“Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights,
but you can make the whole trip that way." E.L. Doctorow
Y'all know I have process envy, right? I think most of us do. I always thought I'd be a plotter. I loved outlines so much that I actually enjoyed diagramming sentences in seventh grade! (not that I remember much about it now). But alas, when it came to writing, my creative mind gave my logical mind the finger.
As an inveterate pantser, one of the most frustrating things is the lack of craft books. The first one I discovered when I began writing was, The Writer's Journey (which puts forth the concept of the Hero's Journey) by Chris Vogler. It made logical sense to me when I heard it, but it turns out, that's not how I conceptualize my characters.
The next I tried was Save The Cat, by Blake Snyder (I was lucky enough to be in the audience for the last talk he ever gave). That made even more sense to me - but I don't plot. So where I could see the 'beats' after I wrote the book (and luckily, they fell about where they should), it didn't help me write the book.
I jumped from craft book to craft book, based on the rave recommendations by writing friends. It took me filling almost two full bookshelves to realize something wasn't right (hey, I'm a slow learner, okay?)
Inspirational books -
I DID find a few along the way that helped me - books that I term 'writing inspiration'. They are amazing, and I highly recommend them for pantsers and plotters both. My top faves are:
On Writing - Stephen King *My all-time favorite*
Among many others...
Those were great for getting me fired up for writing, but then I found myself sitting in front of a blank Word doc. Where to start? I had an idea of my character, and I knew he had to go on a journey, but how? To where?
Well, since then I've found a couple of excellent ones, and I wanted to pass them along to other pantsers, so you don't have to go on a long, fruitless search.
1. Anything by Donald Maass
He's an agent, but more importantly, he's a brilliant teacher in regard to what makes a story unputdownable (yes, I just made up that word). He had me at:
"Constructing an inner journey for any character starts with discovering where that character would least like to go."
"Visible actions are stronger than internal moments. Acting is stronger than reacting."
"The rich woven texture of breakout scale novels comes more often from a tight weaving of plot layers than from the broad canvas sprawl of subplots."
'Every protagonist needs a torturous need, a consuming fear, an aching regret,a visible dream, a passionate longing, an inescapable ambition, an exquisite lust, an inner lack, a fatal weakness, an unavoidable obligation, an iron instinct, an irresistible plan, a noble idea, an undying hope..." (not necessarily all in the same character).
Doesn't just reading that get you fired up to start a project? He doesn't show you how to plot, but he shows you how to build a compelling book from the premise up. I can't recommend his books highly enough.
2. Janice Hardy's Planning Your Novel: Ideas and Structure
If you're a faithful WITS reader, you already know Janice from her posts here. To get an idea of what she teaches in her book, check out her past blogs with us:
That's not even all of them, but it's enough to give you an idea. Again, she doesn't try to change you to a plotter (although there's lots of great stuff there for plotters, too), but she helps you conceptualize a better novel.
3. Lisa Cron. My last recommendation, and latest author-crush. Her first, Wired for Story, lit up my world. Her latest, Story Genius, is on the way to me now (come on, UPS man!)
She made me see Story in a whole new way. A way that opened up my creativity. I'll never write another book without reviewing this first. Don't believe me? Watch her TED Talk:
I was so excited about this that I pulled it up on my phone and made Fae Rowen listen to it while she drove us home from the RWA Conference! Lisa is just starting an intensive 10 week online course I signed up to get info on. I think it's going to be expensive.
I also think it will be worth it.
Okay pantsers (and plotters), what craft book is your favorite? Did any ever change the way you saw writing?
Copyright © 2025 Writers In The Storm - All Rights Reserved
Craft books are my Kryptonite! I can't read for falling asleep. Don't ask me to apply the lessons. I don't remember them for long. Did I tell you I'm a Pantser? 😀 Oh, well. Hand me the inspirational ones. I'll try Lisa Cron again.
