I’m a pantster. That’s right. I’m that writer who and meanders through the story looking for the best path. I give the finger to outlines and run away laughing. I don’t like feeling boxed in. I like to be out in the fresh air, tracking my MC, observing them in their natural habitat, learning as I follow. I bring the right tools and skills with me for long cold nights in the woods. I know what I’m tracking, I know the basics of my MC’s life, but I’m not exactly sure where they might lead me on the journey. Sometimes I follow a ghost trail that leads me nowhere, sometimes the path is easy and I can tell exactly what’s happening. This has always been my process. It’s what works for me. But now my process needs to be refined.
My stomach is in knots. I find myself with a real hard and fast deadline on a book I haven’t given much thought about. It already has a release date and I haven’t even written one word. Being a panster is great, but it’s not the fastest way from A to B. Things were different when my deadlines were self-imposed, but now I have an editor, publisher, and hopefully a fan base counting on me. The pressure is mounting. My current process is too slow. I know this. It’s time to try something new. It’s time to evolve, to *gulp* attempt plotting. I need to find a happy medium that won’t scare my muse (Elarin) away, still allows us to roam the woods, but with a better map and better tracking tools. A new tool that will allow me to be a better tracker.
I’ve read a lot of craft books over the years. Lots of book on plot and structure, and while I understand and appreciate all the knowledge I’ve picked up. I still write by instinct. I needed a tool that would let me use that instinct and organize my thoughts into a useful way. So yesterday, like any savvy writer, I googled novel plotting tools. It brought up most of the same type of ideas that I’ve seen before, nothing new, nothing I really felt would work for my pantster brain. Then I ran across a video on You Tube about clustering to plot your novel. I sat up. I use clustering a lot to brainstorm ideas, but I never thought to use it to actually plot a novel.
Wow! I watched the video and felt excited. I could do this. It seemed the perfect way to trick my panster brain into plotting, to get my left brain working along side my right brain. So this week I’m putting clustering into action. Will it work? I don’t know. But I’m going to give it a shot and I’ll let you know what I think.
Are you a panster or a plotter? Do you have any useful tools you like to use? I would love to hear about your process.
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
bwtaylor75
April 3, 2012 at 10:38 am
I think my brain is going to explode after watching that video! While not for me, I think it’s important for writers not to shy away from experimenting. This all comes from knowing your limits.
For me, the planning stages are just as important as the actual writing. Incase you haven’t guessed, I’m a planner. When my brain cooks up an idea, the cogs and gears start turning and I jot down the general plotline for the story. Next come the characters. I’ll write extensive bios for each one, even secondary characters get their own bio. Each bio consists of physical, personality, and even back stories to show who they are and how they got that way. Finally I’ll begin to list the actions I want to accomplish for each chapter or scene. Most of the time this serves as my road map and even though the routes may change, the destination always stays the same. Sometimes you have to add more or lose something in order to get to where you want to go.
But that’s just me, I’m a stickler for the details. I believe that the little things are what makes a good book great. I relish the order and structure that planning gives me. What can I say, I think logically like that! I need to know where the story is going before I start writing so I won’t get lost. I need that final destination.
Great post Heather, and I like that we’re already getting to see how having a publisher has changed how you write. I’ve been reading about it lately, trying to prepare myself for when it happens to me. Thanks for allowing us to walk along with you for a while. My advice: forget about the pressure and lose yourself in the challenge of finishing the book by the deadline. Knock that deadline on it’s butt and show it who the boss is! Just seeing the word deadline gave me a great idea! Thanks Heather!
Heather Reid
April 4, 2012 at 10:46 am
Thanks Brian! I wish I could more of a planner like you. I do extensive character bios (maybe not quite as extensive as yours though
, but no real plotting to speak of. It’s strange because I’m a project manager as my day job and I’m super organized and efficient, but my writing isn’t at all like that!
Thanks for sharing your process. I think we can learn so much from one another. No two writers approach things the same way. It’s awesome! I love that writing is such a personal experience.
