The debate between plotters and pantsers and which one is better and more efficient at writing good stories is a topic that's been bothering me for some time. Writers tend to have different writing styles and there is not one style that is considered to be the best. Writers apply what works for them individually. However, they usually fall into two broad categories: they are either a plotter or a pantser. So today we'll break down these two categories so you can decide for yourself what works best for you.
PLOTTERS create a detailed outline for each of their stories and stick to it, while PANTSERS do not have the complete picture of how their story goes before they write it. Short stories are easier to manage, so in this post, I'll refer to novels only. The first step to writing a novel is to generate the story idea. The idea might be a theme, a scene, a premise, a character, or a world. What comes after the idea forming is what makes one a plotter or a panster.
PLOTTER
Plotters have the advantage of having a focused outline. As a plotter, you know what to write from beginning to end. You know what is going on in your story, how your characters will develop and have a clear vision of what the story will convey. When you plot, you have a guide that is by your side throughout your writing journey. This guide is your map and provides the structure you need. This guided map helps you avoid deviation. Given that you stick to it from beginning to end, your story tends to stay on track, saving you a ton of time from the editing process.
A plot also helps you with structure. You can create a schedule of when and what to write, which in turn makes you a faster, more efficient writer.
On the other hand, deviation might be freedom. As a plotter, you might feel limited as to what you can write since you already have a structure. The story may become boring to you because you already know what is going to happen. Sometimes it is time consuming to plot, which takes away from actually writing your story, even though you save time during writing having a complete outline. Another downside is characters may appear stiff and unrealistic carbon copies of people.
PANTSER
I tend to be more on the pantser side of the fence. I let my imagination guide me, rather than a predefined map. As a pantser, you do not have a specific way of beginning or ending your story, it can go anywhere you want it to (or anywhere the characters want it to).
You can always change the way the story goes. If you do not like something in your plot or some of your characters, you can always change, rearrange or simply remove them. Of course, changes could be done by a plotter, too, if they choose to take that route, but it's more time consuming than it is for a pantser.
There is a constant underlying sense of excitement as you don’t know where the story might take you. The process of writing each chapter becomes an adventure.
One of the biggest disadvantages of being a pantser, however, is you might end up with a story that has no consistency. Although I would argue this especially happens if you take too long to write your novel. Fear not, though, because there is a solution to the problem. And that is a merciless edit. If the ending doesn't match the beginning, if there are characters that haven't been introduced, or if the dates just don't add up, you could always fix it later. It will take time and energy and it will drain you, but it's worth it, so embrace the process.
Many writers claim they might be a combination of both, some sort of hybrid PLANTSER. Whether you like the rigidity of a plot or the flexibility of your inspiration, it is important to do what works best for you. There is not one right approach to writing. For as long as you let your imagination flow, there will always be a story to be told.
So, let me leave you with one last question: which one are you?
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