Confessions of an Unrepentant Pantser

WRITERS TEND TO BE EITHER “PLOTTERS” OR “PANTSERS” (WHO WRITE BY THE SEAT OF THEIR PANTS), AND I DEFINITELY FALL INTO THE SECOND CATERGORY



While the writing of all my novels has followed a slightly different path, I can truthfully say that I haven’t plotted out a single one of them in advance of beginning to write. I’ve tried. I’ve even done courses. I keep being told how quick and straightforward and how much more efficient the process can be if you plan it out in advance.

But here’s the thing. I HATE plotting in advance. For me, the greatest joy in writing is discovering the story as I write it. It’s like reading a great book that you can’t wait to return to day after day. It lives in my head in between the stints at the computer, and though there will always be a few false starts, the odd detour, and days when I sit down and think ‘What on earth will I write today?’ the story generally works itself out in the end.

It’s a magical adventure of creation, and this time I thought you might like to tag along with me for the ride. I’ll also be sharing insights into the business side of being author, as I learn and develop them myself.

SO … IT TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT WRITING MY NEXT NOVEL.

And as always, I have no plan. No end in view. Just an idea for what might make a good story. And this time I thought:

"Gothic Romance. Victorian England. Spiritualism. And a young woman who is haunted by the ghost of another young woman."

So that’s the premise. It’s not much to go on I admit, but it’s the kernel of a story that will percolate in my head over the next few weeks or months, while I begin to research the period and search for snippets I can weave into the book. At the same time, I’m starting to think about my main characters. This takes a while, and I have character sheets that I fill out over a period of time as the characters begin to develop who they are. It’s about as far as I go with regard to planning ahead. When I first started writing I didn’t bother with this step, but over time I’ve found it helps to have a clearer idea of who I’m dealing with before I begin. Sometimes I cast actors, or people I know, which can help with descriptions and mannerisms. I read of one writer, whose name I can’t remember, who has his own repertory theatre company in his head, and he casts them accordingly. I do something similar, but the actors tend to come and go. These character traits are not set in stone of course - and the characters grow and take on their own life in the writing - which is, of course, half the fun!

Please go to my blog to get the character sheet I use.

It is a combination of several I found on the internet, and while I don’t always fill out all of the details, it forces me to think about aspects of my characters I might otherwise not consider. Please feel free to adapt it and use it in your own writing.

Plotters vs. Pantsers

PLOTTERS:
Know the ending.
Map out the structure in acts.
Have scene summaries before they start.
Use a lot of index cards.
Feel superior to pantsers.

PANTSERS:
Rush in where angels fear to tread.
Have no plan.
Make false starts.
Feel the same excitement as their readers - what will happen next?
Do a lot of rewriting.