The terms ‘plotter’ and ‘pantser’ may ring a bell to you. These words are known to forever divide the writing world into two distinct factions that categorize writers from their writing methods.
Plotter vs Pantser
Here’s a quick recap for those who are not familiar with the terms: A plotter is a writer who plans out the story. One of the eminent processes includes assembling scenes into separate index cards and reordering them later. They are often considered as the more organized of the bunch. On the other hand, a pantser prefers to write everything out away without much planning, while spontaneously leading one scene to another as they go.
Some argue one method triumphs over the other. I believe each of them carries their own respective pros and cons. There are no right or wrong answers as to what the correct method of writing is. J.K Rowling constructed an intricate spreadsheet complete with subplots to build the Harry Potter series. Stephen King, however, has always been renowned for his pantser habit. Regardless the methods, both of these authors have created fantastic stories and best-selling books in their pockets.
While the debate continues, let’s talk about a possible solution.
How does outlining a plot work for a natural pantser?
Say, you’re a natural pantser interested in trying to outline for your next story’s plot, but you find it hard to do so. You can’t plan a story out of index cards. These are some ways that might work out for you, and fear not, you can still put those index cards away.
STEP 1. Choose an outlining platform to outline
Yes, you’ll start out straight from a writing platform. Choose whichever comforts you most. I recommend using Google Doc and installing the app on your phone, as it allows you to jot down wild ideas whenever you’re not on your computer. Google Doc also has an outlining feature on its sidebar which will be explained later on in this article.
STEP 2. Write out the long synopsis
(Show your pantser side)
So this is where your pants away! Time to write your heart out. Show your pantser strength by casually connecting one scene to another as you write like you always do.
But keep in mind to keep the scene description to the minimum.
You’re not writing the manuscript right away: this means, no DETAILED description, character’s thoughts, line exchanges*, and obviously no chapter divisions. Also, don’t think too much about the vocabulary you’re using. For example, ignore weighing between using murmurs and mutters. You can do it later in the manuscript.
Avoid breaking the synopsis down scene-by-scene as it will only limit you in expanding your story into scenes later on in your manuscript. Working straight into scenes on the outline will also be a burden if you happen to have changed while writing.
The purpose of writing the long synopsis is to simply connect one part/scene of the story into another in a big picture way, without going into the details.
Simply write the narrative of your story from start to finish. For reference, look into book or movie synopsis sections on Wikipedia pages. The synopsis can go up to twenty-page, but try not to expand it immediately as a manuscript.
*I mention no line exchanges and character thoughts. But sometimes, as you write the synopsis, you may not be able to help but have them popped up in your head. You can spill only the significant dialog/thoughts that ring to you the most in your synopsis — the kind that you really don’t want to miss out on the manuscript. But still, refrain from incorporating lengthy line exchanges.
Example of dialog to be put into the synopsis:
Lizzie tells Joe. “You’re my true source of happiness.”
Or
Lizzie tells Joe that he is the only true source of her happiness.
Whichever you choose, you can always refine it at the manuscript.
STEP 3. Divide the synopsis into sections
(The plotter side comes into play)
Congratulations! You’ve unleashed your pantser-self. In the mean time, rest it for a while now before unleashing it again during the writing session. Leave your synopsis as is as we’ll start to get more organized. It may sound overwhelming to you, but the work is simpler than you think.
At this step, divide the lengthy synopsis into parts/sections.
Here’s how I would name the sections:
- A noise wakes Lizzie up (Intro)
- The parents’ disappearance
- Alone in the dark
- Finding other survivors
- Joe gets bitten
- Goodbye Joe
- Trapped in the station (Climax)
- The light is on (Resolution)
- Where to go next (Ending)**
**The list above is obviously a much-simplified version of a section list. You can go up to 20 sections.
The way I name the sections are largely inspired by track names in a soundtrack: They don’t go down on details but enough to give a subtle clue to the audience of what happens in a movie/story.
You can determine the length of each section. Keep in mind not to make the section too long or too short. Two-three paragraphs or two-three scenes in a section would be ideal.
A Google Doc feature allows you to write section title as sub-headlines (with the overall synopsis as the main headline). Clicking on each section on the sidebar will bring you straight to the respective section. This is an efficient way to keep track of your plot when you’re writing later on. Scrolling through a long word document to find a section you’re writing on the manuscript would be a hassle.
STEP 4. Add sections for other story elements
The hard work is done! You just finished outlining a plot in the most efficient way possible.
If you work on Google Doc, you can add another main headline separate of your overall synopsis headline where you can add your other elements. These elements may consist of:
- Story setting
- Backstory
- Character info
- Research
- Notes
- Alternate scenes/ending
STEP 5. Start writing!
This is it! Your manuscript is waiting to be written. You can print the whole plot document (or documents, if you keep other story elements in separate files), or if you’re on Google Doc, feel free to scroll through or click on each section.
Let the outline serve as your guide as you’re writing.
The fun part of writing a manuscript while also sticking to the outline you’ve written is, you can still pants away and expand the sections into scenes and even sub-scenes, without ruining the entire plot!
In my recent manuscript draft, I included a scene where my two characters managed to get crepes for lunch while hiding from the bad guys who were after them. The crepe scene is definitely not in the outline, but its existence does not affect the entire plot. I purposely inserted the scene to show more casual chemistry between the two characters, as well as Parisian culture (crepes).
. . . . .
Writers work in different ways. The tutorial above hopefully still allows you to freely write while having a guide to rely onto at the same time, or at least you can try it if you simply are interested in experimenting a new outlining method.
Don’t be afraid of experimenting and keep looking out for the best way for you to write a manuscript.
Carissa Tandiono 