Crafting a novel can often feel like trying to build a puzzle without the picture on the box. You’ve got pieces everywhere, and while some snap into place, others leave you scratching your head. That’s why there are a number of structures available for writer’s to use as a framework to build their story around. Sometimes old, sometimes new, each structure has been proven over and over by writers from every background. It’s up to you to find the one that works best for you – and sometimes even for each individual story!
Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method is a novel structure that offers a creative way to transform your chaotic pile of ideas into a cohesive narrative. It suits writers who enjoy detailed planning with some room for flexibility. Think of it as your step-by-step guide to shaping your story, from small beginnings to an ending that sees the big picture.
What is the Snowflake Method?
When naming his method, Ingermanson most likely took inspiration from the metaphor of the “snowball effect” – a situation in which one action leads to a second, bigger action, which leads to a third, bigger action, and so on, just like how a snowball can start out small enough to fit inside your hand, but once you roll it around it can become taller than you! Snowflakes themselves grow into intricate, symmetrical works of art. Your novel will be the same.
The premise of the method is to start small and simple, then expand in every direction using your plot, characters, setting, and worldbuilding. It’s perfect for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the sheer scale of storytelling. By breaking the process into bite-sized chunks, it keeps the creative energy flowing without derailing into endless plotting or character overanalysis.
Ingermanson depicts the process like this:
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Start with a one-sentence summary
First, boil your novel idea down to a single sentence. If you have a lot of your story fleshed out at this point, this may be more challenging than if you only have a budding idea. Just don’t overthink it. This isn’t about creating the world’s best tagline. It’s about capturing the essence of your story in one, compelling line.
Your one-sentence summary should only contain big picture information. Instead of character names, give a description of the character’s most defining trait or abilities. Do the same for the villain. And don’t forget to reference the main conflict!
This is your ultimate selling tool – when people stop you and ask you what your story is about, give them this. It can be changed as your story evolves, but no matter what version you have, it should compel someone to want to know more about your project.
Take Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope, for example. Following the premise of its story, we could say, “A young farm boy discovers he’s the heir to a galactic rebellion and must confront a dark empire.“
That’s it. Short and sweet. If it doesn’t sound perfect yet, don’t stress—you can tweak it as you go.
Step 2: Expand into a paragraph
Once you’ve got that sentence nailed, it’s time to stretch it out a bit. Write a paragraph that outlines the big beats of your story: the setup, the major conflicts, and the resolution. Picture this as the bird’s-eye view of your plot. It doesn’t need every twist and turn, just enough to give you a solid roadmap.
Here’s a way to break it down:
- Sentence 1: Background information, setting, set-up of the story
- Sentence 2: A disaster occurs by the end of the first quarter of the story
- Sentence 3: A disaster occurs in the middle of the story
- Sentence 4: A disaster occurs at the end of the story, forcing things to wrap up
- Sentence 5: Story ends, plots are tied up
This is still only a summary of your story. This is not the blurb you give readers with a completed book.
Step 3: Define your characters
Here’s where the fun really begins: building your characters. Every great story needs characters with goals, flaws, and dreams. This step is all about figuring out who they are and what makes them tick. Take time filling out character sheets (there are some available on Next Chapter’s writing platform) and asking yourself questions about what your characters are like. Among those, consider important aspects like:
- What do they want more than anything?
- What’s stopping them from getting it?
- How do they change by the end?
Step 4: Expand the synopsis
Now that you’ve met your cast, it’s time to take your paragraph summary from Step 2 and stretch it into a full-page synopsis. Think of this step as zooming in on the story. Break it down into acts or major sections, and don’t be afraid to throw in some juicy details. This is where you’ll really start to see your story taking shape. It’s also a great way to spot potential plot holes before they become a problem.
Hint: Turn each sentence from your original paragraph and turn it into its own paragraph.
Step 5: View the conflict from your characters’ POV
Steps 3 and 4 should have given you a better understanding of your world, your characters, and their problems. But it’s not enough. For this step, you’re going to really get into the head of your characters.
Take each major character and use a full page to describe them and the story through their eyes. Think of it as similar to Step 4, but this time your characters are telling you what is important to them and what they notice throughout.
Do the same for other noteworthy characters, but only give them half a page.
Step 6: Break your summary into scenes
The next step is to outline your novel scene by scene. It might sound tedious, but this is where the Snowflake Method really shines. You’re stepping down from your high-level position to work out the finer details.
Take your one-page summary from Step 4 and expand each paragraph of the plot into its own page. Each scene should have a purpose, whether it’s driving the plot, revealing character depth, or raising the stakes.
By the end of this step, your novel will have a clear skeleton. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about watching pieces fall into place.
Step 7: Dive into character sketches
This method has a lot of back and forth, but it’s all for a reason. If you spend too much time focusing on one aspect of your story, you risk getting stuck, or worse, bored. By hopping between characters and plot, you’re keeping your mind fresh and your motivation flowing.
For this step, gather your original character ideas and one-page descriptions, then use those to create detailed character pictures. Add backstories, relationship details, quirks, fears, and anything else that makes your characters feel like real people. The more you know about them, the easier it’ll be to write scenes that feel authentic and engaging.
Step 8: Write the first draft
Finally, it’s time to write. Thanks to all the prep work you’ve done, the first draft won’t feel like diving into the deep end without a life jacket. Sure, there will still be challenges (because let’s face it, writing is never easy), but with the Snowflake Method, you’ve already built a solid foundation. Now it’s just a matter of bringing your vision to life.
Why Use the Snowflake Method?
Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. As you have seen, the Snowflake Method breaks it into manageable chunks so you can focus on one step at a time. Whether you’re tackling an epic fantasy or a cozy mystery, this method ensures no detail gets overlooked.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain lost while writing, the Snowflake Method might be exactly what you need. It’s flexible, beginner-friendly, and surprisingly fun. Why not give it a try? Your next great story could be just a few flakes away.