Writing a novel can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. I know that feeling all too well. For a long time, I’d get a few pages into character development, hit the wall of plotting, and give up.
Motivation and inspiration aren’t always easy to come by, so sometimes we have to create them ourselves. This leads to a fundamental question: what kind of writer are you?
To me, there are two main types. The first is the meticulous planner, who meticulously outlines every chapter, creates detailed character sheets, and uses mind maps to keep their thoughts organized. The second is the “pantser,” who writes by the seat of their pants, letting the story unfold as they go.
For me, I’m a bit of both. I believe that planning and research are crucial for creating a world that feels real and tangible to the reader. That’s what fuels the descriptive and atmospheric language in my work—I want the reader to feel like they are right there, experiencing everything my characters do. This part of my process requires a lot of preparation.
However, I also know that some of my best writing comes from those “pantser” moments. When I planned my debut novel, Where the Nails Hang, I focused on building the “skeleton” of the story first. I did extensive plot planning and development before writing a single sentence. But after that initial work was done, much of the narrative came from spontaneous, stream-of-consciousness writing.
So, I have to ask: what kind of creative writer are you? Are you a meticulous planner, a pantser, or something else entirely? Let me know in the comments below!
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