Are You A Planner?

Are You A Story Planner?

If so, then I bow down to your organizational thinking.

But maybe you’re not sure what being a planner means.

The terms planner and pantser are thrown around a lot in writing spaces.

Everyone has an opinion and a definition. (Don’t they always?)

Never fear, my little organizer, I’m here for you.

And you might be surprised by what this stereotype means for you.

What Is A Planner?

A planner is a writer who outlines their story from beginning to end before they start drafting.

If you discover your story through:

• outlines

• mood boards

• templates

and other methods before you begin writing, then you might be a planner.

The key difference between you and a pantser is that you form your story internally. Concepts, arcs, and beats are arranged inside your mind while you capture the highlights in various formats.

This is a highly functional process that comes with both strengths and pitfalls.

Not sure if this describes you? If you’re still figuring out whether you’re a planner, a pantser, or somewhere in between, start here → Planner vs. Pantser Guide

A planner is a writer who outlines their story before they start drafting.

The Power Of Planning

The power of planning isn’t in the outline itself, but in the direction it gives you.

Planners sit down to write with a detailed roadmap in front of them.

This often shows up as:

• tight pacing

• well-executed scenes

• beats that hit their mark

• strong worldbuilding

By the time you start writing, you already know where you’re headed. The process you use to get there is a superpower. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

As a planner, you might be asking yourself:

Do other writers not know where they’re headed?

The answer is no, but don’t look so smug about it.

You have your own problems, and I’m here to help you solve them.

Planner Pitfalls

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a planner. I’d like to be, but I’m a pantser by design.

That means I stand in awe as other writers display bullet points and beautifully themed character templates. They’re impressive, but they aren’t a draft.

Planners build portfolios instead of drafts.

Your organization is all well and good, but at some point, you have to switch from pretty outlines to messy prose.

That switch can be intimidating or even terrifying.

Planning has order. It has control. Relinquishing that control to actual writing can derail even the most well-thought-out plans.

You may feel comfortable with a neat outline but lack a clear sense of how to execute it on the page.

You might find yourself asking: What if it doesn’t look the same when I write it out?

Let me assure you, even pantsers struggle with this. Nothing is ever as lovely on the page as it is in our heads, especially when we’re translating vision into prose in real time.

Your fears are valid and understandable.

Story Chain Brainstorming

I know you’ve seen the advice: “Just write.” Just open a page and start typing—you’ll figure it out.

That’s pantser advice.

And it makes you uncomfortable because you don’t think that way.

Despite what the coaches and internet experts tell you, being uncomfortable doesn’t magically make you a better writer.

You don’t have to make it so hard on yourself.

Instead, try a method I call Story Chain Brainstorming.

This approach lets you tell yourself the story in plain language. It helps you move from outline to prose while stress-testing the cause-and-effect chain of your ideas.

I have a full article on story chain brainstorming, complete with instructions and examples to guide you.

The key is to build this method into multiple levels of your planning process. It eases the transition from planning to prose and can actually help you create a stronger, more fluid plan.

Lean Into It

The lines between planners and pantsers are sharply drawn online. Each side tries to validate itself by pushing its method onto others.

As a pantser, I want you to know this:

I see you, Planner. I am impressed by you and your way of thinking.

Lean into your strengths.

Make your natural thought process work for you while staying aware of the pitfalls it can create.

Don’t force yourself out of your box. Bring fresh ideas into it.

And most importantly, don’t stop being you. Don’t stop writing. Don’t stop dreaming.

After all…

You’re the one with the plan.