PLOTTERS VS. PANTSERS–a fun look at both sides of the issue from Eliza Knight and Renee Knowles…
The Plotter
by Eliza Knight
Plotting? Pantsing?
They both sound uncomfortable, and for those who have a preference, one can be quite painful. I’ve tried both and come to the conclusion I am a plotter, through and through. If I can’t be in control it makes me squirm! Probably part of my majorly Type A personality…
Today I thought I’d take you through my experience with the pantsing so you can see how painful it was for this here control freak to let go, (and secretly see why I think pansters are crazy! Just kidding…lol)
Monday 8:30am – wait! Scratch that I’m pantsing, make it 8:37…
They say pantsters fly by the seat of their pants, I’ve got my basic character sketches, and I’m hoping that my fingers will soar across the keyboard.
8:39am…Not so bad. I’ve written a whole paragraph.
8:41am…I’m starting to sweat. I want to know exactly what is going to happen…
8:45am…Biting nails and rapidly tapping foot. I’m only one sentence past my initial paragraph.
8:47am…I’ve ripped off my pants and tossed the computer! I can’t take it! I must plot my story from beginning to end, and while I do allow for some minor changes and character drivenness, I just can’t handle not knowing anything…
Seriously though, I have tried pantsing. It’s actually how I first started writing, and two years later I’d finished two novels. BUT, one of them I had to rewrite literally 6 times—doing the math on a 95K manuscript, that means I really wrote 570,000 words for one novel!!! The second novel was only 50K, and I’ve re-written it once, and tossed it into the deepest darkest corner of my hard-drive for a day I have more time.
For some, they don’t mind the rewrites, or maybe they are even blessed enough to pants it and get everything down in at least one or two shots, but not me, and I’m not talking just edits, we all do those.
Now I plot meticulously. I have my character sketches, my synopsis and my chapter outlines done before I start writing. Of course it’s not set in stone and I do make changes, but I’ve found with the way I plot, there are NO rewrites, and I only have to edit each chapter 2 maybe 3 times before I’m satisfied.
I hope you pansters find the humor in my teasing, and I hope you plotters feel like you’re not alone!!!
Cheers!
Eliza
The Pantser
Hello, plotters–this is how the other half lives!
by Renee Knowles
Eliza told you about the pain she endured trying to be a pantser. Oh, what she’s suffered. :)
I have to admit that I have suffered too. For a long time I was sure something must be wrong with me. It seemed every writer I knew was telling me about a new plotting system. One would advise me about how to make up a 60-page outline for a 250-page book. Another one just took a class at their RWA chapter and learned an entirely new system for plotting—she gave me books and worksheets and character charts. Some of which made great scrap paper for my grocery lists.
Don’t get me wrong. All these writer friends had the best of intentions. And I appreciated every one of them. But these systems confounded me. I would sit there staring at them blankly waiting for the same inspiration to strike me that my fellow writers were feeling. What was wrong with me? I wondered. What writing gene was I missing that everyone else seemed to have in spades? How on earth was I supposed to know all this?
That was it, I decided. I was defective. I’d never make it as a writer. I was doomed to simply sit on the sidelines as I had in gym class throughout middle school.
Then one day I gave up. I cleared my desk of all the plotting clutter. And I just began to write.
Viola! The words flowed from me. Heck, it was almost as if a dam had broken loose. This book became my first published book, Going Topless.
I realized I was a “pantser.” (Aha! There is even a name for it!) And the realization allowed me to finally relax and let the story play itself out. It was a revelation. An awakening. At least for me, “pantsing” is the only way to inspire my muse.
And I’ve never had cause to look back.
Hugs,
Renee
Bios:
Eliza Knight
Eliza is the author of multiple sizzling historical romances and Highlander time travel erotic romance novellas published by The Wild Rose Press. She is a freelance copy editor, Newsletter Editor for Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and President of the Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Eliza is the author of the award-winning blog, History Undressed and has published numerous articles in various newsletters. She presents workshops on history, researching techniques and writing craft, to writing groups online. Visit Eliza: www.elizaknight.com, www.historyundressed.blogspot.com
Renee Knowles
Renee Knowles is an award-winning contemporary and historical romance author. She is also the author of the writing how-to series SAVVY BUSINESS SKILLS FOR WRITERS, covering everything from career planning to networking and promoting on a budget to no-fear public speaking. Available now at Wild Child Publishing. Check out Renee’s website at www.reneeknowles.com.
