I’ve struggled with the labels, “planner” (or sometimes referred to as “plotter”, which sounds even worse) and “pantser”. For me, a planner sounds boring even though I love plans and structure. But in writing context, the term conjure up images of plodding along like the fabled turtle and although you might win the race, it’s kind of a boring journey. Where’s the excitement, the thrill? A pantser should be more fun but in the writing context, it sounds irresponsible. Like a partier who may be having the time of their life while writing their book but will wake up the next morning with a wicked hangover and realize most of what they wrote had nothing to do with their book and rambled in nonsensical manner in the light of day. I don’t like either label.
Then I heard someone use the words: “a discovery” writer verses “an architect” writer in an online lecture. These are the same concepts but the words helped me understand why and when you may choose one method over the other. Most of us are likely somewhere in between or may vacillate between these two methods in different stages of writing. Moreover both words sound so much better than planner and pantser.
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