Chapter 1: The Struggle of the Pantser

Recently, my manuscript was a whirlwind of disarray.

Despite churning out around 6,000 to 8,000 words weekly, I found myself lacking clarity regarding my characters’ development and the overall trajectory of the story. It was frustrating and disheartening, especially after investing so much effort.

To be honest, there have been countless moments when I’ve considered throwing in the towel. While I can easily write non-fiction, crafting fiction felt akin to being lost at sea with no land or guideposts in sight.

In this process, I came to realize a crucial truth:

In both writing and life, reaching your destination is impossible if you don't know where you're headed.

Fortunately, I have a fantastic book coach who has been instrumental in helping me sail through these tumultuous waters. You can check her out here.

She suggested a specific approach that illuminated my path forward.

Initially, she encouraged me to write freely for several weeks to develop the habit. Once she sensed I had exhausted the potential of spontaneous writing, she advised me to begin outlining.

For those who prefer to plot, this method may seem counterintuitive. They typically outline and organize before they start writing. However, I found that, as a pantser, writing first and planning later works best for me.

Many pantsers view the writing process through a different lens. Often, they need to "uncover" their story before they can begin structuring the details. This resonates with me deeply.

In the video linked above, I explain how my coach guided me to outline my novel (and don’t worry, it’s quite manageable).

If you've been feeling stuck in your writing journey, this insight may change your perspective on both the writing and outlining processes.

— Knikki Hernandez

Chapter 2: Embracing the Outline

The second video provides a structured approach for methodological pantsers, offering guidance on how to weave together plot and character development effectively.