Wall Post 
Loading ...
Very cute! Loved seeing both sides presented … um … side by side! Plop me firmly into the “pantser” category. Except for the plotting required when you’re doing a series.
Hmmm… maybe I better invent a “plotser” category for me.
~ Melissa
Hi Melissa,
“Plotser”–so cute! Glad to hear from a fellow pantser
Renee
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
I go into hives at the idea of giving up my character charts, outlines and all the plotting that my brain does througout the day ahead of time. Sitting at a computer with NO idea what I was working toward???
I think I might cower under the desk and whimper.
FIRMLY in the plotter side here!
Fun way to show off the two sides, though! I love it!
Ah, Jeannie, I am not surprised. I can tell just from our e-mails that you are a planner. But, I’ve read your work, and it definitely works for you!
Hugs,
Renee
Add me to Melissa’s plotser category, LOL.
LOL, Helen.
Renee
I started out a plotter, though never to the extreme of writing detailed 50 or 60 page outlines. But I did the whole characters bios, plot points, climax, etc. It took me over 2 years to write my first book, and it went through 3 total revisions, one from first person POV to third.
The last book I finished, Geography of Murder was conceived on a Sunday, I started writing it the same day and it was finished less than 3 weeks later. When I started I knew nothing — I had a first name of a character and the opening scene — He was in bed with a dead man he didn’t know. well I didn’t know him either. I had no name for the dead man, no reason why he died or who killed him or even where the book was going to take place. I knew there would be a cop and I had decided he was going to be into BDSM. That thing grew on the fly literally. It took very little revision either at the end. I don’t necessarily do all my books that way, but my plotting, is at best haphazard. I figure a few things out if I get stuck otherwise I keep writing till I’m done.
I think writers need to try their hand at both, and see what suits them. There is no right or wrong way to write a book. Just success.
Fabulous quote at the end there, Pat! I agree. It’s a good idea when you’re getting started to try both and see what works for you–or if it’s a combination of both.
Thanks for stopping by MW! Congrats on your success!
Renee
I’m a pantser trying to become a plotter, mainly because it takes me SO long to write a book the way I’ve been doing it. I love writing by the seat of my pants; I love not knowing what comes next. However…it takes me a million drafts to have a solid book, plus I always get stuck on page 100 or so. So with my WIP, I’ve written a rough outline and am hoping this will speed up my process. We’ll see.
Hi Rebecca,
I think for me that it works because (okay, I will admit it) I do have a rough idea of the turning points and the black moment and resolution. Only a phrase or sentence on those though.
Looking forward to your release! Thanks for commenting
Renee
I have started out trying to be a pantster but after a 4 mo. dry spell in which not one word has been written I think that I may need to try the other side. :0) I’m a control freak in the rest of my life and maybe that is what my trouble is.
Thanks for the cute outlook on both sides of the issue.
Hi Valerie,
Sometimes it helps to try them both. Helps to really learn the ins and outs of both sides. Good luck! I have been going through a dry spell as well, so I can understand.
Thanks for stopping by MW!
Renee
I’ve been on both sides, too. I started off as a panster, but reverted to a plotter. Like Eliza, I wrote my first book with just a short outline and characters sketches and it came out just fine, but the second book turned out to be a mess that I had to revise several time before I finally got it right. Now, I always work from a detailed plot, all set out before I ever start my first draft. The result, for me, is a much faster first draft, because the story details are all laid out for me ahead of time, and whatever revision I have to do is so much smoother and easier.
Yep, I’m now a confirmed plotter!
Hi Susan,
I admire the plotting. Truly
It obviously works well for you! Thanks for commenting!
Renee
Twitter: violaestrella
says:
What a fun post!! I plot as I go most of the time. It’s a balance of letting the characters drive the story while keeping it all organized. Sort of like the herding of sheep.
LOL! Your stories are wonderful, Vi. So this must work magic for you!
Hugs,
Renee
Great post and one of my favorite topics.
I’ve also tried both methods over the past several years. But plotting makes my muse turn away in boredom and snub me.
I find that if I plot everything out in advance then it sucks all the fun out of discovering surprising twists along the way of the telling of the story.
Ultimately, I find that I don’t want to write the book any more if I already know what happens at the end.
Pantster world here I come! LOL
These days, I start with a story idea and a couple of characters and away I go. Sometimes I have a vague idea of the ending, but in my free-for-all writing world, everything is subject to change.
Lara