Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Novel-Writing Method

Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method is a structured approach to developing a novel, emphasizing incremental and iterative growth from a simple idea to a complex narrative. The method involves expanding and refining the story in progressive steps, each building upon the previous one. Here, we focus on the one-sentence, one-paragraph, and one-page summaries, which form the foundation of the Snowflake Method.

One-Sentence Summary

The one-sentence summary is the most distilled form of your story, capturing the essence in a single, concise statement. This step is crucial as it forces you to identify the core of your novel, ensuring clarity and focus.

Key Elements:

1. Main Character: Identify the protagonist.
2. Goal: Define what the protagonist wants to achieve.
3. Conflict: Highlight the main obstacle or challenge the protagonist faces.
4. Setting: Optionally include the setting if it is important to the story.

Example:
“A young wizard must confront a powerful dark sorcerer who threatens to destroy the magical world.”

One-Paragraph Summary

The one-paragraph summary expands on the one-sentence summary, providing a broader overview of the story. It outlines the beginning, major conflicts, and the end, giving a clear picture of the narrative arc.

Structure:

1. Setup: Introduce the main character and setting.
2. Inciting Incident: Describe the event that sets the story in motion.
3. Major Plot Points: Outline the key challenges and conflicts the protagonist faces.
4. Climax and Resolution: Summarize the climax and the resolution of the story.

Example:
“In a hidden magical world, young wizard Harry Potter discovers he is the only one who can stop the dark sorcerer Voldemort, who killed his parents. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry makes new friends and uncovers secrets about his past. Despite numerous trials and encounters with Voldemort’s followers, Harry prepares for a final confrontation. In the climax, he faces Voldemort, ultimately overcoming him with the help of his friends and his own bravery.”

One-Page Summary

The one-page summary further expands on the one-paragraph summary, providing a more detailed outline of the plot. This summary should cover the main events of each act in the story, giving a clear roadmap of the narrative from start to finish.

Structure:

1. Introduction: Expand on the setup, providing more details about the protagonist, setting, and the world of the story.
2. Act One: Describe the inciting incident and the protagonist’s initial response.
3. Act Two: Detail the rising action, major conflicts, and key turning points.
4. Act Three: Summarize the climax, resolution, and how the protagonist’s journey concludes.

Example:
“Harry Potter, an orphan living with his cruel aunt and uncle, discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. Hagrid, a giant of a man, escorts Harry to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he learns about his parents’ death at the hands of the dark sorcerer Voldemort. At Hogwarts, Harry is sorted into Gryffindor House and makes friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He also meets Draco Malfoy, a Slytherin student who becomes his rival.

Throughout his first year, Harry experiences various magical adventures, including a dangerous encounter with a troll and learning to play Quidditch. He also begins to uncover the mystery of the Philosopher’s Stone, a powerful object hidden within the school. Harry, Ron, and Hermione discover that Voldemort is trying to steal the Stone to regain his power.

In the climax, Harry confronts Voldemort, who is possessing Professor Quirrell. With the help of his friends and his own courage, Harry prevents Voldemort from obtaining the Stone. The school year ends with Gryffindor winning the House Cup, and Harry returns to the Dursleys for the summer, knowing he has found a true home at Hogwarts.”

Additional Steps in the Snowflake Method:

4. Character Synopses: Write detailed descriptions of each major character, including their motivations, goals, and arcs.
5. Expanding the Summary: Expand the one-page summary into a four-page synopsis, adding more detail to each act and subplot.
6. Scene List: Create a list of scenes that will make up the novel, each described briefly.
7. Writing the Scenes: Start writing the novel, using the scene list as a guide.

The Snowflake Method is iterative, allowing writers to refine and expand their story at each step, ensuring a well-structured and compelling narrative by the time they begin the full draft.

For more on the Snowflake Method, click here.