Writers are generally divided into two categories: plotters and pantsers (there’s also a hybrid of the two called “plantsers”).

Plotters plan. They outline. They essentially plot out their entire books, chapter by chapter. They know where they’re going and how they’re getting there. They create (often elaborate) backstories for their characters and detailed character profiles that include all kinds of information that may not even be relevant to the story that’s being told, such as how many s...