Plotting Vs Pantsing: Which Is Better for Writing Your Book?
Ah, the plotting vs pantsing debate, and which is better for writing books.
If you’ve spent any time in the writing community, whether on social media, forums, or in-person groups, you’ve probably come across a discussion about the methods of writing a book. This often turns into a discussion about which is better, with both sides offering up pros and cons.
Some people get really invested in this topic, keen to label everyone plotters and pantsers, while others are less concerned so long as they find a way to write their book.
And that’s the goal, right? Finding a way to write your book as efficiently as possible without losing the enjoyment that comes with it. Maybe it doesn’t matter to you how you do it just as long as you do, but I believe understanding something can help us be better.
The methods and processes people go through with both plotting and pantsing are fascinating to me. So, let’s learn something and work out whether plotting or pantsing has the edge for your writing.
I’ll even spill the beans on where I fit in towards the end – because I know you just have to know.
What Is Plotting and Pantsing?
Before looking at whether plotting or pantsing is better, I figured it’d be good to give an overview of plotting and pantsing:
- Plotting is planning your book in advance, so you know when and where events happen throughout the story
- Pantsing is making up the story as you go, letting your creativity run rampant. You’re writing by the seat of your pants, hence the name, ‘pantsing’
These are general views – everyone does things slightly differently (which is what I find interesting). Working from this, starting point, though, lets us dig deeper into what happens with each method.
The Plotter Writer
Plotter writers plan their books in advance.
A lot of work goes into writing a book whichever way you do it, but plotters do a lot of work before they start writing. From sketching out the story beats to planning each individual chapter, how much each plotter needs or wants varies from writer to writer, but they have a plan to follow when it’s time to write.
This can extend into the characters and their arcs, the history of the world and major events, locations, what they look like, and what happens there. There’s a lot of work a reader may never see but that grounding can help with making the world and story feel real, engaging the reader.
One of the biggest pros about this method for me (and there are many), is that you can spot potential issues before you reach them – and fix them early. You have a goal and are working to that end point.
This isn’t to say things don’t change or that obstacles don’t arise. They can, and do, as the story evolves, but plotters can focus on writing what they’ve planned rather than trying to think up the next plot point or character development on the fly. That energy can be put elsewhere.
Basically, you spend more time writing what you’ve already thought up and less time thinking about what’s next. It works for some, but not everyone.
The Pantser Writer
The pantser writer, on the other hand, thrives on freedom.
Rather than writing to a plan or a set of points set out earlier, the story evolves and develops as its written. There’s something refreshing about this, as you can do whatever you want while writing. There’s nothing directing you, which means whatever you can dream up hits the page (or screen).
That sudden surge of inspiration? You can follow it down the rabbit hole and see what happens. Your characters will change and grow before your eyes, and where you thought the plot was going before might turn into something very different.
That freedom and creativity is something all the writers I know love. It’s why we write stories, whether novels, shorts, flash fiction – whatever style or genre, we love to create and share our ideas.
There can be more hiccups with this method, though. Without something to aim for, you might run into a wall that takes time to figure out. You want to write but nothing seems to fit. Alternatively, you might change something without realising, and that can cause plot holes and inconsistencies throughout the story. You have to keep on top of these things to make something readers enjoy reading.
In short, once the creative juices are flowing it’s hard to stop them from creating something vivid. If you can handle the unknowns and the periods of waiting for the next spark, it can be really rewarding.
Introducing The Plantser Writer
Rather than focusing on plotting vs pansting, what if we combined the two? You get the plantser writer.
Taking elements from the plotter (such as planning out your story and chapters) and combining them with aspects of the pantser (such as writing withut a plan for creative freedom), you get an approach that is firmly in the middle.
This works differently for everyone, as what they want and work well with depends on how you work. As an example; your book plan goes from being step-by-step instructions to road signs. How you get from point to point is up to you, so you have some structure while free to be creative in between. It’s almost like connect the dots.
Others will use different elements from plotters and pantsers to find their perfect method, but they’re still platnsers. Hybrids.
While you get the pros of both methods, you also get the cons – and additional con to boot; you don’t get the full effect of plotting or pantsing your book. That doesn’t mean your story will be worse, but being aware of this puts you in the best position to address the cons before they have an impact.
Plantsers take the what works for plotters and pantsers and combines them into a new method, with the benefits of both.
The Verdict on Pantsing Vs Plotting for Writing Your Book
Yes, yes, I know. I didn’t put plantsing in the subheading – but that would have made it too long and unwieldly. Anyway.
Is plotting, pantsing, or plantsing better for writing your book?
Boring alert! All three are the best options – depending on you and how you like to write.
That’s right, its all about you. Knowing how you prefer to work and create will help you find the method that suits you best. Once you’ve worked out which method is for you, you’ll be able to bring your story to life.
I do suggest trying the other methods, even for short stories. You’ll learn more about yourself and your writing, and can hone in on what works and what doesn’t. When it comes to plantsers, plotters, and pantsers, some people will swear by a certain approach, but I know just as many that have changed from one to another over time or depending on the book they’re writing.
In the end, there’s no need for a plotting vs pantsing debate. Just do what works for you.
Am I a Plotter, Pantser, Or Plantser?
Here’s what you’ve all be waiting for; am I a plotter, pantser, or plantser?
I’ve tried both plotting and pantsing and out of the two I prefer the former, but if I had to choose, I’d be a plantser that leans slightly more to the plotter side (because I can’t keep it simple, obviously).
I really like world building and creating a mythos that acts as the foundation for my stories. A lot may never make it into the book (or may be a throwaway line), but it gives me something to work with. I need to have a firm grasp of my characters and their arcs, too.
That said, I like having the freedom to chop and change as the story and characters develop, but having something to start with, follow, and refer back to is really helpful.
That’s why I fall somewhere in the middle. Boring? Maybe, but it works for me – and as I said earlier, that’s the real goal.
The bigger question, though, is what about you?