Promise, Progress, Payoff - Plot Theory: Brandon Sanderson's Writing Lecture #2 (2025)

Comments · 979

• KI

  @kianbrown3022 · 1 year ago (edited)

  Watching Brandon talk about writing is perfect for procrastinating from actual writing!

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• 2L

  @2legit2quit98 · 1 year ago

  “I’m kinda throwing myself footballs, and then trying to catch them 15 years later.” Absolutely iconic. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=909">15:09</a>

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• NI

  @NightDocs · 1 year ago

  Dude has no obligation to share all this expertise and insight but just gives and gives and I’m positive the next great storyteller is watching this video

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• RA

  @ragewolf16 · 1 year ago

  Whoever quoted the first line of Pride and Predjudice from memory on the spot, you&apos;re the coolest person in this room.

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• ZE

  @zephbaxterauthor · 1 year ago

  🔥&quot;Promise, Progress, Payoff – Plot Theory&quot;🔥<br><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU">00:00</a> – Intro and class overview.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=151">02:31</a> – Big plot vs. little plot.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=262">04:22</a> – Purpose of plot.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=574">09:34</a> – Discovery vs. outlining.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=1161">19:21</a> – Promises in stories.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=1702">28:22</a> – Tone promises.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=2171">36:11</a> – Switching tones effectively.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=2667">44:27</a> – Progress and pacing.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=2900">48:20</a> – Types of progress.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=3123">52:03</a> – Balancing A and B plots.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=3566">59:26</a> – Adding mid-story promises.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=4214">01:10:14</a> – Payoffs and twists.<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=4327">01:12:07</a> – Promise fulfillment in LOTR.

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• SA

  @SabaFilms · 1 year ago

  “We need to move to progress and then I will answer your questions in payoffs.” Nailed it haha

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• TU

  @tubby1833 · 1 year ago

  Remember everyone take your quiz by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd76ijy9LU&amp;t=525">8:45</a>.

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• HI

  @highcommander2007 · 1 year ago (edited)

  I doubt a busy man like you has time to read the comments, but I just wanted to say thank you, Brandon, for sharing these lessons. After long days at work in a job many here might laugh at, I come home, write a few paragraphs in my high fantasy stories, and wind down with lectures like these (and some of your older ones). Your insights not only inspire me but also guide my self-revisions. Without access to videos like these, I might have given up on my stories as I’ve done before. It feels especially fitting that today’s topic touched on lasting impressions—because your teachings have left one on my life.

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• IN

  @IndigoIndustrial · 1 year ago

  Brandon&apos;s class<br>50% fans.<br>30% fans and repeating from previous years.<br>20% here to learn writing.<br>A lecturer who has a mastery of his topic is great to watch.

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• CA

  @caiandrew4924 · 1 year ago

  This will feed generations.

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• CA

  @Cayriss · 1 year ago

  I must confess I have never read a Brandon Sanderson book, I came here struggling hoping for tips and I gotta say I really appreciate this man. I have to read one of his books now. Thank you for these videos

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• ER

  @erikjulkin · 1 year ago

  In my country, we dont have any creative writing program at any uni. This is a precious treasure to me. Thank you!

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