Writing Advice from Neil Gaiman | Discover MasterClass | MasterClass
One of the central tools of literature is using the “lie” of a made-up story to tell a human truth. Neil shows you how to make your story’s world-no matter how outlandish-feel real to readers.
Learn more about Neil Gaiman’s MasterClass at: mstr.cl/2Y9HpYn
Named one of the Dictionary of Literary Biography’s top ten living post-modern writers, Neil Gaiman may be one of the most awarded and prolific writers alive. He has received the Newbery and Carnegie Medals, and his writing has been awarded four Hugos, two Nebulas, one World Fantasy Award, and nine Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, among many other honors.
Not constrained by genre or medium, Neil’s work includes poetry, short stories, journalism, novels, graphic novels, screenplays, and books for young readers. In Neil Gaiman’s MasterClass, the author of Coraline, American Gods, Stardust, and The Sandman series teaches his approach to the art and craft of storytelling.
In his MasterClass, Neil Gaiman will teach you his creative process for generating original ideas and building those ideas into stories, worlds, and characters that engage and fascinate. Using some of his most celebrated work as case studies, he’ll teach you how he crafts convincing characters and stories driven by essential truths. In Neil’s MasterClass, you’ll learn to find your unique voice as a storyteller, seek inspiration in unexpected places, and breathe life into your characters.
Through 4+ hours of video lessons and a customized workbook tailored to each chapter, Neil teaches you:
• Worldbuilding techniques that create a sense of credibility and authenticity
• Ideas for combating writer’s block and tackling fear
• How to identify and develop the narrative voice of a story
• How he uses humor, dialogue, and rich description to bring a story to life
• How to find a story’s core elements and use them as a guide
• How he fuses ideas together to build unexpected and original concepts
• How to make dialogue distinct and memorable
• How he makes the most of unique storytelling opportunities in comics
• How he collaborates with artists for graphic novels
• His approach to writing short fiction that feels like magic
More from MasterClass:
• Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers: www.masterclass.com/db
• Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing: www.masterclass.com/ma
• R. L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences: www.masterclass.com/rls
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#MasterClass #NeilGaiman #storytelling
You can enroll in Neil's class at: mstr.cl/2JS7Hp8
@@Ramdas_Devadiga Yes because the more people who hear deluded celebrities attribute nothing to luck the better. We want our children to believe that becoming financially independent in the arts is not a lottery but determined only by how hard you work and how talented you are.
MasterClass automatically renewed my subscription. I asked for a refund as I do not have the funds to have it this year. After a month they had not refunded me despite telling me they had. I kindly asked them to and they told me to contact my bank; that it wasn't their fault. I did and my bank said MC had not refunded me nor was in the process of doing so. Again, I kindly told MC and they said they could do nothing more. They even sent me a receipt to show they had refunded me. I called my bank again and again they said this was not true. I told MC and they said that there was nothing they could do. I had to open a dispute with my CC company and tell MC that I was in the process of opening a dispute and was going to tell people about this to protect their accounts when they finally looked into the matter. They said whoops, looks like there was a duplicate charge you were not refunded for. However, I have online banking. There was only one charge from MC not two. And there certainly were not two charges and one refund. This makes me believe that someone who works for the company is pocketing some money. They send you a receipt saying you have been refunded and if. you don't check your online banking, you believe them. I had to go to extraordinary lengths for them to look into the matter too. Either they don't believe you or whoever I was contacting was in on it too. Folks be careful. I am still waiting for the money. I am paying interest on this charge now too. Nice Christmas surprise.
@@jackgreen5627 Hmm. There is an extremely large element of luck, yes. But if you enjoy writing or anything else really, what's wrong with seeking people to look up to, emulate, and learn from? It doesn't have to be something that people pursue purely to make a living off of right?
@@ericmacfarlane3604 I agree with you completely. However, these masterclasses do not say what you are saying. They literally say e.g. James Patterson: 'If you want to make money, it's important to have a hook, an idea that makes people say tell me more.' I hope he begs for water in hell.
