Watt the Pad ?!

3e. NaNoWriMo: To Plot or Not to Plot?

In light of NaNoWriMo coming just around the corner, I thought I'd do a little post to prep some potential NaNo-ers before D Day.

A lot of my writerly friends always seem to flip-flop between plotting their stories in advance, or whether to go with the flow and write as they go. So a very common question I hear floating around is: Which one is better? To plot or not to plot?

My very simple answer is: neither is better.

We are all different as writers. We all have different styles, different things work for different people. It is, however, most likely that the style most suitable for you is somewhere in the spectrum.

See, people who are purely 100% pantsers are extremely rare. As are people who are 100% plotters.

You'll find that the best method for you is somewhere in the middle.

So, you ask me, How do I find where I sit on this scale? What is the plotting/pantsing technique best suited for me?

Unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but I will try to help by sharing some plotting techniques (in later posts). It is then only a matter for you to test them out one by one, mix-and-match, customise a technique that will best suit your own personality and writing style.

As for how to find where you sit on that scale?

Well, you first need to identify your writing strengths, and also identify your writing problems.

Do your creative juices run best if you don't constrict yourself to a pre-set outline? and if you do try outlining, do you find that you're often stuck for ideas? or lose passion and interest in the story?
But at the same time, if you don't plot, you have a tendency to ramble and have a lot of filler? your story doesn't move forward and has no direction?

Then you probably lean more towards the pantser side of the scale, with a need of some semblance of an outline.
Maybe not one as detailed or methodical as the more plotter-leaning writers, but find a plotting technique that helps you solve your problem but at the same time, without squashing your creative flow and normal pantser brain.
For example, you can try using a very basic outline — write down what the main conflict is, and what "points" you need to tick off to reach that ultimate conflict. Then you can "pants" each chapter while making sure you check off these main points, until you ultimately reach your main conflict.

If completely pantsing your resolution is also not working for you, you can use the same technique for your ending. Brainstorm what your character needs to do, what they need to achieve, what events need to happen, etc. in order for the main conflict to be resolved, and make sure you tick them off as you "pants" your chapters.

This is all very general, vague suggestions, I'm aware. I'll try to share some more concrete plotting techniques in the next few posts, so stay tuned, and good luck for all you NaNo-ers!