Are you a plotter or a pantser?
My answer:
TOTAL Pantster.
I like to joke that all writing an outline tells me is the one way things aren't going to end.
Yes, I do research before and along the way. I take notes on that research and how it might relate to my story. Later in the first draft process, I sometimes write scene lists of what's coming up next and I occasionally write scenes coming up in the future as inspiration hits. I consider possible endings in my head, but I really have no idea for sure until get there.
Does this mean I have more changes to make in rewrites? Yes. Does this mean the rough draft might take longer to write than my outlining peers? Probably. Does it mean I sometimes get lost and stalled along the way? Most definitely. Will I ever change? Probably not...because...my imagination for plot seems to work best when I'm living in the story with my characters. Until I'm there, I have little to no idea what might happen...and what ideas I do get usually end up not being what will work best for my characters.
I've heard people say they outline once they're a third of the way into a book. I've never tried this before, but if I had to write an outline to sell a book as a partial, this is probably what I would do.
What about you? Plotter or Pantster?
Definitely a pantser. I'm like you, I don't know what's going to happen until I get into the writing process. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely a pantser!! I like not knowing what's coming next and then going... OoO, excellent post!
ReplyDeleteOutlining once you are a third of the way in sounds GENIUS. I am so trying that with my next WIP.
ReplyDeleteI'm a mix. I don't outline before I write the first draft, but I do like to have a beginning, end, and a handful of middle scenes to guide me. I outlined my latest WIP after the first draft and found it VERY helpful.
ReplyDeleteI would describe myself as a plotser, a hybrid of the two. Although plotser probably means something awful in Yiddish.
ReplyDeleteI loved how you used cargo pants as your illustration--you're a pantser, but you make use of tools.
I have a very, very loose outline before I get started writing. Mostly I just know how I'm gonna start, the climax, and how everything ends. Then I jump in and see how I get to each point.
ReplyDeleteOh I am so with you. An outline is a surefire way to know things won't work out as planned. Those characters! Keeping us on our toes! ;)
ReplyDeleteHigh five, fellow pantser!
ReplyDeleteI love how you explain it - living the story along with your characters. Perfect! Editing is when I worry about the small details.
Oh thank God! It is so comforting to hear this. Even though I'm a bit more of a plotter now - I NEVER knew what my endings were. I didn't like that I didn't know them, but I did like discovering them. Funny though - the one I'm working on now, I've seen the epilogue since conception. The in-between parts, not so much.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I am jealous that pantsing works for you. If I don't give myself structure, I meander.
ReplyDeleteI'm a plotter all the way. I tried pantsing and it wasn't for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm a total pantser. I feel like outlining makes me not want to write anymore...my first draft basically is my outline haha.
ReplyDelete