So, I’ve dreamed, plotted, nixed bad or hack ideas and finally figured out what my next project will be.
Next, I expand the one sentence to a paragraph. (Not for query purposes.) (This is based on Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method.)
Sentence one: Set up.
Sentence two: Events up to first disaster. (End of Act I)
Sentence three: Events up to second disaster. (Middle of Act II)
Sentence four: Events up to the third disaster. (dark moment and End of Act II)
Sentence five: Climax of final confrontation and ending. (Act III)
Not easy. At. All.
Next, the short synopsis – one paragraph for every sentence.
And then the long synopsis – three paragraphs to every one paragraph in the short version.
Honestly, this step kinda freaks me out. Fifteen paragraphs? It seems like climbing a mountain with my legs tied. I try my hardest to talk myself out of it. I don’t really need this. I’ve written a story before without it. Why waste time when you could be actually writing? In the past, I’ve listened to these arguments. And did fine.
But this time, I decided to it. And I’m glad I did. Connections were made. New secrets developed. And as better or different ideas came, I went back and revised.
Is this written perfectly? No. It’s just me getting my ideas down.
Is my synopsis cast in cement? Absolutely not. As I write the first draft, if new ideas come, I’ll go with them. But usually, I don’t stray too far.
So does following the Snowflake method appeal to you or totally turn you off? I’m sure if you’re a pantser your skin is crawling right about now. (Or you stopped reading a while ago.)