These are personal notes from the writing lessons I have been taking as I embark on my own writing journey. Please keep in mind that these are my own reflections and observations, so take them with a grain of salt - a huge grain of salt, actually - as I am still learning about this craft. Nevertheless, I hope that my interpretation of these lessons proves useful to you. Let's dive in!
While watching Brandon Sanderson's writing course at BYU, I came across an interesting concept: the two archetypes of writers. These approaches to writing have different names —pantsers and plotters, or discovery writers and planning or outline writers. However, my favorite terminology, which Brandon Sanderson adopted from George R.R. Martin, refers to them as the gardener and the architect.
Essentially, these archetypes represent two extreme ways of approaching the writing process. Let's explore them a bit further.
The Gardener
The gardener, or discovery writer, doesn't have a preconceived plan. They embark on the writing journey without knowing how the story will unfold, who the main characters will be, or who will survive until the end. Like gardeners nurturing their plants, these writers allow their story to grow organically, following its course wherever it leads.
So, if you consider yourself a pure discovery writer, you would start with a captivating setup, an intriguing premise, and a cast of fascinating characters. These elements will be the soil in which your story takes root. Next, you place your characters in a compelling conflict and observe their reactions. As you explore their motivations, remaining true to your characters and letting the story guide your decisions is vital. If, along the way, someone needs to meet their demise, so be it. The story dictates their fate.
Embracing this approach empowers the story to unfold naturally, allowing character-driven decision-making and spontaneous plot developments. It's an exciting and unpredictable journey, full of surprises and discoveries.
The quintessential discovery writer is probably like Stephen King. If you've read King's On Writing, you'll know his advice is simple: forget plot and outline. Instead, create interesting characters and put them in captivating situations. Then, observe as they react and let the story unfold naturally. This method allows the characters' personalities and choices to guide the plot, resulting in a unique and organic narrative.
The Architect
The architects —plotters or outliners— meticulously plan their story before putting pen to paper. If you fall into this category, you will have a well-defined structure, detailed characters, vivid settings, and a clear plot.
While it doesn't have to be too specific, all the major plot points must be established. Before writing the first description or dialogue, you will know your main characters, who will meet their demise, how every mystery will be solved, and how conflicts and questions will be resolved. This level of planning ensures that every loose end is tied and the story flows seamlessly.
Remarkable outliners include the masterful Frank Herbert and most writers prioritizing complex world-building. These writers lean more toward the archetype of the meticulous planner. For instance, Orson Scott Card, best known for Ender's Game, advises writers to outline everything and have a comprehensive understanding of their story beforehand. This approach aims to make the story more cohesive and coherent.
Hybrids
Much like in every artistic medium, there isn't one right way to approach writing. Instead, there are tools at your disposal that can be adapted to suit your style. From what I've observed and according to Sanderson, most accomplished writers tend to embrace a hybrid approach.
A typical hybrid approach involves having a broad scheme or idea, a basic plot or outline, while also allowing room for discovery, character growth, and the occasional surprise. It's worth noting that your approach can vary across different stories.
Personally, I've begun experimenting with these ideas myself. For stories with mystery, plot twists, and concealed clues, I find it helpful to plan and structure the elements in advance to ensure everything fits together cohesively. On the other hand, I enjoy being more of an explorer for shorter stories focused on conveying specific emotions to see where the story takes me.
Admittedly, I lean more toward the structured side of being an architect. As a computer scientist and mathematician, my mind naturally gravitates toward organization and structure. However, I recognize the value in embracing spontaneity, allowing characters to surprise you with their actions, and taking the story in unexpected directions.
Conclusions
This is just my ongoing understanding of the matter. Currently, I'm exploring different combinations of these strategies to find what works best for me. I would love to know if you are also a fiction writer or any kind of writer, and what approaches have proven effective for you.
Whether you're an architect or a gardener, finding your own unique style is essential. Experiment with different techniques, stay true to your characters, and let the story develop in a way that feels natural to you. Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong method; what matters most is crafting a compelling story that engages readers from start to finish.
Happy writing!
My writing doesn't include ficition. It's a skill set I'm not equipped with. Irregardless I'm a gardner. I never know where I'm going, or what comes next. Writing is how I discover it.
I'm quite firmly architect when it comes to plot, a little less so for characters and worldbuilding. Dialogue is one area where I lean far more gardener and sometimes that can alter the plot outline, add in sub-plots, but most often, adds lore.
Characters themselves can also appear like either weeds or flowers but unlike weeds I am loathe to cull characters that force themselves into a story instead I try and incorporate them into the outline.
Currently I am writing a Roman-esque civil war story completely off the cuff, posting chapters weekly, and it is proving an exciting (and disquieting) experience. My other serial (a horror) is fully planned out, so the difference in approach keeps the writing good and varied.
Sandersons's BYU lectures are brilliant, both the older and the more recent ones.