the snowflake project

This is how I feel. I’ve been working on my novel for a good long time. Over half a year. And I am just now at the point where I can say “I’ve almost started.”

Most of that is on me. I haven’t given the project the amount of time it deserves. But I can place at least SOME of the blame squarely on the Snowflake Method. It’s never taken me this long to get into the actual writing of a project – and I’ve put in many hours of work already.

However – my record for the span of time I’ve focused on one project has been blown out of the sky by this one. As I predicted, The Snowflake Method has kept me stuck to it. So, yeah, it might be taking a long time – but at least it’s getting done, and it will get finished. And if you know me personally, you know that’s a big freaking deal. I’m not great at finishing writing projects, especially when working alone.

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).

Achi’s character chart is complete and live on the site.

Get straight to it here, or find it via Achi’s character page.

I’m getting a really good sense of Achi’s personality and what drives him. His path towards villainy is becoming clearer in my head.

The last thing I wanted was to make him into a cliche, so hopefully I can avoid that by keeping him sympathetic. The chart I’m using really helps with that by asking about your character’s fears and vulnerabilities without any prejudice. Villains have pathos too!

I’ve officially moved on to step 7 of TSM – full fledged character charts.

Kos’s chart is finished and live on the site. You can access it through his character page or go directly to it.

The chart I’m using (which I didn’t at all set up as a chart, but rather more like a questionnaire…) is fairly extensive. I stole it from this book, so you are welcome to steal it from me – but buying the book wouldn’t hurt either. I’ve met one of the authors, Tee Morris, and he’s a fantastic guy. You could do a lot worse than supporting him.

I’ve started in on Achi’s chart, and you’ll have that in a few days. Even just the first few items on the chart are very useful – it’s really important to know what your characters look like!

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.