The pitfalls of being a panster writer

The pitfalls of being a panster Writer

9/16/2019

I’m a panster, so when I write, I don’t have an outline or even a plan for the story. What starts me is a character or a scene that excites me and I can’t get it out of my head fast enough. I start writing with zero direction. That often means I have no idea how to end the story. I don’t figure it out until I’m there, staring at the screen, and wondering how to save the day.

The ending to my urban fantasy novel, Mistakes of the Past, went through quite a few different versions before I finally got it right. Luc went from three chances at redemptions to one, back to three, then finally one. There was a sex scene, but that got axed. Another scene moved from one location to another. Parts got cut then added back in and adjusted to fit. Whole elements that I researched were discarded. Even lines I loved didn’t make the final cut.

It was quite the evolution. Sometimes you have to fight to get it right, to find the perfect resolution that readers love. I hope this ending is one that readers will enjoy. At the very least, I enjoy the ending. That’s got to be a good sign, right?

Shameless Promo time!

Luc seeks atonement for the actions that banished him from his home. Living as a priest in a small town, he strives to show how much he’s changed with the hope that one day he can return to his family.

Haunted by the guilt that destroyed her family, Rose has shut her heart off. She vows to never let anyone near lest she hurt them. When she meets Luc, she can’t deny the powerful attraction she feels for him.

But the demons of the past are not easily forgotten. When Luc’s dark past finds him, Rose is caught in the middle. Forced to face who he used to be, Luc must decide if he’s willing to give up his chance at redemption to save Rose. But doing so means he won’t be able to hide who he is. Will Rose be able to reconcile the man she knows with the devil he used to be? Or are the mistakes of the past too damning?

26 Comments

elizabeth seckman

9/16/2019 07:56:13 am

If it makes you feel better, I start with a plan and I still end of chopping, moving, and changing plans as I go.

Love the blurb. Sounds like it will be a good story. Best of luck.

Patricia Josephine

9/19/2019 05:33:07 pm

That's interesting. I love seeing how different writers plot or pants their stories.

Sarah Foster link

9/16/2019 08:41:14 am

I'm a pantser, too, so I feel your pain! My ending is one chapter away and this will be the 4th time I've written it, but I still can't quite see it. Maybe when I get there...

9/19/2019 05:33:27 pm

You'll get it figured out and it will be awesome. =D

Chrys Fey link

9/16/2019 12:52:21 pm

Since, I'm a plotter, I always know the beginning and end of a story before I start writing it. It just takes me longer to figure out the rest.

9/19/2019 05:33:49 pm

Sometimes I will have the ending figured out and it's just the middle I'm clueless about.

H. R. Sinclair link

9/16/2019 02:19:36 pm

I'm 50/50, it all depends on the story. I really like the cover for Mistakes of the Past.

9/19/2019 05:34:02 pm

Thanks. I like the cover too! =)

J.H. Moncrieff link

9/16/2019 03:50:49 pm

I'm a pantser as well, which often means I have no idea what I'm doing until I get there.

It's terrifying as hell sometimes, but all that unknown also keeps it exciting, right? Right?

9/19/2019 05:34:24 pm

That's what I love about being a paster: the unknown.

Tyrean Martinson link

9/16/2019 08:30:10 pm

I usually just start as a panster, try to plot somewhere in the middle, and go back to pansting with a few scenes figured out.
Way to go on your book!!!

9/19/2019 05:34:43 pm

That sounds like a good way to go about it.

Rebecca Douglass link

9/17/2019 09:04:02 am

That’s exactly why this pantser have been evolving into a planner! Sometimes it even works to keep me from having to re-write quite as much :)

Congrats on the new book!

9/19/2019 05:36:22 pm

I have to say, I have evolved a bit since I started writing. There is more plotting now than before, but it's still mostly pantsing.

Kate link

9/17/2019 11:07:19 am

I'm a pantser too. If I outline, I rarely write the book because if I know what's going to happen, where's the fun in writing it? I also have a bad habit of starting somewhere toward the middle of the book and writing out of sequence as things occur to me so I have to try and string everything together in a way that makes sense when I'm nearing the end.

9/19/2019 05:36:44 pm

Exactly! It's just no fun anymore.

Madeline Mora-Summonte link

9/18/2019 06:17:32 am

I've become more of a hybrid writer - some plotting, some pantsing. I found that the last couple of NaNo projects went a lot smoother when I went into them with more of a plan.

9/19/2019 05:37:07 pm

I've learned I need to be more of a plotter if I'm writing a sequel.

Liz A. link

9/18/2019 03:01:34 pm

Whatever works for you. Personally, I can't sit down and write without having a plan of what I'm going to say. But that's me.

9/19/2019 05:38:00 pm

But I'm sure there are times when you go off plan. ;)

9/19/2019 05:52:53 pm

Of course.

Heather R. Holden link

9/20/2019 02:53:34 am

Definitely a good sign! It's too easy to experience self-loathing as a writer, so if you love the ending, readers no doubt will, too. Fun to learn how this book evolved from start-to-finish!

9/20/2019 09:29:09 am

That's my hope for readers! =)

Michelle Kellogg link

9/20/2019 08:03:16 am

I had not heard of that title, panster before but while reading your post I can definitely confirm that I am also a panster. I do the same exact thing then I have to really work to make an ending for my stories, lol. #anythinggoes