This week’s lecture is a bit different. Brandon opens the floor to questions from his students, focusing on one of the trickiest aspects of writing: plot. We’ve been focusing on plot theory and story structure in the class so far, so now students can chat with Brandon about their questions.
Because of this format, we’ll be sharing some highlights from the class and then send you over to the full lecture video to get all the details. And, check out the end of this article for more information on how you can participate in the class (yes, even if you’re just following along online)!
The Highlight Reel
Some of our top takeaways from this class were:
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Promises are everything.
Whether you’re promising a thrilling plot, a character transformation, or a memorable “stand up and cheer” moment, fulfilling reader expectations is everything. Brandon references everything from Star Wars to Captain America to explain how promises, big and small, guide the emotional journey of your story. -
Don’t fear being “too unoriginal.”
Writers stress over originality, it’s in their nature. But Brandon suggests that your unique voice will naturally emerge as you keep writing. For example, The Way of Kings evolved because Brandon felt the original protagonist’s arc was too predictable, so he flipped the arc on its head and rewrote the book until it felt fresh. -
Foreshadowing is your secret weapon.
If you’re a discovery writer, don’t worry about nailing foreshadowing in your first draft. Fix it in revisions! The goal is to add clues naturally without making the twists too obvious or too obscure. Brandon shares techniques to find the sweet spot, so readers can gasp at the perfect moment. -
Exposition is the spinach in the smoothie.
One of Brandon’s most memorable metaphors compares good exposition to spinach hidden in a smoothie. The best worldbuilding doesn’t overwhelm the reader with giant info dumps. Instead, slip it into dialogue or weave it through action so readers absorb it without noticing.
For more, check out the full video where Brandon tackles even more questions from the class, including how to structure overlapping arcs and avoid pacing slumps.
How to Participate in the Class
We have some exciting news! This year Brandon is opening up his Q&A sessions to fans who are following along online. The Publicity and Marketing team will take questions from the comments on this week’s lecture video (lecture #4) and Brandon will film a web exclusive Q&A for those who want to participate in the class.
Keep in mind that we’ll be looking for comments coming from those who seem to have watched all of the lecture episodes. So, ask questions that Brandon hasn’t already covered!
As always, thank you for your engagement and enthusiasm. Until next week!
