The Pocket Guide to Pantsing

How to write a novel without an outline (with confidence).

- MICHAEL LA RONN

I began my writing career as a devoted outliner, but I always felt like there was a better way. Despite developing a deep knowledge of the major outlining methods, something about fleshing out my story before I wrote it didn't jibe with my personality.

My 10th book exhausted my patience with outlining for good. I spent 40 hours on an outline, only to discover that I was deviating from it with almost every chapter.

My characters ignored everything I planned. The outline felt like wasted time.

After writing an outline that failed, I thought, Why am I spending all this time on an outline, only not to use it?

Suddenly, I found myself trying the pantsing method (also known as discovery writing, or, more simply, writing without an outline). It terrified me, but I knew that outlining wasn't the answer.

I wish I had done it sooner. Twenty novels later, I can say that mastering how to write a novel without an outline was the best thing that ever happened to my writing.

I am a serial pantser now, and I can't imagine going back.

To help writers unlock their inner pantser, I wrote a book called The Pocket Guide to Pantsing. I also published several videos on writing without an outline on my YouTube channel, "Author Level Up." These resources have helped thousands of writers master this unique and often-misunderstood writing method.

Here are the two most common problems I see with new pantsers:

1. They're terrified of the process.

2. They're not sure if they're doing it right.

The focus of this article is not to stoke the fires of that great plotting versus pantsing debate, but to empower pantsers with practical tips so they can write their next novel with confidence.

Let's Talk About Fear

It's easy to become overwhelmed when writing your first novel without an outline.