Pantser vs. Plotter

Oh, boy... this is a question I've been asked a lot since I started writing. To date, I've always said I'm a pantser - never an outline to be followed. Well, okay, I have an idea of where I'm going with a story, but truly, I've not written a synopsis and then sat down to write a book. I just kinda wing it... go with the flow... let my characters create the story.

But hold the phone, stop the presses... I think I'm one foot over the fence and leaning toward the other side. Why? You ask...

As some of you know, my goals are lofty. Big goals, big houses, big sales etc. etc. So in my quest to do bigger and better with every book or story I write, I set out to come up with an idea, write an outline then a synopsis... send this proposal out to the publishing world, either via agents or publishers... then "gasp" write the book.

And you know what?

Drum roll please...............

It's working. I've managed 20k in 4 measly days and I think it's because I have an outline to follow. As long as each chapter moves my characters forward, and the plot unfolds, this plotter thing has a real chance at working for me.

Me, the constant pantser. The woman who had nothing but an opening scene in my brain for Binding Vows and made three full-length novels out of said opening scene.

Does this mean that all my books will now be outlined before I start to write? I don't rightly know. Maybe, if it keeps me on track and has me cranking out the pages.

Anyway... those are my thoughts this weekend, oh and hey... I'm over at Maries today. She's highlighting Embracing the Wolf so click HERE and link on over and say hi.

Synopsis Writing

Quick, everyone who LOVES to write a synopsis raise your hand.

*chirp

*chirp

Ahh, I see I'm not alone in my desire to toss the process out the door.

My latest WIP is nearly complete but in my effort to become more of a plotter and less of a pantser I made myself write a synopsis before I finished the book. Is it working? Eh, kind of. As the story clicks along the synopsis changes and I tweak it to resemble my finished project, but I do have to say that referring to my original synopsis does help me consider where I want this story to end up. So that isn't a bad thing.

Not to mention that the big guns in publishing often contract work based on synopsis alone. And since I do have a desire to actually make some money with my stories, I have no choice but to learn and master this art.

But I'm not going quietly. My charecter driven stories suprise me on a daily basis. What I think will happen isn't completely what does happen.

So for today, boys and girls... or mainly girls... lol Tell me two things. First, are you a plotter or a pantser? Second, who is your dream agent and why? Third, have you ever written a synopsis before a story and did it work out the way you wanted it to?