Planner or pantser?
There are two types of writers. Planner or pantser.
The planner only starts to write when they have a clear outline. They get clear on the topic and themes, map out the chapters and know their ultimate end goal. They give thought and consideration to what they’re going to write, so that they know what’s going to be in their book before they start writing it.
Pantsers will fly by the seat of their pants. Well, that’s the meaning related to writing! They are likely to write without a plan and may not be clear on their message before they start writing it. Every time they sit down to write, they write on instinct and often surprise themselves by what comes up on the page!
A great fiction example of a planner is JK Rowling, who reportedly planned out all seven of the Harry Potter novels before starting to write the first. Stephen King is a self-confessed pantser. He likes spontaneity and believes that knowing the end of his plot could stifle his creativity.
Getting to a first draft is no mean feat and you have to tackle your book in the best way for you. Although there are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches.
Planner or pantser? The danger of each approach
The danger of being a planner is analysis paralysis. You could have lots of ideas and go around in circles trying to find the right one.
When you over think and over analyse, it means that no course of action is decided upon. If you’re always planning, you’re never writing or making progress with your book.
The danger of being a pantser is that lack of planning can result in feeling overwhelmed.
And if you haven’t pulled your themes and ideas together before you start writing, it can lead to rambling and repetitiveness. If you’ve not rectified this before publishing, it will also cause confusion for the person reading it.
Trust me when I say that unless you have an outline plan for your book, it will be much harder later! Pulling together a splurge of words into a structure after you’ve written it is painful. And a huge pile of mess and muddle isn’t going to build your credibility and profile.
I’m predominantly a planner although I dabble in some pantsing from time to time! But it’s probably not a surprise that planning is an approach I encourage my clients to take, even if it’s against their natural instinct.
A project like a book is a big one. When you know what you’re writing and in which order, then it’s easier to write.
You need to know what core problem your reader wants you to solve before you can write about how you can help them.
And it will be quicker and easier to get your book out of your head and down onto paper when you have a concrete framework first.
That’s why I created the Smart Author System: A proven process that takes you through every step you need to take to plan, write and launch your book. To give you a clear focus, a powerful structure for your book, and a plan to make it happen.
Planner or pantser… Which one are you? Is it time to get focused and get your book done?