My Writing Process….The Pantser!

A “pantser” is a term used to describe a writer who approaches their writing with a more spontaneous and unplanned style, as opposed to a “planner” who meticulously outlines their work before they begin writing. If you’re a pantser, your writing process might be less structured and more free-flowing. Here’s a general overview of the writing process for a pantser:

Inspiration: Pantser writers often start with a burst of inspiration. This could be a vivid character, a compelling setting, a snippet of dialogue, or just a feeling or idea they want to explore. This initial spark serves as the foundation for their story.Writing Without a Plan: Unlike planners who create detailed outlines, pantsers dive right into writing. They trust their instincts and creativity to guide them as they go. They don’t necessarily know how the story will end or what will happen in the middle; they discover these elements as they write.Characters Take the Lead: Pantser writers tend to develop their characters deeply, and the characters often dictate the direction of the story. These characters come to life on the page, and their choices and actions shape the plot.Revisions and Editing: After completing a draft, pantsers often face a messy and unstructured manuscript. The next step is to revise and edit their work. They may need to reorganize scenes, add foreshadowing, eliminate inconsistencies, and improve pacing.Iterative Process: Pantser writing is an iterative process. After revising, they might continue to write, edit, and refine, allowing the story to evolve organically.Feedback and Critique: Many pantsers seek feedback from beta readers or critique partners once they have a more polished draft. This feedback can help identify areas that need improvement or clarification.Finalizing and Polishing: Eventually, the pantser will reach a point where they are satisfied with the story’s overall structure, character development, and prose. They will then focus on the final polish, paying attention to grammar, punctuation, and style.Publication: If the goal is to publish, a pantser will go through the querying or self-publishing process, which involves preparing a manuscript, writing a query letter or book proposal, and submitting to literary agents or publishers or setting up the book for self-publishing.

Tips for Pantsers:

Keep a writing journal to jot down ideas, character sketches, and snippets of dialogue.Embrace the uncertainty and surprise that come with not having a set plan.Be open to making substantial revisions during the editing process.Don’t be afraid to cut or change parts of your story that aren’t working, even if you wrote them with enthusiasm.Remember that writing without a plan can lead to brilliant and unexpected creative discoveries.

While the pantser approach may seem chaotic to some, it can also lead to unique and imaginative storytelling. The key is finding a balance between spontaneity and structure that works for you as a writer.

A great example of my Pantser writing style is my Carrero series which was always meant to be one book and ended up as 9.