Sanderson’s First Law of Magics: An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to how well the reader understands said magic. Sanderson’s Second Law can be written very simply. It goes like this: Limitations > …

Brandon Sanderson's journey into developing his Laws of Magic began with a pivotal moment at a science fiction convention. During his first panel on magic systems, he confidently stated that magic "obviously" needs rules—only to be met with passionate disagreement from fellow authors who believed that rules would destroy the sense of wonder ...

Sanderson created Sanderson's Laws of Magic and popularized the idea of "hard magic" and "soft magic" systems. In 2008, Sanderson started a podcast with author Dan Wells and cartoonist Howard Tayler called Writing Excuses, involving topics …

Your magic systems are all very detailed and internally consistent. Do you come up with the world and then write a story within it, or build the world to fit the story? The answer is, “Yes.”

Sanderson’s First Law of Magics: An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to how well the reader understands said magic.

Brandon has, in his online lectures, described his ultimate rule as that of making magic "awesome" (in the colloquial sense), and further implied that said "awesomeness" takes precedence over exact obedience to the other three laws.

What’s Your Secret To Inventing New Magic Systems? Do You Ever Have An Idea For A Book/Magic System That You Loved But Just Doesn’t Work? How Do You Decide That A Magic System You’re Working On Is Done?

Sanderson’s Second Law A few years back, I wrote an essay on creating magic systems that I titled Sanderson’s First Law. It had to do with the nature of foreshadowing as it relates to solving problems with magic.

Feb 5, 2025 · Brandon Sanderson’s First Law of Magic: An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic. Brandon Sanderson’s Second Law of Magic : Limitations > Powers.

Apr 6, 2022 · Brandon Sanderson is a prolific author of modern fantasy, renowned especially for his ability to design deep and interesting magic systems. Over the course of his career, he has developed a series of “Laws” that govern his philosophy on magic design and worldbuilding.