I knew I would need to evolve my process when I got published. It’s a challenge that I’m ready for. I’ll keep you posted on how things are working. It’s time to take your advice and lose myself in the book and let the real world disappear.
D. D. Falvo
April 4, 2012 at 9:07 am
“Each bubble should be delicious.” I love it. This is way more fun, than all of the other craft how-to’s that bog my brain. Thanks, Heather.
Heather Reid
April 4, 2012 at 10:48 am
Hi D.D! I love the delicious bubble too! I’m glad you found the video useful. If you decide to try the clustering for plot, let me know. I would love to hear about your experience. I’ll share mine too. I’m very excited about it!
Rebecca
April 4, 2012 at 9:13 am
I’ll admit it, I have trouble plotting. I did a lot of research and started using the snowflake method a few months ago. While I don’t stick to it hard and fast, I have found it useful for keeping thoughts and storylines organized. I like being abe to change direction in a story and find this method allows me to that easier than others. Great post
Heather Reid
April 4, 2012 at 10:49 am
Oh! Snowflake method? I’m totally looking that one up now. Thanks Rebecca!
vaughnroycroft
April 4, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Wow. I’m sort of stunned by the video. I’m going to have to send you some pictures of my early notes from the trilogy and the prequel, Heather. I didn’t know it, and I still consider myself a pantser, but I was already doing a sloppy version of cluster plotting. Besides the circles and lines, I also draw mini maps, with arrows pointing to where stuff will happen with timeline notes. People look at these sheets and think I’m a bit nuts, and I suppose the jury’s still out on that, but this makes me feel a wee bit less so.
Thanks for sharing, and good luck with book two and your new process!
Heather Reid
April 6, 2012 at 9:51 am
I would love to see pictures of your early notes! I love that you didn’t know you were cluster plotting. If it works for you, maybe it will work for me. And all writers are a little nuts, Vaughn. Join the club!
Nicole L. Bates
April 5, 2012 at 6:58 am
I love this Heather. My first MS was, as you described it, following my characters on their journey. I love writing this way, I think it’s more exciting because then I’m not even positive how it will end. The problem for me was going back and editing. Making sure that all those ghost trails were either eliminated or brought back in to the main plot. I’ve tried a different style with each MS and love new ideas. Thanks for sharing this one.
Heather Reid
April 6, 2012 at 9:53 am
Nicole,
I agree! It does make the editing process harder. That’s why I’m hoping this clustering for plot will help me with that. If you decide to try clustering, let me know how it goes.
Courtney Koschel
April 5, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Yay for trying new things! I know it can be scary, but I have all the faith in the world that you’ll produce a FABULOUS second book. I’m a plotter/pantser hybrid. I plot a lot, then pants, then plot, until I finish. I also love making a really detailed outline once I’ve finished. I’ver found that to be really helpful in finding plot holes. Thanks for a great post
Heather Reid
April 6, 2012 at 9:56 am
Thanks, Courtney
I know I’ll get there in the end, especially with my fabulous editor’s help! 
You rock, you know that? I love your plotter/panster hybrid technique. I need to adopt some of that. My friend Lara Schiffbauer calls herself a Planster. I love it!
Jani
April 8, 2012 at 8:52 am
I’m a pantser through and through. I know because I tried plotting and the whole experience depressed me so much I didn’t even want to finish the novel. The only thing I do that can be considered plotting is having a middle and end. I need something to work towards. Other than that, pantser all the way.
Jamie Raintree
April 30, 2012 at 12:07 am
I’m an in-betweener. I start out by plotting the major plot points and then I start at the beginning and only outline as far as I know. As soon as I make note of the scenes that are already in my head, I stop and leave it at that. Because as soon as I start writing, more scenes come to me, so I just keep adding them in. This way, I’m always outlined about ten scenes ahead and I have my major plot points to keep me on track along the way. I’ve tried other techniques but none of them have ever worked for me the way this does.