We are almost half way through November, which means those of us doing NaNoWriMo this year should be nearing their half way mark.
First confession. I’m not quite there yet, but with a little planning I hope to be within the next few days. This leads me onto the title of this post. Plotter verses pantser.
Second confession. I used to be a pantser. When I began writing, I simply had an idea and went for it. I’m not saying it’s wrong to have done that, but now I plot out the main points of my story before I start writing chapter one and this is what works for me. I don’t outline every single event in the book, just a few basic points along the way to my characters’ happy ever after. To do that I love post-it notes and coloured highlighters!
Like everything, there are pros and cons to being either a panster or a plotter. Plotters have control over the events in their novel but pansters may say that spoils their creativity. Pantsers never know what’s going to happen next – or even when. That’s something which doesn’t sit comfortably with plotters.
I don’t have rigid control over my characters and if they suddenly surprise me and do or say something as I write, I go with it, but I do like to see the skeleton of my story scribbled out on post-it notes. I’m open to change so maybe there is still a panster inside me.
So, as I sit on the fence and debate which exactly I am – and try and keep up with my NaNoWriMo word count, I’d love to know which way suits you best. Are you a plotter or pantser and what’s the best bit about it for you?
Happy Writing!
Rachael
X
thewriteromantics 
I’m definitely a plotter too but I think you’re right, we have to be lenient as we write and our characters and stories take shape in ways we didn’t quite expect!
Good luck with Nano & to all those other brave writers out there taking part.
Helen J Rolfe.
I know what you mean about stories not always taking shape as expected!
I’ma bit of both. I really want to wing it, and I can at the start, then I start to panic when I don’t know where the story’s going, and wish I’d written a proper plan. Good luck with NaNo!
Thanks Deirdre. I’m hoping for a few hours peace to catch up this evening!
I’m a pantser, but suspect that causes me more issues when I edit – which BTW I hate with a passion. I’m a pantser in life generally, though, so don’t suppose it will change. I do have, and use far more frequently now, a writing notebook, where I record ideas about where the plot will go and things I know I need to include by the end. So maybe I’m a retrospective planner… Hmmm, think I’ll join you on the fence. Great post! x
Sounds like you could be converting to a plotter Jo. Welcome to the fence!
Interesting post. I also used to be a pantser but now I plot out the individual scenes to get a decent and logical flow otherwise I lose control.
I’m exactly like that. Plot the general story and the main events and then let the characters do their thing. I’m no where near approaching the halfway mark even for all that.
Thanks for stopping by Cryssa and good luck!
I like to have a plan! I make a list of key scenes so I know where I’m going. Having said that, my characters never fail to surprise me, and as I’m writing things will occur to me that lead me in a different direction. I then have to change my plans, but I still have one. I tried just winging it once and it was a disaster. Good luck finishing NaNo, Rachael!
Thanks Sharon. I love it when my characters surprise me.
I’ve always been a panster and have to constantly rewrite my plot, I’m so laid back I give my characters problems then solve them quickly, thats what I like to do in real life. So when I read back I remember each of the stages in solving the problem and write that. But if I plotted I’d probably save time and go and buy myself a lovely set of new post-it notes and notepads to jot it all down on. Now that idea really appeals Thanks for a fab post!! 🙂
You HAVE to get some post-it notes Lynne. I love them!
I tend to ride the middle. Plotted hardcore one year and finished everything on my outline is 20,000 words only lol. I usually have a basic plan to move forward, but this year I’m 100% pantsing and I love it!
Thanks for stopping by queenofblank and enjoy your pantsing!