@@noone-gh4dw Yes, just follow his advice, and the advice of James Patterson, who reduces success to something as trivial as a catchy opening sentence, and the statistic that 99.999% of submissions are not even looked at will go away.
When your stories get rejected so you become a journalist to figure out why. Ultimate boss move.
lmao
Many great poetry, fiction, and drama writers were or are journalists. Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Salman Rushdie, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Rudyard Kipling, William Butler Yeats, Maya Angelou, Neil Gaiman, and many more.
such a silly way to think about it. it's an act of humility
@@saigade1236 Charles Dickens even used his stories to bring attention to societal issues and laws he disagreed with, like the Poor Law.
Wrote my life story please! It will be a great seller , I promise
When he talked about not wanting to show his writing because he didn't want people knowing his true self and to judge him, that hit me like a truck. Because that's me.
Same
I'm prepared to write on any subject but the thought of showing it to the world scares me
Same!!! The fear!!
I was so nervous sharing my poem with my roommate lol and she’s my best friend
Me too :(
"Art is a lie that reveals the truth" ~ Picasso. One of my most favorite quotes.
Fiction is a lie that tells the truth. 🙃 - Neil Gaiman (The view from the cheap seats)
Insightful words from a cruel monster.
@@saigade1236 you seem to find pleasure in your lack of focus
@@gc8972b lol
@@gc8972b you got me
One of my favorite quotes from a Neil Gaiman story: "Writers are liars, my dear."
That is it!
True.
True. Except they reveal the truth. P.S. there's a famous and beautiful quote by picasso along those lines.
"Truth the story, not the storyteller". - The Sandman, written by Neil Gaiman.
And yet we have to be deeply honest. Oh, the irony, the juxtaposition of it all...
Only ads I watch all the way through with eagerness: Masterclass ads
Me too
This and for some reason the fudge of uranus ad
Same. Even if it pops up right before a video I was dying to watch too
Y
@@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat Have you ever gotten a master class ad?
If only Master Class would stop popping up and tempting me all day. Guys, I'm broke. Leave me alone.
Find a friend, or more than one, and split a class. Knowledge is out there, worth seeking. No price can be too high
@@Reblwitoutacause I thought about the same think tooo
Felt.
XD
Same.
The lighting and coloring of this video is remarkable
Got that David fincher vibe going.
Liron Koren is there a cinematographer masterclass?
Thank that *gaffer*
I noticed the light too. Its fairly simple and cheap to create with a darkened room and artificial lights in the right spots.
Its so poetic
“You have to be willing to walk down the street naked.” That’s exactly my problem, and that advice is fantastic. It’s so difficult exposing your true self to the world...and my inability to do that has held me back in my writing.
He's a big wimp. A big nose rich boy who knows nothing about real story.
I'm not against being a moneyed brat per se but admit it. I'm sick of the families pretending to be genius.!
Facts
As an aspiring writer, I just want to say thank you. This was exactly what I needed to hear.
Good luck to you man
Give up now. The statistics are against you. Spend the time you would writing with your family or doing something worthwhile. In the unlikely event that you succeed, don't become an instructor and insult everyone as these people do.
@@jackgreen5627 wtf mate? :3 "Give up now" what kind of mindset is that? You are one of many persons who don't let others enjoy and achieve their dreams :3 and not all writers became an instructor wtf is wrong with you? :3 and for the aspiring writer keep it up never let other people like this dictate your dreams :) you can do it.
@@johncedricksantos4419 I am not being pessimistic. I am being realistic. The statistics are that regardless of how talented or hard working somebody is, they will not make money from the arts. That is not my negative opinion, it is a fact. As Bo Burnham said on Conan: 'Taylor Swift telling you to follow your dreams is like a powerball winner saying: liquidize your assets, buy powerball tickets! It works!'
@@jackgreen5627 what? You will not make money from art? Seriously? I am an artist myself I can say that that is not true tskkk and also being in an artfield or art industry is not always about money it is also about passion, passion on things that we are doing and most of the artist also have their second job coz most of the job that is connected with art is not so busy like other professional except if you are an actor/actress but still they continue their passion with art coz there is something more that can't buy with money....
