Pantsers, Plotters and Finishing Draft 3!

So here's the scoop fam--I thought my book was going to be kinda easy.
If not after the first draft, then probably after the second, I imagined I would at least have things written down in a coherent way that I could be proud of. But let me tell you, I have just finished draft 3--and this huge baby just seems to have more and more poopy diapers as I go on.

I had a pretty good plan for my story when I started writing it. I remember I wrote out a list of 11 major plot points I planned to hit in the story as I wrote, and plowed ahead in my writing with more than just a creative fever. So I anticipated that things wouldn't get too ugly in the editing process. After all, it's not like I was just writing "wherever-the-wind-may-take-me". But HAHAHA. If one of you is a time traveler, and could go back and tell younger Jessica that actually, this was going to be a lot harder and longer than she thought, please don't. We don't want to discourage her.

Finally it's getting to the point where I don't think there are many major plot holes left, or maybe there are, but at least a good number of the character inconsistencies have been smoothed over. Or maybe they haven't.
Honestly it's exhausting work, editing. I confess, after going over so much content for hours and hours and days and days, I begin to see a problem and go, "Oh well. That's just how it's going to have to be then." Even though I know that is the wrong attitude.
The real solution, is just to work until my brain is fried, then take a break, and come back later when I have more energy and fresh eyes. Of course I don't want problems to stay, but it's just the thought of facing more brain work that keeps me from fixing it.

The moral of this story is that editing is going to be the more difficult part of the process, probably. But also the most rewarding. I get enormous satisfaction when something finally reads right or makes sense. Whether you plan ahead each detail to include, or let the tides of your imagination float you to your destination, it's still going to be work.

On that note, I wanted to share a funny analogy I heard about writers. Not everyone is going to write the same. Someone described writers this way once, and I think it's at least a little bit true-- there are two types of writers: ones we call "pantsers" and others called "plotters."

"Pansters" are those creative geniuses that can't be hampered down with a plan. It derives from the phrase, "Writing by the seat of their pants," or basically--making it up as they go--and there are many writers that flourish and become successful by this method. Their creativity flows best when it's running rampant across the page, leaving a trail of story that can be edited down later, hopefully to resemble something close to a coherent plot. These stories are probably the ones most able to break boundaries and delight readers with their unexpected twists and turns. I love a good panster novel.

"Plotters" on the other hand, must have a plan going in. I am one of those.

I start with a general plot, and then plan carefully what will happen and where I will go in each chapter. I mold people and events around to bring the book to a climax at the proper time. I may be slightly OCD in handling the book's progress.

And I thought being a plotter was going to make it easier for me in the editing stage, but I don't know man. It's still pretty hard. I'm hoping the inspiration of a New Year will be enough to kick me into gear and begin editing and writing faithfully again.

May all your writers out there struggling to edit your work feel sympathy from me now. I totally get it. It's awesome, awful, fun, and difficult--but rewarding. Carry on.