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If you’re an author, published or not, you’ve probably heard the above terms. Most writers fall into one of these three categories, each representing how the writer prepares to start their project.
Planner
As implied by the term ‘Planner’ these writers will plan out most if not all of the details surrounding their project before pen hits paper, or fingers on keys, whatever you prefer. There are more types of planners than one can count, the process is often as unique as the writer that it’s used by
One of the more well-known systems is the ‘Three Act’ system, taken from older playwrights who also used this system. This system is more commonly used by authors working on novels or short stories to break the story into three individual parts to help with story cohesion and pacing. These three acts are often referred to as the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution. However, the actually form it takes can vary depending on the author.
Pantser
‘Pansters’ are the most relaxed of the three groups of writers. These authors will throw themselves into a project with nothing more than an idea. This is the type of planning that most writers start with. Before a serious career or passion comes from writing, most authors don’t find the need to think ahead in their projects. Often this leads these writers to have a rougher journey during the editing phases of their projects
A pansters’ rough draft may be grittier than that of the other writers, however, it gives the authors a better idea of their story and characters before they edit, or write the next version of the story they’re trying to tell. Often, writing in this manner can be seen as an exercise in world-building, rather than a true rough draft. It lets the author get a sense of their world, for the voices of their characters, and a worry-free time to explore paths in the story they may not have thought of initially if they had done an outline.
Plantser
‘Plantsers’ are the middle ground between the logic-minded ‘Planners’ and the more wild ‘Pantsers’. These writers often find themselves somewhere in the middle of the two styles which is why the term came to fruition.
‘Plantsers’ tend to lean more towards one side or the other, making this group of writers the most varied of the three. ‘Plansters’ tend to make a small outline of their project, but not to the same extent as the ‘Planners’. A ‘Plansters’ outline is more likely to be a very vague template for the project they’re working on, a few words or a sentence that describes the chapter they’re working on, or a paragraph to cover the ideas in a short story before they begin.
Although there is no ‘correct’ way to write, everyone will have their own journey to success. Most people will dip a toe in every type of writing before settling down in the area of focus that feels the best to them. However, taking the time to learn about your craft, to find different ways of working that may make the process easier, is often worth the effort.
About the author
Milla Picket is a Senior, and this is her first year writing for the Poudre Press. In her free time, she is involved in the school's choir and theatre department. She is also a writer currently working on her first fantasy novel for publication.
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