Exactly why I haven’t started writing for real. I am not ready to open up and be honest about me yet. He is honest about being honest. A real man for real.
A writer writes.
Nautilus1972 I am not, I knew. 🤓
Honesty does not make a successful writer. LUCK makes a successful writer. Hard work, talent etc. are not irrelevant but they are secondary, and anyone who tells you different is trying to sell something.
Jack Green Why do you have to reveal the real truth! 😂 My “laziness” was hiding behind the curtain of “honesty” just fine! Now everyone knows that I am too lazy to put up the hard work. 😌
@@jackgreen5627 Yeah. But honesty makes a QUALITY writer.
I jsut came to say that i love this ads and it feels like I`m already having a class just by watching it, congrats to all people involved it seems like an amazing project
It is not an amazing project. It is designed for stupid gullible people to hear celebrities paid to talk about their delusions of what makes a successful author. It is not for great writers, because great writers know that luck is more important than anything when it comes to publication, and they are insulted by fortunate authors reducing success to something as trivial as a 'catchy opening sentence' in a world where most submissions are not even read by publishers due to competition.
Jack Green I don't think I've ever seen a more pretentious comment. Get off your high horse. You're essentially saying that you think you're better than some of the most gifted and acclaimed living authors in the world (Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Brett Easton Ellis, etc) and that there's nothing of value that you can learn from them because you're such a "great writer". You're literally just a pleb with no literary accomplishments who presumes to discredit and talk down to those who are astronomically higher above you. Delusional.
@@OhSmexyGirlfriend Also, I am not insulting most of their work. As a lover of literature, I appreciate the beauty of 'The Handmaid's Tale', 'The Graveyard Book' 'American Gods'. These instructors have written great novels, but they are dishonest about the nature of their success. And yes, I believe my writing and illustrations to be far, far superior.
Well I was gonna answer you Jack, but Isabel said the only point I was going to make. I belive there is always something to learn from people who are successful. I do belive is not all effort or talent, of course there is luck. But is rare to see only luck my advice is stop blaming the world
@@jackgreen5627 Jack you até right. I work with design and one oc the thing I hear a lot is "people DONT give a agir about my talent/effort" and they are right. The world now is a place for people who know how to sell themselves.
I literally almost cried. This is what most writers need to hear. It isn't just a job. We're literally giving people our life stories through fiction. It's practically gossip but with more events, more detail to make it fun, and no backstabbing (for some😂). Five minutes and this man has given the definition of a writer and what we do.
For me as an aspiring writer, the hardest question is: how do I find the strength and the mental clarity to write after I come home exhausted from an 8-hour work day? Like most people on this planet, I need my job to survive, to pay the rent. So, the main piece of advice that I would like to get from accomplished writers is how they managed to overcome this struggle (unless they were born well-off, of course, then I don't have any further questions)
Working in a Music store for example, & there still is energy after a full days works, but if it's demolition you're working than sleep is all you can do.
I've tried to write in the mornings, before work. Writing on my phone. It helps sometimes
I'm a full time professional comic book writer and artist. I like many people started part-time and had a day job. If you want it bad enough you find energy even when burnt-out. I will tell you a secret to working when you're too tired though... accountability. Think of why you're able to go to work and make it through the day even when you're really tired or sick. It's because you're held accountable. Find competitions or join a club where you have to have a chapter done each week or month and you analyze each others work. This will give you the energy you need to write evenings and weekends.
Honestly you just have to do it. Like exercising, you build up endurance so if you make it part of your routine, you will be able to do it. But start small. Write a paragraph, or even a couple sentences.
I agree with littleripper, but the other thing too is It MUST become a habit. I made that my New Years' resolution last year and I kept it for this year as well. Have I written every single day for almost two years? No! But each day try I write something - computer, handwritten, email - these are what's holding you accountable. And I bullet the date on my calendar so I can see them each day. It also boils down to how badly you want it. Do you? Don't say you're an 'aspiring writer' just say you're a friggin writer. Own it. Good luck!
