If you’ve spent a lot of time in writing circles, you’ve probably heard that there are two types of writers: “plotters” and “pantsers”.

“Plotters” get their nickname because they plot out their stories in advance. For that virtue, they are granted a title that is a real word meaning “one who plots”.

“Pantsers” get their nickname because they don’t plot out their stories but write what comes to mind, I guess like the seat of their pants. For that sin, we get a title that is a made-up word! (And in British English, I think “pantser” would mean “one who underwears”?)

I was at the Tuscon sci-fi convention (recommended!!) many years ago when I had a mind-changing experience. I’m not certain who the panelist was, but I’m pretty sure it was Kathryn (KL) Lance, who blogged about the topic here.

The panelist opened my eyes by differentiating between “Beethovians” and “Mozarteans.” In the panel, anyway, it came down to that Beethovians are in effect “pantsers” (though she never ONCE said that word) and the Mozarteans are in effect “plotters.” The processes are different, but neither is invalid.

Just hearing a professional-sounding name applied to my process made a huge difference in being able to respect how I work!

Another term that I like is “discovery writer.” I discover the story as I write. That means I need to do a stupidly large number of drafts (my first drafts often need completely and utterly rewritten!).

Yeah, sometimes I call myself an “extreme discovery writer”.

The other set of terms I’ve heard is George R.R. Martin’s (!) categories of “architect” versus “gardener”. Again, both terms sound equally valid but indicate two different approaches.

ALL SORTS OF RESPECT to plotters! In many ways, their lives must be so much easier. Like I’m trying to get a submission together for my lovely critique group right now, but if I’m honest, I can’t actually give them the “best” draft of my new novel until I’m about 4 drafts in, because I’ll keep coming up with new ideas and connections as I go. (I’m at MAYBE draft 1.25 now.) Everyone submits about once a month and if I work really, really hard, I probably won’t have a submission that’s anywhere near I want it to be until, oh, November? Hahaha. So I’m working on trying to plot a bit better myself (and I’ll also have to get used to not submitting something that’s as polished as I can get it). But I don’t think I’ll ever be a plotter, Mozartean, or architect, and I’m okay with that.

Overall, I hope all writers learn to respect their own process, whatever they choose to call themselves!