When it comes to writing a novel, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is choosing between plotting and pantsing. Plotting involves meticulously outlining your story, while pantsing embraces spontaneity and writing by the seat of your pants. Both approaches have their merits, and finding your writing style is essential to bringing out your creative best. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of plotting and pantsing, along with advice from famous authors who have successfully employed these methods. By understanding each approach and experimenting with them, you can discover the writing style that works best for you.
Plotting
Plotting is a method that involves careful planning and outlining before diving into the writing process. Let’s explore the advantages of plotting and learn from notable authors who have utilized this approach:
Structure and Organization
Plotting provides a solid foundation for your story, ensuring a clear structure and well-defined plot points. By outlining the main events, character arcs, and major milestones, you can create a cohesive narrative that keeps readers engaged.
Advice: Take the time to outline your story thoroughly. Divide it into acts, chapters, or scenes and establish the key plot developments. This will provide a roadmap for your writing and help you stay on track.
Efficiency and Focus
Plotting saves time and helps prevent writer’s block. When you have a roadmap for your story, you can stay focused and maintain momentum in your writing process.
Advice: Break down your writing goals into manageable tasks. Set deadlines for completing each section of your outline to maintain a steady writing pace. However, be flexible and open to adjustments as new ideas emerge during the writing process.
Control and Precision
Plotting allows for careful control over the story’s elements. You can foreshadow events, create effective plot twists, and ensure that every piece of the puzzle falls into place.
Advice: Continuously evaluate your outline as you write. If new ideas or directions arise, be open to incorporating them into your plan. Flexibility will help you strike a balance between structure and creativity.
Pantsing
Pantsing, or discovery writing, involves diving into the writing process without a detailed plan. It allows for spontaneity and encourages your story to evolve organically. Let’s explore the advantages of pantsing and learn from famous authors who have embraced this approach:
Creative Freedom and Exploration
Pantsing offers creative freedom and allows your imagination to soar. By embracing spontaneity, you can surprise yourself with unexpected plot twists, unique character interactions, and exciting story developments.
Advice: Embrace the freedom of pantsing, but consider jotting down key ideas or plot points as they emerge during your writing sessions. This will help maintain a sense of direction and prevent major inconsistencies.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Pantsing provides the flexibility to adapt your story as it develops. As your characters come to life, you can make adjustments to the plot and allow the narrative to take unexpected turns.
Advice: Keep a separate document or notebook to record any new ideas or changes you make during the writing process. This way, you can easily refer back to them and ensure consistency throughout your story.
Finding Your Writing Style
Choosing between plotting and pantsing is a personal decision that depends on your writing style and preferences.
Experiment and Find a Hybrid Approach
Don’t be afraid to experiment with both plotting and pantsing. You might discover that a combination of the two methods works best for you.
Advice: Start with a loose outline that provides a basic structure, but give yourself the freedom to deviate from it when inspiration strikes. This hybrid approach can provide a balance between structure and spontaneity, allowing you to maintain a sense of direction while embracing creative exploration.
Trust Your Creative Instincts
No matter which method you choose, trust your creative instincts. As you write, pay attention to your intuition and let it guide your storytelling.
Advice: Be open to unexpected ideas and plot developments that emerge during the writing process. Trust your gut when making decisions about your story’s direction and characters. This will lead to a more authentic and engaging narrative.
Stay Open to Revision
Remember that even the most meticulously plotted stories often undergo revisions. As you progress, you may discover new ideas or find that certain elements of your outline don’t work as well in practice.
Advice: Embrace the revision process as an opportunity to refine and improve your story. Be willing to make changes and adjustments to your outline or plot as needed. This flexibility will result in a stronger final manuscript.
Learn from Successful Authors
Study the approaches of successful authors who align with your writing style. For plotters, examine the techniques employed by authors like Dan Brown, who intricately weaves together historical and conspiracy elements in his novels, or J.R.R. Tolkien, known for his detailed world-building in The Lord of the Rings.
Advice: Analyze how these authors structure their stories and create captivating plots. Borrow techniques that resonate with you and adapt them to suit your own writing style.
For pantsers, explore the methods of authors like Ernest Hemingway, who embraced spontaneity and wrote intuitively, or Ray Bradbury, who often began stories with just a single idea or image.
Advice: Take note of how these authors allowed their stories to evolve naturally and incorporated unexpected elements into their narratives. Adapt their methods to suit your own creative process.
