The plotting versus pantsing novel writing debate. Which one is best?
Anyone who has even vaguely thought about writing a novel will be aware of the ‘plotting versus pantsing’ debate. But what is better as a reader? Or as a writer? Is there a difference? Do you prefer J.K. Rowling or Steven King? It is an issue that has strong advocates and multiple successful authors backing up either side. In case you are don’t know what this is even about, a brief explanation is in order.
George R.R. Martin — “I think there are two types of writers, the architects and the gardeners. The architects plan out everything ahead of time, and the gardeners dig a hole, drop in a seed and water it.”
Plotting
Plotting is the more obvious one — every detail and event in a novel is plotted out beforehand. Famous proponents include J.K. Rowling (see above), Silvia Plath, Joseph Heller, Ken Follet and James Patterson.
Pantsing
This is when a writer has an idea but only a vague one and no real plan for how things will develop or how they will pan out. They write ‘by the seat of their pants’. Steven King is a famous pantser and so are Pierce Brown and Margaret Atwood.
