In school, we are all taught the 'Plotter' style of writing. We learn to plan our stories carefully and logically with a definite beginning, middle, and end. This is a good, sensible method. I know one writer who planned his story in detail with 52 plot points the story had to reach before the dramatic end.
However, I also know one very successful mystery writer who planned the progression of his murders meticulously only to discover, when reading back through the manuscript, it was obvious who was the perpetrator of the wicked deed. His story had been over planned and lost its mystery. So, like any good writer he ripped that first draft to pieces and started again with not a scheduled plot point in sight. He had transformed into a ‘Panzer’ writer.
To be honest, I don’t like this term as it denotes someone ‘Writing by the seat of their pants,’ which has quite negative overtones of their writing being disordered and low quality. Also, who wants their writing to be labelled ‘pants?’
Therefore, I call this free form writing style ‘Reverse plotting.’
Reverse Plotting is where you write the story as a form of stream of consciousness and then spend months organising it - creating detailed notes, character studies, chapter summaries etc. All the things a ‘Plotter’ would do at the start of their story, a 'Reverse Plotter' does at the end of their first draft.
So, is there a correct way to write a story?
No, 'Plotting' and 'Reverse Plotting' are both completely valid ways of writing. You should choose the style you feel most comfortable with when writing.
Just never be a ‘Pantser!’
Your writing is definitely not that bad!
Keep Writing!
P.J.
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