Writing Tips For New Authors (Part One)

In this new series, we shall look at some useful ways you can learn about crafting your novel if you want to become a writer, and with any luck, a published author.

Writing isn’t easy. It takes years to master, even if you think you’re an epic wordsmith now, it’s not until you look back at your first novel, do you realise how much you have improved. Learning action beats, realistic dialogue that reveals the characters quirks and individuality, scene description and world-building; all these require patience and persistence to really master to a point, it feels like second nature when you write.

So, let’s dive in and learn about the different writing methods that can help writers develop story, plot and characters that appeals to the readers they want to reach.

The Snowflake Method

The Snowflake Method is a popular technique for planning and outlining a novel. It was developed by Randy Ingermanson, a physicist and novelist. The method is named after the snowflake, which is used as a metaphor for the process of starting with a simple idea and building it up into a complex, multi-faceted story. Here is a brief explanation of the Snowflake Method and some examples of how it works:

Start with a one-sentence summary: Begin by writing a one-sentence summary of your novel. This sentence should capture the essence of your story, including the main character, their goal, and the conflict or obstacle they must overcome. For example, the one-sentence summary for J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" might be: "An orphaned boy discovers he is a wizard and must stop the evil Lord Voldemort from returning to power." For my own recent novel, “The Night Creatures” this would be: “Two boys check-in to a hotel run by vampires and realise to check-out alive, they must destroy the vampires.”

Expand the sentence into a paragraph: Take your one-sentence summary and expand it into a paragraph. This paragraph should include more details about the story, including the setting, the major plot points, and the main characters. For example, the expanded paragraph for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" might be: "Harry Potter, a young orphan boy living with his cruel aunt and uncle, discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. He is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he makes friends and enemies and learns to use his magical abilities. But when he discovers that the evil Lord Voldemort is still alive and seeking to return to power, Harry must find a way to stop him before it's too late." For my own book, this would be: “Connor and James, holidaying with James’s parents, discover the hotel they are staying in, is infested with vampires. After learning the vampires are planning on feasting on all the guests, they team up with another detective group and the hotel manager’s daughter, to stop the vampires and save themselves and the other guests.”

Create a character sheet: Create a character sheet for each of your main characters. This should include details such as their name, age, appearance, personality traits, and backstory. Use this sheet to flesh out your characters and make them more believable and relatable. For example: Connor is twelve, auburn hair, likes things done a certain way. His biggest fear is rats. 

Expand the paragraph into a page: Take your expanded paragraph and expand it into a full page. This page should include even more details about the story, including subplots, character arcs, and themes. Use this page to further develop your story and make it more complex and engaging. In my series, the character arc would be the three young detectives overcoming their fears. 

Create a scene list: Create a scene list for your novel. This should include a brief summary of each scene, including the characters involved, the location, and the major events that take place. Use this list to organize your story and ensure that it flows smoothly.

Write your first draft: Finally, use all of the planning and outlining you've done to write your first draft. This should be easier and more efficient than if you had just started writing without a plan.

The Snowflake Method is a helpful tool for many writers because it provides a structured and organized approach to planning and outlining a novel. By breaking the process down into smaller, manageable steps, it can make the daunting task of writing a novel feel more achievable.

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.