Plots, Plots, and more Plots!

So for the next five weeks I'm gonna be doing posts every Thursday on Plots so stay tuned for me.

But for now I thought the best way to start this off would be if I identified the two types of writers that I know of. The Plotter and the Pantster.

(I couldn't help myself for putting a little Christmas spirit on the blog today.:)

I am a Pantster so I'll start with that one first. 

Pantster: 

We Pansters much prefer plopping down in front of the desk and writing without looking at any plotting sheets. For me I feel constricted and bound down when I have too much of a plot written down and that actually hinders my ability to write. About half way through the book though when I'm nearing the climax I do write about a few small plot points that I don't want to forget but that's it.

Side effects of being a Pantster may include: coming up with crazy twists all of a sudden and/or backing yourself up into a corner because you didn't plan ahead. 

Plotters: 

Now I don't know as much about Plotters but I have a friend who is one and I asked her some questions and she gave me some great answers. Plotters usually always plot out the story and then focus on their characters the most. Not saying that all Plotters do that or that Pantsters don't write for their characters. All writers are different. But if she gets a good idea or twist then she will of course put that in. 

Side Effects of being a Plotter may include: Feeling overwhelmed with how many ideas you have or thinking that you have too many of a particular part of the book. 

What kind of writer are you?