The Writing Process

I've decided that I am going to write a series of articles about the writing process itself. I am not an expert. These articles are nothing more then my personal thoughts and approach towards various aspects of writing.

What is the process?

The writing process is a structured, often iterative journey that takes an idea from conception to a refined, complete piece. It begins with brainstorming or generating initial ideas, where writers gather thoughts, inspirations, and key concepts. From there, planning or outlining organizes these ideas into a cohesive framework, helping writers decide the structure, tone, and flow. The drafting stage is where words first hit the page, with writers allowing creativity to flow, usually without worrying about perfection. Revising comes next, involving reworking the structure, enhancing clarity, and refining style to better communicate the intended message. Editing follows, focusing on correcting grammar, punctuation, and other technical elements. Finally, publishing or sharing brings the work to its audience. The process varies for each writer, but embracing its stages allows for thoughtful, polished writing that resonates with readers.

Planner or Panster

Writers generally fall into two main styles: planners and pantsers. Planners are meticulous, preferring to outline and structure their work before diving into the actual writing. They often map out character arcs, plot points, and settings in advance, allowing them to have a clear blueprint to follow. This approach can lead to organized, cohesive narratives, though it sometimes limits spontaneity. Pantsers, on the other hand, "fly by the seat of their pants," jumping into the writing without a strict outline. They let the story develop organically, discovering new elements as they write. This style can be exhilarating, as it often leads to unexpected plot twists and character revelations. However, it can also require more revising to tighten the story. Personally, I tend to be a pantser, I enjoy the freedom of exploring ideas as they come, allowing my characters and plots to surprise me along the way. I have been struggling with my novel coming together properly and have been recently stepping into the waters of a planner. It has felt really strange and has been a lot of frustrating work. Changing from my natural style has proven to be difficult and uncomfortable, but I am hoping that it provides the structure that the novel has lacked thus far. What about you? Are you a planner or a panster?