In the writing world, it can seem like there are two camps: Plotters and Pantsers. I’ve done both and they each have merit.
A plotter is, well, someone who plots her novel before she starts writing it. Beginning, middle and end are all known. Characters, motivations, even scenes, all known beforehand. I find it faster to write with an outline and since speed is of the essence in November, I at least start out with an outline.
Pantsers write by the seat of their pants – there’s a variety of levels of “pantsness” – some people know a character or two, some know their situation, some know nothing at all. It’s an exciting way to write – every day is a surprise, every paragraph a revelation.
It can be easy to go astray but the excitement of having your characters act seemingly of their own volition is exhilarating.
There are pros and cons to both methods and fantastic works of fiction have been written by both plotters and pantsers. It doesn’t matter what method you use, it only matters what works for you at this time. Yes, it’s true, some novels may cause youto change your plotting style.
Do what feels right to you, don’t doubt your genius and remember – everything can be fixed during revisions.
The way I tend to write is this: start with a fairly detailed outline and write my heart out until, seemingly out of the blue, what I had planned no longer fits with who my characters have become. At that point, I sit back, re=evaluate and rework my outline to see my new direction. And it’s not just the super-fast NaNoWriMo drafts that I do this for, either. If I take all the time I need to plot, I still wind up doing a mid-novel course correction.
Of course, like almost everything in life, there is no black and white. The plotter/pantser dichotomy is really a continuum. The closer to November 1st you begin to plan your novel, the more of a pantser your circumstances will force you in to.
So tell me – are you a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in between?
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Definitely a pantser! pantster? Whatever… anyhow, I do a lot better letting my characters tell the story and using me as a medium. Not to mention that gives me plausible deniability in case one of my characters does or says something so outlandish that it borders on the criminal or insane.
Plotter — but by chance rather than choice; I have a big family and spend most of my day away from the PC, so things build up in my head. By the time I reach the keyboard, they’re lined up. My inner pantser will burst out one day, though.
I am a total plotter! the couple times I’ve tried to pants, I’ve had to stop writing halfway through!
I “won” NaNoWriMo two years in a row as a pantster, but was left with rough drafts that were total messes which I had no interest in salvaging. This year I’m trying to at least have a rough outline, with some worst-case scenario options and writing prompts if I get really stuck. If all else fails, ZOMBIES!
Previously, pantser. This year, plotter. Once you finish a first draft or two, in my experience, the exhilaration of GO ANYWHERE DO ANYTHING WITH YOUR PROSE wears off and it’s more fun to have a coherent narrative.
@Jason – pantser, huh? I couldn’t tell from the final product. It goes to show that it’s not the path you take, but where you end up.
@Martha – I have 4 kids and they sometimes drive all thought from my brain
I can’t even plot when I’m hanging out with them.
@Laura – I’ve pants’d before and it was an unholy mess. I didn’t stop because it was NaNoWriMo, but that’s the novel I say will make your eyes bleed if you read it.
@Melanie – Good luck with your outline! And of course, Zombies make everything better. Ninjas, too. Maybe Ninja Zombies?
@Daniel – Your comment reminds me of a kid growing up. First you just want the freedom of doing anything, then you settle down and want structure and organization to life.
I am a previous pantser that is attempting to become a plotter….at least for the NaNoWriMo this year. I would really love to have a viable novel come out of this next month’s experience in writing.
Hi Dee – good luck with your plotting. Tomorrow I’m talking about my favorite way to plot – it’s enough to go on, but leaves wiggle room for the plot to change a bit.
i’m definitely a pantser and procrastinator. did nanowrimo in 2009 and haven’t looked at the monster since. need to change my process this year. recently interested in SF again. cheers from berlin!
Only my editor knows… I’ve never heard these terms before, but I like them.