When I was a kid, peanut butter had always been paired with just one thing: jelly. The big discussion between kids around the lunch table was whether your mom used grape or strawberry jelly. Then, one day, my friend told me about a new candy he had tried that combined peanut butter with chocolate. I remember thinking, “How on earth could that taste good? Peanut butter goes with jelly!” But when I tried it, my life was forever changed. Chocolate and peanut butter candy is now my favorite.
Sometimes, when you combine two good things, you create something better than the separate parts. That’s why I was so excited to see that Randy Ingermanson’s popular snowflake plotting method is now part of Ryan Zee’s popular Plottr (affiliate link) software. I asked both of them about the new combination.
What is Plottr?
Ryan: Plottr is a visual book planning software for writers. It’s available for both Mac and Windows. Think of it as a tool that helps you visualize your story and start planning your book more quickly so you can write it faster once you have your outline together.
Thomas: Plottr is beautiful because writers can put together plot lines for each character and scene and then rearrange them. You can use it to keep track of things across multiple books or a single book. As more people in the industry use Plottr, we’ll see fewer continuity errors between books.
What problem does Plottr solve?
Ryan: Many authors have outlined before but don’t enjoy their method, or they have note cards scattered everywhere. Some are using ten different outlining methodologies, and none of them quite work for them. They’re looking for a tool that allows them to easily visualize what they’re planning or writing about. Plottr allows them to create a story bible. It includes templates like the snowflake method that authors can use as the basis for outlining and writing a book.
What is a story bible?
Ryan: In the context of Plottr, the story bible functionality means you’re allowed to track your characters, settings, and notes related to your story all in one place. It condenses all that material for you in a single location. You can see all your characters and locations in one place, and you can track specific elements relating to them. For example, if you want to see which characters have a certain hair color or age, you can fill that in and then filter by those details. All that information is easily accessible when you’re writing the book.
Thomas: Creating a story bible is a great way to flesh out your characters without dumping a lot of backstory into the first chapter. A story bible is for your own personal use, something you can reference when you’re wondering, “What was that character’s name?” or “What was his eye color?” You can look it up. It’s a really useful tool for keeping track of all those details over time.
It’s obviously more useful if you’re writing fantasy, where you need to keep track of things like the differences between Dark Elves and Wood Elves. But it’s still useful if you’re writing romance, where you can use it to build out each character.
What are some of the other features of Plottr?
Ryan: Plottr also helps you automate and customize your outlines. Once you’ve visually arranged your scene cards on the Plottr timeline, you will have an outline that’s automatically created for you based on the order of that timeline. Then, you can rearrange those scenes and export that outline to either Microsoft Word or Scrivener. That basically outlines the skeleton of your book so that you can start using it as the basis of whatever you’re writing.
Thomas: Plottr is useful for pantsers, too. They can input their terrible first draft into Plottr, and it can produce an outline. Then, they can review the outline and see what needs to be fixed.
What has made the snowflake method of writing so popular?
Randy Ingermanson’s book How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method is one of the most popular outlining books on the market. What has made it so popular?
Randy: Let me start by explaining how the Snowflake Method was born. Back in the summer of 2002, I was on an email newsletter when someone asked, “What’s your metaphor for writing a novel?” I quickly dashed off a reply, explaining what I was doing. As I wrote it out, I realized I was describing a process of gradually unfolding a story from one simple idea to something more complex.
By the time I sit down to write the novel, I have a beautifully structured and immensely complex story. But I’ve built it in a way my brain can manage. The problem with humans is that we can only hold about seven things in our heads at once; anything more starts to slip away. The Snowflake Method helps you design a massively complex story without overwhelming your mind.
I received a few comments from people on an email list I was part of—there were hundreds of people on that list. One of them, a woman in Canada, emailed me privately and asked, “Could you tell me more about that?” So I explained it to her, and she responded, “I really like this! What do you call it?” I said, “Well, it’s kind of like the snowflake fractal.”
From there, we went back and forth for weeks. She had all these questions, and as she asked, the answers started coming to me. That’s when I realized I had something that at least one person really liked. In fact, we even invented a new verb—snowflaking—to describe the process.