Neil just solved my lifelong identity crisis. I always wondered where was the soul, that spark in my writing that can make my stories powerful enough to make people feel something, feel what I feel, without necessarily agreeing, but still, receive the message in its entirety because it was sent wholeheartedly. The truth was so simple and close, my discomfort about its simplicity and my unwillingness to follow up on it, threw me in a habitual loop of denying it. All it truly takes to make impactful art is to, above all, be HONEST. To yourself first and then the world will be more honest in receiving what you send out to it. "You have to be just a little bit more honest than you're comfortable with" and every artist ought to take this with no reserve.
That brief melancholic look at 0:58 after he says “they all came back”. Wow, you can tell that the sting of rejection never fully healed within him.
I thought the same thing
Gaiman mentions craft and honesty. I think that if aspiring writers begin by seriously learning to craft the story that will be the first step towards honesty. When you finally know what you are doing, then you can harness anxiety and any other energy that comes from trying to write honestly, with that intimate perspective that allows to convey themes, character arcs, plot, POV, world, atmosphere and all of that ultimately as vehicle of a narrative of the human condition.
Honesty? These masterclasses are irresponsibly filling naive young minds with the delusion that they can become financially independent if they follow this ignorant advice. James Patterson literally says: 'If you want to make money, it's really important that you have an idea that makes people say: "Tell me more". No intelligent person would ever buy their books again. They are insulting the majority of unsuccessful writers and spitting upon the memory of people like John Kennedy Toole (committed suicide when his now widely acclaimed book was not published in his lifetime). Beg for water in hell, instructors.
@@jackgreen5627 No intelligent person would buy books after being intrigued enough to want more? What?
@@ginge641 I am not buying the books of instructors who are insulting, egotistical, delusional and deceitful. They insult the 99% of unsuccessful authors by implying that they did not work hard enough, were not talented enough, did not have a catchy opening sentence etc., and egoistical/delusional for implying that they were bright enough to know that is the way to be successful. They are knowingly or unknowingly deceiving people.
@@jackgreen5627 They're doing none of those things, just giving advice on how to write better shit.
@@jackgreen5627 the successful writers are providing instruction. That in itself is not counterproductive but I think I get your point. It should be common sense to realize that not all writers are going to be commercially successful, instruction or not instruction. But also people write for different reasons. Why write then? Well, just because one has to. It is not that every writer would not want their book published. The logic of this is sometimes not evident because, amongst other things, this zeitgeist carries a doctrine of wealth and fame as the only measure of that success. Gaiman is giving students a scaffold of sorts: craft, honesty, the importance of curiosity, etc. What masterclass sells is knowledge... It is hard not to see promise in that, but it is healthy to temper dreams with a bit of realism...and keep writing as a madman poised in the boundary of reason and chaos... We got to try and being wise... Right?
A writing idea I’ve had since 6th grade, which changed and grew over time, but never was seen by anyone else other than me. Until I was 16 and posted my first chapters on a social website who had the same interests as me. I was a nervous wreck that first week. And cried already having these doubts in my head, believing I was nothing more than a fraud. The comments I received were actually very positive. They were intrigued and they liked it. I finally uploaded the chapters onto my blog I created during English Class and even got credit for it (my words were more than a 1000). I’m still changing some things but I feel like I’m getting close to showing it to more people
This is actually really motivating. I've had an idea rattling around in my head for a while but I'm not sure how to get it from my head to my notebook/laptop screen. Good luck! :D
@@alkimia1791 same thing is happening to me.
And dank. Keep up the good work.
@@josiahboom3185 One year later and I'm currently on page 130 of my first fantasy novel 😁
@@alkimia1791 that's great news to hear. It's gonna be great once it's finished.
I've seen several of the MasterClass series. This one, the one by Neil, was for me the best of any I have seen thus far. He is an excellent teacher as well as being an excellent writer. Three of my favorite books are by him: The Graveyard Book, Good Omens, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Honesty does not make a successful writer. LUCK makes a successful writer. Hard work, talent etc. are not irrelevant but they are secondary, and anyone who tells you different is trying to sell something.
