Plotting vs Pantsing + New Project Announcement!

The question about plotting versus pantsing brings my first blog to mind. For the non-writers, a “plotter” or “planner” is a writer that makes outlines and designs the book from the beginning to the end... only then do they start to write. Once they do start writing, they do so in accordance with their meticulously designed master plan. Pantser’s, on the other hand, have ideas floating around in their head. Some dwell harder than others, but little to no planning is done before they start tapping away at their keyboards. As the words fly from their minds to the paper or screen, the writer lets the story flow wherever their beautiful brains take it. The term “pantser” comes from the phrase "they write by the seat of their pants.” In other words, they mostly make the story up as they go.

Most writing teachers will suggest "plotting" as the best way to go. It is definitely safer. With a plan, there are likely to be fewer plot holes and you’re FAR less likely to write yourself into a corner. R.L Stine says "If you do enough planning before you start to write, there's no way you can have writer's block. I do a complete chapter by chapter outline." Such sentiments are echoed by John Grisham (“The Firm,” “A Time to Kill”). The great J.R.R. Tolkien plotted and planned a world still inspiring new works after decades. If you plan to have a deep, complicated, rich story with expansive lore and plot twists, planning will always be the safest bet.

That being said, and as crazy as it sounds, some of the best writers avoid plotting and planning like the plague. Even so, these writers churn out great stories that do just as well as the planners. If you enjoyed reading “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “I, Robot,” or “Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn” then you enjoyed what was written by the seats of their author’s pants. Current greats like Stephen King write this way as well. George R.R. Martin finds the fun of writing in finding out more about the story as he writes it.

I very much agree... like... with all of it.

I totally intended to be a planner. Anyone who has seen my workspace can attest to all the post-it notes and seemingly random images and phrases all over the place. I plotted diligently and planned so much of my story years ago. I pat myself on the back over and over as each twist fell into place. I was SO ready... but when I finally sat down to write, the characters became real. As their personalities grew, the story veered off in directions I had not predicted. Over and over, I had to go back and re-plot. I often guided the story in the direction the characters were headed instead of the other way around. The result was a character-led story that readers have enjoyed.

As much as I love plotting, it doesn't quite match the joy I find in writing. Most of that elation comes from seeing how my characters act and react to things. I enjoy not knowing what they’ll do next and I love looking back to see that hundreds or thousands of words have poured out of me. I guess that means I’m a hybrid of both styles.

I said all that to say that I am working on a new book that I'm going to post FREE TO READ on a soon to be chosen website (IE: wattpad, Royal Road, AO3, etc). This story will star LaTao and takes place before my series begins. I'm currently plotting it and… whew… I’m struggling, fam. With this work in progress, I feel more shackled. With book one being queried and book two being edited, the destination of the prequel is very much set in stone. Every major plot point in this current work must lead to where “Vision of a Kingdom’s Fall” begins. I cannot have LaTao grow beyond those abilities, accomplish things she has yet to achieve, or deviate from her current personality… not that I would want to. But it’s okay. I like the challenge! I look forward to the next few weeks!

Fellow Writers, are you more of a plotter, or a pantser?