Riding the Chaos: Writing Without a Plan

There’s a term in the writing world: “plotter vs. pantser.” Plotters meticulously plan their stories—outlining each scene, mapping out character arcs, and knowing every twist before they type the first word. And then there are pantsers—writers who fly by the seat of their pants, letting the story unfold as they write.

I am, without a doubt, a pantser.

Some might call it chaotic, but for me, there’s something freeing about sitting down with a blank page and simply letting my characters find their way. I can have the best intentions, clear plans, and a vision of where the story should go, but time and time again, my characters prove to me that they have a mind of their own. It’s as if they step onto the page fully formed, refusing to be forced into the path I had so carefully envisioned for them.

It’s a strange, almost out-of-body experience at times. I created these people. I built their histories, their wounds, their desires. And yet, when I write, I feel more like a spectator than a storyteller. I don’t dictate their choices. They show me who they are. I don’t force their relationships. They reveal their chemistry on their own. And sometimes, when I think I know exactly where a scene is going, they throw me a curveball, shifting the story in a way I never expected.

This process isn’t always easy. There are times when I fight against it, trying to force a scene to fit my plan, only to realize that the resistance I feel isn’t just writer’s block—it’s my characters telling me I’m wrong. Some of my most powerful moments in writing have come from surrendering to that instinct, from allowing the story to unfold organically rather than trying to control it.

Of course, this method comes with its own set of challenges. Writing without an outline means I sometimes have to go back and clean up threads that unraveled in unexpected ways. It means I might stumble upon plot holes that require a creative fix later on. But it also means my stories feel alive—unpredictable, raw, and real.

That said, I do normally have some kind of arcs in mind. I know how I want my characters to grow, what lessons they need to learn, and the struggles they will face. But ultimately, they choose their own path. No matter how much I try to steer them, they surprise me, making decisions I never saw coming. And that’s what makes writing such a thrilling experience.

To other writers who feel like their characters are leading the way, I say embrace it. Let them surprise you. Let them take risks. Let them walk down paths you never considered. Because sometimes, the best stories aren’t the ones we plan—they’re the ones that demand to be told, whether we’re ready or not.