Plot Q&A: Brandon Sanderson's Writing Lecture #4 (2025)

This week Brandon takes questions on the last two classes on plot theory. Now you can participate as well! Make sure to check out the last two lectures and this Q&A, then comment below (on this video) and Brandon will film an exclusive session featuring your questions.

Review the lecture notes here: https://bit.ly/3WRnVot

Audio version available wherever podcasts can be found! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447316

Want to send me something to open?
Dragonsteel Entertainment
ATTN: Adam
P.O Box 698
American Fork, UT 84003

Stay up to date by following my newsletter: https://brandonsanderson.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7d056bb7596a3e617f82004b2&id=fa68f14db0

Interested in signed books and swag? Check here: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/

You can also follow me on:
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mistbornbrandon

Frequently asked questions: https://faq.brandonsanderson

Chapters
(0:00) - Opening Class / Starting Q&A
(1:19) - What Are the Most Important Promises To Make?
(6:52) - What if My Plot is Unoriginal?
(18:14) - Unfulfilled in Big Series
(21:20) - Approaching New Plotting Methods
(23:59) - Creating the Stand Up and Cheer Moment
(27:54) - Common Mistakes with Exposition
(35:16) - How to Help With The Learning Curve
(39:53) - How to Build An Outline
(46:05) - Does Brandon Make His Own Maps?
(47:31) - Civ 7 Talk
(48:24) - Foreshadowing/Consistency As A Discovery Writer
(51:47) - Adding A Twist Simply For Shock Value
(56:53) - Struggling With Proper Foreshadowing
(1:01:09) - How to Avoid Decline to the Next Book?
(1:03:50) - Having a Longer Resolution
(1:05:12) - Making Promises in the Ordinary World
(1:08:15) - The Character Who Failed
(1:11:10) - Writing Memory Loss Stories
(1:13:04) - Deciding Which Plot To Write
(1:13:30) - What To Ask Your Beta Readers