I’m a Pantser… and Apparently That’s a Thing

This weekend, I learned something about myself: I’m a Pantser.

And in typical fashion nowadays, I found this out via social media. Can you imagine the shock? How have I managed to get this far without knowing this?

Seriously though, I had no idea what people were talking about, but it seemed like a big deal, so I looked it up. 

According to Wiktionary:

Pantser (plural pantsers)

1. (slang, writing) An author who writes their story without a plan or an outline.

Etymology: From the expression fly by the seat of one's pants.

Huh. Apparently, there’s a name, definition, and community for what I thought was just creative, sometimes chaotic inspiration mixed with a whole lot of prayer (and a bit of desperation). 

So, I’m not a fan of labels, but Pantser does capture the essence of my writing life: why my characters veer off in directions I had no idea were even possible, why my plot holes could swallow small villages, and why I have a dozen or so half-finished stories lurking in dark folders on Google Docs.

In my defense, I’m not a complete Pantser. I mean, I do have some idea of where the story is going—or supposed to go. I have a page or two of notes and ideas. I make a character outline, and I do eventually create a story outline—it just evolves along with the plot, not beforehand.

Somewhere, a Plotter is reading this and having a heart attack. I know, I know. How can you write a story without having it all planned out? All I can say is: you do you, and I’ll do me—then we’re both happy. (Or you can just stop reading now and pretend you never saw this blog post. Wink, wink). 

So… for the rest of you who just discovered you fall into the Pantser Hall of Fame (and for the Plotters still sticking it out), here’s a survival guide for the twists and turns of this writing style.

The Wild Ride of Pantsing: A Survival Guide

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Something to drink—strong, hot, cold, bubbly, sweet, sour, but not all at the same time. Unless it’s that kind of day.

• Snacks. Lots of snacks. Crunchy for action scenes, chocolate for courage—or mix them together and call it research.

• An emotional support animal (highly recommended), friend (iffy), or very patient spouse (risky).

• A strong sense of humor (and perhaps a mild disregard for logic).

Hazards Along the Way:

• Characters going off-script and auditioning for a different genre halfway through your book (herding them back is like negotiating with toddlers).

• Losing hours of your life down a research rabbit hole—only to realize it belongs in a story all its own.

• That amazing twist you just wrote? Yeah… it completely contradicts chapter one (facepalm).

• Writing a whole scene for a character you killed off two chapters ago. Whoops.

• Bringing up your characters in a normal conversation like they’re real people—forgetting your friends and family don’t know (or care) who they are.

Unexpected Perks:

• Stumbling into a brilliant connection you definitely didn’t plan (but will totally take credit for).

• Feeling like a literary genius when everything magically ties itself together—despite your best efforts.

• Cracking yourself up with dialogue you swear you didn’t write. 

• Catching yourself defending your characters in imaginary arguments because apparently you’re that invested.

• Getting the thrill of uncovering a shocking plot twist before your readers do—and trying not to smirk like a villain about it.

At the end of the day, that’s what being a Pantser is really about—embracing the chaos, enjoying the surprises, and trusting that somehow it will all come together.

So here I stand: fully embracing my inner Pantser. Wild, slightly disorganized, running on plot twists and prayer—and clearly not the one driving the story. But honestly? Life seems to work that way too—full of surprises, a little chaotic, and better when I stop pretending I’m in control. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So… fellow Pantsers (and Plotters brave enough to still be here), what’s your favorite writing hazard or unexpected perk? And what’s one must-have supply you can’t write without? I’d love to hear your adventures—share them in the comments below!

Here’s to surviving the hazards and savoring the perks—one misbehaving character at a time!