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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn my experience with other writers, pantsers seem to be the most common type of writer. They are generally more on the creative side (not that plotters aren\u2019t creative), and they tend to work in organized chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many pantsers I\u2019ve met are people who didn\u2019t enjoy reading as a child (or maybe even have dyslexia), have higher energy levels, and think more emotionally than logically. They also might have trouble with procrastination, project-hopping, and transferring their ideas from mind to paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Often, people discourage pantsers from taking a career path like being an author simply because it doesn\u2019t seem to match the rest of their personality. When many people think of a writer, they think of a slow-paced, tea-drinking, meticulous scribe. Because a lot of pantsers don\u2019t fit that description, it can be hard for them to embrace their way of doing things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, pantsers are also some of the most creative people I\u2019ve ever met. Get them talking about their characters, or listen to them spin a tale, or put an idea in their head, and you can almost see their love for stories shining in their eyes. While they are very different from plotters, pantsers are definitely true writers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does this sound like you? Then you might be a pantser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a pantser, I heartily congratulate you. While you might feel less than other writers because you struggle to form sentences on paper, you have a huge advantage over them. Everything about the plotting method\u2014structuring, outlining, and planning\u2014can all be learned. But the wealth of creativity and the excitement over stories that you possess as a pantser\u2026 that is truly a gift from God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I like to say that having the mind of a writer is about 75% of the battle. The other 25% is learning how to shape that creativity into words that flow and make sense. So as a pantser, you\u2019re already three-fourths of the way to becoming a great writer\u2026 what plotters have to brainstorm and pour over for weeks and sometimes months, you can form in your mind in a matter of hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I said in my last blog post that plotters tend to be detail-oriented, which is why they must use outlines to help them get a bird\u2019s-eye view of the story. Well, pantsers tend to look at the big picture. They already know in their head how things are going to end up\u2014if not consciously, then intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So to hone your skills, you need to focus on the details. Meaning you should figure out the main points in your story (your theme, the beginning and ending, etc.), and then jump right into the writing. Your creative brain knows exactly how the story needs to flow, leaving you to focus on crafting the words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I would recommend for you as a pantser is to do a ton of experimenting. Just as the plotter must try new techniques, the panster should try new ideas. Use prompts, write a different genre, or find interesting inspiration from real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a true pantser, don\u2019t try to become a plotter. Sure, use outlines if they\u2019re useful to you, but don\u2019t force it. If you can craft an incredible story in your mind, you can craft it on paper, too. When all else fails, just start writing the story you would want to read. As you learn more from experience and research, you will know what you need to change in order to make your story better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many tools out there that you can use to help you as a pantser. I would recommend doing research on specific topics that you struggle with\u2026 this will be less overwhelming and can help you focus more on the details of your story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those of you who think you\u2019re not a good writer because you don\u2019t have good grammar, spelling, or punctuation, don\u2019t worry. There are a lot of different tools out there (including Grammarly, which I use) that help with all of those. You can also hire an editor (or ask a friend or family member) to keep an eye out for mistakes. That way, you can focus on writing the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On this blog, there are a ton of posts that can help you with whatever subject you want to research. I would recommend checking out this<\/a> series on supporting characters, and this<\/a> compilation of my more specific posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n