Here we are in September all ready, and today is our day for another Round Robin Blog post. This month's topic is Plotters vs Pantsers: Do you plan your books before you start writing, or do your characters drive the plot?
Hmm. Plotter or Pantser? First, let’s take a look at what
each of them involves.
A Plotter is very organized. They will create the characters
with likely an extensive character checklist (likes, dislikes, etc) and
backstory. They will work scene by scene, often using post-its or recipe cards.
They can look at these and move them around as needed to make sense of their plot-driven
story.
A Pantser, on the other hand, starts with maybe a couple of
characters and a rough idea of the story and goes for it, working with what
comes to the surface as they go along. This method is typically character-driven.
After that, you get the Plotser, a combination of both. A bit
of plotting here, a run of freefall writing there, and it all gets smoothed out
in the editing. Oh yes, let’s not forget that part!
The upshot is, if any new writers are reading this, there is
no right or wrong way to write a book. It is a matter of whatever works for you
as the creator of the work. Of course, there are the usual guidelines to
consider for character and plot development, the arc of the story from its
beginning through its middle to the climax and resolution, and good, basic
grammar. Learning how to handle dialogue, subtext, rising tension, and pacing
can be learnt along the way through workshops and conferences, or online if necessary.
I have never been a plotter per se. My first books were
historical romances, so I always started with a couple. It was usually the
heroine who came into my mind first. Once I had a handle on who she was, I then
started imagining the love interest for her. After deciding on which year to
use as a setting, I would research events for that year to see how I might
incorporate them into the story. And after that, it was pretty much a case of
go with the flow. I always took the lead from the heroine.
Things started to change slightly when I began writing
contemporary western romance, as I began to produce pages of bullet points of
what I wanted to happen when. It wasn’t exactly plotting, but I found it easier
to keep track of where I was in the story. I’m not sure if it was an age thing
for me, as I found myself having a few senior moments of forgetfulness. Having
the bullet points beside me was far easier than having to go back through the
pages to determine where I was in my story.
Now I am writing a series cozy mysteries, Sixpenny Cross Murder Mysteries, and I definitely need to plot them more carefully. My amateur sleuth and her supporting characters won’t change from book to book, but the murders obviously will, so that needs more research and plotting. IE: Who was killed? How were they killed? Why were they killed? Who dunnit? Then there are all the clues and red herrings to keep track of, and without plotting, they would be all over the place and possibly make no sense at all.
So now I think I am maybe definitely a Plotser. Check out what my Round Robin colleagues have to say about themselves here:
Helena Fairfax helena.fairfax@gmail.com
Belinda Edwards bee@booksbybelinda.com
Sally Odgers https://behindsallysbooksmark2.blogspot.com
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3xy
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Detective stories certainly need plotting. I once heard a writer interviewed on radio. He explained, there are three stories: What happened, what the detective finds out, and what the reader is told. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is along the lines of there's his story, her story, and then there's the true story.
DeleteYour experience with the mystery/detective stories is a good argument for planning. I have one of your books on my TBR list but it's not a detective one, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteWhichever of my books you have, I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
DeleteI guess I must be a Plotser - a new term for me, but it does fit. Like Bob, I sometimes find myself writing the final scene first or at least at some point long before I actually get to the end. But I also know my characters a whole lot better starting out. And like you, discovered mysteries were a whole 'nother ball game.....
ReplyDeleteWriting, diets, and dresses are alike in that one size does not fit all! Here's to the fun of writing.
DeleteI look forward to reading a mystery novel. The twists and turns; the red herrings and the unexpected ending. Information post. Perhaps I’ll tackle a YA mystery…someday :)
ReplyDeleteI used to read mysteries just for enjoyment. Now I find myself analysing every page.
DeleteHiVicky, it's been interesting to find out how you write. With my romances, I also start first with the characters. I have an idea the story, but I don't spend a lot of time planning out the plot. Like you with your mysteries, when I wrote a romantic suspense, I found I had to change tack and work out the plot much more in advance. I enjoyed your post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helena. It is a different way of working, but now I've started on the second mystery I can see the benefits.
DeleteHi Vicky, I love the new term for mixing up the one and the other. I probably fit there, too. Also, I think it's good to say to new writers - what works for you. Anne Stenhouse
ReplyDeleteHi Anne, I think truly we are all plotsers if we did but know it!
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