I so get you, Zan. But try her Story Genius. It really IS!
Can't wait to see you in less than a month!
I think Wired for Story is a genius work. I'm excited she has another one coming out.
I love story structure and have a dozen books on it, but Wired for Story is the one that crosses the boundaries best. Also, just plain brilliant.
Though, there IS my own plotting-for-pantsers tool which I created for just such a contingency.
We miss your face around here, Joel! It's great to see you. 🙂
Yeah, I miss y'all too. Between writing and avoiding writing, my blog consumption has been way down.
You already mentioned some of my favorites. Add to that list: For inspiration, Jane Yolen's "Take Joy: A book for Writers" and GMC by Debra Dixon.
Thanks for an inspiring blog. 🙂
Vicky, I've never heard of Take Joy - thanks for the recommendation - I'll check it out!
I started writing as a pantser. I am now a hybrid. Pantser/plotter. Maybe that sounds impossible but believe it or not, though I now start with an outline and Laurie Schnebly's Fantastic worksheet for all important characters, there are things that I write that I never expected to happen in each of my books. And oh yes, I love craft books. Maybe I'll finish that Wired for Story one now.
Oh, there are a lot of you hybrid authors out there! Our own Orly Lopez is one!
It's called "pantser with suspenders." I holy pants the first draft and plot the hell out of the revisions. 🙂
LOL... That's a great way to be. *fist bump, Orly*
I did the pendulum thing: pants pants pants plot plot plot and finally, finally, after a series of posts at Steven "War of Art" Pressfield's site, I've realized the "get your pants on, then straighten them out" method.
I have Stephen King's On Writing. I haven't read it yet. I've always felt the best way to learn how to do something is to do it, or do a simulation. When I learned how to prepare tax returns, I worked on practice returns. It's the same way with writing. The best way to learn writing is to write.Write practice exercises that will never see publication. Work out the issues there. I sometimes get inspiration from TV and movies. I look at their structure and plot for inspiration. Sometimes it's an example of what not to do.
Oh Joseph, I envy you - never having read King's On Writing! I'd love to read it for the first time, again.
It won't try to convince you how to write - promise. It will make you want to write!
Do yourself a huge favor, and go read it!
I think I just talked myself into rereading it....
For inspiration, I loved Nine Day Novel - Authorphobia by one of my favorites, Steve Windsor. When I gave up on my first book, this book made me start again. Maybe part of it was because I laughed through every page (and relaxed) - Steve Windsor is a VERY funny man!
I heard Lisa Cron speak at a NINC conference a few years back. Phenomenal.
Oh, so lucky, Terry! Have you gotten her new book?
I'm a plantser (since we're making up words) I need an intervention when it comes to craft resources and reinventing my process. Lisa Cron's book is as fantastic as you think it will be and I have been through it multiple times since I got my copy. I've even created a Scrivener template so I can work from there. I'm going to be taking the 10 week course and yes, it ain't cheap. They do have payment plans for the mid and high levels of the course. I figure I spend plenty of money learning how to market my book, learning how to get the stories down faster and better just makes sense.
You're right, L.c. - we've got to invest in our growth as an artist, and an author. So glad you're taking it!
Very impressive list. I struggle with trying to tie my stories together as I am very much a pantster, I just ordered Lisa Cron's books. Thank you so much for sharing these great books and the TED Talk.
So glad it helped you. You're going to LOVE her books!
Ok, first off, I LOVED diagramming sentences in midde school, too! I always wished there were diagram-the-sentence workbooks I could buy just like a crossword book. I looked at your pile of inspiration books in the picture and recognized most from my own shelf just above my writing desk which only confirmed for me that we are kindred writing spirits. I suppose most writers are book junkies, but I've already ordered two of the books you mentioned. My personal go-to book for writing novels is The 90-Day Novel by Alan Watt of the LA Writers' Lab (plus his 90-Day Rewrite). While I'm a panster completely, he pushes me to write a loosey-goosey, maybe/maybe-not outline which is almost always helpful, but the character questions and the daily you-can-do-this are the best parts of the books. I always go back to The Right to Write by Julia Cameron when I need to something to get me writing. Thanks for the ideas!
