Some people meticulously outline their books, crafting detailed character sheets, mapping out every single plot twist, and making flowcharts that look like they belong in a NASA mission briefing. I am not one of those people. I am a pantser through and through, which means I sit down, open a blank document, and just... go. No map, no GPS, just a vague idea and a whole lot of reckless optimism.

I’ve always written this way. As a kid, my stories started with a single sentence, and I had no clue where they were going until I got there. And honestly? I love that feeling—the thrill of discovery, the unexpected turns, the occasional “oh crap, what now?” moments. It’s chaotic, it’s exciting, and it’s the only way I know how to write.

If you’ve read Pretending to Be His, you’ve already met Violet, my heroine who is basically me in fictional form. She’s a dreamer, a little bit of a mess, and she jumps into things headfirst without overthinking. (Sound familiar?) Her journey as a writer mirrors mine—starting with nothing but an idea and a wild hope that somehow, it’ll all come together. And just like Violet, I’ve always believed that stories are meant to take you somewhere, not be forced into submission with rigid outlines and excessive planning.

Tips for Fellow Pantsers (Because Chaos Loves Company)

If you, like me, prefer to let the story lead the way rather than strong-arming it into a pre-planned box, here are a few tricks I swear by:

1. Start with the tiniest spark. You don’t need a full-blown plot. A single scene idea, an intriguing character, or even just a piece of dialogue can be enough to set the wheels in motion.
2. Write first, question later. Don’t worry about whether it makes sense or if there are plot holes big enough to swallow a small town. Keep writing. The story will find its way (and revisions exist for a reason).
3. Let your characters surprise you. Sometimes they make choices you never saw coming. (I swear, half my books have been hijacked by side characters with an attitude.) Let them run wild—you can always rein them in later.
4. Embrace the messy draft. The first draft will be ugly. It’s supposed to be. But inside all that chaos? Magic.
5. Trust the process. Even when it feels like you’ve written yourself into a corner, there’s always a way out. It might take a little brainstorming (or a lot of coffee), but the story will reveal itself.

Cover Reveal Coming Soon!

Speaking of stories revealing themselves, I finally get to spill a little news—Rico’s book officially has a title: Hide and Speak! And let me tell you, I am so excited to share this story with you. The cover reveal is coming up very soon, so if you want to be among the first to see it, make sure you’re following me on Instagram and TikTok! Oh, and don’t forget to sign up for my Swoony Bookworm Newsletter—because trust me, you don’t want to miss this.

So, fellow pantsers (and even you plotters—I see you), tell me: Do you thrive in the chaos like I do, or do you prefer the safety of a well-thought-out plan? Drop a comment and let’s chat!