Why I Switched From a Pantser to a Plotter
Hello, reader!
Recently, as I was typing away on my (almost-finished!) rough draft of a new novel, I reflected on how my writing methods have changed over the years.
A commonly asked question in the author community is:
Are you a pantser or a plotter?
For those of you unfamiliar with the terminology, basically, a pantser is a writer who drafts stories without a roadmap or formal outline. They “fly by the seat of their pants,” so to speak, and follow pure instincts. On the other hand, a plotter maps out the entire story before even jotting down the first sentence. On their desk, you might find notebooks and spreadsheets full of character arcs, plot points, chapter titles, and 4-Act-Story-Structure charts.
Right now, if someone were to ask me which type of writer I am, I would confidently reply, “A plotter.” 🤓 But it wasn’t always that way, and occasionally, I will return to my "pantser roots" for certain scenes...
(Haha, this sounds like the start of a villain's backstory. 😂)
Anyway, for my first five books, I was definitely a pantser. When I started writing my first book at age 12, I had a vague idea of where the plot was headed and the overall themes I wanted to address, but the details, the side characters, the plot points, etc, were all things that I discovered while writing. I would finish up one scene and let those events propel me to their natural consequences.
The bright side of this tactic was that I completed books a LOT faster! The downside was… well, they were not quite the books I had expected. 🤣 Besides that, they came with some inconsistencies and plot holes because I hadn’t stepped back to see the full picture until the very end! (I didn't have the whole picture until the very end!)
Although I eventually sorted out the various issues in these stories, it definitely took some head-banging-on-the-desk moments.
Over time, I began to create outlines for my rough drafts. Leijona’s Fate and Champion of Dalamoor had loose outlines. Truthcry and Truthcall were more detailed.
Now, waist-deep in my ninth novel, I have two tabs open on my computer: the actual story and a separate Google Docs containing a 37-page outline! 🤯 Crazy how things have changed!
Between publishing longer books than before AND spending many weeks on the outline, my writing process has definitely slowed down. However, I feel more confident since I know where my story is going. Switching to a plotter has allowed me to craft a stable plot and deeper character arcs. I have really grown to appreciate stepping back and viewing the story as a whole. It is such a powerful tool in writing. 😌
But before you go and shake your heads at all those pantsers, I believe different writing tactics better suit certain individuals. Some famous authors are pantsers, such as Stephen King and George R.R. Martin! Furthermore, sometimes, a mix of both pantser and plotter is important. 💡
Personally, as I hinted at in the paragraphs above, I use some pantser techniques on small-scale story aspects. I don’t always include every single detail in the outline. There are things – gestures, dialogue, events – that just feel right in the moment. I had an instance like that recently, when my MC decided to make a daring move that was nowhere to be found in my notebooks or spreadsheets! 😱 And somehow, it actually enriched the character dynamics! 🤩 (I guess I owe the MC a big thank-you!)
Additionally, when stuck in writer’s block, following the spontaneous flow of the pantser might be just what you need to get that inspiration again.
In conclusion, I have learned that for my personal writing process, being a plotter has brought my stories to a whole new level of depth. Nonetheless, I will still allow the details and even occasionally some scenes to evolve on their own – pantser-style.
Well, I could discuss stories all day, but I should probably return to my rough draft (which you will hear more about soon!).
I hope you were inspired or intrigued by this little dive into pantsers and plotters! I had such fun sharing my thoughts with you! 🥰
If you want to stay up-to-date with all of my author news, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter using the blue button at the top of this page! 🤗
Until next time,
Evelyn Grace