“An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to how well the reader understands said magic.”
— Brandon Sanderson’s First Law of Magic
Brandon Sanderson is a master of crafting believable magic systems in his fantasy novels, but his First Law of Magic isn’t just for writers—it applies to magicians, storytellers, and even everyday life.
Whether I’m performing for families in Lansdale, amazing guests in Willow Grove, or captivating an audience in Montgomeryville, I’ve seen how clarity enhances impact. The more an audience understands what’s happening, the stronger the magic feels.
What It Means for Magicians
In a great novel, magic shouldn’t feel like a convenient plot device—it should feel like a real system with rules. The same is true in performance magic. If a magician simply waves their hands and something appears, it may feel impressive, but it lacks depth. If, however, the audience understands the rules behind the trick—even if those rules are artificial—the effect becomes more powerful and memorable.
At a recent show in Willow Grove, I performed a routine where a signed card vanished and reappeared in an impossible location. But I didn’t just rush to the reveal—I established the rules of the effect first:
✔ The card was freely chosen and signed.
✔ The audience saw exactly where it went.
✔ I demonstrated the impossibility before revealing the climax.
Because the audience understood the setup, the final reveal didn’t feel random—it felt magical.
Key Principles for Making Magic More Impactful
✔ Set Up the Rules Clearly – The audience should understand the premise before the magic happens.
✔ Create a Sense of Fairness – If spectators believe they have control, the outcome feels impossible.
✔ Build Suspense – Don’t just reveal the effect; let the audience grasp the impossibility before you resolve it.
A magic trick, like a great fantasy novel, is more satisfying when the audience understands what’s at stake.
What It Means for the Audience
Sanderson’s First Law explains why magic, whether in stories or performances, feels most compelling when it follows rules that make sense. Even though we know magic isn’t real, the illusion feels stronger when it’s framed in a way that is logical and structured.
At a performance in Lansdale, I saw this principle in action. I did a bank night routine where multiple envelopes were in play, and the audience believed they had free choices. As they eliminated each one, the tension built—because they understood the “rules” I had set up. When I revealed that the last remaining envelope contained the predicted outcome, the reaction was far greater than if I had simply forced the result from the start.
That’s the key—when people feel like they understand how something should work, they’re more amazed when it defies their expectations.
Everyday Magic: How Clarity Creates Stronger Impact
Sanderson’s First Law isn’t just about fantasy or stage magic—it applies to how we communicate, influence, and create experiences that leave lasting impressions.
- Define the Rules Clearly
- In Magic: The audience should know what’s possible before the trick happens.
- In Life: When explaining ideas, set clear expectations so others understand the logic behind your message.
- Make People Feel Like They Have Control
- In Magic: A trick is more powerful when spectators believe their choices mattered.
- In Life: Whether negotiating, presenting, or teaching, people engage more when they feel personally invested in the outcome.
- Build Suspense Before the Reveal
- In Magic: The longer the buildup, the stronger the reaction.
- In Life: Good storytelling, marketing, and persuasion all use timing and suspense to maximize impact.
- Stick to a Consistent System
- In Magic: A magic system with clear rules is more powerful than random effects.
- In Life: Having a structured approach—whether in work, relationships, or personal growth—leads to more meaningful and predictable success.
Wrapping Up: The Magic of Structure in Lansdale, Willow Grove, and Montgomeryville
Sanderson’s First Law reminds us that magic, like any experience, is strongest when it follows a structure people can grasp. Whether I’m performing in Lansdale, creating wonder in Willow Grove, or engaging audiences in Montgomeryville, I know that the best tricks aren’t just about surprise—they’re about setting up expectations and then surpassing them.
So, the next time you want to create an impact—whether it’s in a performance, a presentation, or just a great conversation—ask yourself:
“Does my audience understand the ‘rules’ of what’s happening? Am I leading them to a satisfying moment of realization?”
Because when people understand what’s happening, the magic feels real.
