George R R Martin, writer of the Game of Thrones series has a famous quote where he describes that an author is either an architect or a gardener.
An Architect will thoroughly plan out their story, and structure it to the T, understanding every single detail before beginning the writing process.
Whereas, a Gardener will take a seed of an idea, plant it, and see where the words take them.
Your approach to writing embodies who you are as a creative and how you approach your work.
That’s why it’s so important to understand what type of writer YOU are.
You could be an Architect or a Gardener.
Or
You could be a mix of both. For instance, I am probably 80% Gardener and 20% Architect.
Architect (Plotting)
Being an Architect means you meticulously outline.
Outlining is the process of getting super clear about your story.
Understanding the characters, the world, the plot, and the way all these things interact planning every action to the most minute detail.
And then you start writing.
Outlining or plotting is an incredibly structured approach to your writing which lends its usefulness to people who organise everything.
If you take the time to organize your bookshelves alphabetically or by color, you are most likely an Architect.
The Architect is concerned with action as a byproduct of meticulous planning.
Outlining has its merits as you as the writer know EXACTLY where the story is going and why.
This allows you to cut out any unnecessary tangents from your writing to stick to the guide.
Pros of Outlining
There are various upsides to taking an architectural approach to your writing.
Outlining can reduce writer’s block like not much else.
Infamous Architect Robert McKee in his screenwriting book Story is incredulous about the concept of writer’s block.
He says something to the extent of “If you get into the world of your text through its design how could you possibly have writer’s block?”
Although a wobbly statement McKee understands that to be an outliner is to be engrossed in your text.
When you are so involved with the possibilities of your idea it’s difficult to lose motivation to work on it.
Another bonus is of course the feeling of organisation you get from having your entire story planned and crafted.
Not doubting where your novel is directed when you are writing allows for peace of mind and an incredible sense of peace during the writing process as you constantly have a standard to compare your work to.
This organized approach creates a well-oiled efficient writing process.
However. . .
Cons of Outlining
Some writers feel that the boundaries their writing is in are too restrictive, stifling creativity and even halting progress on their projects.
I can understand this idea, having a neatly designed way your story will go takes the fun out of finding unique ways for characters to deal with situations and can lead to rather synthetic writing.
Strictly following an outline can create writing that is forced and unnatural.
When I’m writing I find ideas for where my story should go pop up out of nowhere and are often things I had never thought about.
If you’re strictly following your outline then you get put into a difficult situation when a BETTER idea arises for your writing that your outline doesn’t allow for.
Gardener (Discovery Writing)
Discovery writing is likened to writing by the seat of your pants, known as ‘pantsing’.
In my understanding gardening is not the lack of structure but the unattachment from it.
A gardener still has boundaries that they’ve set themselves such as genre or writing style.
However, the way those restrictions are manipulated is completely on the fly.
Being a gardener in your writing is spontaneous and exploratory it creates a story where the narrative unfolds organically during the writing process.
Pros of Discovery Writing
Gardening as a writer is a much more emotional experience.
You as a writer experience each character’s unique reaction to your situation, which is incredibly thrilling.
It’s like poking a bunch of different animals and chucking them in a room to watch what happens.
It’s chaos.
But satisfying chaos.
Because you’re not restricted by designed borders this approach to writing is very flexible and creates unexpected plot twists that even you didn’t envision.
The process of pantsing can be likened to the experience of the reader but you’re just documenting what you see at the same time.
Cons of Discovery Writing
One of the biggest risks with this method of writing is you can get stuck without any idea of where to go.
With planning you know exactly what the next step is but being a gardener is not a pre-decided path.
Your job as a Gardener is to find the path through the smoke and make it look like you knew where it was the whole time.
This means you WILL get lost.
Getting lost can discourage you but it’s not necessarily a product of a bad idea its just the way this style works.
Similarly, when your plot isn’t outlined there are going to be inconsistencies.
All these problems cause you to do extensive revisions during the editing phase.
Finding Your Ideal Writing Process
When creating your writing process I highly recommend leaning towards one of these two methods.
Often the process you lean towards naturally is the best fit for you.
There is a way that you can find the right process for you.
Reflection
Reflect on your preferred creative processes.
Do you like running with ideas?
or
Do you like sitting with concepts and thinking them out?
The way you approach solving problems also can be a great indicator of how you should be writing.
If you are the sort of person who thinks and thinks about what a puzzle means or how you can solve it before you act, you lean more towards an Architect.
But, if you like to just get in there and mess around with the puzzle and work it out, you may be a Gardener.
Reflect on how you approach daily tasks and you’ll get an inkling of how your process should look.
Experimentation
Whether you’re a Gardener or an Architect you WILL eventually have to write.
No method of planning can discover your writing process than actually just writing.
Throw yourself in and what you find satisfies you in the process is something you should do more often.
Embracing Flexibility
As I said at the start it’s not a matter of one or the other.
You CAN be a mix of gardeners and architects.
I like to open my notebook and write a page of what I want my story to be about to give a rough outline then I jump straight in.
This is a mixture of both methods.
Your writing process WILL change as time passes.
You must embrace the process and see where it takes you.
That’s where you’ll find your perfect routine.
In Conclusion. . .
Let’s recap the essential points we’ve covered.
We’ve delved into the structured realm of outlining, where meticulous planning can provide a clear roadmap for your narrative, reduce writer’s block, and enhance overall organization.
However, it comes with its drawbacks, potentially stifling creativity or presenting unexpected challenges during the writing process.
On the other side of the spectrum, we’ve explored the spontaneous nature of discovery writing, allowing the story to unfold organically. This approach offers the thrill of exploration, flexibility, and the potential for surprising plot twists.
Yet, it’s not without its challenges, including the risk of getting stuck without direction or facing extensive revisions during editing.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to crafting compelling stories.
Your ideal writing process is as unique as your creative voice.
Whether you find solace in the structured embrace of plotting or the exhilarating journey of pantsing, it’s about discovering what resonates most with you.
As you continue your writing journey, consider experimenting with both plotting and pantsing on a small scale. Take the time to discover which approach feels most natural to you.
May your writing endeavors be enriched by the discovery of your ideal process, and may your stories flourish as a result.
Happy writing!
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