Word
for February: Plot
Pantser?
Plotter? What’s that?
A Pantser
is a writer who writes organically, by the seat of her pants. Her
fingers rest on the keyboard, and the words flow from her fingertips.
It’s magical.
In
contrast, there is the Plotter, someone who creates a detailed
outline to work from. Every scene is planned to the nth detail. (I’ve
been told the benefit to doing this is the writer actually works
faster with less edits.)To me, however, the plotter sounds like an
eighth grade English assignment, not magical or fun, but torture.
I’m a
Pantser (big surprise). Mostly, I begin with an idea about a
character or plot. I know how I want the book to begin and how I want
it to end before I put a word on the page. (Kinda like head
planning.) I might bank these broken sentences and thoughts in a word
doc. Then as they come to me, ideas for scenes are scrambled in the
middle. Sorta like this:
Beginning
Scene
Scene
Scene
Black
Moment
End
Wait a
minute. Oh boy, scratch head,
I’m confused. That sounds waayyy
more organized than I thought.
Am I a Plotter after all? Is the difference Pantsers never preplan
and Plotters do? Can someone be both? Will I never sell if I’m not
a Plotter?
Help!
Does it
matter which? Isn’t what is more important is to put the writing on
the paper, not how I plan to get on the paper?
I’m
thinking this is an age-old argument, one I’m not going to solve.
Because each of our paths are different, we will write in our own way
with our own style. What’s important is we write the very best book
we can write. That’s what will sell. What’s vital is the writing.
So
regardless which you are--Pantser or Plotter--write!
I can’t wait to read the next Best Seller.
Three romantic comedies from sassy writer girl, Vicki Batman.
"Just
Desserts":
a political dinner gone disastrous brings together a reluctant attendee and her
seat-mate.
"Bug
Stuff":
An accountant unites with his co-worker to fight a pesky adversary.
"With This
Ring":
When a wife forgets her little black dress, all turns into something utterly
romantic and unforgettable in the end.
Find Bug Stuff...and other stories at: http://amzn.to/1cuV6Ry
Find Vicki at: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com
Bio:
Like some of her characters, award-winning
author, Vicki Batman has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard,
ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book
store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real
estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm--the
list is endless.
Writing for several years, she has completed
three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories to TRUE LOVE,
TRUE ROMANCE, TRUE CONFESSIONS, NOBLE ROMANCE PUBLISHING, LONG AND SHORT
REVIEWS, MUSEITUP PUBLISHING, and THE WILD ROSE PRESS. She is a member of RWA
and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has
served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin
Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.
Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??"
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, Vicki. The most important thing about writing, I think, is to learn your style and go with it. That doesn't mean I don't try new techniques. I learn something new about writing every day, but I've found if I try to force things, the words won't come at all.
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan! I think going by my pants works for me because I wasn't trained as a writer. AND those horrid outlines we did in school--ick. But after I write my story, I can go back and do one. Seems to work and we both agree, something on the page over nothing is the way to do it.
DeletePantser or plotter! Is it possible to be a bit of both?
ReplyDeleteI love the line Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??" - that is me! Great post
Heather G - The Natasha Saga
Hi, Heather! What if was natural for me. What if the dog got out? What if there is a bone on the other side of the gate? What if he had to have it? What if he went on an adventure? There is almost no end. Yet it gives us avenues to pursue. Thank you!
DeleteGreat post, Vicki! I actually started out as a panster, just allowing the writing to flow. But my first attempt at a full-length novel--a time travel romance--ended up such a mess. I had to do two complete revisions and swore I'd learn how to plot so it wouldn't happen again. Now, I'm a confirmed plotter and have a much happier writing experience, with little if no revision and just a bit of editing to finish up the manuscript.
ReplyDeleteI guess, with writing, everyone has to find his or her own way.
Hi, Susan, and you are so write--we have to find our own way. I think my head knows the right way; so I'll go with it. Hugs, friend.
DeleteAmen to that, Vicki ... it truly does not matter how we get to "the end." What matters is that we write the best darn book we can. I also think I am a bit of each and respect the up and down sides to each panster and plotter :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Florence: then you appreciate what Ms. Lipperman calls Plotster. In my head I know steps, but in my hands stuff spews forth. Hugs, my friend.
