Plotting vs. Pantsing: which is better?

Whether you are just beginning your writing journey or have several books under your belt, plotting vs. pantsing is a question up for eternal debate among authors. But why? What does each method have to offer, and which of the two is better and, more importantly, the most efficient for busy writers such as yourself.

In order to answer, first we have to look at what plotting and pantsing are.

What is plotting?

Plotting refers to a methodical style of preparation when it comes planning a story. Each story beat is arranged ahead of time, the ending fully figured out, the characters and world already fleshed out… In short, more emphasis is given on figuring out the story before the author starts writing anything.

Pros and Cons of Plotting

• Less Revision

The biggest benefit of plotting is that, in the long run, it is the style that requires less revision. With the story already mapped out and scenes planned, it is easier to focus on the writing itself and on foreshadowing, gradual progression of plot points and character development. This does not negate the need for revision altogether, but it may allow for shorter revision time after finishing the novel and for cleaner drafts which may be especially attractive to those who struggle with self-editing.

• Complex storytelling

Plotting is especially useful in complex stories, such as mysteries, time-travel stories or non-linear storytelling. Though it is possible to write these types of stories with less preparation, more often than not, using any one of the different methods of plotting out a story is advisable to avoid plotholes and inconsistencies.

• Overplanning

When plotting a story, it is easy to get so absorbed in the tiny details of the story and losing sight of the goal which is to actually write the story. The nature of plotting itself, which is to look at the progression of the story, means that a lot of time will be spent in the examination of the plot itself. While plotting a story can be beneficial for someone who struggles with following through with their writing, it is possible to overdo it and bogging down inspiration. For some people, spending too much time thinking about a story may even cause story abandonment as they second-guess their every decision.

What is pantsing?

Pantsing on the other hand, is a lot more fluid. The author begins with a vague sense of the plot but allows the creative process to guide them along as they discover their story. However, this also has various levels. Some pantsers start with only the smallest of inklings, such as a single scene, as a jumping point, while others may write a summary of the story or do some basic plotting while still allowing for a more relaxed exploration of the story.

Pros and Cons of Pantsing

• Immediacy

Unlike plotting, pantsing a story stems from the principle of “striking while the iron is hot”, the iron in this analogy being an author’s inspiration. Using the momentum and excitement of a new idea to throw yourself into writing a story rather than stopping the process to figure out all the details, this is a preferred method for those authors who work better when they have something written on a page even if it still needs shaping.

• More editing

Pantsing a story also means that more self-editing will be needed once the story is fully written. This is due to the fact that many facets of the story do not exist in the beginning of the process, necessitating that the author go back to include or change parts of the story already written to include them. Plot holes may also be discovered later requiring re-writes and edits. Furthermore, as the scenes themselves are not planned out, this may lead to a number of superfluous scenes that need to be removed for the story to be more consistent. One thing that pantsers must learn to do before embracing this writing style is the concept of “murdering your darlings”.

• Losing interest

A side-effect of less time invested in the preparation of a story is losing interest shortly after beginning. This may look like writing a few scenes and “getting it out of your system” before moving on to the next idea that catches your fancy. This is also where the biggest misconception of pantsing lies, as it is not meant to be completely rudderless, but rather a discovery of the story through writing rather than through plotting, using the characters as a guide.

So, which is better?

It comes down to your personality, your writing style, your daily routine and, most importantly, your personal preference. Some people thrive on the organization that plotting out the story brings while others chafe under the guidelines it provides.

Another thing to consider, is that there is no one definitive way to be an author. Even amongst plotters, there are dozens of different ways to go about plotting out a story from the very regimented to the ones so abstract that they veer into the territory of pantsing, and all of them are valid.

As a seasoned author, my best piece of advice is to experiment, while keeping in mind all of the above points. If plotting is burning you out, then try pantsing for a little while. Likewise, if you decide to start pantsing a story but feel aimless and lost, then add some structure and try again. There is a method that works for everyone, and if there is not, then feel free to use the one that works for you.