Here’s something that not a lot of us talk about: writing a book can be super easy. However, writing a good book is a complex, daunting task. Naturally, if it were such a common skill, we would all be Man Booker awardees.
Even though writing a novel may appear to be a daunting task, the associated learning curve is enjoyable. When you are in the process of mastering how to write a good book, you will grow to appreciate every bit of trick, tip, or advice that can help in the journey.
The Snowflake Method is one such writing technique that helps maintain the structure as you progress through the tale. But what is this method? And does it prove to be more effective in certain genres over the others? Let’s explore!
Contents
First, What is the Snowflake Method?
The Snowflake Method is the brainchild of noted American author, writing coach, and computational physicist Randy Ingermanson. Given his technical background, it comes as no surprise that the methodology that he outlines follows the fractal mathematical principle.
He cites the Koch Snowflake to illustrate how writers can develop their stories at each subsequent stage of the writing process.
One can easily implement the Snowflake Method by following the steps outlined below, the points also indicate the time that you must dedicate to each stage:
- Start by writing a single sentence summary of the plot – one hour.
- Expand the sentence into an entire paragraph that revolves around the main event within your plot – one hour.
- Expand each sentence of the above paragraph into the corresponding number of detailed paragraph summaries – depends on the number of sentences.
- Expand each paragraph into a single-page chapter synopsis – a week.
- Summarize the one-page synopses to outline the different scenes that will be central to your novel.
- Write a detailed, multi-paragraph description for all the scenes shortlisted above.
- Create an elaborate character profile by writing a single-page summary for each of the main characters – one hour per summary.
- Expand the individual character profiles into a detailed character chart – a week.
- Write down a single-page account of the story from the perspective of the major characters – a few days.
- Reference all the documents above to write your first draft.
The above steps are not in a particular order, and you may even have to hop between two stages and update everything that you have written so far. The purpose of the method is to establish the basic outline and summary so that you do not stray from the main plot. So feel free to get creative at this stage.
Ten Genres That Get Simplified by the Snowflake Method
Based on Randy Ingermanson’s inputs, the following literary genres can enjoy significantly with the introduction of the Snowflake Method:
Fantasy Fiction
When you examine series like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, you will notice that the authors have been successful in weaving the perfect fantasy world through their attention to detail. The interlinking of stories and the elaborate settings are a product of the Snowflake Method in these cases.
Suspense
If you wish to build up the suspense and add layers to your central plot, the Snowflake Method is the way to go. You can start with a one-line sentence about the main theme and continue building on it to add to the mystery.
Historical Fiction
When you work with historical fiction, there is a lot of action taking place in tandem. As such, it can be easy to divert from the main plot and make your novel unnecessarily long, which may ultimately be a turn off for some readers. Luckily, you can avoid it through the Snowflake Method.
Crime Fiction
If writers like Agatha Christie have taught anything, crime stories must be served with a side of mystery and a dash of distractors. As such, you can spin a fitting plot using a mix of complexities using the Snowflake Method.
Drama
If you are prone to cutting straight to the chase, then the Snowflake Method can be an excellent tool for you to drip-feed the storyline. Drama needs the setup, the build-up, and a big reveal, which you can work on through the technique.
Bildungsroman
The typical coming-of-age books cover the entire growth and development of a character from their formative years to their maturity. The central conflict revolves around the challenges that they face and how it changes them.
And what could be a better way to map their character arc than through the Snowflake Method?
Science Fiction
When you think of books like Contact (Carl Sagan), Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card), or The Speed of Dark (Elizabeth Moon), you may not draw the instant connection.
However, upon scrutinizing the writing, you will notice that the writers in each case have started with a simple idea and expanded that into a full-fledged science fiction novel.
Domestic Fiction
Woman’s fiction or domestic fiction could narrate anything from romance to tragedy to bildungsroman. However, they focus largely on human relationships. Given that these are neither black and white, the Snowflake Method can be an excellent technique to paint all the greys.
Thriller
Thriller novels often have a lot going on at the same time. You have the main action, the conspiracies, the suspense, and some amount of drama in the background. If you wish to incorporate all these aspects inside your novel, taking the Snowflake Method route can simplify the process significantly.
Legal Drama
If you wish to pen down something like John Grisham’s The Firm, then you could simplify the writing process through the Snowflake Method. It will allow you to start with the basics and load it up with all the courtroom drama that you would imagine!
Conclusion
The Snowflake Method can be an excellent technique that allows you to stick to your story outline as you progress through the book. It also plays an instrumental role in novels with complex, multi-dimensional storylines.
With the above tips, you will have a complete hold over how to write a novel that keeps your writers hooked right until the very last page. Give the Snowflake method a chance to add more depth and detail to your book, and the results will astound you!