The Hybrid Writing Method: How to Combine Plotting and Pantsing

When it comes to writing, some writers rush to take a side—either planning their book to the last detail and following that plan to the letter, or letting the muse guide them, writing when inspiration strikes and figuring things out as they go along. But have you ever wondered if you could be a plotter and a pantser at the same time and combine both approaches?

In the previous two posts, I’ve shared an overview of both the pantsing and plotting approaches to writing, discussed the pros and cons of each, and offered ways to make each approach work.

In this article, I’m going to take it one step further and show you how to merge both plotting and pantsing to help you finish writing that book you’ve been struggling with.

Why Merge Plotting and Pantsing

Combining the plotting and pantsing approaches means you can harvest the benefits of both while avoiding the less-than-great side effects each one entails.

You’ll allow yourself to get swept up by the flow of inspiration when it hits without having to postpone the writing and create a plan. At the same time, when you get stuck (and you will), you’ll learn how to adjust and realign, only without a rigid plan. 

So how can that be done?

Why an Outline Is Better Than a Plan

The first way to combine the spontaneous approach of pantsing with the orderly method of plotting is via a loosely formed plan. This means planning, but not everything.

This could mean having a general idea of what will happen, to whom, and how it will end, without knowing all the details (like the name of the coffee shop where the talking beaver lays out the brilliant heist plan).

The benefit of this approach is that you don’t lose track of where your story is going, but at the same time, you’re not stuck planning for days and have plenty of flexibility to add and remove scenes, characters, and details as needed.

Why You Don’t Need all the Answers From the Start

Another way to combine both approaches to writing is to plan, but only one scene or chapter at a time.

This approach is great for when you only have the beginning of an idea in mind and want to test it out before you figure out what comes next. You can start with what you know, write until your stream of inspiration (temporarily) runs dry, then plan the next small chunk only when the need arises.

Sometimes you’ll find that you need to revise your plot as you go, as new and better ideas come in, or that the next part comes more naturally when you have one written.

Either way, you’re never stuck doing just one thing for too long. You get to write, you get to plan, and you always know what you’re doing, at least one step ahead.

Final Thoughts

With writing, as with nutrition, style, or taste in goblins, there is no one-size-fits-all.

Different approaches can work at different times, and when each one has pros and cons, why not pick and choose only the good parts?

So when it comes to choosing between plotting and pantsing, you can take the positive:

1. Writing when inspiration strikes

2. Creating a plan when you get stuck

3. Thinking just one step ahead to keep the momentum going

This was the approach that helped me write my first book, and I loved it so much that I laid it out in a quick book that helps writers finally complete their manuscripts, too. You can read about it here.

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