And thanks for your recommendations, Cara Sue! If you like them, I know I will! Going to check them out now...
Yep, I've loved diagramming sentences, too. The more intricate, the better. STEIN ON WRITING, which I got less than thirty-six hours ago, may just turn me into a "hybrid" pantser/plotter.
You know I'm shuddering, just reading your comment, Fae! But if it works for you, I'll give it a shot. I'll be following your progress with interest.
OMG. Sentence diagramming...Oy!
Laura Drake, I am more convinced than ever that we are the same person. And I agree - I loved Story Genius. FINALLY someone gets my story-building neural pathways! 🙂
Hon, if we're the same person, how come I didn't get your gorgeous hair? (I'm not even starting on the thigh disparity).
Yes! It's like she reached into my subconscious, pulled it into the light of day, and said, 'Here, is this what you meant?' How often do you find a tool like THAT?!!!
There's also Writing into the Dark, by Dean Wesley Smith.
I really like him - I'll check out his book! Thanks, Barbara.
Yes, yes, yes! Having felt guilty for almost 30 years because I didn't write according to conventional methods, I felt such sweet relief and validation when I devoured Dean's book. I am a "three-draft" writer, too. Thanks, Barbara!
I ordered Story Genius and need to find the time to dig in. 🙂 I saw you had a photo of Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones which I place up there with anything by Anne Lamott. Thanks for the resources! Off to watch the TED talk.
I have that one, but will admit to never having read it, Debbie. Have to remedy that....
Writing Down the Bones was the first craft book I EVER read, Debbie and it changed my world. Doing those exercises opened up my young writing mind. It's still one of my favorites. It always makes me want to more to an artist community in the mountains and hang out with creatives all day. 🙂
*waving madly* Take me! Take me!
Right??!
Actually, I just bought a cabin in Maine to do that very thing. 50feet from the river, wifi, no tv and only intermittent cell service. It is sort of a tiny house McMansion at 750sf but it will sleep 6.
Brilliant, L.c. Brilliant.
Laura, you probably are not going to like my answer. But here goes. In line with what Joseph said earlier, I've find that "doing" is important and HEARING AND SEEING is even more vital. When I left RWA Nationals in San Diego, I must have looked like a lighthouse at the dead of midnight...high-intensity shafts of light beaming out of my head. So many lightbulbs were ignited. Everyone learns differently. I do best when I hear and see. Some of the workshop leaders wholly and completely "Edisoned" me. I need anecdotes...and before-and-after examples. That drives it home for me. Especially in a classroom setting. As I now edit my WIP, I hear how and where my voice is flat and passive. And, even better, I can see how to make creative fixes fast. I'm still on the lower rungs of the writing ladder. But I'm looking up. I'm climbing. For those who can get that same kick-in-the-ass impact from reading a craft book, that's just dandy. For me, it takes warm bodies and sizzling examples. And it takes writing. A Thanksgiving feast of it. Oh, that makes me hungry. Hey! You down there! Please pass the candied yams!
Sounds like you're an auditory learner, Chris. You're in luck because there's tons of help nowadays on Youtube, etc. Lots of podcasts too.
And I'm off to buy some stuffing.
Chris, when you're looking at the YouTube vids, go here!!
http://cannell.com/videos.html
Stephen J. Cannell (creator of the Rockford Files) is one of the best speakers ever to come to OCC and he was life changing for me. And he did a whole web series!! WOO!!! If you look through his website, there is an entire screenwriting course there. All free. 🙂
Thanks for the tip/link!
I love all of JAMES SCOTT BELL'S books on writing. I highly recommend them!
I agree, Mary, I've got some of his on my shelves, too!
