Plotters, and Pantsers, and Hybrids, Oh My!

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

What is your writing style? There has always been an age-old discussion among writers. And you will find diehard fans on both sides.

Quick Definitions

Plotter - One who is a detailed outliner. He/she plans the entire book before writing.

Pantser - One who writes by the seat of her/his pants. The writer goes where the story leads.

Hybrid - This is a combination of the two styles. There’s some planning and some freewheeling.

I have been in IT for the last twenty-one years, and before that I was involved with business analysis, project management, and technical writing. Planning and outlining have always been a part of my work processes. I am also a list maker and planner of everything from vacations to potlucks. So it was a natural fit for me to plot.

My style has changed over the years. As I dove deeper into the writing process, sometimes a subplot or a character took over, and the structure changed from my plan. In an effort to speed up my writing, I “pantsed” several books. They no longer took five years to write, but I tended to get stuck in the middle. I struggled with where the story was going. It wasn’t really writer’s block, but I was mired in what should come next. With the rewrites and the revisions, I probably spent more time than if I had outlined the book in the first place.

And sometimes the characters or plot did take over. In my Delanie Fitzgerald series, Chaz Wellington Smith, III, the sleazy strip club owner was only supposed to be a minor character in book one. My critique group liked his character, and he is fun to write. I just finished book four in that series, and Chaz is still around. He grew on Delanie and me.

In your writing, use whatever style works for you. I describe myself as a hybrid now. I’m rigid enough to start with a plan and flexible enough to change if it suits the story. My chapter outlines also save time when I put a synopsis together for querying.

There is no right way. Look for ideas or hacks that will help you improve your writing. If something doesn’t work, jettison it for something else.

Happy writing, whether you plot and plan, or write whatever comes to mind.