How to Choose Between Plotting and Pantsing Your Novel

Plotting or Pantsing: Which Suits Your Novel Best?

A 2018 study found that 55% of writers who plotted their novels reported feeling more productive and less overwhelmed compared to 38% of pantsers

Writing a novel can be both an exhilarating and daunting endeavor for authors. Finding suitable ideas may come easily enough; rather, writers often face difficulty when turning those concepts into coherent stories. When this becomes clear to an author, their challenge lies in choosing between plotting or pantsing as their writing method of choice: each method offers distinct advantages and drawbacks depending on individual writing styles, personalities, and story requirements - ultimately finding what best works depends upon each writer and their story's demands.

In this post, we'll take an in-depth look at both approaches- plotting and pantsing- discussing their meaning, benefits, and how you can choose one over the other for your novel writing process. If you find yourself uncertain about them or would like professional guidance to aid your process, book writing services can offer invaluable assistance and direction in order to find your path toward completing it successfully.

What Is Plotting?

Plotting involves creating an intricate blueprint of your novel before beginning writing. Think of this process like crafting a roadmap - outlining every chapter, major event, and character arc before diving in with words on paper. Plotting appeals most strongly to writers who prefer having clear structures from the outset of writing their novels. These individuals might create character biographies and timelines prior to taking any steps toward authorship.

Plotting provides many writers with a sense of control and removes uncertainty when writing their novel, knowing exactly what will occur next and not being left wondering about its direction or logic. Book writing services often recommend it for authors working on complex narratives or intricate genres, as it ensures no detail is overlooked.

What Is Pantsing?

Pantsing, on the other hand, is the opposite of plotting. This writing method relies on "flying by the seat of your pants," where writing happens without predetermined structures in mind. Writers who practice pantsing jump into writing without an exact outcome in mind for their story, allowing it to unfold organically as they go along.

Pantsing (also referred to as freewriting or creative nonfiction writing) is often preferred by writers who like spontaneity and discovery during their writing process. Pantsers often find that not knowing what will come next helps fuel creativity while giving authors more freedom with how their story develops, and can produce fresh ideas. Pantsers may prefer this nontraditional or experimental form of writing since there can be advantages to doing it this way.

Benefits of Plotting Your Novel

Plotting your novel offers a clear roadmap, making it easier to stay focused and organized throughout the writing process. With a structured plan, you can refine your story, develop strong characters, and avoid unnecessary detours.

Provides Clear Structure and Direction

One of the main advantages of plotting your novel is knowing exactly what will come next, helping avoid writer's block and maintaining consistency across tones, pace, and themes in your narrative. Plotting ensures all pieces fit together seamlessly when writing complex historical novels or thrilling mysteries alike.

Improves Time Management

Plotting can help keep you organized, which leads to improved time management. By having an outline, plotting will enable you to more efficiently organize the writing process - knowing exactly which scenes and chapters need writing at which times - as well as set achievable writing goals and set writing goals with more confidence. Many book writing services also find that plotting reduces their revising time because many potential issues, such as pacing problems or inconsistency, can be addressed early on in the revision process.

Helps with Character Development

Plotting gives you an invaluable way to craft complex characters before diving in with writing them down on paper. By carefully mapping out how their actions and decisions affect the plot of the story arc, plotting allows for character growth that makes logical and consistent sense, which is essential when working in genres like fantasy or science fiction, when complex character motivations must align with world-building elements.

Makes It Easier to Stay on Track

One of the hardest parts about writing is staying focused and on track without getting derailed, of course, by detours or diversions that derail your story. Plotting helps writers stay on course by providing an outline for every chapter and scene in their story - writers often find this helps keep their momentum rolling while keeping from wandering too far off course.

Streamlined Editing and Rewriting

Planning ahead can streamline editing and rewriting by giving you more control of potential structural issues that could otherwise crop up later in the process. Plotting allows you to anticipate these potential obstacles so there are fewer chances for plot holes or inconsistencies, saving both time and energy while you fine-tune your manuscript.

