Plotters vs Pantsers vs Planters: What Type of Writer Are You?

You’ve probably heard by now that there are different types of writers and different ways people go about creating a story. Perhaps like me, you learned of them while trying to gain a better sense of who you are as a writer. If you haven't, then you’re in the right place. We call these types of writers Plotters, Pantsers, and the lesser known but more common Planters. These are some of the well-known ways writers identify themselves. However, just because there are different types of writers doesn’t mean that any one type is better than the other. But what exactly do these types of writers do, and how do they differ? How do their differences affect the writing process? How do you know which type you are and how can knowing help you? Well, I’m here to tell you.

Plotters
Plotters, as their name suggests, plot. Point by point, beat by beat.

These writers are your planners and your outliners, complete with sticky notes and journals filled to the brim. Plotters focus on the little details and how they connect together to form the big picture. They want to know how their story progresses step-by-step in order to reach a structured approach.

Of course, this planning can look different for everyone. Some writers may create elaborate maps and charts or pages-long documents with every little detail laid out. Others may spend their time world building or designing aspects of their characters, such as appearance, history, quirks, and tastes.
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If you find yourself caring more about the details and having trouble with writing without a guide, you’re probably a Plotter.

Pantsers
Pantsers dive headfirst into their stories, flying by the seat of their pants the whole way.
 
These are your adventurers, the ones for whom a plan is unnecessary. Pantsers, if they plan, would perhaps only do so for small parts of their story, scattered here and there in a less structured manner than their Plotter counterparts.

For the most part, Pantsers begin a story and are content to see where it takes them. They are not constrained by any previous planning or a need for control like Plotters usually are. Pantsers don’t need to have the details perfect on the first try, rather the details are fluid – they can easily be changed later. They may write large sections of their story with no goal in mind, indulging their ideas as they come to them.

If you find yourself having trouble following outlines or your attempts at planning, you're probably a Pantser.

Planters
Planters are what most writers are, even if they don’t realize it.

These writers are the in between, following a mix of styles of Plotters and Pantsers. They plan sometimes and write on the fly at others, usually doing one more than the other depending on their writing style.

This tendency towards plotting or freewriting more is why people usually think they’re one or the other rather than a Planter, though there may be the occasional Planter that strikes a near perfect balance between the two. For example, Planters may go into detail when designing their characters but then write their story with no outline. Or they may write freely and begin to plan later on to account for new or surprising developments in their story.

Whatever they do, you can count on Planters to have a well-rounded experience while crafting their stories.

Why does it matter?
So why does it matter? When you sit down to write and you plan, don’t plan, or do a little of both, it can help to know from the start what steps you need to take to get your creativity going.

Understanding more about how you write can help you increase the efficiency of your writing process and help you figure out where your strengths lie. Comprehending which type of writer you are can also help you if you’re collaborating with other writers, too. You can find collaborators that can compliment your strengths and help you develop and revise in areas of weakness. You can help others as well, and give them insight mutually.

If you've figured out what type of writer you are after reading this, congrats! However, if you’ve found yourself thinking that neither Plotter, Pantser, nor Planter sounds like a fit for your writing style, that’s okay too. No type of writer or way of writing is better than another. The way everyone writes is different and may not be easily identifiable or recognizable as one of these types. However you write is the way you’re meant to write, and you can learn and improve as you go.

McKenna Harris-Colvin