Writers are frequently asked to define their writing process as if there are only two valid approaches: “pantser” or “plotter.” Do you meticulously outline your work, or do you prefer to discover the story as you write? Do you dedicate time to write every morning at dawn, or do you grab moments to write whenever you can?
From an editor’s perspective, these questions are helpful—but only to a degree. The real issue isn’t how you write. It’s whether your process truly supports completing and revising a book.
Pantser vs. Plotter: What the Labels Really Mean
Basically, these terms explain how writers deal with uncertainty.
- Plotters prioritize clarity before drafting. They outline key beats, track character arcs, and minimize surprises.
- Pantsers thrive on discovery. They write to find out what happens, allowing character and instinct to guide them.
Neither approach is better. Editors handle great manuscripts from both and also work on deeply flawed ones from each.
The issue occurs when writers consider these labels as permanent identities instead of tools.
Why Most Writers Are Actually Hybrids
In practice, most writers fall somewhere between pantser and plotter. A writer might:
- Outline the beginning and end, but discover the middle
- Draft freely, then outline retroactively during revision
- Plot one project heavily and pants another
Strictly following a label can hinder growth. Flexibility often enables writers to adjust when a project stalls.
Writing Schedules: Ideal vs. Reality
Some writers thrive on strict routines—same time, same place, every day. Others write in fragments: evenings, lunch breaks, stolen hours between responsibilities.
Editors don’t notice quality differences from scheduling style. Instead, they see how consistent it is.
A regular schedule doesn’t need to be daily; it just needs to be repeatable.
- Writing once a week at a consistent time is better than daily writing that falters after two weeks.
- Brief, consistent sessions often outperform infrequent, intense marathons.
The most effective schedule is the one you can keep consistently over time.
How Process Affects Revision (Where Editors Pay Attention)
A writer’s process becomes most visible during revision.
- Pantsers often need structural clarity after drafting
- Plotters often need to loosen scenes that feel over-engineered
- Inconsistent schedules can lead to tonal drift across chapters
None of these are failures—they’re merely patterns. Editors recognize these patterns to suggest the appropriate revisions, not to judge how the draft was written.
Common Process Pitfalls Editors See
From an editorial point of view, these issues are more important than labels.
- Writers who never adjust their process when it stops working
- Writers who draft endlessly but avoid revision
- Writers who revise without a clear plan
- Writers who mistake productivity for progress
A healthy writing process develops alongside the manuscript.
There Is No “Correct” Way to Write a Book
The publishing industry is filled with myths about what “real writers” do:
- Write every day
- Outline everything
- Never outline
- Finish drafts quickly
None of these are requirements. Writers finish books by discovering a process that works for them—and they revise when it doesn’t.
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