Writing From Plantser To Architect

[Arch9CivilReactor]

There are those on this site who usually ask how they can plan a story. The usual response varies but I think the problem in these responses is that they are way too specific. Ignoring the dilemmas a Plantser usually experiences when writing.

Plantser’s Dilemma is being too immersed in the infinite possibilities of a story to the point they forget to tell a story. Architect’s Dilemma is when you focus so much so much on the big picture you start writing summaries on the micro level.

It’s a spectrum that’s difficult and personally different for every person.

While it’s true Plantser’s can do what Architect’s do to create their plan, the most important point to remember is that the plan is to help remember the direction you’re going in. There are a lot of plot points made on the spot because it fits so well. That’s why notes are needed to know WHY you added those details and for what purpose.

You don’t need to have the entire foundation of your story written into the plan if you already remember the important plot devices. Just keep a note of why those plot devices exist and their intended use towards the novel or character’s ending.

You can write the ending to be the end of a character’s arc. If they started off cowardly then end the story with them being a little brave. If they are reckless and careless then end the story with them being a little more matured.

A big climactic battle isn’t needed in every story and expansive plans are only as useful as they are useful to you. If you write a plan but get bored of it and end up not using it, then that plan has failed you. A different format might be needed to retain your own attention towards it.

This is all to say that it’s best to not completely stray from your comfort zone even if you’re trying new things. Start small and it’ll naturally get bigger as your story becomes more expansive.

I hope this helps as I myself fall into the middle of the spectrum between Plantser and Architect as a writer. The level of detail I personally put into my plan doesn’t have to be the same as yours.

Wish you guys luck in your endeavours.

 

[LilythGeist]

Meanwhile my Pantser ass just making shit up as I go.

 

[Deleted member 166465]

Meanwhile my Pantser ass just making shit up as I go.

Damn right.

There are those on this site who usually ask how they can plan a story. The usual response varies but I think the problem in these responses is that they are way too specific. Ignoring the dilemmas a Plantser usually experiences when writing.

Plantser’s Dilemma is being too immersed in the infinite possibilities of a story to the point they forget to tell a story. Architect’s Dilemma is when you focus so much so much on the big picture you start writing summaries on the micro level.

It’s a spectrum that’s difficult and personally different for every person.

While it’s true Plantser’s can do what Architect’s do to create their plan, the most important point to remember is that the plan is to help remember the direction you’re going in. There are a lot of plot points made on the spot because it fits so well. That’s why notes are needed to know WHY you added those details and for what purpose.

You don’t need to have the entire foundation of your story written into the plan if you already remember the important plot devices. Just keep a note of why those plot devices exist and their intended use towards the novel or character’s ending.

You can write the ending to be the end of a character’s arc. If they started off cowardly then end the story with them being a little brave. If they are reckless and careless then end the story with them being a little more matured.

A big climactic battle isn’t needed in every story and expansive plans are only as useful as they are useful to you. If you write a plan but get bored of it and end up not using it, then that plan has failed you. A different format might be needed to retain your own attention towards it.

This is all to say that it’s best to not completely stray from your comfort zone even if you’re trying new things. Start small and it’ll naturally get bigger as your story becomes more expansive.

I hope this helps as I myself fall into the middle of the spectrum between Plantser and Architect as a writer. The level of detail I personally put into my plan doesn’t have to be the same as yours.

Wish you guys luck in your endeavours.

I read all this, I got no idea what you talking about. I do some planing, but like I said before, I just focus on events. I create que whole story on the fly in a kind of "summary" and then go from there and fill the blanks as I go... Maybe that is why I am not a success yet. Mehhh.... Who gives a rat ass.

 

[Fox-Trot-9]

Meanwhile my Pantser ass just making shit up as I go.

I second this.

There are those on this site who usually ask how they can plan a story. The usual response varies but I think the problem in these responses is that they are way too specific. Ignoring the dilemmas a Plantser usually experiences when writing.

Plantser’s Dilemma is being too immersed in the infinite possibilities of a story to the point they forget to tell a story. Architect’s Dilemma is when you focus so much so much on the big picture you start writing summaries on the micro level.

It’s a spectrum that’s difficult and personally different for every person.

While it’s true Plantser’s can do what Architect’s do to create their plan, the most important point to remember is that the plan is to help remember the direction you’re going in. There are a lot of plot points made on the spot because it fits so well. That’s why notes are needed to know WHY you added those details and for what purpose.

You don’t need to have the entire foundation of your story written into the plan if you already remember the important plot devices. Just keep a note of why those plot devices exist and their intended use towards the novel or character’s ending.

You can write the ending to be the end of a character’s arc. If they started off cowardly then end the story with them being a little brave. If they are reckless and careless then end the story with them being a little more matured.

A big climactic battle isn’t needed in every story and expansive plans are only as useful as they are useful to you. If you write a plan but get bored of it and end up not using it, then that plan has failed you. A different format might be needed to retain your own attention towards it.

This is all to say that it’s best to not completely stray from your comfort zone even if you’re trying new things. Start small and it’ll naturally get bigger as your story becomes more expansive.

I hope this helps as I myself fall into the middle of the spectrum between Plantser and Architect as a writer. The level of detail I personally put into my plan doesn’t have to be the same as yours.

Wish you guys luck in your endeavours.

Don't know where to go, what to write, how to do it at the start, just half-ass it. You can always change it later. The hard part is getting started, and once you've got that squared away, the other hurdle is maintaining narrative momentum. Every chapter's kind of like a new start, but it kind of gets easier (or harder; depends on where you are in the story) b/c you've got more material to go off of when you're stuck.

In other words, no matter what kind of writer you are (pantser, plantser, planner, or somewhere around that spectrum), the story is the boss. If you have to make changes to make for the story go somewhere, then do it. Look over what you've written, figure out what you can from it, and go from there. Trust the process. I think that's what you're trying to say, maybe?

 

[Arch9CivilReactor]

I second this.


Don't know where to go, what to write, how to do it at the start, just half-ass it. You can always change it later. The hard part is getting started, and once you've got that squared away, the other hurdle is maintaining narrative momentum. Every chapter's kind of like a new start, but it kind of gets easier (or harder; depends on where you are in the story) b/c you've got more material to go off of when you're stuck.

In other words, no matter what kind of writer you are (pantser, plantser, planner, or somewhere around that spectrum), the story is the boss. If you have to make changes to make for the story go somewhere, then do it. Look over what you've written, figure out what you can from it, and go from there. Trust the process. I think that's what you're trying to say, maybe?

Basically, yeah. You try so hard to write a plan and end up wasting that effort because it bored you to death. Better to just fill it up as you go instead writing a plan you’ll only look at once because you decided the actual thing will be different.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Write a skeleton - the skull and backbone first, then add other structures and once you're settled on that, start adding the flesh, muscles and other organs... Writing is necromancy!