 |
| Photo credit: Incessant Flux on Flickr |
It wasn't intentional, but I have a feeling my
subconscious avoidance of the topic has to do with the fact that I don't have
one set way to plot. I've done everything from meticulously plotting with
flashcards, to pantsing the entire novel with only a vague idea of where it was
going, to hybrid techniques that fall somewhere in the middle.
As it happens (and as is the case with most
writing things), there isn't one set way to plot that is better than the
others— nor do I believe there is a "right" answer as to whether it's
better to plot a novel or just go with the flow and pants the entire thing.
There are, however, pros and cons to both
pantsing and plotting up for discussion right here.
So.
For the organized writer: Plotting
It goes without saying that plotting a novel
before you write it certainly has its merits. Having a destination before you
start the journey certainly saves you a lot of headaches while you're in the
midst of writing, and can help you avoid the dreaded writer's block, which
often comes from not knowing where the plot leads next.
Many published writers swear by meticulous
plotting: J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a twelve-volume History of Middle Earth
while writing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and it's
pretty common knowledge that J.K. Rowling most definitely worked out the
complicated plot of Harry Potter in advance.
Having a plot laid out early on can help
ensure that your story is well-structured right from the beginning, which in
turn saves a lot of time fixing gaping plot holes and unnecessary tangents
while revising later.
Some writers, however, find that knowing all
the details before the story begins sometimes stifles their characters— they
find they end up writing to the formula rather than letting the writing evolve
naturally, which then leads to...
Pantsing: for the adventurous writer
Pantsing a novel is a more light-hearted
approach to its left-brained relative. It usually begins with a spark of an
idea— an inciting incident that catapults the story forward, and the writer
discovers the plot along the way with the characters. Pantsers enjoy the thrill
of discovery while writing— every day is a new adventure, every writing session
delving them deeper into the story that unfolds with every word.
While plotters focus on structure and
planning, pantsers focus on discovery and the natural flow of events.
Sounds wonderful, right? Well, there is a
downside.
As these writers often have little idea as to
where the story is going, pantsing a novel can lead to more frequent writer's
block and many more unnecessary tangents and ramblings as the writer tries to
figure out what to do next. The story doesn't always have the strongest
structure, especially in the first draft, so more time needs to be dedicated to
fixing those plot holes and tying things together while revising.
As you can see, there are pros and cons to
each method, and I highly recommend experimenting with both throughout your
career as a writer.
What type of writer are you? Do you prefer
pantsing, plotting or something in between? Why?
