Plotting vs. Pantsing

Some writers can outline and plan an entire book. They can write separate sections and then put them in order.

I can’t do that. As a pantser, I sort of tell myself the story. I start at the beginning and write the story straight through until the end. Sometimes I find myself surprised when a twist comes along.

If I don’t do this, it can really cause me problems. In my current WIP (that’s work in progress if you’re new to the game), I decided to try and add a chapter in between two others, changing the story to fit an idea I had. It’s not going well. I’ve been working on it for two weeks, these five pages, where before I was revising at a great clip, planning on finishing this whole manuscript in about another week.

I’ve never tried to be a plotter, but I feel like this is proof that plotting is something I can’t do. Pantsing, or writing straight through and telling myself the story as I write, is definitely the way to go for me. As much as I am surprised or saddened by the death of a beloved character or a shocking twist, it’s just the way writing works for me.