Every writer has a different way of getting a story from the first spark of an idea to the final page. Some writers cannot imagine beginning a novel without a detailed outline. Others would rather discover the story as they write it.
These two approaches are commonly known as plotting and pantsing.
Plotters plan their stories before they begin drafting. Pantsers write largely by instinct, discovering characters, conflicts, and plot twists along the way.
But which method is better?
The answer is simple: the best writing method is the one that helps you finish the strongest story possible.
Understanding the advantages and challenges of each approach can help you figure out where you fall on the plotting-versus-pantsing spectrum.
What Is Plotting?
Plotting means planning your story before you write the full manuscript.
A plotter might create a simple chapter outline, or they might develop an elaborate system that includes character profiles, scene cards, timelines, subplots, world-building notes, and detailed chapter summaries.
Some writers outline only the major turning points. Others know almost everything that will happen before writing Chapter One.
A plotting outline might include:
- The opening situation
- The inciting incident
- Major conflicts
- Character goals
- Relationship developments
- Midpoint changes
- Major plot twists
- The climax
- The resolution
The outline becomes a road map for the novel.
You still have room to make changes, but you generally know where the story is going.
The Advantages of Plotting
One of the greatest benefits of plotting is that it can prevent you from getting completely lost halfway through your novel.
You Always Know What Comes Next
Writer’s block sometimes happens because the writer simply does not know where the story should go.
An outline gives you direction.
You may still struggle with how to write a particular scene, but you usually know what that scene needs to accomplish.
Plot Problems Can Be Found Earlier
Outlining allows you to look at the entire story before investing months in the manuscript.
You might notice that your villain disappears for six chapters, your romance develops too quickly, or the middle of your novel lacks conflict.
It is much easier to rearrange bullet points than rewrite 20,000 words.
Foreshadowing Becomes Easier
When you know the ending, you can plant clues throughout the story.
This is especially helpful when writing mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, paranormal fiction, or novels containing major twists.
The reader may be surprised by the revelation while still being able to look back and think, Of course. The clues were there all along.
Complicated Stories Become More Manageable
Multiple points of view, timelines, mysteries, romantic subplots, and large casts can become difficult to track.
An outline gives you somewhere to organize everything.
The Challenges of Plotting
Plotting has disadvantages too.
Some writers spend so much time preparing to write that they never actually start writing.
You can create character sheets, maps, timelines, scene cards, playlists, spreadsheets, and 47 pages of world-building notes and still have exactly zero chapters written.
At some point, you have to begin the story.
Plotting can also make some writers feel trapped.
If the outline says Character A must do something in Chapter Eight but the character has developed in a way that makes the decision feel unnatural, following the outline too closely can weaken the story.
An outline should be a tool, not a contract.
What Is Pantsing?
The term “pantser” comes from the phrase writing by the seat of your pants.
Pantsers often begin with very little preparation.
They might know the main character, the basic conflict, or perhaps the ending. Then they start writing and see where the story takes them.
Instead of asking, “What happens in Chapter Ten?” before drafting, the pantser discovers the answer while writing Chapter Nine.
For many writers, that discovery is part of the fun.
The Advantages of Pantsing
Pantsing can create an incredible sense of freedom.
The Story Can Surprise You
When you do not know exactly what is coming, you experience some of the same excitement you hope your readers will eventually feel.
Characters may reveal unexpected motivations. Minor characters may become important. A scene may lead to a twist you never planned.
Those surprises can sometimes become the best parts of the book.
Characters Can Develop Naturally
Pantsers often allow characters to drive the plot.
Instead of forcing a character to follow an outline, they ask:
What would this person realistically do next?
That can produce character decisions that feel organic and emotionally believable.
Creativity Has Room to Wander
Some writers become less creative when everything has already been planned.
They need uncertainty.
Not knowing exactly what will happen creates the curiosity that pulls them back to the manuscript.
For these writers, outlining the entire story can feel like they have already told themselves the story once—and they lose interest in telling it again.
The Challenges of Pantsing
Freedom can quickly turn into chaos.
A pantser may reach 40,000 words and suddenly realize:
- The story has no clear direction.
- A subplot goes nowhere.
- A character has disappeared.
- The pacing is too slow.
- The villain’s motivation makes no sense.
- The ending has not been properly set up.
Pantsing can also create much more revision work.
That does not mean the method is wrong.
Some pantsers simply create their first draft and outline at the same time.
Their revision process is where the story’s structure becomes clear.
There Is a Third Option: Plantsing
Writers sometimes talk about plantsing, which falls somewhere between plotting and pantsing.
A plantser plans enough to give the story direction while leaving enough unknown to enjoy discovering the story.
For example, you might identify seven major moments:
- Opening situation
- Inciting incident
- First major decision
- Midpoint
- Major setback
- Climax
- Resolution
Then you start drafting.
You know the destinations, but you have not mapped every road between them.
For many writers, this provides the perfect balance.
How to Know Which Method Is Right for You
Instead of asking whether plotting or pantsing is objectively better, think about the problems you regularly encounter while writing.
If you frequently abandon manuscripts because you do not know what happens next, you may benefit from more plotting.
If outlining makes you bored with your story before you begin writing it, you may need more freedom.
If your first drafts contain major plot holes, try planning your major turning points beforehand.
If your outlines feel technically perfect but your scenes feel lifeless, give yourself permission to depart from the plan.
Your writing struggles often tell you which direction you need to move.
Try the Minimum Outline
If you dislike detailed outlining but struggle with completely spontaneous writing, try creating a very small outline before starting your next novel.
Answer these questions:
Who is the main character?
What do they want?
What prevents them from getting it?
What happens if they fail?
What major event changes everything?
What will they eventually have to confront?
How will the story probably end?
That may be all the planning you need.
You can discover everything else during the draft.
Your Writing Method Can Change From Book to Book
You do not have to declare yourself a plotter or pantser forever.
Different stories may require different approaches.
A straightforward contemporary romance might need only a handful of planned story beats.
A complicated mystery with multiple suspects may require extensive plotting.
A fantasy novel may need detailed world-building before drafting begins.
A character-driven story might benefit from more discovery writing.
You may even become more of a plotter as you gain experience—or discover that you need less planning because you have internalized story structure.
Your process is allowed to evolve.
Don’t Compare Your Process to Someone Else’s
Writers love talking about their routines.
One author may spend three months outlining before writing a single sentence.
Another may open a blank document with nothing more than an interesting character in mind.
Both can write excellent books.
The danger comes when writers assume someone else’s process must be better simply because it sounds more organized, creative, or professional.
The reader never sees your outline.
They do not know whether you used index cards, spreadsheets, sticky notes, a 30-page story bible, or absolutely nothing.
They only experience the finished book.
The Best Method Is the One That Keeps You Writing
Plotting gives you structure.
Pantsing gives you discovery.
Plantsing gives you a little of both.
None of these approaches automatically creates a better writer.
The real question is whether your process helps you move forward.
If detailed outlines help you sit down each day knowing exactly what to write, outline away.
If discovering the story keeps you excited about opening your manuscript, embrace it.
And if you need a map with plenty of room for detours, use one.
Your writing process does not have to look like anyone else’s.
It simply needs to help you do the most important thing:
Tell the story.