By chance, I was later invited to be a guest on an email group that was discussing how to write a novel. I shared the Snowflake Method during that week, and we talked about it extensively. At the time, I thought that was the end of it. But a few months later, I started hearing from people who had been on that group. They were emailing me with questions and talking about the method.
Eventually, in the winter of 2003, I decided to write it all down and put it on my website as an article titled How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method. Over the last 17 years, that article has had 6.6 million page views. What started as a simple idea turned into something much larger and took on a life of its own.
The reason it resonated with so many people, I think, is because of the visual metaphor. I actually show how to draw a complex snowflake fractal, starting from a simple triangle anyone can draw with a ruler. From there, you build it out step by step, adding complexity until you have a detailed fractal object. It has a finite area but an infinite perimeter, which is also what a novel is like. A novel has a set number of pages, but its complexity can feel infinite. Readers can enter that world, explore its depth, and make it their own.
This metaphor of the snowflake as a process for building complexity really captured people’s imaginations, and that’s how the Snowflake Method grew into what it is today.
Thomas: Now, 17 years later, it’s on the first page of results on Google. It’s incredibly unusual for a blog post to rank so high for so long.
Randy: The remarkable thing about the Snowflake Method is that it has grown to be much bigger than I am. I’ve been to conferences where I’ll have lunch with someone, and we’ll go our separate ways. Then, an hour or two later, they’ll come back and say, “I just realized you’re the Snowflake guy! I read your book, I use the method all the time, and I even bought your software. I can’t believe I had lunch with the Snowflake guy!”
Moments like that remind me how much bigger the Snowflake Method has become compared to just me. It’s incredible to see how far it has reached.
Thomas: You also have other people teaching slight variations of the snowflake approach.
Randy: I remember one time, one of my fellow teachers, James Scott Bell, told me, “The Snowflake Method is really getting out there. You should watch out. Somebody’s going to make a lot of money from that someday.” And he was right; somebody did. That somebody was me.
I didn’t plan it; it just kind of happened. I ended up developing my Snowflake Pro software. It was written using older technology, Java, which worked fine at the time but is a bit less user-friendly now. Still, the Snowflake Method grew into this enormous phenomenon that I never could have predicted.
I wish I could figure out how to replicate that success and regularly launch huge, money-making ventures that make me ridiculously famous and land me international speaking invitations. But so far, I’ve only managed to hit it big with this one.
How do Plottr and the Snowflake Method work together now that they are merged?
Thomas: The software is older, and that’s where Plottr comes in. Plottr is a younger piece of software.
Ryan: There are two key elements to this update. First, you can now import files from Randy’s Snowflake Pro software directly into Plottr. If you have a Snowflake Pro file, you can easily import it, and Plottr will automatically create an entire project for you.
The second element, which may be more relevant to most users, is the introduction of templates in Plottr based on Randy’s Snowflake Method. These templates, created by Randy himself, guide you step-by-step through the Snowflake Method, making it simple to implement. It’s a really exciting feature.
In addition to the Snowflake templates, Plottr includes templates for other popular story structures. For example, there’s a Romancing the Beat template based on Gwen Hayes’ well-known book, a Hero’s Journey template, templates for mystery writing, and more general ones like the W Plot and the Eight Sequence Method. Currently, we have over a dozen templates available, and we’re continually adding more.
Randy: Plottr originally had two types of templates. The first type is the character template, which defines what a character looks like and outlines the attributes every character should have. The second type is the structure template, which focuses solely on the story’s plot and its structure.
However, I realized there was a need for a third kind of template that combines characters, story structure, and a clear process that guides users on what to do next. Creative people excel at being creative; they don’t need to be taught how to generate ideas. What they need is guidance on where to focus their creativity at each stage.
To address this, I created a small project consisting of a series of step-by-step notes. For each step of the Snowflake Method, I included one note explaining what the step involves and another note detailing how to accomplish it in Plottr—for example, where to go, what to click, and what to type. I shared this concept with the Plottr programmer, and the result was the creation of a third type of template: the project template.
