Recently, I tried a new (to me) writing strategy: the snowflake method. Developed by Randy Ingermanson, a Ph.D. in physics from UC Berkeley, the snowflake method uses a snowflake metaphor, also known as a snowflake fractal, to depict a writing process. Ingermanson developed this method—and an accompanying software program (Snowflake Pro 1.0.3)—to help writers who are struggling in writing fiction. I contend, however, that this method—with some modifications—can be useful to writers of many genres and in many stages as a writer, from first-year writers to dissertation writers, fiction writers to nonfiction writers.
The writing premise is simple: start writing with a core idea or thesis. As you add information, detail, and layers, the fractal changes, becoming more and more intricate. For example, using the image below, you might begin with a core idea (the triangle), then, after some simple development, you’d have the next image. Add even more content and detail, and then you have the third fractal, and so on.
The method seemed so simple that it seemed silly the first time I heard of it. Then I tried it. It’s a good method when you are stalled in writing, when you are starting a large project, or if you just need a break from the regular routine of writing. I am using this method this semester with first-year writing students to interesting results.
The software program—not cheap even at a discounted $50—is useful for those who don’t know much about the process of writing. As in any good writing process, the writer must consider audience, purpose, context, and even the writer himself or herself. For beginning writers, keeping the process in mind is important to writing success. The program provides a space for this information. The word count limit feature is helpful.
Additionally, the program takes writers through nine steps, from the first rough idea to the proposal. The first step helps writers develop the triangle, the focus of the writing exercise. In the small box, you type in your idea. Subsequent steps encourage you to expand on that initial idea by first writing a single paragraph to expand that same idea further, then to write a series of short essays (multiple paragraphs) on the expanded subject.
Finally, the writer is at a stage where the writing is more fully developed. Here the text can be copied and pasted into a word processing program and formatted as needed.
Lastly, the “proposal” feature is an interesting one in that it creates the shell of a book proposal that a writer could send to editors. Again, this software program was developed for fiction writers, but with some modification, it could be useful to academic writers.
Elements of the program—character sketches, and timelines specific to character development—were not reviewed here, as they are not relevant to most academic writing.
Snowflake Pro is an interesting program that can help writers develop their work when they are stalled in the writing process, and it helps writers contain and organize large amounts of information. In fact, I wish I had had this program when I was writing my dissertation, as it might have helped contain that unwieldy subject.
How about you: do you have experience with this program or with this writing strategy? Please leave suggestions and comments below.
[Image by Flickr user Oskay and used under the Creative Commons license.]
