...but we're going to talk about a different snowflake.
Thank you to everyone who joined in on the outlining discussion on Monday! I was blown away by the comments. I'm still working my way through responding to you all but now we are to discuss the (cue dramatic music):
Thank you to everyone who joined in on the outlining discussion on Monday! I was blown away by the comments. I'm still working my way through responding to you all but now we are to discuss the (cue dramatic music):
The Snowflake Method created by Randy Ingermanson
I can't remember where I heard about the Snowflake Method, probably Sarah. The first time I actually went through some of the steps was for NaNo2010. I am so glad that I did. Not only did it prepare me for my first draft, but it gave me the practice I need to summarize my story.
We all know what step requires summarizing: loglines, queries, synopsis.
I don't know about you but I always need the practice.
There are 10 steps total in the method, I only do 5. I just don't need to go any further.
I'll give you the first 5 and you can check out the website for the other steps.
Step One: You cut a hole in a box.
Step Two: You put your...
No, no, no...THAT won't get your novel written...or will it?
Okay, seriously now.
Step One: Write a one-sentence summary of your novel. It's encouraged to keep it under 15 words.
*I wrote probably about 10 sentences. I'm really bad at summing things up into a few sentences much less, one. Once I got that part down, the next one seemed like moving from one room to a four room apartment. SO MUCH SPACE!
It filled up fast...
Step Two: Take that sentence and expand it into a paragraph. Basically, split your novel into 4 sentences.
Thinking in the Three-Act method, helps a lot with this one. If you're a fan of breaking down movies or story structures, this one will be a breeze for you. I had to stop myself from filling up a whole page in my notebook...In my defense, I write really big.
Step Three: Break down your main characters. Name, motivation, goal, conflict, epiphany...each with one sentence. Then write a paragraph summary of the character's storyline.
I had some problems with my protagonist on this one for Spectre. It eluded me for several days and then BAM!
Step Four: Expand all of your story summary into a full length paragraph (or if you write like me, a full page...and a half.)
The step taps into what we're good at, writing. Expand your beginning, middle and end; and Randy suggests you end each with a disaster.
Step Five: Write a full page (and a half) description of every character and include a half a page for minor characters. This will help give everyone perspective, depending on your POV and settings.
I did a pretty good job with the main characters but I didn't have all of my minor characters in mind. Most of them appeared on the fly...as in the flew right into my head.
Then I did something that's not a part of the snowflake method but I'll talk about that on Friday!
If you have a method that works, stick with it.
If this one piques your interest, here's another link!
The Snowflake Method
So have you tried this or any other methods??
I really want to know.
I haven't tried this method, nor have I tried any other formal method. Sometimes I wonder if I should. What I do is just ... churn. When I get ideas, I type them into a file, and over the course of a week, day, or hour, they sort of coalesce. I keep doing that until I feel ready to write. Usually, at that point, I have a synopsis and a few additional pages of random notes, which I review when I need to and occasionally go back in and revise if I think the story needs tweaking. So it gives me a guide, but a very flexible one. However--sometimes I wonder if being more disciplined about it might make things better, so maybe I'll try the snowflake method sometime. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried the snowflake method. I tend to jot down the idea in a beginning, middle, end form, but then let it grow organically. I write notes as I go, but sometimes I write down a chapter summary before I write it as a guide.
ReplyDeleteI first heard of this method a little over a year ago. Of course I was already done with my draft, so I didn't get a chance to try it out.
ReplyDeleteI heard of this method when I first started writing but never bothered to use it because the words were flowing and filling things in for themselves. That being said if I ever come up empty it's one I'll wanna test!
ReplyDeleteThis is what I do, too, except I do step 5 for the major players BEFORE step 4. It's part of Step 3 for me.
ReplyDeleteI didn't now about the snowflake method when I was preplanning current WIP a year ago. I thought I made up the process. It was only later that I found out there was a name for it.
i've never really outlined as an adult. i brainstorm and probably have a mental outline-ish idea, but never really outlined.
