Sanderson

Question 1

What are the three elements of a good plot?

Answer 1

Promise, Progress, and Payoff.

Question 2

What is the movie definition of plot?

Answer 2

The tension between what a character needs and what a character wants, which drives the story.

Question 3

Why is conflict important in a story?

Answer 3

Stories are about things going wrong, but the true focus is on the conflict of the people experiencing the problems.

Question 4

Why is progression important in a story?

Answer 4

Progression gives a sense of motion, with the story moving forward and changing.

Question 5

Why do isolated vignettes often fail to create a strong plot?

Answer 5

Because they don’t connect, and the story lacks a sense of progress or journey.

Question 6

What makes the journey in a story more important than the destination?

Answer 6

The progress toward answering the story’s main question builds momentum and makes the ending satisfying.

Question 7

Why are satisfying twists difficult to write?

Answer 7

They must fulfill expectations in unexpected ways while staying true to the story’s promises.

Question 8

What are prologues often used for?

Answer 8

To set up promises and create anticipation for the story.

Question 9

Why does Sanderson often throw away his first chapters?

Answer 9

To rewrite them and make the right promises after discovering what the story is truly about.

Question 10

How does the ‘hook’ affect the opening of a story?

Answer 10

It should fit the type of story being told, drawing readers into the right tone and promises.

Question 11

Why can the best-written book fail if it breaks its promises?

Answer 11

Readers will feel unsatisfied if their expectations aren’t met.

Question 12

What’s the ‘Christmas present’ analogy in storytelling?

Answer 12

1. Give readers what they want but make them earn it.
2. Exceed their expectations.
3. Give them what they truly need, even if they didn’t ask for it.

Question 13

Why do some readers dislike the ‘needs over wants’ twist?

Answer 13

They wanted the promised ending and feel unsatisfied if the story delivers something different.

Question 14

Can you promise a tragedy in a story?

Answer 14

Yes, as long as the story delivers on that promise.

Question 15

How do tone promises work in storytelling?

Answer 15

They set reader expectations for the type of story, like ‘grimdark’ or ‘lighthearted.’

Question 16

What is a story trend in the fantasy genre?

Answer 16

High fantasy (e.g., Tolkien) gave rise to grimdark (e.g., Game of Thrones) and later to modern fantasy iterations.

Question 17

What is the danger of only creating and not consuming other stories?

Answer 17

You risk being unaware of what’s happening in the industry and missing inspiration from other works.

Question 18

What are the three common types of progress in a story?

Answer 18

Information progress, Relationship progress, and Tension progress.

Question 19

What is an example of information progress in a story?

Answer 19

Mysteries revealing clues to answer the question ‘Who did it?’

Question 20

What is an example of tension progress in storytelling?

Answer 20

Cat-and-mouse stories, where the tension comes from seeing who gains the upper hand.

Question 21

What is suspense, and how does it differ from mystery?

Answer 21

Suspense is when the audience knows the answer and the tension comes from waiting for it to play out, while mystery focuses on uncovering the answer.

Question 22

What is a ‘Columbo-style’ story archetype?

Answer 22

A mystery where the audience knows who did it, and the story focuses on how the detective catches them.

Question 23

What can help a story have its own ‘soul’?

Answer 23

Staying focused on the main character and not overcomplicating the plot.

Question 24

How do you balance consumption and creation as a writer?

Answer 24

Schedule time to create but also consume stories to stay inspired and aware of trends.

Question 25

Why do genres and trends surprise the publishing industry?

Answer 25

Writers naturally iterate on what they’ve read or react against trends, creating unexpected waves.

Question 26

How can twists be placed in a story?

Answer 26

After emotional climaxes to recontextualize events, or during the ‘all is lost’ moment to make things worse.

Question 27

What are some ways to write a satisfying ending?

Answer 27

Fulfill the story’s promises in a way that feels earned and meaningful.

Question 28

Why do sequels often fail?

Answer 28

They struggle to meet the deep hunger factor created by the first installment.

Question 29

What is an example of relationship progress in a story?

Answer 29

Developing bonds or resolving conflicts between characters over time.

Question 30

What does ‘progress along the way’ mean in storytelling?

Answer 30

Keeping the reader engaged with meaningful developments toward the payoff.

Question 31

How do different genres define progress?

Answer 31

Each genre focuses on different elements, like clues in mysteries or emotional tension in romances.

Question 32

Why does Sanderson dislike most TV shows?

Answer 32

They often consist of isolated vignettes that don’t connect or progress meaningfully.

Question 33

What makes ‘The Last Jedi’ a polarizing film for Sanderson?

Answer 33

It deconstructed promises made by earlier Star Wars films, leaving some fans unsatisfied.

Question 34

How do you build momentum in a story?

Answer 34

By creating anticipation and answering smaller questions along the way to the big payoff.

Question 35

Why do prologues often tie into the ending of a story?

Answer 35

They create a sense of cohesion and fulfillment by looping back to earlier promises.

Question 36

What is a ‘wants vs. needs’ twist?

Answer 36

Delivering what a character truly needs, even if it’s not what they initially wanted.

Question 37

What is a genre deconstruction?

Answer 37

Breaking down and challenging the tropes or expectations of a specific genre.

Question 38

What is one way to craft a cool promise in a story?

Answer 38

Introduce a unique concept or hook, like ‘What if the sun was too hot to live in?’

Question 39

How can you improve a weak hook?

Answer 39

Rewrite it after finishing the story to better reflect its tone and promises.

Question 40

Why does progress matter more than the question itself?

Answer 40

It’s the journey toward the answer that creates satisfaction, not just the answer.

Question 41

How do you decide how quickly to set up a story?

Answer 41

It depends on the genre—e.g., mysteries often need fast setups.

Question 42

How can genre tone help readers decide if a story is for them?

Answer 42

By signaling upfront what kind of experience they’ll get (e.g., lighthearted vs. dark).

Question 43

What is a common cause of unsatisfying endings?

Answer 43

Breaking promises made earlier in the story.

Question 44

Why does Hunger Games resonate with readers?

Answer 44

It paired dystopian elements with relatable characters in a YA setting.

Question 45

What is an example of a twist placed after the climax?

Answer 45

A reveal that recontextualizes the emotional peak of the story.

Question 46

What is the difference between a fast and slow setup?

Answer 46

Fast setups (e.g., mysteries) dive into action quickly, while slow setups build atmosphere.

Question 47

Why do trends in fantasy often surprise the industry?

Answer 47

They emerge organically from writers either building on or reacting to existing works in unexpected ways.

Question 48

How can a story balance satisfying old fans while attracting new ones?

Answer 48

By delivering on the original promises while introducing fresh elements to keep the story engaging.

Question 49

What is a common pitfall in writing sequels?

Answer 49

Failing to create a new, compelling promise that matches the hunger factor of the original story.

Question 50

How do you ensure a twist is satisfying?

Answer 50

Make sure the twist feels earned, aligns with the story’s internal logic, and respects reader expectations.