“They’re huge, like half the length of yours” this shows how big Brandon’s books are 😂😂😅

I'll be honest, for years I was really bitter about Brian and Kevin's shift away from Herbert's focus on humanity and philosophy in Dune, and making it more of a generic space opera. I don't outright hate their expanded novels, there's some I like more than others, but I think it eventually just devolved into milking the franchise with countless "filler" books. After hearing this interview though, I think can appreciate Kevin on a more personal level now. It's facinating hearing about how he cultivates and values his creativity, especially since the Dune fanbase just kind of writes him off as a hack. Still have a lot of issues with the expanded Dune universe, but he doesn't seem like a greedy guy or anything. Thanks for sharing this, Brandon! And I hope other people like me will see this and come around, even just a little.

Kevin J Anderson is one of my favorites as a kid. StarWars introduced me to his work and while I am not exactly the most loyal follower, Jedi Academy in particular - especially Luke's journey as a master and how The Empire would decentralize -to this day make the most sense to me. That's my headcanon..

while unrealistic, these shorts are so engaging I wish they were as long as your podcast with dan wells

Brandon, now you absolutely must talk more in depth about your version of the Star Wars prequels with Dan on Intentionally Blank. And then maybe the sequels if you find some time in your busy schedule.

I lucked out with finding Kevin J Anderson’s young Jedi series. I grew up with Jacen and Jaina and really felt Caedus’ fall. He turned me from a movie fan to a lifelong EU fan. Thank you Kevin.

Such a huge fan of Kevin's "Jedi Academy Trilogy" and "Young Jedi Knights" series!! Love hearing you guys talk about writing.

Wow, looking through Kevin's bibliography is insane. He's published over 140 novels.

I have an album that I wrote and recorded specifically because I didn’t think I had what it took to turn the story into a book. Ten years later, I’m now turning that concept into a book. This conversation has been invaluable for me. Thank you.

I could listen to the two of you talk for any amount of time. This is one of the shortest half-hour videos I've seen in a while.

Here after I backed his kickstarter per Brandon's recommendation and now I am even more excited :)

KJA: you listed almost all my favorite bands from that era - Rush, Kansas, Allan Parsons Project - what great stuff and so evocative. Prog rock for the win. Yes was another major inspiration for me - such an amazing era. Also: props on the mention of Ephesus - incredible place (Istanbul and all of Asia Minor for that matter) 👍🏼

Brandon is so right when he says writers love to write but they avoid it at the same time. I will always write, but it is hard to make yourself do it after a long day of work. It doesn't come easily to me!

I loved Anderson’s Star Wars books back in the day. This is so cool!

Wonderful video. I agree that being surrounded by nature helps with the writing process, when you can be outside. When I'm writing songs and stories and I'm stuck indoors, I usually have nature sounds playing in the background.

You're missing out, Brandon! There are brilliant hikes just minutes from you! I've used hikes for inspiration and thought cultivation quite a lot. Hiking all over the Wasatch I would use the time to sort through thoughts, plan for school assignments, or even brainstorm writing. And it's dang healthy! I grew up reading the Young Jedi Knights series, so this was brilliant to see Mr. Anderson and how he finds inspiration. Loved this!

This has become one of my go to podcasts. Always exciting, funny and relaxing, I love it!

Kevin J. Anderson is mentioning all these bands I listened to as a kid because my dad had their CDs and talks as if they are long forgotten gems. Haha. Alan Parsons has a CD that just came out in 2019. Haha. I actually got into rock music because of Alan Parsons Project doing Tales of Mystery and Imagination because the very first book I ever owned was a short story collection by Edgar Allan Poe titled Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Haha. I was only five years old, and my dad saw I loved the book so he introduced me to APP from that. And it's nice to hear that he gets ideas from his bands that he listens to because I have playlists for each mood I want to write about. Metallica is a HUGE inspiration in my life, and they are the reason I got into metal and classical music (The Call of Ktulu with the San Francisco Symphony) and it's so nice to see a "distinguished author" do it. Love the Jedi Academy. Thanks for the video.

Coheed and Cambria have taken story/albums to a new level with the integrated comic series. Highly recommended if anyone is not familiar.

Thanks for sharing your inspirations and a bit of your writing process!

They are huge books. You know, half the size of yours. Love it.

"If all you're doing is researching stuff and never experience anything, you have a bunch of recipes and no ingredients." Well said!

I just saw one of Kevin’s videos on KZfaq and backed his Kickstarter! Yay! Looking forward to reading his books!

I’ve thought about using a recorder to dictate my books as they come to me wherever I am or whatever I’m doing, because I can never get my thoughts into words as well when I’m writing; and/or I forget altogether. Knowing that that actually works for such a renowned author has convinced me to give it a try.

