the snowflake method - steps one and three

Okay, I admit it.  I am struggling with The Snowflake Method.  There are too many rules.

There.  I said it.  I don't like rules very much.  I'm always trying to figure our how to get around them.  In a nice way, of course.

I did do Step One, which is to write one sentence that summarizes my novel.  Then I broke the rules again and wrote the second paragraph.  Then I had to do some research on the history of the setting.

Finally, I looked at Step Two - expand the one sentence summary to a full paragraph that describes the story set up, three major disasters, and the ending of the novel.

How in the world do I know that yet?  I only have a setting, the first two paragraphs and one character in mind so far!  This is where my knowledge of creating character and plot fails me.  I suppose I can try to think up some possible conflicts and a potential ending, but how can I really know what those are until I start writing and get to know my characters?

I realize I sound whiny right now, and I am.  Clearly I did not read ahead to learn what I was setting myself up for when I chose this method over others.

I do figure this writer, Randy Ingermanson, knows a little bit of what he is talking about, so of course I begin doubting myself, because the issue must be about some fault in me, which leads me to a whole host of other psycho-social issues that we won't go into here.

This is where I usually get stuck, and just stop writing.

My husband, Bill, pointed out this circular process I get myself into just this weekend.  I was telling him that I couldn't write because I am spending all of my time thinking about what kind of jobs I can do to support myself while I am writing.  He pointed out to me that when I was working and able to support myself, I couldn't write because I was always thinking about work. 

"Just write, babe."  This is his mantra to me.

Okay then.  Instead of quitting, I am just going to be okay with not doing Step Two just now.  Instead of quitting, I am going to move to Step Three which is to write a one page summary sheet of the major characters in the novel, including:

 • The character's name

• A one-sentence summary of the character's storyline

• The character's motivation (what does he/she want abstractly?)

• The character's goal (what does he/she want concretely?)

• The character's conflict (what prevents him/her from reaching this goal?)

• The character's epiphany (what will he/she learn, how will he/she change?

• A one-paragraph summary of the character's storyline.

This is a LOT of rules ...

I may choose another tack which I am learning many writers use which is to outline the first few chapters, write them and see which characters introduce themselves to me.

I really like this way better.  It suits my propensity to get around the rules, but I do recognize that discipline is a part of the writer's work, so I am going to give this Step Three a try.

It's going to be a looong, windy process, folks, which perhaps ... I hope ... is the point.

first steps and breaking rules

I've already broken the rules.  I have written the first sentence of my novel without outlining as The Snowflake Method recommends. 

Isn't that just how it goes.  The moment you commit to something solid - a method, a path, a choice - another part of you counters, tests, questions, and sometimes overrides your best laid plan.

It is a good first sentence.  It will grab the reader's attention, and it sets the tone for what I imagine the rest of my novel will say.  I woke up with the seed of it.  I washed dishes thinking about it.  I swept and mopped floors too.  Finally, I sat with the blank page until it came.

The first sentence of my novel.  It only took me about an hour to write it.

I am smiling and unashamed of my contrariness.

But I am not throwing the baby out with the bathwater.  I am still going to work on The Snowflake Method. 

Step One.  Take an hour and write a one-sentence summary of your novel.