Recently, Chris from Luna’s On Line, introduced me to a new word. She also introduced me to ‘neologist’, but that isn’t the word I’m referring to. No. The word she quoth was ‘braccaneer’.
Braccaneer? You ask. I can hear you. I can also hear you ask “what does that mean?”, and luckily for you, that is the point of this post!
Basically, a braccaneer is a modern version of the ‘pantster’, one who writes by the seat of their pants… one who writes without plotting beforehand. ‘One who improvises’ is another definition of pantster that I read whilst plotting this post, but that doesn’t make the old term sound any nicer.
Being honest, I never knew the term ‘pantster’ existed until I read Chris’s post, so I already liked the new term braccaneer although I read both at the same time. And braccaneer takes it’s origins from ‘pants’ as well, so it is a genuine word. It has an origin.
I’m a braccaneer. I have no clue where my tales are going when I start writing them… the characters seem to take over. On occasion, I do have to help them out of the situations they get themselves in… but they got themselves there in the first place! Not me. And once freed, they go off again and carry me along with them. It’s all very exciting.
Now. Braccaneers the world over are emerging. Revealing their true writing style to the world with confidence and pride. No longer do they hide behind the ‘pantster’ label, and they proclaim with gusto who they really are. I’m a braccaneer. Are you?
Oh, and a badge has been created, in two colours:
And a button:
And a definition:
And even a discreet symbol, for undercover braccaneers who would like to remain discreet:
OK. I created the badges and buttons and things, although Chris asked me to. And they are freely available to be used by anyone who would like to declare themselves a braccaneer.
(And yes, I am aware that the image is of a pen with wings, but that is a much better visual representation of a free writer than a pair of pants with wings…)
Visit Chris on the link above for more behind the creation of this new word… and possibly movement!
The Mansionic Perspective 
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