Pantsing vs. Planning: Finding the Right Writing Style for Your Novel

Pantsing vs. Planning: The battle of the writing styles!

When I wrote The Garden of Wives, I dove in headfirst with no plan, no outline—just a spark of an idea and a dry-erase marker scribbling character notes across my mirrored closet doors. I was what writers call a “pantser”—someone who writes by the seat of their pants, letting the story unfold as they go.

It was exhilarating…until I realized how much of a mess I had to clean up in editing. Years of rewriting, restructuring, and reworking later, I finally had a finished novel. Now, as I begin book number two, I’m attempting the opposite approach: planning. But is one method better than the other? Let’s break down the pros and cons of pantsing vs. planning to see which approach might be right for you.

Pantsing: Writing Without a Plan

What it is:

Pantsing is all about discovery. You start with an idea and let the characters and plot take you wherever they want to go. There’s no strict outline, just intuition and creativity leading the way.

Pros of Pantsing:

✅ Creative freedom – No rigid structure means you’re free to explore unexpected twists and organic character development.

✅ Excitement & spontaneity – Every writing session feels like an adventure. You’re experiencing the story as it unfolds, just like a reader.

✅ Deep character exploration – Since you’re discovering the story alongside your characters, their personalities and motivations can feel more natural.

✅ Great for intuitive writers – If you thrive on inspiration and enjoy letting your ideas flow without restriction, pantsing can be a liberating approach.

Cons of Pantsing:

❌ Editing nightmare – Without a roadmap, your story may wander, leading to major plot holes, inconsistencies, or unnecessary scenes.

❌ Risk of writer’s block – Without a plan, it’s easy to get stuck or lose momentum when you don’t know what happens next.

❌ Takes longer to revise – You may have to rewrite significant portions of your book because of pacing issues, unresolved subplots, or lack of structure.

❌ Plot can feel unfocused – Without planning, some stories can lose direction, making the final product feel scattered or disjointed.

My experience with pantsing:

I wrote The Garden of Wives without an outline, and while I loved the creative rush, I spent years revising and restructuring. What started as a fast-moving creative process became a slow, meticulous editing journey. By the time I was done, I had practically rewritten the book multiple times.

Planning: Writing With a Structured Outline

What it is:

Planning (or plotting) involves outlining your book before you start writing. Some writers create detailed scene-by-scene breakdowns, while others draft a simple roadmap of key events. Either way, it provides a structured foundation before the first word is written.

Pros of Planning:

✅ Faster drafting – With a clear direction, you spend less time wondering what happens next and more time writing.

✅ Stronger plot structure – You’re less likely to hit plot holes, pacing issues, or inconsistencies when the story is mapped out.

✅ Easier revisions – A solid structure means fewer rewrites and less time spent fixing major story problems in the editing phase.

✅ Less writer’s block – When you always know what’s coming next, it’s easier to stay motivated and on track.

Cons of Planning:

❌ Can feel restrictive – Some writers feel trapped by an outline and struggle to adjust when inspiration strikes.

❌ Less organic character development – If the story is too rigidly planned, characters might not evolve naturally within the plot.

❌ Outlining can be time-consuming – Some writers spend so much time outlining that they struggle to start writing the actual book.

❌ Overplanning can kill creativity – Too much structure can make the process feel mechanical rather than inspired.

My experience with planning:

Now that I’m writing book number two, I’m experimenting with outlining—and I can already see the benefits. Knowing where the story is headed keeps me focused, and I feel less overwhelmed when I sit down to write. But I still leave room for spontaneity because, let’s face it, some of the best moments in writing happen when you go off-script.

Which Style is Right for You?

The truth is, there’s no right or wrong way to write a novel—only what works best for you. Some writers thrive on structure, while others need creative freedom to explore their stories naturally. If you’re not sure which style suits you, consider trying a hybrid approach:

🔹 Loose outlining – Map out key scenes, but leave room for surprises along the way.

🔹 Reverse outlining – Write freely, then go back and create an outline after the first draft to help with revisions.

🔹 Character-first approach – Develop in-depth character profiles and let their choices drive the plot.

For me, pantsing brought The Garden of Wives to life, but planning is keeping me sane for book number two. Will it make the process easier? Time will tell. But no matter which method you choose, the most important thing is to just keep writing.

Are you a pantser, a planner, or somewhere in between? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear about your writing style!