Plotter or Pantser How do Writers Write?

I’m fascinated on how writers write and the writing processes they utilize.

All writers have an unique writing process.

This is how I write my latest Work in Progress (WIP)

 Karen Tyrrell ‘First an inspired idea arrives with an ending, taking over my thoughts. For weeks I percolate the story until I could visualize my main character and what drives her. Next I write the first chapter in the characters voice, expressing her dreams and fears. Then I plan the story in detail from beginning to end, including her brick wall challenges and ultimately the resolution.’

Karen Tyrrell’s books: Jo-Kin Battles the It, Harry Helps Grandpa Remember, Stop the Bully, Bailey Beats the blah

I surveyed children’s writers from  Just Write for Kids on how they write

I asked: ‘What’s your writing process?

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Or both? What writing and planning techniques do you use?’

Plotter = Plots and plans story from beginning to end

Pantser = Writes by their seat of their pants! Creates the story as they go.

Alison Douglas Stegert ‘A pantsing plotter. I think… Synopsis, outline, Scrivener cards, starting at the end–but running with good ideas that veer off the plan to see what happens!- Alison is an emerging mid-grade fantasy adventure novel author.

Debra Tidball ‘Beyond the initial idea I’m definitely a pantser! I find it hard to plot before I’ve played around with my characters and gotten to know them a bit first. It does mean many of my stories have a tendency to ‘run aground’ and stagnate for a while, waiting for a new wave of panster inspiration to sweep in and save them! Oh – and the endings can be rather elusive – a bit more ‘plotserism’ would be helpful. Debra is a picture book author of When I see Grandma

Renee Price ‘I’m sparked by the initial idea then write by the seat of my pants until I’ve spewed every last thought onto paper. I let it sit for a day or two then return to plot, plan, and plot! Renee is a picture book author of Digby’s Moon Mission.

 Katie Bingham Pants for shorter pieces and plotted pantser for novels here. My plotting is mostly segmenting a character, relationship or story progression into sub-headings and then pantsing the smaller chunks and then putting it all back together like a big jigsaw puzzle. Katie is a reviewer for CBCA and school teacher.

Kathy Creamer ‘Always a pantser until I’ve written the whole story, then I go back and wickedly plot the hell out of the manuscript!  Kathy is a picture book author and illustrator

 Emma Mactaggart ‘I am a PANTSER. I can only begin to write if I have the last line! It is a response to a flash of a thought, and then I give it time to write / rewrite / and write again. The planning I do then is the production side of things, creating a time-line to ensure the books land when I want them too! Emma is a picture book author and workshop presenter

Melissa Gijsbers ‘A plotting pantser? I like to have an idea of where the story is going, and the ending, but I mostly let the story go where it goes. I mostly talk through the plot with my kids (as they are the age group I write for as well as having some great ideas to make the story stronger) Melissa is a mid-grade and short story author

 What the Survey revealed …

Writers write in similar ways, often with a blend of plotting and pantsing.

The secret to a successful book and successful writing is …

Write what works for you…

How do you write?

Please share your writing processes below in the comment section

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