Plotters, on the other hand, plan their stories with care. They use charts, index cards, outlines, photos, or software to ensure their stories work before they type a single word.
I'm a hybrid. I don't start a story without a firm idea of character, setting, and plot. I have a good idea of how the story begins and ends. But I don't complete chapter outlines or use index cards. I enjoy the surprises that show up on the page unannounced.
However, as I work through a new novel, I'm wondering what kind of plotter strategies work for a panster. The appeal of organic writing is the joy of discovery. But is the joy of discovery worth a rewrite of large sections of the book...or perhaps the entire book?
I don't know, friends. So I ask you: are you a plotter, a panster, or a hybrid? If you lean toward the latter two, what tips do you have for ensuring your story works before you begin? Or do you just type first and fix it later?
I eagerly wait your responses. Thanks in advance!
5 comments:
I'm a former pantser turned what I call plotster. After my agent offered representation and I had to ditch and rewrite 3/4 (75K) of my story, I learned the value of plotting. Now I plan my stories before writing them, but I leave room for those creative surprises that make writing fun.
I don't consider myself a total plotter now, but I do have a solid outline and synopsis for the overall story even if I don't plot each scene in great detail before writing it. I leave that level of planning until later, but I still do it. Having been through a massive rewrite, I learned that I don't want to endure that again.
Thanks for your valuable input, Keli. That's about where I am, too. I write synopses and outline big events in the story. I also "interview" my characters and try to keep their goals and motivations always in mind. I'm still hesitant to plot out every scene before I write though, simply because I want the room for my characters to surprise me. I can only hope that, as I grow as a writer, I have wisdom to edit out the fluff as I write. I'm not one to write a rough draft without editing; by the time I'm done with a rough draft, it's already been through several rounds of editing, because I edit my last session's writing before I start a new section. Perhaps if I were more of a plotter, I wouldn't have to do that.
I guess there are as many ways to write as there are writers. Thanks again for chiming in!
Hi Gwen! I'm a plotter all the way. I used to be a pantser until I tried NaNo two years ago and decided to plot out my story before I began writing. It totally worked for me and I've loved the process since!
Like you, I start with knowing how the story starts and ends, then I develop my characters, and then I go to the next step and plot out each chapter, scene by scene (after coming up with three two four major plot points). I've refined the process over the years but I'm not sure if I'll ever go back. Have a great weekend!
Cindy, I think I might get there yet. I'm to the point of plotting out all major story events, but I let the chapters flow as I write. I've noticed that each chapter has more drive, more momentum as I grow as a writer.
I have to admit there's something a bit off-putting about planning every scene for me, though. I know it works wonderfully for many writers, but if I ever felt like my writing turned into an equation, I'm afraid I just wouldn't enjoy it. I tend not to be a linear thinker, but an intuitive one. Still, I think plotting is SO important, at least on some level, when dealing with something as intricate as a full-length novel.
Thank you so much for your input! Good food for thought. :-)
I'm also a former pantser. After writing myself into too many corners, I've become a hybrid. Though in reality, I ALWAYS stray from the plan. But my intentions are always good =)
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