This new project template combines notes, character attributes, and story structure into a cohesive workflow. Currently, there’s one project template available: the Snowflake Method Project Template. Unlike the earlier templates, the Snowflake template is not just about characters or plot; it’s about following a step-by-step process. Each step builds on the previous one, creating an efficient and logical progression. By following this process, users can work systematically and efficiently.
Thomas: The Snowflake Method is flexible, which is one of the things people love about it. Unlike other outlining methods that require you to follow a strict sequence of events, the Snowflake Method allows you to approach it more freely. You’re simply answering the next question without needing to have the entire story planned out beforehand. This means you can use the method by the seat of your pants, figuring things out as you go, or you can use it in combination with a detailed outline. It’s adaptable to both approaches, making it a versatile tool for different writing styles.
Randy: For pantsers who prefer to dive straight into writing and figure out the story afterward, the Snowflake Method can be worked through in reverse. Starting with the finished draft, they can analyze each scene, then move backward to create a synopsis, followed by character bibles, and eventually arrive at step one: crafting a one-sentence summary of their novel.
I call this approach the Reverse Snowflake, but I also refer to it as the Flow Snake. This name is inspired by another fractal, the Flow Snake, made famous by Benoit Mandelbrot. It’s essentially the reverse of the Snowflake Method, providing a structured way to organize and refine a story after the writing is done.
What’s a common myth about plotting that you want to debunk?
Thomas: Some people love plotting, while other people hate it and would rather focus on a character. So, what’s a myth about plotting you want to debunk?
Randy: Plotting is your left leg. Characters are your right leg. If you try to run a race on only one leg, it doesn’t matter whether you’re running on the left leg or the right leg, you’re not going to be as fast as a guy who has two legs. It’s just a fact. I will take on Usain Bolt in the 100-meter dash if he’s only allowed to run on one leg; he can choose either one. But I’ll use two legs, and I will beat him any day of the week.
Thomas: For someone who identifies as “plot-first” or “character-only,” that mindset can become a limiting, even toxic, narrative. By holding onto this self-imposed identity, they may be holding back their story’s full potential. In reality, a good story requires both plot and character to work together in tandem.
Randy: It’s true that most authors are naturally better at either characters or plots. For me, characters came naturally. Plotting was harder for me, so I dedicated more time to learning how to write a plot effectively.
The Snowflake Method is often perceived as a plotting tool, but that depends on your perspective. If you’re a character-focused writer, it might seem like a plotting tool because half of the process is about plotting. On the other hand, if you’re a plot-first writer, the Snowflake Method can feel like it’s all about characters because you’re spending so much time creating detailed character bibles.
In reality, the Snowflake Method balances both elements. Personally, I’ve grown more balanced over time, but when I started, I had a natural intuition for characters and struggled with plot. Of course, every writer is different.
Thomas: The process many writers follow with software tools can be compared to growing a plant. They often start their book in Plottr, which is like planting a seed in a pot with rich potting soil. However, this isn’t where the story truly takes off. At some point, you need to transplant that plant into the ground so it can grow.
Plottr doesn’t confine you. It has a feature that lets you send your project directly to Scrivener with the click of a button. It’s like Plottr helps you dig the hole in the backyard so you can continue growing your story.
Finally, there comes a time to harvest your work, and that’s where Vellum comes in. Vellum is a popular tool for turning your manuscript into an ebook or paperback. These three tools—Plottr, Scrivener, and Vellum—work together seamlessly to support the entire writing process.
What are you planning to add to Plottr in 2021?
Ryan: We have an extensive roadmap of new functionality planned for Plottr. Here’s a general overview of what’s coming:
- Act Structure: This feature will allow you to group chapters or scenes into acts, making it easy to visualize them on the timeline.
- Search and Replace: You’ll be able to search for specific terms, like a character’s name, and replace them throughout your file all at once.
- Enhanced Search: A powerful search feature will let you quickly find specific details within your project, saving time and improving efficiency.
