Wrestling With the Shape of a Story
Hey fellow scribblers,
So, let’s talk about one of the age-old debates in the writing world — plotting vs. pantsing. Or, for the uninitiated (welcome, we have snacks), it’s basically the difference between those who outline their story ahead of time [plotters] and those who kind of wing it and write “by the seat of their pants” [hence, pantsers].
Now, before we get too deep, I’ll just say this: there’s no wrong way to write a book. If you manage to get to “The End” with something halfway coherent, you’re already doing better than most people who say they “have a novel in them.” (It’s usually next to the spleen, I hear.)
So What’s Plotting All About?
Plotting is like going on a road trip with GPS. You map out your route ahead of time. Maybe not every tiny pit stop or scenic overlook, but you know you’re driving from Chicago to LA, and you’re probably going to pass through Denver. Or, you know, Kansas, if you took a wrong turn.
Some people outline every chapter, every twist, every emotional beat. Others do a looser version — just enough to keep themselves from getting totally lost. The point is: you’ve got a general game plan.
Plotting has this lovely sense of security. You can sit down each writing session knowing what scene you’re tackling. It keeps that blank page panic at bay. And it can be a life-saver when you’re writing something with complex timelines or multi-threaded plots. Crime writers especially — think locked room mysteries, thrillers with timelines tighter than a drum — they almost need to plot.
(Which brings us to the other camp...)
And Then There’s Pantsing
Pantsing is the rebel yell of the writing world. You have a spark of an idea, maybe a character or a situation that intrigues you, and you just start writing to see where it goes.
This can be wildly exciting. There’s a certain magic in discovering your story as it unfolds. The characters start doing things you didn’t expect. Plot twists just happen out of nowhere. You’re basically your own first reader.
But here’s the thing: it’s also chaotic. You might write 30,000 words and realize you’ve wandered into a narrative swamp and have no idea how to get out. Or worse, that your story has no real arc. That’s where revision comes in — and oh boy, pantsers often have to revise hard. You’re restructuring, rewriting, cutting and pasting like you’re Frankensteining the thing back to life.
A Little Real Talk
I’ve tried both approaches. Pantsing feels thrilling at first, like jumping off a cliff with a pencil in your teeth and no parachute. Plotting, on the other hand, feels more like building the parachute before you jump — maybe it’s not as flashy, but you do tend to land in one piece.
Now, let’s be honest. First-time authors often get caught up in the romance of pantsing. “Let the story come to me,” they say, arms outstretched toward the literary gods. But writing a full-length novel is a big, complicated, often messy task. If you’re new to it, having a roadmap — even a rough one — is usually a smart move.
Plotting doesn’t mean you can’t have spontaneous ideas. It doesn’t trap you. Think of it like scaffolding: it supports you while you build something that might end up totally different from what you imagined — and that’s okay.
But Pantsing Has Its Champions
Still, don’t count pantsing out completely. Some brilliant writers are die-hard pantsers. Michael Robotham, our great Aussie thriller writer, for example, openly admits he doesn't know how his books will end when he starts writing. Stephen King is another classic pantser, he’s all about letting the characters drive the story, and boy, do they ever.
But here’s the thing: those authors? They’ve been doing this a while. They’ve internalized story structure. They’ve got instincts that kick in when things start going sideways. Pantsing works for them because their writing brains are wired like narrative compasses. It’s a different way of thinking, and it works for them. For the rest of us, though? It might just lead to a drawer full of half-finished manuscripts and a fridge full of despair snacks.
What Am I?
I've gotta admit, I'm largely in the camp of plotters although, as I proceed on my writing journey, I use pansting sometimes. So maybe I'm a "plantser" ! I find the structure of plotting great but I will sometime allow a character to make their "own way" in the world, and let the narrative flow. But, in the process, I find a bit of rewriting happens.
Which is not a bad thing as sometime this gets me to a better result. I guess, at the end of the day, it's a "horses for courses" approach. Just depends on how your brain works.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just starting out on your writing journey, I’d say give plotting a try. Not a 50-page spreadsheet (unless that’s your thing , in which case, rock on), but a basic outline. Know your beginning, a rough idea of your middle, and where you’d like to end up. That structure will keep you focused and give you space to be creative without flailing into the abyss.
Pantsing still has its place. It’s great for short stories, for exploratory drafts, or just when you’re in the mood to write something without rules. But if you want to write a full novel and actually finish it without breaking your brain? A little plotting goes a long way.
Until next time, keep writing — whether you’re plotting, pantsing, or somewhere wonderfully in between.
Warmly, Des Brady/Writer. Occasional plotter. Frequent snacker.
