Sitting on the Fence Between Plotting and Pansting
Every once
in awhile the question arises in the writer's world: are you a plotter or a
panster? This question always brings up so many mixed feelings in me. You see,
I've often considered myself a pretty dyed-in-the-wool panster. My characters
have lives of their own, and they're very clear on their desire to not let me
interfere with that.
Oh, it's not
that I don't plot at all. I do. I start each piece with a clear vision of where
I want to go, and produce an outline of how to get there. Somehow, some way,
the characters always seem to have a way of interfering with my "best laid
plans" though. That's when I get a little blurry on the plotting/panster
concept. Where does one start and the other begin?
When I first
begin a project, I start out determined to not let characters get in the way of
my plans again. Oh the glory of what it must be like to be a true plotter.
Someone who can outline every detail and really stick to that. For me, my
outlines are a basic roadmap. I do demand that my characters obey the signs and
signals, and keep to the idea of the story… but when it comes to the nitty
gritty of the story, they're in control and they never let me forget that
either.
Is Either Plotting or Pansting Really
Important?
Obviously
plenty of writers do very well on both sides of the coin. It doesn't surprise
me to find, though, that many of the writers I talk to find themselves stuck
somewhere in the middle of the plotter/panster debate. I think there is a good reason
for that--both are pretty important.
You need a
roadmap. Simply letting go and following a character wherever that may lead
might be a whole lot of fun, but it's dangerous. You could end up meandering
for pages and pages, even an entire novel, without actually getting anywhere or
saying anything. A basic plot outline can be as simple as a sort of
"mission statement." A, this is what I want to say in this novel,
type of idea so that you never lose sight of what impact you want to make. Regardless
of whether it is a full-out point-by-point plot development, or just a
paragraph of intent, it will keep you grounded when your character wants to
stop and enjoy the scenery or go charging off into the sunset.
You need
emotion and involvement. If you plot, but never get a connection to your
characters and see what "they" see, neither will your readers.
Pansting is another word for being "in" the character and that's so
important. Even the most dedicated plotters have to make that connection if
they are going to reach a reader's emotional core.
The Un-Happy Medium
So why are
writers so concerned about what side they're on. I think, here too is just my
opinion, or perhaps just my reflection on my own feelings toward middle of the
roading it: we feel guilty sometimes that we're not more involved with one side
or the other. Or that we're doing something wrong. Maybe that's not right at
all though. Perhaps being squarely in the middle of the debate is just the
right place to be. It's the perfect place to implement both of the benefits of
story line creation. I think I like that concept best of all, and from now on
when I am asked whether I am a plotter or a panster I will proudly say I sit on
the fence!
Author’s
Bio:
A
long-time novelist and freelance writer, T. L. Parrington (Tami Parrington)
enjoys the simple pleasures of working in the garden, swimming at the health
club and playing with her dog when she's not pounding away at the keyboard. As
a novelist she has several romance, women's fiction and fantasy books
available.
Readers
can find out more about Tami Parrington's work at her Amazon Page
amazon.com/author/tlparrington or her website: http://www.tamiparrington.com
To
connect with Tami find her on Twitter at @TParrington or her Facebook page:
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