@@jackgreen5627 Gaiman talked about luck being a key component at length, so... But a good writer always will have to be honest.
@@jackgreen5627 youre saying the same thing in every comment, we get it. Luck is a factor and hard work sure is... And both of them can make you "Successful" for some people, but without honesty... You're just not a great writer
@@jackgreen5627 Did you get lucky? Cause if you didn't your philosophy is a matter of odds, so logic would say keep throwing the manuscript & like dice you may strike gold.
@@jessica5497 Nice "success" retort, with worldly riches as the prize for "winners" , imagine the amount of writers all trying to make it, no doubt many would be at the bottom of the million pages of text never to even be read?
The fear of opening yourself up to others and being honest is very real! I've been there, and even after putting my book out there, that fear remains, but I also feel satisfied in spite of it.
If Neil Gaiman was my English teacher that would actually make school worth going to.
I like how, at 5:13, he said, "And some things, when you get really specific, apply to so many of us." For years, I've considered that our individual experience of that universal truth is exactly that: our truth. When we describe our truth, others may or may not understand us, but they can, if they're so attuned, see the universal truth that's embedded in our individual truth. Heck, they may even have their own experience of that universal truth, and that's how your story becomes theirs: they recognize something in your story--the keyword being recognize.
Big Facts💗
Great takeaway, DK!
This goes to back to what Neil brilliantly said in the official trailer: "Humans convey truth through stories. That is the magic of fiction."
@@masterclass These masterclasses are full of deluded celebrities who attribute nothing or very little to luck. There are countless talented, hard working artists in the world who will never be successful because they never got a break, and they don't need to hear about how to write a second draft! Step one: Have an insane amount of luck. Step two: Never forget step number one.
You write it everywhere as if it's important. Yeah, they had opportunity (idk how to spell) - that is out of your control, you either have it or don't, that is luck. From there they did everything they could to become who they are, in terms of priorities, strategy and work. And here they are, partialy thanks to luck, but writing is not actually a lottery
I connect with almost everything he said. I realised that about myself...why I struggled to be motivated in writing. I was always thinking about what would be a popular story or what would be considered cool instead of listening to my truth. Even style of writing.... it should begin with finding your voice first.
I'm a writer of poetry and short stories and this spoke to my soul. It reminded me to be honest with myself and my writing and to keep writing even though the stuff that I write is rejected from being published left and right. Thank you Neil for this reminder!
We need a Haruki Murakami masterclass: How to Describe an Ear
@masterclass THIS WOULD BE INCREDIBLE
honestlyyyy lol
YESSSSSSS
Yesss Kafka on the shore, such intriguing story.
And get Morgan Freeman to read that description.
Dude sounds like he’s writing a book rn, what a bloody legend
He’s right. His blistering honesty makes his books visceral.
Hi Alex, thank you for your interest! We currently don't have Spanish subtitles for Neil Gaiman's class, but all of our classes are subtitled in English! We appreciate your interest and this has been forwarded to our internal team for future consideration. We hope to include more languages in our subtitle options in the near future! We will announce this via email to everyone on our mailing list if/when those plans are implemented. The best way to stay in the loop for the update is to create a member account at www.masterclass.com (if you haven’t already done so). We hope this helps, and we always love to hear from our future and current members so if you have any more suggestions or questions, please feel free to reach out by sending us DMs. Stay safe!
Do you need someone to transcribe for future courses?
14, starting my first proper novel, thanks for the video really helped and wish me luck! Edit: I look at that novel now and laugh; over the two years (now entering college) with a new, finished horror script (completely in Shakespearean dialect!), I'm still working on my craft - I think I will always be working on it! But thank you for all your support that I've only seen today and I hope you all the best of luck!
Good luck! I was about that age when I started work on my series, and I think that you should definitely continuously revisit it and see how things change also as you get older. I'll be honest, writing at a young age means most of it will change by the time you become an adult, but that just means what remains will be a very very solid base to work off of.
