Writing Modern Epic Fantasy — A SanderFAQ
In this SanderFAQ video, Brandon Sanderson explains why his early novels omitted traditional Tolkien‑style elves and dwarves, tracing the decision to his formative years as a writer. He recounts writing a “Kill the Elves” essay in the late 1990s, his desire to move beyond the “Tolkien shadow,” and his goal to build human‑centric worlds populated by original races such as the Seons and Spren. He admits that inventing truly fresh creatures proved harder than expected, leading him to retain dragons as a familiar fantasy element. Sanderson cites his own evolution—from a self‑appointed “Grandpa Tolkien” critic who once claimed Tolkien “ruined fantasy,” to a reader who now enjoys Tolkien audiobooks. He also reflects on the backlash against his early stance and how the essay sparked controversy but ultimately clarified his creative priorities. The takeaway for writers and publishers is clear: fantasy thrives on both innovation and tradition. Sanderson now urges authors to write what they love, whether that means inventing new races or reimagining classic mythic beings, reinforcing a more inclusive and experimental genre landscape.
The Adaptations We Silently Beg For | Intentionally Blank #dragonflight #greenbone #bookadaptation
The video is a informal round‑table where the hosts discuss which books they would love to see adapted for screen, using personal favorites as a springboard. They highlight Anne McCaffrey’s "Dragonfly" as a missed opportunity—its special‑effects‑heavy narrative arrived after the author’s...
Launch Day Livestream | Hoid's Storybook Collection
The livestream marked the official launch of the Hoid’s Storybook Collection, a Kickstarter‑style campaign that aims to turn select Stormlight Archive tales into self‑contained picture books. Brandon and Isaac fielded fan questions, clarified the project’s scope, and emphasized that the...
How Does Hoid Know the Word December? | DSNX25 #firesofdecember #cosmere #writing
The video tackles the question of how Hoid, a recurring figure in Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, knows the word “December.” The speaker explains that the answer lies not in in‑world magic but in the author’s translation choices and narrative philosophy. He credits...
Radiant Orders for K-Pop Demon Hunters | DNSX25 #cosmere #stormlightarchive #kpopdemonhunters
The video centers on a fan‑driven exercise: assigning the Radiant orders from Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere to three fictional K‑pop demon hunters. The host walks through each character’s core traits, matching them to the magical orders that best reflect their personalities. Mera,...
Screenplays, Spectacles, and Songrise + Weekly Update
In this week’s “Screenplays, Spectacles, and Songrise + Weekly Update,” Brandon shares personal style change, creative milestones, and upcoming public events, blending a casual vlog tone with business‑like progress reports. He debuted new, larger brown glasses after an optometrist visit, inviting...
Vin in Fortnite? | DSNX25
The video centers on the disappearance of the Kelseier skin from Fortnite and the creator’s effort to restore it. He recounts how his friend Donald, a former Epic Games director, casually agreed to add the skin during a dinner conversation,...