What Brandon Sanderson has said about Plotters and pantsers

2 quotes · 1 episode · Aug 5, 2026

Brandon Sanderson, American fantasy author of the Mistborn and Stormlight Archive series, has been quoted on Plotters and pantsers 2 times in 1 episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, most recently on August 5, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.

In their words

Sanderson tells students that some advice from major authors, including Stephen King, will be wrong for them.
“So you're going to have to ignore some of the advice of major authors. Some of the things that Stephen King tells you will be wrong”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 35:32
Sanderson describes Stephen King as a "gardener" who is motivated by discovering the story as he writes.
“Stephen King is a gardener. For Stephen King, exploring and discovering his story is the thing that makes him excited”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 39:07

Episodes

#878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More
The Tim Ferriss Show · Aug 5, 2026 · 59 min
Tim Ferriss compiles writing advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Anne Lamott, Joyce Carol Oates, Jerry Seinfeld, Mary Karr, Brandon Sanderson and Seth Godin on starting, persisting and finishing.

Brandon Sanderson on other topics

Writing habits and daily word counts · 2 quotes