Are You a Writing Plotter?
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
One of the most common approaches for drafting a story is that of the plotter, which involves meticulous planning and creating a novel outline or story framework before drafting. In this article, I’ll discuss what a plotter is in creative writing, what the first draft process looks like for a plotter, how plotting ahead of time can benefit you as a writer, as well as the potential shortcomings of this approach. I’ll also provide valuable tips for revision using the plotter approach.
What Is a Plotter?
So, what is a plotter in creative writing? A plotter is someone who plans and outlines their story details before they begin drafting, with a story framework, storytelling structure, novel outline, or a similar document. This tool has many names. Typically, they will create a detailed outline with plot points, character development, and potentially even world-building elements (especially relevant for a fantasy, science fiction, and historical novel). This approach is in contrast to a pantser, who writes by the seat of their pants without a detailed plan.
The drafting process for a plotter involves planning out the major plot points and character arcs and creating a detailed road map for the story before they begin to write. All of this preliminary work can be time-consuming, but it allows for greater control over the story’s development and pacing. You also stand to avoid writer’s block, because you know where you are in the story, and know where you’re going. A plotter will often break down their story into chapters, scenes, or even action beats, making it easier to hone in on specific details and keep the story moving forward.
The benefits of taking a plotter approach are many. First, it allows for greater control over the story’s pacing and development, helping to avoid the dreaded insecurity that can arise from feeling directionless. Second, it can save time in the long run, as investing effort into outlining and developing a road map can help streamline the drafting process. Finally, it can lead to a more cohesive and polished final draft, as the plot, character arcs, and world-building details are carefully planned out in advance. You may find yourself doing less revision if you’ve started your first draft from an intentional place.
Drawbacks to Being a Plotter
Of course, there are also potential shortcomings to taking a plotter approach. Over-planning and spending too much time on outlining can lead to overthinking and stifled creativity, making it difficult to translate the plan into a draft. Additionally, a rigid outline can make the natural ebb and flow of a story seem contrived, leading to a lack of spontaneity and making the story feel formulaic.
To avoid these pitfalls, it’s helpful to remember that outlining is a tool, not a rule. You don’t have to stick to your novel outline 100%, and it’s okay to let the story take you in unexpected directions, combining the best parts of the plotter and pantser approaches. Additionally, it’s important to make sure your outline is flexible and allows for changes in direction as your book idea undergoes the story development process. Finally, it’s crucial to re-examine and revise your outline as needed to ensure it’s serving its purpose. The outline is a living document that you can go back to many times during drafting and revision.
Once you’ve completed your draft, your outline can help you identify areas where the story needs development or restructuring. By comparing your completed draft to an outline of its own, you can get a bird’s-eye view of the entire story and see where you may need to make changes.
As you can see, the plotter approach to creative writing can be a valuable writing tool in a writer’s arsenal. By investing time in outlining and developing a detailed roadmap for your story, you can gain greater control over your pacing and development and ultimately create a more polished final draft. However, as with any approach, it’s important to strike a balance that allows for the natural flow of creativity while still reaping the benefits of planning and outlining. Such is the plotter way!
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