I stopped using detailed character sheets after 15 years

I used to write 10 page character profiles before starting any story, thinking it made my writing stronger. But about 3 years ago, I tried a prompt that required me to just start writing with no prep at all. The result was way more natural dialogue and unexpected plot turns that felt alive. Now I think all that planning was actually killing my creativity by locking me into rigid ideas. Has anyone else found that less prep gives you better stories?

2 comments

2 Comments

allen.kai7d ago

Planning gives you control so your story doesn't fall apart halfway through.

elliot_gibson276d ago

Did you read that Stephen King quote about how stories are like fossils he just digs up? I feel like @allen.kai is more on the discovery side with that planning thing. I heard a writer say once that the whole "pantsing" vs planning debate is fake anyway because even discovery writers have an internal map after a while. It's more like you're hiking without a GPS but you still know which way the sun sets.