the snowflake project

Yikes. 10 days since my last post. That’s a few too many. But in order to make up for my tardiness, I worked extra hard this weekend and finished the final two character charts.

Here’s Aryenne’s.

Here’s Torik’s.

So, now that I’m on the final step of the process (prior to actually WRITING the novel, that is), and because of the nature of the work from here out, I’m going to be changing the format of the snowflake project’s blog (what you’re reading right now, for those of you who are keeping track).

I’ll still be talking about the novel and my various wrestling matches with its content. I’ll still be posting content as I write it elsewhere on the site – I promised to write a novel online, and that’s still what I’m doing here. However I want to use this blog for more than just a platform to announce when I’ve written another 500 words. That would get super lame, extra fast.

So this is going to become a proper blog. I’ve got a few topics lined up that I hope will spark some discussion and help bring in a new cadre of readers. You’ve already seen some of this with book reviews (via Goodreads), and one political rant (I promise I’ll keep those to a minimum). Expect more like that – but probably with a bit of a narrower writing focus.

By no means whatsoever am I qualified to give writing advice – and you certainly shouldn’t treat this blog as a “how-to”. I’m just a guy trying to write a novel. I intend to share that with you, as well as other aspects of my life I hope might hold your interest.

So please, email me with questions or ideas for stuff I can talk about here. I’ll either talk about them, or I’ll throw up a post that says I don’t have a clue – and hope the comments section comes alive with useful information nuggets for all (I always order the 10-pack and ask for 2 sauces).

Here it is, at long last – the final segment of step 6 of TSM! As usual, access it here, directly, or go to the Long Format Synopsis directory page to start from where you last left off.

Sorry for the delay in this post – I’ve had very little time in the last few days to devote to anything other than my day job. However, I have finished Kos’s full character chart, and I’ll be posting it very soon!

Part 5 of the Long Format Synopsis is live. You can get straight to it from here, or start from the beginning if you need to.

I’m almost finished writing out Kos’s full-length character chart. I’m learning all kinds of neat things about him. For example, he’s probably afraid of storms. Also he’s a bit fidgety – which is strange for someone who is supposed to be more or less a buddhist monk.

Can’t wait to share it with you guys!

Part 4 (likely of 6) is live. Read it here, or start from the beginning.

By mid-week next week, the whole synopsis will be up for you to read. I’d love to hear what you guys think of it. If you see problems, don’t hold back – I want to hear about them!

There are all kinds of elements and minor characters that don’t even get a mention that keep cropping up in my head when I think about the story. For example – I’m looking forward to inventing some fascinating insults for the drill sergeant on the conscription ship to use.

I’ve started filling in Kos’s character chart. I have a fairly clear picture of him in my head now (visually speaking). The questions the chart I’m using forces you to answer are very interesting. Can’t wait to share it with you!

The third installment of the Long Format Synopsis is up. Read it here, or, if you need to catch up, start here.

I’m now FINISHED writing the Long Format Synopsis – but part 3 isn’t the end of it. I’ll keep releasing content every weekday for probably a few more days before the end is reached. The total size of my *ahem* four page synopsis turned out to be just shy of 5,000 words. 19 manuscript pages.

I’ll now be starting in on the complete character charts. I’m looking forward to giving some serious flesh to the inhabitants of Kos’s world.

Part 2 of Step 6 of TSM is live – you can read it here.

If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, it’s probably a good idea to start with it instead.

I’m almost finished with Step 6. I think one more good day of writing should wrap it up. I wrote over 500 words over lunch today, and if I can do that again tomorrow, I think I’ll have it done.

Then it’s on to Step 7. I’m going to use the character chart outlined in The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy Vol. 1. I find it to be very complete.

Stay tuned for more LFS tomorrow!

I’m not quite finished writing Step 6 of TSM, but that doesn’t mean I can’t share it with you.

I’m going to be releasing it in stages so as not to overwhelm you with a huge wall of text (I’m approaching the end, and it’s measuring up to be about an hour and a half’s read). I’m putting it on different pages to make things a little easier for everyone. There’ll be links at the bottom of each page to get to the next one – if the link is broken, that means I haven’t published the next page yet.

You can find the Long Format Synopsis through the menu via the Story Bible. For those of you with less patience for menus – find it here.

I’ve added a brief description of Dwarves to the Races page. There are fundamental differences to each race that go much deeper than the typical differences between fantasy races. There are hints of elemental origins, totally different biology (iron blood, copper blood, carbon blood), and extreme cultural differences that I hope will play out strongly, if not in this book, then in followup books where the non-humans factor in the plot more heavily.

One of the cultural quirks of the Dwarves is certain to be controversial – doubtful to endear them to anyone, and sure to make them abhorrant to many. But systemic misogyny is a real thing that real societies practice. I may only hint at that factor in Dwarvish society, or I may really run with it. Regardless of how heavy-handed I am on the topic, knowing that Dwarves abuse their women, and knowing that THEY are not the chief evil in the world, will certainly keep things interesting for me as an author.

I decided early on that most cultures present in my novel would be monotheistic. Our own culture is largely monotheistic, and although reading about characters who worship sweeping pantheons of gods and goddesses is exciting and interesting, most of the readers would probably identify a little better with monotheist characters. Besides, why confuse matters with an enormous cast of deities when the story is not about the gods, but rather about the creatures of the world.

My cosmology is relatively sparse and simplistic: a force of good, a force of evil, and a different take on angels and demons. Read the beginnings of my thoughts on them on the new Religion page.

After much Christmas-time busyness, I’ve finally managed to spit out the rest of the Skeleton Synopsis.

Find it here, or through the Story Bible.

I think I’ve got a fairly solid plot together. There is a lot of room for character development here – a lot of change taking place over the course of the story, and of course, a lot of mystery to unwrap about the empire, and the evil in the west.

From here, logic dictates that I move on to step 5, which is creating one page story summaries (like the Skeleton Synopsis) from the point of view of each character. And I will do that – but I also need to get on with some world-building. I’ll be launching a new section of the website soon just for world building – so those of you who take an interest in that sort of thing – keep your feedreaders primed (or check back often if that’s how you roll).

I’ve been thinking a lot about the wisdom of what I’m doing here – letting people behind the scenes of my novel before it’s published. I have one friend who will not come near this site because he doesn’t want the book spoiled for him. I had to ask myself – is anyone who reads this site going to bother reading the book when it’s finished? I was reassured by the knowledge that a good book is often read more than once, and a good story’s telling isn’t ruined by a look into the author’s process. That’s why DVD extras exist. You guys are just getting the extras (and my rambling commentary) before you watch the final cut. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Besides, I’m HOPING that the finished book gets a wider audience than the website. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. I have a world to build first. Wish me luck!