Pantsing Vs. Plotting - which one is best for you?

There is no right way to write. But there is a wrong way to write for your brain. When it comes to the great debate of pantsing vs plotting (also known as outlining or flying by the seat of your pants) the best way to go is with the path that lets you write freely and creatively, especially when working through a first draft,.

The only way to figure out which method works best for you? By trying different things. 

I identify as a very organized person, except when it comes to writing. I’m not usually an outliner. I am someone who flies by the seat of their pants, letting the story unfold as I write. I firmly believe my characters will tell me what they want to do. I am a “pantser” as such.

That being said, when I sat down to write my current novel for the first time I had a vague idea of what I wanted to happen to my main character, the story arc I wanted to take, and how I wanted it to end. I let my characters direct the action, and that method helped a lot when it came to writer’s block. Whenever I got stuck, I just threw a new obstacle in her path and waited to see what would happen.

Now, in revisions, I realized I need more story structure to help me get to where I want to be. I’ve turned into a plotter. I outlined my whole novel with key major plot points, the scenes that would get me there, and the changes I wanted to make. I will say, one of the cons of plotting for me is that it makes writing a little less exciting. I like the different way my brain thinks especially when I'm in the creative zone. But, good plot twists are hard to come by and a good idea takes iterations.

Stephen King says " Write with the door closed. Rewrite with the door open...Your stuff starts out being just for you, in other words, but then it goes out. Once you know what the story is and get it right — as right as you can, anyway — it belongs to anyone who wants to read it.” This is great advice for new writers, and a reminder that your writing is about you first. Worry about everything else later.

That’s the thing about writing…there are NO rules for how YOU write. So, you get to decide if you want to go with the flow and see where your story takes you, or if you want to plot along little bit by bit. The writing world is intimidating. There are so many writers out there, so many stories told, it sometimes feels like there isn't any more room for you. But that's not true. Writing is something we do for ourselves, and if we feel like sharing it with anyone else, well, they're the lucky ones.

If you tend to be more of a planner in life, you probably want to plot and outline your writing. And vice versa if you’re more go-with-the-flow, start with a general idea and a general direction and worry about any plot holes later. But, if you want to play around and experiment with your writing process, try doing the opposite of what you’re used to. You might hate it, but you also might learn something about yourself and your writing. There are so many different methods to building a story.

The creative process is hard work whether you're crafting a short story or an epic tome. Short stories can take a long time and 300-page novels may fly out of your brain as quick as sand.

Spend less time worrying and a lot of time practicing different writing styles to figure out what you like best. Even if you're not a natural plotter, you may find outlining gives you new ideas for character development or new turning points that you might not have come up with on the fly.

The best discovery writers can make are not the unexpected turns of their stories but the feeling of accomplishment and pride when they "click" into their writing flow. A lot of writers will spend their whole lives writing the same story over and over again, which is fine. But a skilled writer knows it's not about the writing methods they use to tell the story but how they tell the story. So find the writing processes that work best for you, for now.

Different times may call for novel outlines to give you a better understanding of characters, and other times you'll need to just go in blind and chaotic and let your creativity run free.

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