Plot Bunnies and other disturbances of the writing realm

A recent Facebook discussion about being a Plotter, Pantser or Plantster brought up the unexpected appearance of plot bunnies while writing. They seem to appear no matter your writing style.

I was sure I was a plotter, even though I didn't go to the depths of others. I saw one writer who had spreadsheet after spreadsheet of information about characters, scenes and more. Made me feel like a piker!

I had my first romance novel completely outlined but by chapter three I was already adding scenes and whole chapters as well as many more characters. Hmmmm, left me wondering if I was truly a plotter when it came to writing.

Then I participated in Camp NaNoWriMo, working on a new mystery novel. I started with nothing more than a dead body, a location and a couple of sketchily defined characters. Off I merrily went, writing away. I ended the month with two dead bodies, a couple of kidnappings, a heart attack, two arsons and more. Yup, the plot bunnies were rampant during the month of August.

Now that I'm planning for NaNoWriMo, I've come to the realization that I am a plantser - I like a little planning to be done, characters defined (main and a few supporting) as research about the area as well. In a mystery it's good to have researched about the type of crimes and any forensics you might incorporate. But other than that - plot bunnies, take me away!

So, are you a Plotter, Pantser or Plantster?