So in my process, I get up and go to my computer every morning so that I can discover what happens next, the same way my readers read my books to find out what happens next. Why write it once I knew that? Instead, I wanted to move to a new idea, something that would surprise me. Years ago, when I tried to outline a story in advance, I found I no longer wanted to write the book because I already knew how it was going to end.

Writing for me is all about discovering the story. When I begin a novel, I know my main characters and their history, the opening scene, and a vague idea of where I am headed. I write them in stream of consciousness style, just letting my imagination have fun.

This gives me their backgrounds and motivations.

So I do first person autobiographies of my major characters from birth to when the novel opens. My stories are character driven rather than plot driven. Each writer has to discover the way God created them to create and then learn to be content about it and write to the best of their ability. It is hard work whether you are a plotter or a pantser or fall somewhere in between the two. The truth is, I finally discovered, there is no easier way to write a novel. And while I did improve my craft in many instances, I also came to realize that what I really wanted was to find an easier way to write a novel. For a long while, I thought I was trying to perfect my craft. I attended a lot of workshops at writer conferences, including many on plotting. But what came natural to me then and what comes natural to me now is to write a story by the seat of my pants. I would have tried writing while standing on my head if someone had said it guaranteed a better book. In the early years of my career (I wrote my first book in 1981), I tried everything anybody suggested. When writers get together, in person or via email, one topic that comes up on a semi-regular basis are the differences between pantsers (those who write by the seat of their pants, meaning no outline) and plotters (those who plot out their stories in advance, some even outlining every single scene). Today she’s sharing with us what it’s like to create novels as a “pantser.” Enjoy your look into Robin’s writing process and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for her new book when you get to the bottom! She’s an author who has her place among the most recognizable writers in Christian fiction, with more than 75 titles to her name, including the upcoming Who I Am With You. I’m so excited to welcome Robin Lee Hatcher as a guest to the blog. Next » Blog Home ➺ A Writer’s Life: Robin Lee Hatcher

Who I Am with You by Robin Lee Hatcher