I committed to this NaNoWriMo
with a concept I dreamt up two months ago. I had plenty of time
to prepare an outline, write character and setting profiles and even a
prologue before November 1st. However, life happened *cough*
vacation *cough* and I didn’t get to it. In the days before NaNoWriMo, I had to
make a decision. Should I use precious time at the beginning of November to
work on and finalize an outline and profiles? Or should I try something
different?
On a whim, I decided to try
something different. I
decided to become a pantser.
Meaning I write by the seat of my pants with no outline, little
preparation and only an idea of what I want the story to be and where I want it
to go.
Honestly, the word pantser has
always frightened me. I’m a plotter. I’m organized. I like outlines and
extensive lists and detailed documents and notes on calendars. My boyfriend
regularly calls me Monica from Friends for my organizational skills (and
occasionally my clean freak nature). But truthfully, the plotter thing hasn’t
been working for me lately. And last month, someone told me that
using the method I'm not accustomed to can get me out of my
comfort zone.
So I decided to try it. Armed with
only a concept document (ten pages of random ideas and loose scenes), I dove into
NaNoWriMo. Every day when I sit down to write, I let the characters
lead the way with only a few gentle nudges on my part toward my vague idea of an end.
And I’m happy to report that being a pantser has been working for me. I’ve written 15000
words in eight days!
*raises
half-full glass of orange juice* Here’s to being a pantser! May it continue to
work for me.
Are
you a plotter or a pantser? Have you ever tried the one that’s outside your
comfort zone? Did it work for you?
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