developing everything from the geography and climate of the world to its history, culture, and social structures.The importance of detail: Sanderson emphasizes that the key to successful worldbuilding is in the details. He argues that writers need to think through every aspect of their world and make sure that it feels coherent and consistent.The role of research: Sanderson emphasizes the importance of research in worldbuilding, and suggests that writers should draw on real-world history and culture to inform their creations. He argues that this can help to ground the world in reality and make it feel more authentic to the reader.
• Exposition of Worldbuilding: The role of conflict: Sanderson argues that conflict is at the heart of good storytelling, and that worldbuilding should be designed to support and enhance the conflicts that drive the story. He suggests that writers should think about the different factions and groups within their world, and consider how these different groups might come into conflict with each other.
• **The importance of "texture": ****Sanderson argues that good worldbuilding should feel "textured" and multi-layered, with different elements of the world supporting and enhancing each other. He suggests that writers should think about the different layers of their world, from the physical environment to the cultural and social structures, and consider how these different layers interact with each other.
• The use of "infodumps": **Sanderson discusses the use of "infodumps" in worldbuilding, which are moments in the story where the writer provides the reader with a large amount of information about the world. He argues that infodumps can be useful for conveying important information to the reader, but that they should be used sparingly and should feel organic to the story.

Magic systems and Sanderson's three laws

• The "magic system": **For writers of fantasy, one of the key elements of worldbuilding is the "magic system." Sanderson defines a magic system as the set of rules and limitations that govern how magic works in the world. He emphasizes that a good magic system should feel logical and consistent, and that it should have clear rules and limitations that the reader can understand.

  • Law 1. An author's ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic

    This first law emphasizes the importance of clear rules and limitations for a magic system. If the reader understands how magic works and what its limitations are, then the author can use it to solve conflicts in the story in a way that feels satisfying and believable.

  • Law 2. Limitations > Powers

    This second law is closely related to the first one. Sanderson argues that the limitations of a magic system are actually more important than the powers themselves. By having clear and well-defined limitations on what magic can and can't do, writers can create tension and conflict within the story.

  • Law 3. Expand what you already have before you add something new

    The third law emphasizes the importance of consistency in worldbuilding. Sanderson suggests that writers should focus on expanding and deepening the elements of their world that they've already established, rather than constantly introducing new elements. This can help to make the world feel more coherent and believable.

Pyramid of Abstraction

Refers to the idea that there are different levels of abstraction in language, and that writers can use these levels to create different effects on the reader. Here's a brief summary of how this works:

• Abstract language: At the top of the pyramid is abstract language, which refers to words and concepts that are general and imprecise. For example, words like "love," "freedom," and "justice" are abstract because they can mean different things to different people.
• Concrete language: The next level down is concrete language, which refers to words and concepts that are specific and precise. For example, words like "red," "apple," and "car" are concrete because they refer to specific things that can be easily visualized.
• Sensory language: **The next level down is sensory language, which refers to words and concepts that engage the senses. This includes things like sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. By using sensory language, writers can create vivid and immersive descriptions that bring the reader into the world of the story.
• **Symbolic language: ****At the bottom of the pyramid is symbolic language, which refers to words and concepts that carry deeper meanings and associations. This includes things like metaphors, similes, and allusions. By using symbolic language, writers can create deeper layers of meaning that resonate with the reader on a subconscious level.

Sanderson notes that writers can use the Pyramid of Abstraction to create clear and concrete writing by starting with the concrete details and building up through the other levels. He suggests that writers should focus on using specific and sensory language to create vivid and immersive descriptions, and then use symbolic language sparingly to create deeper layers of meaning. By using language in this way, writers can create writing that is both clear and engaging to the reader.