Good luck to you. I was about 13 when I started writing, 15 when I started work on my current project. It won't be easy, but you can do it.
This video helped me a lot too! I'm 19 now but I've been working on my project since I was 13/14 yrs old. There have been so many changes to my characters and plots, makes me feel proud seeing them grow over the years in my tales
Good luck I’ve been planning my book for ten years I’ve just started writing the book. 1.5K in 84.5K to go!
I could listen to Neil Gaiman talk about writing all day long.
This is a beautifully profound and engaging monologue, and as a casual observer I find that the jump-cut to from the face-on camera angle to the oblique angle removes the sense of a 1-on-1 personal conversation. Such a powerful speaker with such insights is not boring to watch for extended periods of time so I believe the cuts end up being distracting from the narrative.
When he talked about honesty in writing, it made me think of a time when I wrote a story years ago when I was going through some major health challenges. I wrote about this character who was going through the same things, and really tried to make my writing feel more complex and flow naturally. I posted this tiny chapter online and people showed interest, which had never happened before. It was odd to see that my bad health was entertaining to these readers, but it made me realize that reality can inspire you to make the best art, because it IS real. You can feel it. Make a few changes and boom, original story.
D&D need to get this ASAP
Overwatch too (wheezing annoyingly)
Matthew Mercer Masterclass
I was having an emotional crises last year, hopeless, in fear that all the dedication and effort I was putting in my book would go to waste, that there would be nothing that I could do that hasn't be done, that no one would care. It was very late, I was in my bed watching youtube. I had to sleep and I wasn't with insomnia, but I just didn't want to sleep, I was feeling like garbage. I clicked in one more video and there it was: this video, as an ad. I was petrified, it was exactly what I needed to hear, it felt so magical, it felt like he was talking directly to me. I cried and, after that, finally went to sleep with peace in my heart, because I knew that I could do something that mattered, that all of my effort would be worth it in the end. Next mourning I couldn't find this video, I think it wasn't yet uploaded in the channel, or something. For a while I even though I might have imagined it, because it was surreal, I couldn't confirm it even existed. Finally finding this made me cry, and I'm eternally grateful for those words, those precious words that I so desperately needed to hear in that dreadful night.
he was so raw and sincere.
'was'? Is he dead?!
I like how this little story doesnt just apply to fiction writing but also to music and art and other creative media; be as honest as walking down a street naked
Perhaps the most useful writing instruction I've seen in thirty years... thank you.
Felt your words could easily apply to any creativity pursuits. Thank you for being so open.
This would make a fantastic podcast!
This is interesting because a time ago I was thinking about how facinating was that I was not only connecting with the story or the characters but I felt that I was seeing a part of the writer himself. It was a peace of his heart and this is facinating.
I always have this voice in my head , or what you supposed to called it inner voice, or head voice or whatever. But after i listened to neil gaiman audio books and master class and tips , tricks and videos. Now i had unlocked neil gaiman as the narrator in my head.
ever since i was in sixth grade neil has always been one of my most favorite authors
Continue to be helpful to us who want to write but have a hard time starting. Thank you for being real.
You words gently nursed my Heart back to full health. With Gratitude
It's still worth pointing out (as Neil alludes to at the beginning) there are plenty of very successful writers who pretty much write vicariously and show very little of themselves. It's whatever works for you and your target readers.
This short video has the best advice I’ve heard for an aspiring writer. I’ve always felt afraid of putting anything into the real world as I wouldn’t want to be judged by others, especially those closest to me when they don’t necessarily have the same view point on things.
@Masterclass: You guys have some absolutely legendary directors and writers now, as well as legendary figures in other areas of craft. Your format is fantastic and provides valuable insight into artistry. As a composer, however, I'm saddened that you only have Hans Zimmer, who in no conceivable way represents the traditional craft of composing or even film scoring. Nothing against him, but he is distinctly modern and in a very particular genre. Is anything in the works for John Williams while he is still alive? That guy is probably one of the last remaining genius composers around in popular media. Or Arvo Part? Someone of that nature.
