Gasp! I realized last night that I've been snidely looking down my nose a group of writers.
Pantsers.
I'm a natural plotter. I love plotting and knowing where my story is going.
The ironic thing is, it turns out I really enjoy pantsing. Another gasp! *sigh*
I'm in the midst of editing Guardians and don't have the focus to plot out a whole new book. So instead, I'm completely winging it with my new WIP. And it's been great! I'm discovering the characters as I write and am realizing I don't have to agonize over plot, structure, and pre-fabricated ideas over what the WIP should be.
Simply amazing.
So I apologize all of you wonderful people who are pantsers. It seems I've learned a thing or two in the past week and have been completely proven wrong.
Two amazing writers have helped me realize the benefits of pantsing and you all should go check out their blogs: Misty and Kate. You guys are the best :)
Are you a pantser or plotter? Or do you find you enjoy doing a bit of both?
(Thanks everyone who's stopped by for Deana's blogfest! I've had a blast stopping by all your sites and can't wait to get to know y'all better :)
I'm a pantser at heart.
ReplyDeleteI'm a plotter, but I allow myself to veer off course. Sometimes I want my characters to go in one direction, and they demand just the opposite. I've learned to stop fighting them...they're usually right!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks for your sweet comment on my photo shoot!
ReplyDeleteSo you realize you're totally doing Camp NaNoWriMo, right?
I'm definitely a panster, and this equals a quick finish to a WIP but a loooong time editing. :P
ReplyDeleteI'm a total plotter, but I have total respect for pantser. I just need to see where my story goes before I can start it.
ReplyDeleteI'm a plotter thru and thru, HOWEVER I love writing a story where I can fly by the seat of my pants. There's something really satisfying to it. BUT if I'm serious about making a story work and the best it can be, I plot like mad and know my characters inside out BEFORE I start writing. It takes some of the surprise and romance out of the first draft, but it sure makes it darn easier in the end! :)
ReplyDeleteI love how different everyone is! I guess the important part is that what works for someone won't work for everyone :)
ReplyDeleteSee I was all about the pantster method first. You are right, it is a wonderful feeling having so much freedom. In the end, however, I succumbed to the plotter route. Both are good for different moods of you ask me:)
ReplyDeleteThat's funny I've just embraced being more of a plotter, but the panster in me will never go away lol.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm curious, what exactly is the line that separates pantser from plotter? How much plotting is really required of a plotter.
ReplyDeleteI've sketched out vague ideas for my WIP but nothing indepth. I'm sure this still places this WIP in the pantser category.
I've gone up and down the scale of planning and discovery writing with each of the books I've written. I feel some books work better when I just have at it, while other stories really benefit from having a good outline.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fun to experiment with both methods to varying degrees.
- Cholisose
I'm a pantser, but I'm trying to become more of a plotter. I always lose steam after a while because then I realize I have no idea what's happening. haha. It's a hard balance to strike, but I do love pantsing it.
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