DeleteWow ladies...great comments. I have to have some sort of outline, even thought I rarely stick to it....BUT if I didn't my story would go - Once upon a time, then, they all lived happily ever after!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Penny! Sometimes, we just need a straight and to the point HEA. A read to make us feel good. I hear the outline people writer faster. Thanks for having me today
DeleteI'm so glad there are no rules that you have to plot or you have to go by the seat of your pants. I would never have written if I had to follow rules. Guess that's why I write what I write.
ReplyDeleteHi, Rayne! I had no idea that pantsters existed until I began and attended a meeting where the speaker spoke about these two. I was jumping up and down (in my head) because I didn't know. I thought I was a bad writer by not outlining. Thanks, friend, for stopping today.
DeleteHmmm, I think we all have our own style. Probably no two writers approach the task exactly the same way. I am a mix. I started out as a pantser. What if? and off I'd go. But alas, I spent lots of hours rewriting those books. Some may never see print. Now I'm more of a hybrid. I learn little tidbits from speakers, from other writers, from trial and error. I mostly work with a spreadsheet with columns for the different threads that flow thru the book, even one for POV and weather. Is there such a thing as a SPREADSHEETER?
ReplyDeleteHi, Pam and oh my golly, you created a monster. LOL. Yep, those speakers with fancy things have stuff that works for them. I'm just not into it yet. lol
DeleteWell, when you earned your living as an accountant/project manager, your mind just thinks in spreadsheets. Ha.
DeleteI agree with most of you all that it doesn't matter how you get to the end-just that you get there with the best darn book you can write. I see you mentioned me above as a Plotster. That's because I am an OCD plotter--names, research, character profiles and plot points--all on paper before I even write one word. But somewhere through those chapters things change and I end up with a book completely different than what I expected. Even my killer usually changes when I find a better bad guy. And keep doing what you're doing, Ms. Vicki, and putting out these great stories.
ReplyDeleteHi, Ms. Lipperman! You created Plotster and I like it. I have a general idea of things and go with the flow. I like letting my fingers do the talking--waitaminute. I think that line came from a commercial. LOL
DeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I just write. One book will be almost all pants. The next I might need a lot more plot. It depends on the book and what the characters are trying to tell me. I suppose I could be all pants, but sometimes I'm scared I'm fighting too much with my characters. Ha!
Hi, Lani and thank you. I have created books with character pages and time lines, but mostly after the fact to see if what I'd done needed some holes plugged. But over the years, rewriting and editing seem to have done the trick. Often distancing myself from a piece has helped tremendously. We all find our own way. Thanks for posting today. :)
DeleteI am definitely a pantser when I start. But then I try to keep one step ahead with my scenes. And I always think I'm closer to the end than I really am.
ReplyDeleteHi, Janie! A fellow pantser-yeah! You know, I write until no more comes. That's it. The story says when it is done. Maybe that's why I can write short because I'm programmed. lol Thanks, sweetie, for posting.
DeleteMany a fabulous author has your style, Vicki. It's all about knowing where you'll end up, and figuring out how to get there. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteHi, Angela! I think there are a few of us out there from what I've read today and in the past. Yes, we'll get there with persistence and patience. You are great to post too. Hugs,
DeleteWonderful post Vicki! We all write the way that works for us. It may change over time or even with certain books, but there isn't one right way!
ReplyDeleteHi, Melissa! It's so reaffirming to hear from the commenters how there isn't one right way, but rather, our own way. Thank you.
DeleteThank you so much, Penny, for hostessing me today. Loved having everyone chat with me. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely....great turn out and comments!!!
DeleteI'm late to the party (just catching up on non-urgent emails)! I used to be a pantser, but am shifting to a bit more plotting. I'm using a plot board with sticky notes, so it is easy to change or remove scenes/ideas. This way I don't feel locked in, but I also feel like I have a better road map for that first draft. We'll see if I think the final product is better, worse, or just the same!
ReplyDelete