What if they had phillip glass, breh?
Ennio Morricone next
@@te9591 Philip Glass's music is not particularly difficult to decode or learn and he doesn't represent traditional film scoring.
@@ianbyrne465 Ennio Morricone died a few years ago.
@@RohannvanRensburg it's really good though regardless of difficulty.
Neil Gaiman’s masterclass and Amy Tan’s are the best on writing I’ve found. The other masterclasses are a little too surface level for me. Both Gaiman and Tan use examples from their own writing and others quite often. So they give you wisdom, advice, and examples in a three-pack punch that’s just wonderful. I’ve re listened to both of their Masterclasses and have found new perspectives I didn’t see before. They make the subscription worth it to me.
I appreciate your honesty!! You are spot on ! Thank You
I has discovered him today..... And I'm feeling as i have jumped into literature Thanks sir❤ for this great feeling and enthusiastic moment.
Thank you on yet another needed and beautiful piece of advice : ) Thank you so much, really
This is such a powerful piece of advice, it's so easy to emulate the writers you admire for fear of being entirely yourself or unique, and being found wanting. It's easy to stand on the shoulders of giants, to evade the scrutiny of your one true voice; but better to be true and denied, than accepted and false.
I'm 20 years old at the moment, I've been freewriting/creative writing for half my life now; Finally decided to pursue it and it's videos like this that make me realize I did NOT 'waste' a decade starting and throwing away dozens of rough drafts/ideas. When he talked about how authors read compared to readers... it made me cry. If you're like I was---alone in your work, never sharing, constantly revising/trying to improve---you're doing great; Writing is a discipline; A craft need honed; Wood needing carved. Dissatisfaction is the devil's deal with authors; The best we can do is rest assured that at least our readers will be satisfied.
thank you so much, that was so helpful!
I love Neil Gaiman's books. Also, he seem to be a very nice person and he has a very pleasing/charismatic voice
This is a phenomenal class... and I highly recommend it as I found it very inspiring.
Precisely what I need. Thank you!
Love Neil Hainan, besides starting to read his works through some "alternative sites", soon enough I was already buying the actual thing. Great writer, great human being!
I have this app and have watched loads but he is my fav! If I ever do finish anything it will be on the back of your words x
I needed this. Thank you.❤
Thank you for this precious insight, Sir!
Thank you Mr Gaiman for displaying this wisdom of knowing you don't know something and acknowledging that need for discovery and to learn. Ignorance and arrogance is polluting our societies today. Thank you Sir Gaiman.🙌
Neil Gaiman is my favorite writer in fiction alive currently. I'm glad I'm alive at the same time as him, so I can appreciate his work while he's still here. I hope to shake his hand and let him know how much his work has moved me one day.
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Thank you!
If it comes from the heart, if it has a heart, it reminds people they have a heart too.
Love it so much! Thanks, quite the advice I needed to hear right now 😱
With writing of novels I feel like I somehow can hide behind characters, people not knowing exactly which one is actually me.and find it challenging to construct characters which don't have any resemblance with me. It's the message I want to convey that would touch hearts and make people ask themselves old or new questions. It's amazing. I wish I started earlier..
I've got the most essential tool to write a story or a concept from this honest man.sir! You're eyes are very honest and I love this video 💖
I’ve been reading his work since last summer…he’s so good
He is such an amazing person and writer.
I wish I could watch the whole thing! I hope they will get Marlon James to do one of these.
Every molecule of my being and iota of soul substance in my soul wants to write a book/graphic novel. It's been 17 years, and there is no book. Sadly, I fear too much of my soul has been lost.
Nah, that's an excuse. Souls are kept till death. Just start working on one.
It's NEVER too late! Sit down and begin to get your thoughts written out. Look at it as an exercise for your mind, body & soul. Don't worry about editing yourself, just write! Also, give serious consideration to taking this course because Gaiman's advice and teaching the fundamentals of writing is sooooo much worth more then the asking price for these videos!
