“The plotter and the pantser walk into a bar. The plotter has a seating chart. The pantser sits wherever feels right. Both end up with drinks. Both have a good time. The method matters less than the commitment.”
— L.A. Walton, The Book Maven
If you’ve spent any time in the writing community, you’ve encountered the Great Debate: Are you an outliner (plotter) or a discovery writer (pantser)? And someone—always someone—has strong opinions about which method is ‘correct.’
Here’s my take after 25 years and 8,400+ clients: BOTH work. Neither is superior. The only wrong method is the one that keeps you from finishing.
Plotters vs. Pantsers: A Fair Comparison
| Plotters | Pantsers | Plantsers (The Best-Kept Secret) |
| Outline before writing. | Discover the story as they write. | Outline loosely, then explore within the framework. |
| Fewer structural rewrites. | More structural rewrites. | Moderate rewrites. |
| Risk: stiff, mechanical writing. | Risk: meandering, plotless drafts. | Risk: occasional identity crisis about which camp you’re in. |
| Thrive with clear direction. | Thrive with creative freedom. | Thrive with flexible structure. |
| Famous plotter: J.K. Rowling. | Famous pantser: Stephen King. | Famous plantser: Most working writers, honestly. |
Finding YOUR Method
- Try both. Outline one project. Pants the next. See which process feels more natural and produces better results.
- Give yourself permission to be a hybrid. Most writers are plantsers. Outline the big beats, discovery-write the scenes between them.
- Match method to project. Some projects need an outline (mystery, thriller). Some want discovery (memoir, literary fiction). Be flexible.
- Stop judging your process. If you’re producing finished work, your method is working. Full stop.
Your Move, Creative
If you’re stuck, try the opposite of what you normally do. Plotter? Try writing a scene with no plan. Pantser? Try outlining just three major plot points. The discomfort might unlock something new.
Stop letting your stories stay stuck.
