Plotters and Pantsers

Which kind of writer are you?

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about my creative process. A few months ago, I signed up for a program called Plottr, an application that helps writers outline their stories as well as create what is known in the biz as a story bible. I’m at work on a novel that is part of a series. Every book in the series introduces new characters, new plot lines, new settings and different magical properties.  I’ve been looking for a way to go back and reference those twists and turns easily. When Deegan stole the magic token in the second book, what exactly did he use it for?  How old was William in the first book and how much time elapsed before he took his friend Jason back with him to the 14th Century?

In trying to determine the best use of the app for each writer, the creators have asked whether we are plotters or pantsers. I honestly had never heard the term “pantser” before, but it means this. Do you outline your book, or do you fly by the seat of your pants?

I became a pantser decades ago when I wrote The Castle in the Attic. In my earlier works of fiction, I was a controlling, risk adverse writer who carefully outlined each chapter believing that it would save me time. This meant that my characters had little opportunity to develop on their own. I was too busy telling them what to do and where to go when I needed to sit quietly and listen to what they might have to say. When characters you’ve invented from your imagination begin to come to life, you need to give them room to make mistakes, go down the wrong paths and get into trouble

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The idea for Castle came to me while I was sitting next to a swimming pool waiting for a free lane to do my laps. I’d written a picture book called It Won’t Be the Same about saying goodbye to my five-year-old son’s nanny when she left to take care of babies. As my astute editor pointed out, the book did not soar.  It sounded as if I had followed Mrs. Miller and Andrew around with a tape recorder, and then put their conversations into a book.

She suggested I consider expanding it into a full length, middle grade novel. I consciously rejected the idea, but my unconscious was busy figuring out how to do it. As I’ve often said, writers are never not writing.  So much of what ends up on the page happens when one is sleeping or walking or doing the laundry. Or in this case, swimming laps. By the time I got out of the pool, I knew how the book would start and how it would end but no more than that. As Eudora Welty said, “Each story teaches me how to write it but not how to write the next one." I decided then and there to let this story teach me how to write it.

To my surprise, this novel about a boy trying to hold on to someone he loves no matter the consequences, took off. It was nominated for 23 state book awards, took the prize in Vermont and California, and has sold millions of copies. And I think I know why. It’s because I let my characters take the lead. I learned over time that each scene would teach me where to go next. With that fantasy novel, I became a committed pantser. And I’ve been one ever since.

Are you a plotting writer or do you too fly by the seat of your pants? There is no right way, only the way that works for you.