I'm a fan of "On Writing" by Stephen King. Wonderful book. I recently read "Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t," by Steven Pressfield. It's a quick read, that has helped me to rethink editing, by searching out the key moments of my story so I can rein in my characters and streamline the plot.
Oh, another I hadn't heard of! Off to check it out... Thanks, Cheryl!
I had just about decided writing was not something I could do because I was not good at grammar. Then I attended the Red Dirt Writing Conference in Oklahoma (Red Dirt where else) and attended a workshop by Charles W Sasser. Changed my entire thinking about writing. I too have 2 shelves in front of me full of craft help books. In my new office the book shelves containing the "help" books is behind me. Sasser's book "Magic Steps to Writing Success" opened so many doors for me. Since I got it stays on my desk top. Pantsers could save a lot of $$$ if someone told us this before we drowned in Character building, plotting, and outlining. I tried all this but when I finished I was through with the story. I had no interest in writing the book. It was all figured out already. Charles Sasser showed me it was OK to just sit down and write.
YES! That's exactly how I felt about it, too! If I know exactly what happens, all that's left is the boring stuff. And I don't want to slog through boring stuff. That's what I retired from!
Great, great post, Laura. Yes, Stephen King's book is the best, far and away. I met Donald Maas at a conference years ago and spent some time with him, sharing a taxi and chatting later at the conference. He definitely gets it. My favorite writing book? The Writer's Book (1950), a collection essays I read in college. Who's in it? Oh, Pearl Buck, James Michener, Thomas Mann and others. Whoa, this is later. I pulled the book off the shelf and flipped it open. It opened to "Plot or Character -- Which?" by Lajos Egri and I have written a note at the end of the essay --:"Plot is secondary to and formed by the characters of the individuals in the story." 1968. Thanks, Laura. I would not have seen this otherwise.
I've never heard of The Writer's Book. Thank you!
First published in 1950. I have the tenth printing. I fear it has been unavailable for some time.
Wow - I'd love to have all that wisdom! I'll keep an eye on Amazon used books for it. Thanks for the tip, James.
Okay, Laura. I'm a total beginner. I wrote my first draft of a novel in 2013 with the NaNoWriMo. I laughed, I cried and loved the whole process. But now I need to get serious. Without attending conferences or courses (personal responsibilities don't allow it), how can I get started? There are so many books out there to help with the crafting and skill of writing. Is there a progression of reading I should undertake? Help!
I think Laura will agree with me on this one: Margie Lawson's lecture packets. Her Deep Editing course with her EDITS system is amazing, and worth way more than the $22 you will spend.
http://www.margielawson.com/lecture-packets
You beat me to it, Jenny! Yes, Eileen, that's where I'd start. Best of luck to you!
Laura, all these books are wonderful and I have many of them. What I would add are the reference books like the Reverse Thesaurus or Angela & Becca's Emotion Thesaurus. When you're a pantser, just being able to look up the words you want is amazing.
The book that I read early on that made the biggest impact on me was Jesse Lee Kercheval's "Building Fiction." It let me understand what all the parts of the story were about so I could internalize that and move on to the writing. Especially when you are writing short, it's a great book for understanding how to get into and out of the story and what elements MUST be there.
I learned something from this blog, Jenny - HOW many craft books I've never heard of! One more for my list. Thank you!
I have quite a few of the books listed here, but one that's elusive is King's "On Writing." Can't get my hands on a copy. But I will definitely order Lisa Cron's books. Thanks for another great post, Laura!
Here's the link on Amazon, Barb! http://dld.bz/eQYaw
I like to see my writing on paper, or on a computer screen. To me, it makes it more real. It's no longer just random thoughts in my head. It has some substance. It's easier to work with that way.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Dwight Swain's Secrets of the Selling Writer. So much good info there especially when you are getting started.
Sorry Techniques of the selling writer
Yes! I have that one, too, L.c.!