- Dashboard: While it may not sound exciting at first, the dashboard will allow you to see all your projects in one place. This eliminates the hassle of digging through files on your computer and helps streamline your workflow.
We also have plenty of new templates in development, which will expand your options for structuring your stories.
One of our larger goals is to improve functionality around dates. For example, we plan to add features that allow users to track specific timelines using literal dates. This will be especially helpful for those managing intricate timelines across multiple scenes or projects.
Thomas: If I’m trying to retell World War II with a dozen different battles happening across multiple theaters, Plottr can help me keep everything organized and clear, showing what’s happening and when.
But what about non-Earth-based dating systems? Can it handle stardates or custom timelines, such as the Second Age of Middle-earth?
Ryan: I don’t see why it couldn’t. It would be a field where you would enter the information you need.
Do you have any free trial options that people can use?
Ryan: There’s a 30-day free trial available on the Plottr (Affiliate Link) website where you can check it out and see if it’s the tool for you. It includes all the features that are available at the time when you sign up for the trial, so there’s no bait and switch.
Thomas: I recommend writers get Randy’s book, How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method, or at least read his free blog post.
The book teaches the snowflake through a story written using the snowflake method. Tell us more about the book.
Randy: I wanted to highlight that the Snowflake Method strikes a balance—a sort of “golden mean” between the rigid structure of hardcore outliners and the freewheeling style of seat-of-the-pants writers. To convey this, I decided to frame it in a business parable featuring Goldilocks as the main character.
In the story, Goldilocks dreams of writing a novel and attends a writing conference. There, she listens to Papa Bear discuss outlining, but it feels too rigid for her. Then, she hears Mama Bear talk about seat-of-the-pants writing, but that feels too loose. Finally, she takes an extended series of workshops from Baby Bear, who introduces her to the Snowflake Method, which is just right.
To design the book, I actually used the Snowflake Method myself. Each chapter covers a specific element of the method, and the story reflects that lesson. For example, early on, Baby Bear teaches Goldilocks how to craft a one-sentence summary of her book. In the next chapter, she learns about the three-act structure. At the book’s midpoint, there’s even a “midpoint disaster,” where Goldilocks faces a major setback trying to secure an agent.
The entire book is structured to teach the Snowflake Method while incorporating its principles into the story itself. It’s self-referential.
Any final tips or encouragement?
Randy: A few years ago, I received an email from a woman in Nigeria. Right away, I was suspicious that this was going to be one of those emails asking for money.
She wrote, “I discovered your Snowflake Method last December. I spent all of January using it to outline my book. In February, I used it to create a proposal. By April, I had an agent. And now, in July, we’ve sold a two-book deal to Hyperion.” I kept waiting for her to ask for money, but she never did.
And here’s the twist: her novel was about Nigerian scammers scamming gullible Americans. The book was eventually published, and a couple of years later, she emailed me again saying, “My book just won the Africa Commonwealth Prize in the debut category.” Naturally, I featured her story on my blog the next day with the headline Snowflaker Wins Africa Commonwealth Prize.
The simple moral of the story is this: do the work. You have it within you to write an excellent, amazing novel. Follow the steps, put in the effort, and something good may happen. There are no guarantees, but if you take no action, nothing will happen.
Thomas: Ryan, how about you? Any final tips or encouragement?
Ryan: If you’re struggling to imagine how you could possibly write a book because it seems like such an overwhelming task, I recommend checking out the Snowflake Method. Read the book or look at the method in Plottr itself and see if that helps you get through that overwhelm and publish a book.
Thomas: Plottr and the snowflake method have the Thomas Umstattd seal of approval. One of the ways that I judge tools for authors is by the feedback I get from my listeners and masterminds. Randy’s book is one of the first books people read in our course, The Five-Year Plan, and it gets more feedback than any of the other books we recommend in the course. Even if people don’t end up using the snowflake method religiously, the exposure is beneficial.
Plottr is newer than the book, but I’ve received really positive feedback from the authors I work with who use Plottr as part of their process.
- How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method (blog post)
- How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method (book, affiliate link)
- Plottr 30-Day Trial
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