Are you a plotter, pantser or plantser?
For reference: A pantser creates the story freely without a plan or an outline, a plotter will do the opposite by outlining their story for structure and organization. And a planster is both, plots and still allows for creativity to take over if the outline no longer fits. There is no sure-fire way to write a novel, but these three methods help some authors to make progress. In this article, I want to identify 3 ways to draft a novel using the plotter method. However, if you do not like planning be sure to keep reading or skip down to my last suggestion geared toward the planster style of drafting.
Let’s focus on the plotters. Now is it wrong to not have an outline? Of course not, everyone has their own writing style, but for this article, specifically, I want to give some information on how much it can benefit in the long run. There has not been any proof which route is better simply because it depends on the writer. Some people like to have things well thought out beforehand while others do perfectly fine with letting it flow.
1. Three Act Structure
This outline is one of the more basic structures, and I think its self-explanatory. There are three acts, within each act there are milestones for the author to reach. The structure consists of Act I, Act II, and Act III. In each act you will build to the next. Act I starts with the exposition or simply put the introduction then gradually pushes the story toward the inciting incident, thus putting your story in motion. Next is Act II, where you meet the rising action that takes you to the midpoint of the story. Here you can shift gears as the climax is next in line. After the climax your story immediately declines and goes into the denouement which is simply put the ending. Each of these take on specific parts of the story building one into the other. Usually, this method is illustrated as a mountain, there is a gradual incline until you reach the peak and a sudden drop to the bottom.
2. Save the Cat Method
This is a fairly new method that breaks down the novel into nodules known as beats. There are fifteen in total, each with a suggested percentage of the novel. For example, the fourth beat is known as the “Catalyst”. The Catalyst is a beat where a life-changing event takes places, changing the protagonist’s perspective. With this instance alone, life will never be the same. It is suggested to use 10% of your novel on this event. So, if your goal is 100, 000 words, you will try to use 10, 000 words on this beat.
I must say that without the Save the Cat method, I would not be nearly as far as I am now with my own novel. Save the Cat introduces a very detailed method to breaking down the story with a definition of each beat. This will help guide each beat into the next. This can be applied when writing and editing your novel. During the developmental editing stage, there can be plot holes that appear. By referencing the Save the Cat Method, it could help to address said plot holes.
Plansters, this last one is for you.
3. Summarize Chapters
Since this does not take as much planning of the story prior to, it is more in favor of the pantser approach. Since each chapter will be summarized it evolves into an outline upon completion. The summary of each chapter can still be written free handedly. Summarizing each chapter helps to identify what will gradually take place allowing a precursor for the next chapter. Therefore,creating a full concept of your story while still letting your mind roam free. And, even if it feels too much like an outline it is okay to diverge as it is for the betterment of the novel.
Between these three structures, all can work individually or together. For instance, The Save the Cat Method can be paired with summarizing chapters, or the 3 Act Structure can be pair with the Save the Cat method. Either way they are effective ways to make progress in writing a novel. Especially if writer’s block is occuring. And the most important thing to remember when using structures is to not stress if the plot is not duplicating the outlines. It is never mandatory to follow the outline perfectly. Let your creative juices flow.