We didn't diagram sentences when I was in school. It's not exactly a skill you would use in the real world. If you're like me, and you write primarily dialogue or first person narration, you can get away with some grammatical errors. We don't always speak in complete sentences. We don't use completely correct grammar all the time. As long as everyone understands each other, we can live with that. I do tax accounting, so I work with tax regulations and tax laws. It would take you several pages to diagram one of those sentences.
I was a CFO, jm, so we have that in common, anyway (though, tax? *shudders*)
Incorrect grammar, broken sentences - That's what Margie Lawson calls, 'being the dude', and it's very powerful! That's voice, my friend!
You had me at 'process envy.' 🙂 I do a lot of technical writing in my day-job, and it's all rigidly plotted. But fiction? Pantsing all the way. I'm jealous of those who actually know where they're headed! Thanks so much, Laura, for such a great list of resources--Wired for Story just got added to my reading list. I look forward to meeting you at the WFWA Retreat!
Oh Rebecca, a double treat! Wired for Story, AND the retreat! You are going to LOVE it! I met so many people who are now my friends - impossible to remain a stranger very long!
the WFWA retreat will be such fun. And next year we have Lisa Cron ... Hello Story Genius!!!!!! 🙂
Another source is author K.M.Weiland. She has several books on writing. Here is a link to her blog.
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
Thank you, jm!
I'm somewhere in between. I know the basic outline of the story, but I don't always know all the details in between.
I, too, am a pantser with a aching desire to plot. When I do the outline and the character sheets the story dies for me. How do you convey in words that your character has this or that fear without telling after you already know it? Egg and chicken conundrum to me.
My inspiration board is full of quotes and charts from most of these books and a list of books and websites I need to search and absorb. Thanks for this great list everybody.
My contribution is Austin Kleon's, Steal Like and Artist. I have it beside my computer and whenever I need to remind myself the words need to be on the page (not in my head) to count as written I flip it open.
Thank you Laura for this discussion. (I am off to watch Lisa Cron!)
She just makes so much sense to me, Marly. Hope you find the same.
I luv EL Doctorow's quote, used it myself last semester in a paper...
Me, I'm a pants all the way!
Hey, whatever works, right, Lisa? I sometimes wonder how anyone can do something so difficult....
I loved this post. I have two post grad degrees and was never able to outline a single paper, so plotting was never for me. I agree completely with he statement that if I know where the story is going and how it got there, there's not point in writing it. That said, when I first started writing I was looking for a place to start, and found Immediate Fiction by Jerry Cleaver. Like many writers, I bought all sorts of other craft books, but that book had the most impact.
I shared on FB and Twitter.
Thanks for the share, Ella. And I've never heard of Immediate Fiction - off to check it out....
also liked the Ted Talk by Lisa Cron! Nice!
Laura if this piece does nothing else it bolster my desire to continue writing. I never knew there were so many of us pantsers. I thought I was one of a dinosaur type. I didn't think I would ever get anything published. This is the main reason I was never very anxious to submit any thing. I thought only the plotters had a chance unless they were a master writer that was a genius that wrote as a pantser. So many chimed in on this I am so impressed at the number and the names that are pantsers. Thank you all and Thank You Laura for this.
Oh jeez, 50 - isn't it funny the assumptions we make, then assume they're fact, when they're not? What a huge discovery for you! Now, go dust off those old manuscripts in the drawer, and get to work! So happy for you!
The only right way to write is the one that works for YOU!
oh, just remembered one of my fave craft books, "Hooked on Fiction" by renowned crime fiction author, Les Edgerton. His words of writing wisdom ring true, for everyone, but especially for pantsers like myself!
I've never heard of that one, either, Lisa - thanks for the tip!
This was a good post. My only thing is, don't get so wrapped up in reading about writing that you forget to write.
Too true, jm.
OH my gosh. I read Wired for Story and am now reading Story Genius. I am not a pantser. Well maybe 2 percent. Ha. I love her ideas. So fun!!
