What is the Snowflake method?
- 10-step planning method by Randy Ingermanson.
- Each step expands the previous one.
- Step 1: one sentence. Step 10: complete scene list.
- Completion time: typically 2-4 weeks before drafting.
- Heavy on planning; not for discovery writers.
The Snowflake method is a planning approach by Randy Ingermanson that expands a single-sentence summary into a full novel outline through ten progressive steps — each step expanding the previous one. Step 1 is one sentence; step 10 is a complete scene list. Most users complete the ten steps in 2-4 weeks before drafting.
Chapter i·Why it matters
The Snowflake method appeals to writers who want maximum clarity before drafting — every scene named, every character arc planned, every beat located. The method takes longer than alternative planning approaches but produces drafts that need less structural revision later. The trade-off is upfront time for back-end savings.
Chapter ii·What to include
- Step 1: one-sentence summary (15 words).
- Step 2: one-paragraph summary (50-75 words).
- Step 3: character summaries (one per major character).
- Step 4: expand the paragraph to one page.
- Step 5-7: expand character summaries, then to four pages, then to character "charts."
- Step 8-10: scene list, expanded scene paragraphs, then the first draft.
Chapter iii·Example
A debut fantasy author completes the 10-step Snowflake over 3 weeks for her 100,000-word novel. Step 8’s scene list runs to 42 scenes; step 9 expands each into a paragraph (about 8,400 words of planning). She drafts the manuscript in 22 weeks at 4,500 words/week, never blocked because the planning answered every "what happens next" question.
Chapter iv·Related questions
WriteLoom’s Plan studio supports Snowflake-style progressive planning from one sentence to a full scene list.
See the Plan studio