Writing by the Seat of My Pantser.

Are you a pantser or a plotter? I’ve only recently become familiar with these terms, and have discovered I am a classic pantser. But maybe to the extreme...

I navigate my narrative wholly by instinct. If you’ve read my Origin Story on this website, you’re familiar with what I call, 'The Voice', that steady stream of narrative that’s been present the whole of my life. I write what my inner narrative dictates. This intuitive approach aligns with my spontaneous life. Writing from flow allows my story to unfurl in its own time, in its own way. Think of it as a river carving its way through the landscape—unplanned, unforced, and full of natural twists and turns.

On the contrary, plotters invest substantial time in brainstorming and meticulously planning their story ahead of time. They’re able to create detailed outlines that encompass every facet of their narrative. These outlines serve as invaluable maps that enable the writer to ensure their story has a well-defined structure and direction, and helps keep them on course. From my own perspective and experiences, the plotter method feels restrictive and confining.

Many years ago, I took a Master Class with James Patterson. At that time, I didn’t yet understand my own writing process, and like many emerging writers, I believed responsible, serious storytelling began with a full outline. Where I’d label myself an extreme pantser, Patterson is a radical plotter, knowing every detail of every chapter before beginning co-penning his next book. The class was a miserable six weeks; an exercise in futility. But there was also self-discovery; it helped me define what works for me, and what doesn’t.

The most enjoyable and productive writing experience for myself, is when I can forego the confines of a predetermined plan, and just dive in. I hear the story, and see the action in my mind’s eye, then I show that with words on the screen. The experience of writing my ‘Death by’ series is like stepping into a thrilling, unpredictable world that I get to experience alongside my characters as if I were right there in the story with them. A natural born storyteller, or a psychotherapist’s wet dream? I’m still not sure, but I don’t think it matters.

Trusting an inner muse to dictate the story can seem unfocused; the pantser approach is not universal. Just the thought of free-flow riffing with words might seem beyond daunting and unfathomable to those who prefer to maintain tight control and structure. Trust me, I get it. The best part though – there’s no right or wrong way to go about telling a story, only what works for you, the author.

Being a pantser allows surprises, but lacks control. Characters appear and die unexpectedly. I’m often surprised at plot twists, but that’s precisely why I prefer an unstructured, spontaneous writing process rather than meticulously plotting everything out. Sometimes planning too much in advance can create rigid boundaries, and stifle creativity. A pantser will sit down and simply start writing without knowing exactly where the story will go or how it will end.

Personally, I find not outlining the details allows for more surprises and discoveries along the way. I can let the story and characters develop organically rather than forcing them into a pre-set structure. This intuitive, unplanned approach is less stressful and more liberating for me as a writer. I produce my best work when I can write freely without too much advance planning. While plotting works for some, it’s not the right method for my writing style.

It’s important to find what works best for you. Consider your own writing style; are you more of a creative, free-spirited writer, or do you prefer to have a clear plan in place? Think about the type of story you’re trying to tell; is it a complex, intricate plot that requires a lot of preplanning, or is it more of a character-driven story? Lastly, what are your goals and priorities as a writer? Are you focused on creative freedom, or do you need a more structured approach to ensure that the story is coherent and well-planned? Maybe a more hybrid approach works for you.

For example, using the pantser approach during the initial drafting phase allows a writer to freely explore ideas. Then, during the revision and editing stages, a writer might switch to the plotter approach to analyze the structure, fill in any gaps, and ensure coherence in the overall narrative. This cross method allows for creativity and flexibility while also providing a solid framework for refining and polishing the story.

In the end, there is no single “right” approach to writing. By writing by the seat of my pantser, I have the creative freedom to let stories unfold naturally. Plotters lean on structure and planning to ensure cohesive narratives. A hybrid approach balances these strengths. The key is to reflect on your own writing tendencies. Define your natural process first, then develop methods to capitalize on your strengths while addressing common challenges. Whether you identify as a pantser or a plotter, the key is to stay true to your creative vision and produce the best possible story for your readers.

~Dani