I’m a panster. I sit, disappear into my world, and let it appear as words on paper.
I will outline, plot, and characterize only after a first draft is all written–at least that’s how I’ve done it to date.
Then I’ll repeat the process, as I start to guide the story. I have done this cycle a few times now, fixing holes, patching up, and my first half is out with readers for critique. For me this means I’m going back to the beginning. Beginnings are very hard for me. I don’t see them, I never know where the story begins until my work is near completion. Normally, I write the beginning last.
That’s what I’m doing now, writing my opening chapters. And I am going about it as a plotter. I know what traits of my heroine I want the reader to see, and what events will display them. I have a list of info that needs to be delivered, but I’m still working out the exact order of it, which means my outline is still fluid, and needs to solidified so that I no longer what to rearrange.
I’m a panster gone plotter. It’s a difficult process for me in some ways, but necessary for the precision I require right now. And it’s fun–most of the time!! The best of it is seeing my creation become more complete.
If you are a plotter have you ever gone panster, and vice-versa? And if so, how was the experience?