I know you might not see this, but please try. You’ve got nothing to lose. Make something that inspires others, even if you don’t find it inspiring.
Embark on a quest to retrieve the lost pieces! Make the story about a character who retrieves his missing pieces scattered among earth!
As deeper as You have the courage to go, the deeper You will get to know Yourself and the essence of Yourself! It will help You to heal and put back together all the broken pieces and become more whole again! Healing is violent, chaotic, it is messy, but also beautiful! Much Love 🙏💖
Now that's a nice bit of writing advice. Thanks for that.
Feel this in my bones. Thank you Neil, I needed that :)
Thank you, im feeling grateful after seeing this
Sir, you just lifted a huge boulder from my mental path
Great interview - I'm such a fan of these books and it's fun to hear the author talk about writing.
This video truly inspire to get the pen again and write again
I could literally listen to this man all day and never get bored. ❤❤❤
This is amazing. I needed to hear this
Never knew I needed to hear this.
Writing is a great exercise in vulnerability and emotional intimacy. And often, the beauty of art is the human behind it and the very human emotions and thoughts that went into the crafting of it. It’s all just a way to explore and reflect, both for the writer and the reader. It’s a fascinating craft
Being honest means finding the real human condition that a majority of people can relate to. We always think our experiences are only ours alone but in reality, we are all experiencing something very similar, and the more we find those similarities the better we will be as a society. And it makes you a better writer, it’s a win-win. Highly recommend this full MasterClass and all the rest of the author’s classes as well.
Neil Gaiman sounds like a really magical name✨
Wow I really am so happy I found this video. I feel like I'm exactly in that place...I've always wanted to write a book my entire life, but the one thing stopping me was how afraid I am to be honest about some of my lived experiences...even if it was written as fiction, I was afraid.
He was so and sincere!
...and, nothing, just I love you, Neil. Definitely I love you, and your worlds
I've watched this masterclass and it was very good. In-fact all the writing classes on Masterclass are good. I especially enjoyed R.L.Stines class on children's fiction.
C'est magnifique superbe! Étre écrivain c'est être totalement libre d'être qui on est💙
Love your work sir really
This is GOLD. :)
Going to be honest this made me shed a tear. Made me think deeply of the question, who am I? Why am I? And should I? Not sure if I should be contemplating life, but anyways thanks for making me think truthfully for once.
I love this, yes honesty is key for me 😃 As a writer I feel like my characters are real, and so are the places as well as the plot 🌌
I came upon this video on my English exam, and I'm so glad it was there because as an aspiring writer, I really needed this right now.
He is a master and a role model. I write in my current project to work out writing kinks! I follow these suggestions naturally! Just write what you like to read!
This is such a pep talk
LUCK makes a successful writer. Hard work, talent etc. are not irrelevant but they are secondary, and anyone who tells you different is trying to sell something.
Love this man.
Just great life advice in general - taping into a more real, vulnerable, expressive state as a means of better communication and relationship building. As tricky, difficult and challenging it can be by being honest (regularly or even all the time), it's far more likely and probable that for many of us (if not most), dishonesty is more taxing, corrupting and corrosive, particularly over the long term.
When I was a kid, the first thing I wanted to be was a journalist. I told this to my teacher and she just looked at me and told me you can't do that. I asked why and she said, I was too quiet and that I wasn't cut out for it. I accepted that. Years later I found myself in my English class preparing for my exams. My teacher at that time said I write descriptively and beautifully but I need to go deeper. I asked her what she meant by that, I didn't get a direct answer, but what I got from her was that I was taking things at face value. People have praised me for writing "deeply" so I was just left feeling lost and confused as to how to move forward. I couldn't figure it out so I gave up. I haven't wrote much since I finished school, but watching this now I feel a bit rueful. Time to become a journalist I guess. Thank you Neil. I'm going to find some way to take this masterclass.
I think this kinda sums up what it means, in my perception, "to do a good job". We are not able to escape being honest/vulnerable if we want to be that way.