The Word Cloud

My first novel (how grand that sounds - not really) grew organically. I knew a few events that I wanted to happen, and the overall theme of the book, but how I was going to link them all together, was a mystery to me. I just wrote one sentence, and then another one. How it panned out, was as much a surprise to me, as to anybody else. I enjoyed that approach, but I did trip myself up on occasion, by having no proper plan. When I found myself up a gum tree without a paddle, I just introduced a new character (or storyline). The problem then lay in trying to justify that character's existence within the story and tie all the lines together by the end. That was also fun. But the result, I think, is that some characters are too strong for their role in the tale. This led me to wonder whether I have, in fact, two novels intertwined in one (even three) and I dread the day that someone tells me to unpick the knitting.
My second epic, recently started, I planned a bit more - and also gave myself a stern word, chapter and issue limit. I'm sort of sticking to it, and have decided that I don't have to agonise that much. This new one will be a lot thinner - both literally and emotionally - and so easier to read? And maybe more commercial? I constructed my spreadsheet before putting pen to paper this time, rather than when I'd finished the whole dang thing (as last time).
I'm certainly having a different experience, trying to write it, and there are benefits and drawbacks to both approaches. My jury is out on that one.