Photo by Elisa Nobe
Unfamiliar with the above terms? Well I was until I joined Romance Writers of Australia.
When creating a story a writer is placed in one of two categories: a plotter or a pantster.
A plotter will sit and construct all the elements of their story; setting, characters and plot. Working out all the character relationships, conflict and conclusion. Once this is completed then all the elements are weaved together to create the skeleton of the story. Each chapter mapped out with the character growth and relationship shown.
A pantster does only some of this. They start with developing characters and a setting, perhaps inspired by an idea or image and begin to write, not knowing which direction their story will take until they get to a plot point and make a decision.
I’m a plotter all the way. I need to know everything that is going to happen before I start. I spend a month working out every aspect mentioned above plus some of the finer details needed to complete the story.
But inspiration comes first.
My current manuscript, ‘A Wicked Proposal’ started with a scene running through my head while I was in the middle of the weekly grocery shop. I couldn’t get home fast enough to write down my idea before unpacking. Later that night I wrote most of the first chapter. Then I spent the next month developing the rest of the story.
Some chopping and changing occurs as I add in extra details but I can pretty much open up any chapter and start writing as each contains a full outline.
A fellow writer told me she is a pantster ‘all the way’ otherwise she gets bored with the story and would never complete it.
There is no right or wrong way to write you just have to find your groove. If you’ve thought about writing I encourage you to give it ago. Choose your favourite genre and either make a quick outline of your plot or just start typing, you’ll soon know which you are.
Comment and tell me the process you go through or show your preference by taking my online poll.
Happy writing!
When creating a story a writer is placed in one of two categories: a plotter or a pantster.
A plotter will sit and construct all the elements of their story; setting, characters and plot. Working out all the character relationships, conflict and conclusion. Once this is completed then all the elements are weaved together to create the skeleton of the story. Each chapter mapped out with the character growth and relationship shown.
A pantster does only some of this. They start with developing characters and a setting, perhaps inspired by an idea or image and begin to write, not knowing which direction their story will take until they get to a plot point and make a decision.
I’m a plotter all the way. I need to know everything that is going to happen before I start. I spend a month working out every aspect mentioned above plus some of the finer details needed to complete the story.
But inspiration comes first.
My current manuscript, ‘A Wicked Proposal’ started with a scene running through my head while I was in the middle of the weekly grocery shop. I couldn’t get home fast enough to write down my idea before unpacking. Later that night I wrote most of the first chapter. Then I spent the next month developing the rest of the story.
Some chopping and changing occurs as I add in extra details but I can pretty much open up any chapter and start writing as each contains a full outline.
A fellow writer told me she is a pantster ‘all the way’ otherwise she gets bored with the story and would never complete it.
There is no right or wrong way to write you just have to find your groove. If you’ve thought about writing I encourage you to give it ago. Choose your favourite genre and either make a quick outline of your plot or just start typing, you’ll soon know which you are.
Comment and tell me the process you go through or show your preference by taking my online poll.
Happy writing!
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