Here we are focused on every step of a writer's journey, from the plot outline to the published novel; including how to use a plot outline, how to craft a story arc, researching literary agents, tips on sensitivity readers, query letter success, an...
Pros: Plotters, having planned out their novel ahead of time, know what's going to happen before they write it. This makes it easier to bust writer's block. Plotters know their characters and what those characters are capable of. They also tend to finish their novels faster, or at least more efficiently.
Cons: Plotters can become rigid and confined to their plans, leaving less room for their characters to venture off the path. When this happens, the writing can sometimes feel bland and formulaic.
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PANTSERS
One of the main reasons pantsers prefer their style of drafting stories is they believe it opens them up to creativity without being inhibited by a rigid outline. Pantsers don't know what the road looks like ahead, so they can take a right, a left, or go off-roading if they want to.
Of course, the one thing about traveling without a map (or GPS) is that it's easier to get lost or find yourself at a dead end. As such, pantsers are more prone to rerouting or backing up in order to move forward with the story again. But writers are a resilient breed, and there is always a solution to be had.
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Zero Draft, or The Pantser's Compromise
If you prefer to write by the seat of your pants, there is a kind of plot outline you may find useful. This is called a zero draft or discovery draft (e.g. you're just discovering the story and characters). In fact, this draft is too unstructured to even count as a first draft.
Ideally, the zero draft is written quickly to give only the roughest idea of what should occur, when it occurs, and who it's happening to. It's perfectly acceptable to skip entire scenes or sections of the story and leave notes in their place. The zero draft is great if you struggle writing outlines but you often get stuck when writing a story without the safety net of one.
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Pantsing Pros and Cons
Pros: Pantsers have the freedom to take their story in any direction they want to. If they don't like a character, they can kill him. If they don't like the way their plot is going, they can change it. They have complete flexibility.
Cons: Having no plan, or very little plan, makes it easier to get stuck. If a pantser gets stuck, they must come up with a way to dig themselves out of that huge plot hole they didn't see coming. When this happens, pantsers often abandon old projects for new ones, leaving multiple unfinished novels in their wake.
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You Could Be A Plantser!
Some people call themselves "plantsers", which means they're part plotter, part pantser. In reality, most people are plantsers, leaning more to one side or the other. Wherever you lean, the important thing is to finish that novel. And a little direction never hurts.
