The Snowflake Method
The Snowflake Method always makes my think of Tyler Durden.
After sinking my teeth into writing workshops at the Perth Writers’ Festival, I have come to realise that there are some fantastic methods for encouraging ideas and story/character development. The thing is, though, you kinda pick up these methods up as you do battle with words. It is great to have these methods on hand, but some methods, like the aforementioned Snowflake Method, really do distract from putting one word after the next. You see, whilst the Snowflake Method may be great for getting to know your characters and your plot (really, really, really) well and “growing a plot naturally”, it seems specifically designed to bore you to death. To put it simply, you have to finish a project, which means writing and not sitting around contemplating your navel.
So a writing method is only as good as the amount of writing projects it helps you finish. Just a thought: what are yours?
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I always find it easiest not to over think things until the second draft. First one flows organically – with some direction from a brief outline – but second draft is all about characters and tightening plot . . . I agree that a lot of “methods” can be a bore.
I agree. Getting things written to start with mean you’ve got something to work with, which gets you over that mental hump of the blank page.