ReplyDeletei book marked this for my next work. it can't hurt to try! :)
thanks hannah!
well i know i talked it up quite a bit so it was probably me you heard it from.
ReplyDeleteI don't go past the first 4 steps. Well, i do use step 5 if i'm writing a 3rd POV with multiple character POVs (like with Foxfire). But if it's 1st POV or 3rd limited, i stop at 4.
Then i make a list of scenes and i'm ready to go!
I think I do sort of? I've never heard of this particular snowflake device thingy, but the steps sound familiar to what I do. I am a fan of the "three" acts. I call them 4 (1, 2, 2.2, 3) I break down from there and fill in the huge blanks. My characters are usually kind enough to fill in the small ones ;) If I ever get stuuuuck again I will remember this! I'm a recovering pantser so any kind of device to keep me from going stray is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI did these steps bigger and out of order but the basics were there before I started: a (too long) logline, a query, character interviews, the climaxes of the 3 acts, and now a 15 beat outline that is getting fleshed into chapters/scenes as I write. I can't wait to hear more on Friday, mysterious!
ReplyDelete- Sophia.
Yeah, I usually do 1-4 and pay some lip service to 5, just cause I have some other character building stuff I do too.
ReplyDeleteI find it tremendously helpful in terms of plot structure. I tend to come with an idea for a book and the overall plot, then put the characters into it, without putting a lot of thought into structure and/or pacing and how the character drives the plot instead of the other way around, and the Snowflake really helps me zero in on how the characters interact with the plot.
Put me on your list, woman! Of course, I don't mind. Silly Goose, I'd be honored :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried this, but have heard of it. I know it's been really helpful for some writers! Thanks for the breakdown.
ReplyDeleteYou are so organized. The Snowflake Method is many a writer's bible...but it gives me the shakes.
ReplyDeleteHey, unrelated, I know you are a tea lover...so what do I need to know about tea? Like do you buy loose tea and use that ball thingy? Or do you just use more basic tea bags from a grocery store? I like the idea of tea time...but aside from Lipton and a couple bad experiences with celestial seasonings herbal teas, I know nothing.
So, back on topic...when do you commence with revisions?
Hugs,
Lola
You had me going with the first explanation of the method!
ReplyDeleteI tried this once, but it was explained rather randomly to me so I hated it. Your explanation makes a bit more sense. Maybe I'll give it another shot.
ReplyDeleteOh, I might have to try this out. I always have such a difficult time finding methods that work for me. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI haven't done anything like this, but I do have two "worksheets" that I use for character development. Some of the things included on those are general things (where the character lives, age, family, etc) and then other things like the character's motivations, outlooks, etc. The first I got from Nancy Kress' Characters, Emotion, and Viewpoint and the second I got from Victoria Schmidt's Book in a Month. I made minor changes to each to suit my own needs better, but they're largely the same as in the books.
I don't do the first step, but I do the others. Didn't know I was doing a method!
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool! I've never tried this method before but I may for a future book!
ReplyDeleteI liked the snowflake method so much that I bought his book Writin Fiction For Dummies!
ReplyDeleteThis is...wow. I think I could really do this. I'm usually an outliner as I go, but this intrigues me.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking out outlining too recently - I've never heard of this method - but it's very cool! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried that method. I basically just write everything down in a notebook and go from there.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was method to my madness, but yes, I do almost everything on your list. It has taken some years of writing to realize how important organizing my brain is to my writing.
ReplyDeleteI've not tried this before, but I might have to. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great that all of us do all the same basic things? There is method to our madness!!
ReplyDelete@Erica- I'll hold you to it. ;)
Huh. I do this kinda'... Only backwards. I have to start with the two page synopsis, then the one page, then the paragraph, and so on. I find it easier to cut from what I have instead of expanding. Which is weird. Because I find it easier to expand my novels instead of cutting them. Sometimes I find my writing process to be so convoluted I don't know how I ever write anything.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thoughts!! I should do that page per character thing. Sounds like fun :D