“You have to force us to stop writing” this hits different when you realize he was talking about the Kickstarter secret projects 😂😂😂

LOL - at 7:24 I instantly thought - ("Do you wanna join the Columbia Record Club?" I said "Whoa, hold on now, baby" "I'm just not ready for that kind of a commitment" So we broke up and I never saw her again. But that's just the way things go) - Weird Al Yankovic - Albuquerque

Last Days of Krypton was the first book of Kevin I remember reading. i thought it was really good.

Greatly enjoyed any of Mr. Anderson's work that I've read, especially his Star Wars work, being the hopeless Expanded Universe fan that I am. The books around the prequels even help to salvage that era, for me. Totally understand people's problems with the Snyder-verse...but I still have fun with it. And yeah, there's nothing quite like that wave of mingled satisfaction and loss after completing a series. I should be wrapping up a nine-book high fantasy next year, and I'm moving closer to the end with great antici-dread.

Been through some of this star wars books. Enjoyed them such easy reading prose

Now I am dying with curiosity to know what was in Brandon Sanderson's version of the Star Wars prequels.

Happy belated wedding anniversary Kevin 💕

Such a cool interview. Loved hearing your inspirations!

I loves Saga of the Seven Suns. They were incredible

I got to meet Keve J. Anderson at Wordstock at Portland, OR. Also I got to meet Carrie Fisher too!

If all videos on KZfaq were as good and inspiring as this one, i wouldn't mind that they remove the dislike counter ;)

I’m going to change my career and become a fantasy sci-fi writer so that I can travel and use it as a business expense! I was also a member of the Colombia record club! Rush rules.

Brandon, are you doing these interviews in your church's hallway? Because the only place I've seen that specific type of wall is at Church. No Judgement I just really need to know.

Wonderful, the best video and very creative writing process

You have to either be older or younger than Brandon to own records haha

I love the Kevin J Anderson star wars books. It's how I got to know him. The Jedi Academy is definitely what Disney should have picked the story up from. It's a great story

I love combining hiking with listening to audio books. I should try recording notes, although as an introvert, I'll feel weird talking to myself.

Hmm competitive stone stacking. Interesting easter egg

5:25 Motion as a stimulus seems to be hardwired into the male primate brain. There's a lot of interesting studies on this subject, from functional neuroimaging research on men, to biologists observing what kind of toys baby monkeys enjoy playing with most.

26:20 thats so fortunate. How the HELL people decide what they want to do for the REST of their lives, just like that?

Great interview

It's Janderson and Sanderson😂

Big fan of a lot of his Star Wars EU books.

The outlawing gasoline idea has been done. See the movie The Last Chase with Lee Majors from 1981. It was even featured in an MST3K episode.

Cool interview

Kevin J. Anderson should visit Poland. He would just love food, beer and so on. And then move there :D

The bit about them loving writing so much they sneak away to write reminded me of this hilarious video (and yeah Brandon has seen it lol): m.kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ncmKiaSBrKuRiXk.html

I saw Kevin J. Anderson in person, though I didn't actually meet him (he definitely had more hair back then). It was at the Grand Junction Comic Con a few years ago. 2018, I believe. Say what you will about the quality of his Star Wars books, at least they didn't kill off Luke's Jedi for no reason, or undo all the OT heroes' accomplishments. Plus, they were pretty entertaining for me when I read them back in eighth grade.

I want the Llama bookends

Dear Brandon, there are evolutionary theories that link the size of our brain with the complexity an quantity of ouf movements. In other words, we developed our brains to move. Mens sana in corpore sano, healthy mind in a healthy body. Moving activates your brain, beacuse that is what it was developed for to begin with. As a historical example: The peripathetics, pupils of Aristotle, were taught their lessons while walking, I assume that because they believed that movement would make their brains work better during the lecture.

When I think of Star Wars novels, I think of Timothy Zahn.

Is this being shot in a Church Hallway? It looks like it.

When is Dawnshard audiobook???

#CCXP O Brandon nunca esteve em um país tropical!!! Olha a chance de corrigir isto aí.

I might be the only one who likes Zack Snyder's Superman the best.

I have experienced that my writing quality has gone down whenever I have written on my phone. It probably has many other factors, but I'm guessing you wouldn't recommend it?

Adoooonalsiiiiium

Tax write-offs for art? I approve.

27:00

Starbucks has terrible coffee though.

You mean Starbucks made bad sugar coffee widely available. Starbucks is not good coffee they just have a good franchise model with a very average not great product but people like the sweet drinks.

Anderson calling Sanderson a kid... 😂😂😂😂

If ONLY the Star Wars sequels had followed the books...Jacen and Jaina were ROBBED!