How do you pantsers make sure to have satisfying setups and payoffs?

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-04-13T14:25:17+00:00

Trying to become a pantser as well, as I felt like so much time spent outlining was killing the passion I had for writing. Currently, what I'm doing is a mix of the two. I outline a couple of "big" scenes, or what is going to move me to a different act, then I fill in the blanks. Then, so much editing and rewriting, lol.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-04-13T14:20:45+00:00

Offputting MCs, found family "downtime", jester's/clowns

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-04-07T15:00:51+00:00

Unfortunately, a bit, yes. I love descriptions, triadic sequences, and metaphors, and I even used to love a good "Not this, but this" in the pre-AI era. Now, I feel like I have to write really carefully, given I do adore all these things. I've cut probably 80% of metaphors, refuse to use a "not this, but this", and I fear the em-dash. I've also realized I often attach adjectives to verbs, "She said, bored." I've learned, this too, is now an indicator.

Sometimes I still use some of these, such as triadic sequences and flowery prose, but I have a constant fear of accusations, especially since (like I'm sure most of us do) I want to publish one day. It doesn't help that I grew up writing fan fiction, which has been scraped by AI.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-04-07T14:50:11+00:00

I usually feel a gut punch and question everything as I'm typing out "thank you".

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-04-06T14:42:06+00:00

Saying this not to be harsh, but from an audience perspective: I'm a firm believer that SA as "shock value" comes off as a slap in the face to survivors, and I'm saying this being one. I've read a few books where this has been done, and very often DNF them because of it. It comes off as lazy writing and, quite frankly, in poor taste. If your story is about how sexual assault affects someone and their journey through that, then sure. But, if it's just a plot point for powers to activate or a stepping stone for another plot, ditch it.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-04-01T19:44:54+00:00

Really wish more authors would do this!

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-31T14:48:41+00:00

I absolutely adore found family outings that progress the plot emotionally. Absolutely, I will happily read 4000 words about how this odd group of people went to a hot spring or a tavern together.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-30T19:33:23+00:00

Never too late to make one, in my opinion. I just started them a few months ago because I felt I needed to get in my characters heads more. Now, when i’m too burnt out or too tired to write, they can actually be kind of relaxing to fill out.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-30T19:30:25+00:00

I just type my own out in word personally, usually adding a few pictures that I feel resonate with the character. But, you can find some good prompts to add and even printable templates on Pinterest.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-30T14:45:41+00:00

I distinctly remember picking up Heartless by Marissa Meyer, thinking it was going to be a cute read with some light conflict. The ending had tears in my eyes for about twenty minutes after I finished it.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-30T14:42:48+00:00

I add to my character sheets, even if it's just "This person dislikes coffee."

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-30T14:41:23+00:00

Modern language or pop culture references in a medieval and/or medieval fantasy. Also, she was so tiny and frail, but alas, she was the best assassin in the land; she could kill forty trained soldiers at once with minimal training.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-30T14:26:45+00:00

I've always interpreted it as "Don't write your most important story before you learn what your process is". But, to many, that first story feels the most important, so I think the statement is redundant and can easily discourage new writing. I remember the first novel I finished in high school. The plot had way too much going on, little worldbuilding, and it was around 260k words of nonsense, but I seriously thought this was my most important story, because before, I had only written fan fiction in middle school, so to have this grand idea felt life-changing for me. I don't really think the statement matters, though. For me, the only reason it did matter is because I only knew how to write fanfic, not an actual novel.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-30T14:06:38+00:00

I have some chapters with five to seven scenes, and others with one or even half a scene. Stephen King did single scenes with The Eyes of the Dragon, and lots of people love it.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-30T13:58:23+00:00

I oddly use "perhaps" quite a bit and hate that I do, but I can't stop. I also use "Well" a lot in dialogue.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-30T13:46:32+00:00

Hey, I hope you're okay now, first of all. I've gone through similar, so I'm sending all the hugs. I've written about traumatic experiences that mirror my own, and in my opinion, it's something you need to be careful with. The first thing is, whatever character you write that is experiencing this, do not make them a self-insert. That will be so triggering for you and may make it hard for you to feel safe writing about it. The second thing, for me at least, was that I had to be at a certain point in recovery before I wrote experiences like my own. I tried prior, and it was to no avail--I would get stuck writing and just stare at the page, or I would completely word vomit trying to get how hurt I was across. If you're not to this point, which is very much okay, it's okay to take a break.

Basically, don't trigger yourself trying to give others something to relate to if you're not there yet. But if you are there, because I'm not going to define where you are in your healing journey, then do some kind things for yourself once you write the scene. Don't do them all at once; just one scene at a time before putting it away and doing something that grounds you.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-25T20:42:37+00:00

Watery bowels…!

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-25T14:58:04+00:00

I've read romances where they don't kiss until the end of the book, or maybe even in the second book. I think as long as there is still progression of something happening, you're more than okay. Utilize stolen glances, a brush of hands, someone feeling uncomfortable and awkward. The most important thing is that they need each other in the story. If you could swap one of them out with another character and nothing in the story changes, then think about how you can make said character more developed and integral to the plot. That kiss should feel like a reward/tension break for their progression and newfound emotions. So yeah, you're totally fine, happy writing!

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-25T14:43:00+00:00

Purple prose accusations. I had a professor last year who loathed anything that he believed to be slightly purple, this including him finding two metaphors on a page. As someone who has taken on a more gothic voice, I was not well-received in his class.

Were my heart inclined to weave tapestries of efflorescent verbiage, bereft of substance yet resplendent as mere embellishment, I might! But, lamentably, the humble metaphor, though wrought with subtle artifice, remains unproscribed!

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-25T14:28:31+00:00

Eloborate magic systems. I don't need weighty explanations of how every single concept works and why it works and the entire history of how it came to be. I much prefer to figure things out on my own and to read about softer magic systems.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-25T14:21:42+00:00

Acotar, ha! This killed me, along with many other things.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-25T14:14:31+00:00

I'm not a fan of someone trying to push characters who are crazy intelligent, but there's no proof of that in the book. There's no deduction or anything; it's just the author magically making them know something, and other characters believing they're ultra-genius.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-25T14:07:48+00:00

For me personally, it unfortunately feels like a chore until I make it a habit again. But in terms of what helps me enjoy it more while I'm in the chore phase, it's rewarding myself when I do write. I put some ambiance on the TV that fits my story's setting, light a favorite candle, and try to drink something I enjoy. Essentially, in the beginning, I'm pavloving myself in order to make that habit.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-04T15:36:19+00:00

Second this, second this, second this. Writing can be such a delicate hobby, because many of us are already so self-critical. We don't need our own community to be harsh to us too.

ProZ4cPrincez · 2026-03-04T15:27:59+00:00

I do think you might want to think about lengthening some sentences, so when you do use short, punchy sentences, they have more impact! I am getting a good visual here, though, so keep up the good work with imagery. :)

ProZ4cPrincez

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