Benefits of Pantsing Your Novel

Pantsing your novel allows for creative freedom and spontaneity, letting the story unfold organically. This approach can lead to unexpected twists and dynamic character development as you write without a set plan.

Encourages Creative Freedom

Pantsing allows writers the freedom to unleash their imagination without being constrained by an outline. Without such restraints, authors can craft moments that shock both themselves and readers with unexpected turns of plot or character development that come out of nowhere, which often gives this method of writing its appeal for writers who strive for creativity in unexpected directions. Pantsers may find that their best ideas come to them while writing rather than coming later via other methods such as outlining.

Provides Flexibility in Plot Development

Writing without an outline allows your plot to change organically as you add characters, subplots, or twists as the story develops, giving greater freedom when trying out a different narrative style or approach. Pantsing also enables an effortless storytelling process where scenes flow naturally one after the other rather than feeling forced or awkward, making pantsing an excellent tool for writers who lack direction with their narrative arc. For writers unfamiliar with where their plot needs to head this freedom can prove particularly invaluable.

Fosters Organic Character Growth

Characters written using pantsing often feel more realistic, as their actions and development are driven by events of the story rather than predefined plot points. This allows characters to develop naturally according to their experiences and motivations - creating more compelling, unpredictable stories as you write. You might discover new facets that influence them during writing sessions, which add depth and dimension.

Creates a Sense of Adventure in Writing

For many pantsers, writing can be an exciting journey. Without an outline to follow, every sentence becomes something new, keeping you engaged and motivated during each writing session. Not knowing what comes next keeps the writing process from becoming tedious work; creating this sense of excitement keeps passion for the project alive even during difficult moments and helps maintain dedication towards completion.

Combining Plotting and Pantsing

Combining plotting and pantsing offers the best of both worlds, allowing for structure while still embracing creative freedom. This hybrid approach gives you flexibility and direction, helping you craft a well-rounded and engaging story.

Blending the Two Approaches

There's an effective way of merging plotting with pantsing: having an outline with some key plot points allows writers to freely explore their story while still having some sense of direction in mind. This hybrid method offers writers both structure and room for creativity in one.

Using Character-Driven Planning

A great way to combine both approaches is through character-driven planning. Instead of outlining each event separately, focus on understanding your characters' goals, motivations, and conflicts before letting the plot develop based on how those characters would respond in various situations, creating an enjoyable balance of structure and creativity.

Creating a Basic Framework

A basic framework is another way of combining the benefits of both plotting and pantsing writing techniques. By outlining major events or milestones of your story, outlining its progression can ensure it follows an unmistakable trajectory; yet still leave room for creativity as these events unfold, enabling characters and the plotline to flourish as you write.

How to Choose the Right Method for You?

Choosing the right writing method depends on your personal style and the needs of your story. Whether you prefer the structure of plotting or the freedom of pantsing, understanding both approaches helps you select what works best for you.

Assessing Your Writing Personality

To determine which method best fits you, first assess your writing personality. Are you someone who thrives under clear guidelines or prefers the thrill of discovery? Acknowledging how your mind works best will allow you to select an approach that complements your individual strengths.

Considering Genre and Story Needs

Genre and story needs can also play an essential part in selecting an approach to writing fiction. Complex genres such as thrillers or mysteries might require extensive plotting, while literary fiction or creative nonfiction might benefit more from being pantsed through.

Experimenting with Both Methods

If unsure, experiment with both approaches by writing one story with and another without an outline. Perhaps one method works better for certain kinds of stories than another or combining both approaches works best overall.

Conclusion

Deciding between plotting and pantsing is ultimately up to each writer; both approaches offer their own set of benefits and challenges, and choosing which approach best meets the needs of their novel depends on both you and your subject matter. However, a book writing and publishing company provides support or guidance through this process so writers can find an approach that best matches their project; no matter whether this means meticulous planning ahead of time or writing on an unfolding story, what matters is that creative vision stays alive throughout this creative journey of novel creation.