I didn't mean to intimate that her books were only for pantsers, Alice. They're great for both sides, and everything in between! Before the most inveterate plotter begins outlines, they need a character. And Lisa Cron shows you how to build a great one, from the ground up.
Lisa Cron is set to appear at our bookstore, Vromans, here in Pasadena, on September 8th at 7:00 p.m. It is described as a mini workshop. I am so looking forward to it!
Stephen King and Anne Lamott--yes. They're gods! I also love Ray Bradbury's Zen in the Art of Writing. Puts the JOY back into it!
hey cynnaden, is the workshop free???
Lisa Ciarfella, yes although the author always makes the books available for purchase and signing. Warning though - Vromans has a policy that for signing the book needs to be purchased at their store. This is the first workshop that I am aware of that Vromans is putting on. Maybe see you there?
Possibly!
I know Writer's Digest magazine has resources, too.
http://www.writersdigest.com/
Just got an email about this webinar, where authors will talk about publishing. You can even submit a question for them to answer. It's Thursday, September 1 (this Thursday) at 1:00 Eastern time. The registration link is below. It's free.
https://app.webinarjam.net/register/19478/fda263496f
Hi! Elizabeth Sapnn Craig pointed me in this direction because I'm a pantser and I've found a book that works pretty well for my brain. I blogged about it today 🙂 (https://jemifraser.blogspot.ca)
Take Off Your Pants by Libbie Hawker.
Thanks for the other tips!
oh, my! So many books. So little time. And what is the WFWA retreat?
It stands for Women's Fiction Writers Assn., Dot. If you write women's fiction, come join us! http://womensfictionwriters.org/index.php
I was at Target today, and I picked up the paperback edition of James Patterson's Cross Justice. In the back of this edition, which is a Target exclusive, he gives part of an outline for his next book, Cross the Line, which is coming out later this year. Part of this is promotional, I know, and he did clean it up for publication, but it is interesting to see how a successful author outlines his work. Again, it's only at Target.
I've actually read On Writing more than once! I'm going to check out Cron.
Laura, I just signed up for the Story Genius course about to begin. It is expensive. And I believe it will be worth it. I'm terrified! Thanks for this post. Good books, good tips. Breathe and sign up for Lisa Cron's course.
[…] How do we fashion an idea into something readable? Monica Hoffman shares 8 steps to writing a coherent novel, Janice Hardy shows how to take your novel from premise to plot, and Laura Drake lists craft books for pantsers. […]
I'm a pantser in need of a serious intervention. I always know the beginning, and the end. From there, plot lines arise. Tried every note and plotting process known to man, but I like sitting down after the last chapter and stepping on the gas. Thanks for the recommendations, I do follow Janice Hardy religiously, and Stephen King's "About Writing" is never far from reach. If I do one thing without fail, it's make copious use of Word "Comment" boxes on a manuscript when an idea hits or to remind me to "check this with ..." Thanks again.
I'm a pantser with a craft book addiction. I have shelves and shelves of them. I love Save the Cat but my favorite book that embraced pantsing was Story Trumps Structure by Steven James. He doesn't just talk about pantsing, he embraces it fully and argues it can be the best way to write a story. He gives great tools to use to work with pantsing, how to build your characters. and what to do when you get stuck, etc. I made worksheets from it, lol. It's fantastic.
Entrancing the pantsing ... *scuttling off to buy that book*
Thanks for the recommendation, Roni!
Lisa Cron was here last Thursday, September 8th at our local bookstore, Vroman's. She presented a mini workshop based on Story Genious, answered questions, and did a book signing. She is amazing! I am hooked!
like Orly's response above...pants, pants, pants, then plot the hell out of it!
HAHAHAHA
Ha! Don't you just love the wedgie you get after all that pantsing? Feels good to settle into the plotting revision phase after that. 🙂