Have you ever wondered if you are a plotter or a pantser? Writers tend to have different writing styles and there is not one particular style that is considered to be the best one. This is due to the fact that writers apply what works best for them regardless of what others may say. However, they usually fall into two categories: they are either a plotter or a pantser.

In order to better understand which type of writer you are, let’s define what a plotter and a pantser are.

A plotter is someone who plans out their story before they begin to write it. He/she is very detailed-oriented, knows their characters and their story very well.

A pantser is the total opposite of the plotter. This type of writer “flies by the seat of their pants” and doesn’t plan out anything. This creates a more organic type of writing.

Now that we have defined them, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

PLOTTER

ADVANTAGES

• You have focus. As a plotter, you know what to writer 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.
• You have a better perspective of your story. You can identify if your characters are balanced, if your chapters are too big or too short, and it even helps you identify possible weak areas that you might need to further develop.
• Having a plot also helps you avoid deviation. Given that you have a map from beginning to end, your story tends to stay on track.
• 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.

DISADVANTAGES

• As a plotter, you might feel limited as to what you can write since you already have a structure.
• The story may become boring because you already know what is going to happen.
• If inspiration strikes in the middle of your story, you might have to rearrange the plot.
• Sometimes it is time consuming to plot, which takes away from actually writing your story.

PANTSER

ADVANTAGES

• As a pantser, you let your imagination guide you. You do not have a specific way of beginning or ending your story, it can go anywhere you want it to.
• You can always change the way the story goes. If you do not like something in your plot, you can always change it, rearrange it or simply remove it. This holds true for your characters as well. You can either further develop a character or eliminate it – this is when we tend to kill off many of our beloved characters that we thought would make it alive to the end of the story.
• There is a sense of excitement as you don’t know where the story might take you. The process of writing each chapter becomes an enigma because you don’t even know what would happen.
• Inspiration stroke in the middle of the night? No problem. Write whatever comes to mind and add it to your story.

DISADVANTAGES

• As a pantser, you might read a portion of your story that, all of a sudden, you no longer like. This will perhaps cause writing repeatedly the same chapter or rearranging chapters. It also prompts you to cut off or add characters.
• Every now and then you will encounter a character that just pops out of nowhere that doesn’t really follow the story. Uncle who? I don’t think I introduced him before. Oops!
• You will unfortunately face distractions. If you do not have a space of solitude for your writing, chances are, life will get in the way and distractions will happen. This can easily kill the rhythm you have and some great ideas may vanish because of it.
• Writer’s block. Although plotters also face this disadvantage, pantsers are more prone to it because there is no structure. In some cases, the block is so strong that you might jump to another writing project, leaving your work unfinished.

Now that you have seen the difference between a plotter and a pantser, which one are you?

I would like to think of myself as a plantser, which is a combination of both. When I am writing nonfiction, I like to have an outline that guides me through my writing. However, when I write fiction, I like the more organic approach and let inspiration lead the way. I usually know the beginning and the end of my story but I let the plot and the characters develop as I write.

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 right or wrong approach to writing. For as long as you let your imagination flow, there will always be a story to be told.

Happy writing!

 

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