"Every writer uses different tools to write books, and none of those tools are right for every..."

“Every writer uses different tools to write books, and none of those tools are right for every writer—or even for every project a given writer tries. Part of making that transition from apprentice writer to journeyman is learning how to apply the right tools in the right way.


Outlines, character dossiers, three-act format and other plotting formulas—these are all tools. Sometimes they’ll work, sometimes they won’t. Nobody can tell you if any specific one will help you on a given project. Only through practice and experience can you get a sense of what works for you as a writer.”

- Brandon Sanderson, on “the right way to write”.