The YA and Middle Grade Fiction Group discussion

In another thread. The subject of Plotters and Pantsers showed up, so I'd be interested in people's opinions on the subject.

I'm a die hard pantser. I have been ever since I was little. In school we were taught how to plot and my teachers made it a point to say that we had to outline the story first. I would always complain that I didn't need to do this, but it didn't matter. So I would write my story, then I'd write my outline second.

Growing up, I always thought I was backward. Even online, the general opinion tends to be outline and plot. But when I started going to conferences, I found some of the fastest and strongest writers were pantsers. At the Writer's Digest Conference this year in New York, I actually went to a seminar to teach plotters how to be pantsers.

The instructor believed that everyone exists in a hybrid of plotting and pantsing. Pantsing is like free thinking which must be done to write out scenes, but plotting is organizing the scene beforehand. To a degree, according to the instructor, we all do this.

When I thought about it, I had to agree. When I think about a new idea, I generally go over the concepts in my head and try to "see the movie." Once I've done that, I can start writing. I found that all stories have six main parts: Introduction, Turning Point, Pinch, Crisis, Climax, Resolution. I have these memorized, so I don't literally need to know when a certain stage of writing needs to occur.

Once I get 65% of the writing done. I always outline what I have, go over points that I want to make sure line up, and ensure the story is focused. After that I brainstorm the ending and work until I'm done. I wait for a few weeks to clear my head, then finish the outline and re-read for the story arc.

I do believe I write an extra 4 to 9K words this way on average, but it helps my characters to feel more alive. They literally are walking and talking without me "forcing" a plot device onto them.

IMO most of the plot comes from the Antagonist. As long as I keep up with the Antag then my plots flow pretty clearly.

What are you thoughts/feelings? Remember this is for interesting discussion and for us all to learn from each other.

I am a pantser! When I come up with a story, it starts with an idea then the characters. Then I start writing. When I took a writing class, I tried the outline version and I couldn't do it. My thought process wouldn't work along with it and I found myself sitting at my desk, pencil tapping a blank sheet of paper.
After I write my first draft, which is on paper, I start over again, by adding it to the computer, and add things that I think it needs, the little things that make the main character sing and unique. I will do this three or four times before I'm ready for the next step.
I don't understand why some teachers push the outline. It should be what you are comfortable with.
Only my opinion, after all, I don't have a degree in literature.

For some stories, I can just start and finish with no outline and have it make perfect sense. However, on most topics, I must do a vague outline to keep myself on track and fill in the rest as I write.

I'm a pantser.

I can't work from an outline, because I never know which direction my stories will go. I start with an idea, then I sit down and start writing.

My story "Yua And The Great Wizard Hunt" for example, was originally meant to have been a mystery story in which a dog rescues his master after he's kidnapped. Next thing I know, the dog can talk, the master is a wizard, and my story has turned in to a fantasy with a slight mystery element instead.

Victoria wrote: "My story "Yua And The Great Wizard Hunt" for example, was originally meant to have been a mystery story in which a dog rescues his master after he's kidnapped. Next thing I know, the dog can talk, the master is a wizard, and my story has turned in to a fantasy with a slight mystery element instead. "

LOL - Glad to know this happens to all of us! :-D

Tonya wrote: "I am a pantser! When I come up with a story, it starts with an idea then the characters. ... I don't understand why some teachers push the outline. It should be what you are comfortable with.
Only my opinion, after all, I don't have a degree in literature.
"

I think I know why! Outlines are much easier to track/test. It's kind of like showing your work in English Class. But I've totally written the story and then gone back and filled in the outline. (Don't tell my teachers)

Madeline wrote: "For some stories, I can just start and finish with no outline and have it make perfect sense. However, on most topics, I must do a vague outline to keep myself on track and fill in the rest as I wr..."

I've done it both ways. Most projects I can't completely pants or plot... unless they're picture books. Those are usually pantsed.

I come at most novels through the side door. I write a scene, then build an arc around it. One of my MGs started with "Honey wake up," because I thought it would be funny if her name was actually Honey. Before I know it, Honey Wilson is a preteen with a villainous superpower who doesn't want to wake up. Ever.

Jen wrote: "Honey wake up," because I thought it would be funny if her name was actually Honey. Before I know it, Honey Wilson is a preteen with a villainous superpower who doesn't want to wake up. Ever.

LOL Too funny

It's so odd how we authors get our thoughts down of paper. Some of us just need a quiet space at our desks with a laptop, but others need to be up in a tree house wearing a lime green ball gown and orange slippers to get our creativity across :)

Madeline wrote: "It's so odd how we authors get our thoughts down of paper. Some of us just need a quiet space at our desks with a laptop, but others need to be up in a tree house wearing a lime green ball gown and..."

I'm pretty adaptable when it comes to where and when I can write.

Victoria wrote: "I'm pretty adaptable when it comes to where and when I can write. "

Yep, I don't need to wear orange slippers although I know a few people who need to. I'm good as long as I have something to write with (paper & pencil or computer).

J. L. wrote: "Victoria wrote: "I'm pretty adaptable when it comes to where and when I can write. "

Yep, I don't need to wear orange slippers although I know a few people who need to. I'm good as long as I have ..."

Me too. Though my usable writing tools are more limited. That's from lack of accessability though.

I guess I'm the outlier! I am a plotter. I find that outlining chapters frees me of anxiety about where the story is going.

Chris wrote: "I guess I'm the outlier! I am a plotter. I find that outlining chapters frees me of anxiety about where the story is going."

Yay! Chris represent the plotters of the world. Are you adaptable when/where you write? How about you Ellie?

Oh, Chris, we need plotters like to you to keep us pantsters in line. (Pun intended.) :)

I'm a plotter all the way. The more I plot, the easier the writing. I don't know how you pantsers do it...