Brandon Sanderson vs. George R.R. Martin: The Ultimate Gardener vs. Architect Showdown
Ever wonder how your favourite epic fantasy worlds are built? Do these hugely successful authors meticulously map out every twist, or just sees where the story takes them? It’s often summed up in two simple terms: the architect and the gardener.
I’m a thriller author. As an ex police-detective, I’ve always been drawn to writing crime and psychological thrillers. I’ve published 23 Amazon, NYT and USA Today and Washington Post bestsellers during that time and sold over two million copies of my books. I follow my own six step system, but I never stop learning. I believe that the key to keeping your writing fresh and interesting is to learn what works well, see what suits and make it your own. But some authors write so differently, which method will work for you? When it comes to the modern fantasy genre, authors Brandon Sanderson and George R.R. Martin are the ones to compare.
Architect vs. Gardener
One is a master planner with magic systems so detailed they could fill a manual. The other grows his stories like a wild fantasy garden, with plot lines and characters growing in unexpected ways.
Brandon Sanderson’s net worth is estimated at around $6 million dollars, while it’s said that George R.R. Martin’s net worth is approximately a whopping $120 million dollars. Sanderson’s income is primarily from his prolific book sales and a record breaking kickstarter campaign, while the majority of George R.R.Martin’s wealth comes from his Song of Ice and Fire book series, and of course the crazily successful TV adaptation of his work, Game of Thrones.
What is a ‘Gardener’ vs. an ‘Architect’?
Good question. These terms were made popular by George R.R. Martin, and they capture two very different ways of building a story.
The Architect (a.k.a. the “plotter”):
Architects create a detailed blueprint before writing a single word. They know their ending, their major plot beats, and the journey each character will take. Like a builder with plans spread out on the table, they work methodically to bring that vision to life.
The Gardener (a.k.a. the “pantser”):
Gardeners plant a seed — maybe a character, a setting, or a conflict — and discover the story as it grows. They’re guided by curiosity, letting the plot evolve organically. Characters might surprise them, subplots might sprout from nowhere, and the story often twists in unexpected ways.
I’m a hybrid writer. I have spent thousands of pounds on writing courses over the last ten years and now I use the same six-step system for every one of my books. It works. My books don’t need big structural changes by the time they reach my editor’s inbox, and I always know where to land those twists so they pack a punch. Many writers fall somewhere between plotting and pantsing, but our two fantasy heavyweights sit firmly at opposite ends of the spectrum.
I was fortunate enough to meet George R.R. Martin at the International Thriller Writer’s awards in New York when I was shortlisted for a book award. I didn’t win the award but meeting such a huge writing legend more than made up for it! (Especially when the photo was taken by another writing legend, Lee Child.)
The Architect: Brandon Sanderson’s Writing Process
Brandon Sanderson is the poster child for the “architect” approach. His sprawling epics — The Stormlight Archive, the Mistborn series — are built on intricate planning.
Brandon Sanderson is a night owl. It surprised me to hear that most writing days, he rises around noon or 1 PM. Then he writes in two dedicated blocks of three to four hours each — sometimes even longer when the words are flowing. He sets a firm daily word‑count goal (often around 2,000 words, or roughly 10 pages) and sticks to it religiously. He’s so disciplined that even his family time and leisure are slotted in — followed by another writing session late into the night, often until 3–4am. He once joked that “vacation” to him means one thing: more time to write. Sanderson is famous for his output. He writes around 2–3 full length books a year and publishes between 1–2 books a year on average.
What sets the Brandon Sanderson writing process apart?
Detailed Outlines: His outlines can run to hundreds of pages, mapping character arcs, plot twists, and emotional beats in advance.
The Three-Draft Method:
1.Draft One (Discovery): Following his outline, he gets the whole story down — messy, but complete.
2.Draft Two (Refining): He reshapes the story, adds missing pieces, and smooths rough edges.
3.Draft Three (Polishing): He works with trusted readers and editors to perfect every scene.
Rules of Magic: Sanderson’s “laws of magic” are legendary. He builds systems with clear, logical rules that never cheat the reader.
“I think there are two types of writers, the architects and the gardeners… The gardener digs a hole, drops in a seed and waters it… But as the plant comes up and they water it, they don’t know how many branches it’s going to have… And I’m much more a gardener than an architect.”
George R.R. Martin
The Gardener: George R.R. Martin’s Writing Process
George R.R. Martin is the quintessential gardener. He starts with key plot ideas but prefers to write his way into the heart of the story, following his characters wherever they lead.
He’s said to start working in the afternoon or evening. He often begins his writing day by revising the previous day’s work — rereading bits to find his writing tone again and only moving ahead if the mood strikes. He writes on a vintage DOS computer using WordStar 4.0, a setup he says keeps distractions completely out of the picture. In true “gardener” fashion, he lets scenes and characters surprise him, sculpting the story as he goes. When working on The Winds of Winter, he locks himself away — often in a mountain cabin, his assistant bringing him coffee while he writes almost non-stop. When he’s on a roll, he can keep going until dawn. He’s said to prefer the quiet hours when the phone isn’t ringing and there are no interruptions. Martin takes between 3–5 years to publish one novel, although he’s prolific in other ways: editing anthologies, writing short stories and working on screenplays.
Key traits of the George R.R. Martin writing process:
•Characters Lead: Martin lets his characters drive the plot. If they make a surprising choice, he follows it — even if it blows up his plans.
•Slower, Richer Storytelling: His worlds are deep and layered because he takes the time to explore every corner. That’s why Westeros feels alive — and why waits between books can be long.
•Embracing the Unknown: As a self-confessed pantser, Martin believes discovery keeps the story fresh for both writer and reader. If he knows exactly what will happen, he says the joy of telling it disappears.
“I am a writer who works from an outline. What I generally do when I build an outline is I find focal, important scenes, and I build them in my head… but I build toward them.”
Brandon Sanderson
Which Method is Right for You? Take The Test
You might be an Architect if…
•You can’t imagine starting without a chapter-by-chapter plan.
•Colour-coded spreadsheets, index cards, or plotting software make you happy.
•You work out your plot twists, character details and subplots before you write a chapter.
•You panic if you don’t know how the story ends.
You might be a Gardener if…
•You see outlines as creative straightjackets.
•Your best plot twists arrive uninvited, often mid-scene.
•Characters sometimes “refuse” to follow your plan — and you love that.
•You’d rather discover the ending as you go than lock it in early.
You might be a Hybrid if…
•You like to know the big milestones, but you leave room to roam between them.
•You’ll happily ditch your outline if a better idea comes along.
•You need some structure to keep moving, but too much kills your excitement.
•You enjoy the best of both worlds: planning enough to stay on track, and discovering enough to keep the journey exciting.
Your score:
Count how many statements rang true in each list. More Architect? You’re a planner. More Gardener? You’re a discovery writer. About equal? Congratulations — you’re a hybrid, and you get to cherry-pick the best of both worlds.
The Takeaway
The Brandon Sanderson writing process shows how structure can create epic, satisfying payoffs. The George R.R. Martin writing process proves that discovery can lead to worlds full of surprise.
The real winner? The one that gets you to “The End.”
So — are you a meticulous architect, a free-spirited gardener? Or somewhere between? Drop your answer in the comments. We’d love to know.
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Learn from a NYT Bestselling Author
Whether you’re an architect who loves to plan every twist, a gardener who thrives on discovery, or a hybrid who mixes the two — you can write a novel that’s worth finishing.
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