Plotting, Plantsing, and Pantsing (Plus Life Update)
- Elizabeth King
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
When life kicks you down, lay there for a second... gotta catch your breath...

Life Update
October has not gone to plan, but hey that's okay. Not everything will always be roses and peppermint. We had a spectacular turn out for the Oct. 11th event at As The Page Turns, and even some returning fans. *Squeal*
But then, life happens. Woke up the Monday after with a rager of a head cold that is still a week later, kicking my butt. We had to cancel our appearance at the Petals Tea Shop event on the 18th, and my social media presence has dwindled because of it. A week of being sick is not fun.
Sooo, if you were wondering where I've been, lying in bed drowning in mucus is your answer. But that doesn't mean I've been doing nothing. With a lot of time to snuggle in the covers comes a lot of time to plan the things I'm going to get done once I'm better! And that, is why you're here right? The question on everyone's mind (well at least mine) when they start a book writing journey. Plotting, Plantsing, or Pantsing!
Plotting, Plantsing, and Pantsing
Let's take a look at the differences between the three options!
⟣ Plotting
Plotting is planning the novel. At least the major points, the big scenes, the themes, the well, everything, and at most practically writing the book before you write the book. Super helpful if you are a details, details, details person.
⟣ Pantsing
Pantsing is jumping into a book with little to no idea what you will be doing and just going for it. Who are the love interests? What is the big bad? Where is the drama, you'll know when you get there because you planned nothing.
⟣ Plantsing
Plantsing is a combination of any level of the two above options. You might know the major plot points, but your characters have the wheel and the roads they take to those points are a journey in and of itself! (In my opinion, this is the most fun options.)

Now what should you use? And how should you use that?
Writing is a discovering of yourself, your style, your preferences, and what brings you joy. If you don't love writing, then why are you doing it? So, first of all you need to know how you both function best and enjoy the process best to find a nice middle ground.
I myself love, love, love, to plan everything. But if I plan to hard when I go to write the entire plot gets thrown out of the window. However, if I don't plan anything I write about 5-10k words in and lose interest. The level of planning on my part doesn't matter though, because so long as I start with some idea of what I'm trying to achieve or where I'm trying to go it's enough for me. That makes me a "Plantser," and proud of it. Because my characters make their stories better. I could have never imagined that Jasper would do half the things he did in Hollows. I made him for a purpose and he threw that out of the window, but I believe Hollows is a million times better for it.
Pulling it back from me let's talk about you. Experimentation is the only way you are going to figure out what works for you. Don't be afraid of it. Even now I'm still experimenting. First person or third, presence or past, does this event need to be in the story etc. Writing is an art form, and play is required. So, dabble around, see what works, what you like, and what gets you results!
World of Moonborn Update
Currently we are still in the actively wading through ideas. I've made a few breakthroughs on what to do about several plot issues I know of and that means that the Nymue Hannok Novels will be postponed until their sister novels the Amelia Ipswich Novels can move through their first iteration. This does mean that Hollows III (Name TBD) will be postponed, and that the next release will be a new set of MC's. But not to worry, I promise this one will be even darker, sexier, and wilder than Nym's very vanilla spicy in both action and bedroom action. *winkie face*
Amelia Ipswich Novels:
These novels will take place in a town I'm tentatively placing in the South at the moment, and will be heavier on the magic, witchy politics, and unexplored supernatural creatures of the World of Moonborn. Right now we are in the planning phase with the intention to finish the ambitious 90-120k word draft zero in November. While I know the starting, the middling, and the ending there are a lot of ends to tie, decisions to make, and big reveals to think on, as this book will set in stone some things that Nym's books have only hinted at so far. Every decision will affect Nym so I'm taking care to plan not only this book but the next one and how those are going to tie into Nym's third installment.
Release Plans
These are in no way a set in stone commitment but rather a currently evolving plan. I would like to keep to this, but I make no guarantees that this will end up being the case. Planning and writing multiple novels at once is a big commitment and I am but a tiny indie author.
2026 Amelia Ipswich Novel I
2028 Amelia Ipswich Novel II Nymue Hannok Novel III
Ideally, I would like to provide some Novellas and short stories in-between these releases, so look out for those potentials.
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If you would like to apply to critique, alpha, or beta read, Elizabeth's works or for Elizabeth's Street Team please direct an email to: Elizabeth @ elizabethking@writerelizabethking.com
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