My Favourite Scenes from Search for Snow!

I will also be doing a post for each other book, including sneak peeks from Book 3!... and from the screenplay that I'm writing! You read correctly, I am writing a screenplay for Search for Snow, and its already coming on quite nicely, if I don't say so myself ;-) There's more humour, less 'young me writing' cringe and a good flow.

Search for Snow - favourite scenes:

Scene 1:

During the last few minutes of class, Ms. Felis had shouted at Ben because he had called her ‘Mrs.’ Felis. Her angry reply had been, “I am ‘Ms.’ not ‘Mrs.’ you nincompoop! Don’t try and marry me off.” This had excited a rebellious laughing fit from the whole class which Ms. Felis had quickly settled down.

The reason I like this so much is because it happened in real life. Ms. Felis is based on an awesome teacher I had in high school, and she did, in fact, scold someone for 'trying to marry her off' by using 'mrs.' rather than 'ms.'.

Image: Ms Felis as a cartoon (from Midjourney!)

Scene 2:

I had overestimated the griffin’s ability to fly fast with me on her back and trying to gain altitude at that. When we finally reached the ridge where my friends were waiting impatiently, Ben was sprawled on the rocky ground, panting heavily, but I couldn’t miss the huge grin on his face and I silently mourned the loss of my bragging rights.

“It seems—pant—that griffins—pant—despite a cheetah’s—pant—ability to only run—pant—fast for short distances—pant—can’t keep up with me. How much do you—pant— weigh again, Alexa?”

That was it! I wouldn’t let him talk to me like that, not anymore, not ever!

I jumped off the griffin and stalked menacingly over to the subject of my anger, who had just become aware of the fact that he had gone too far.

I grabbed the edge of Ben’s shirt and pulled him up, so our faces were very close. My breath came out in short bursts and my eyes sizzled fire. Ben’s eyes widened and he looked slightly alarmed. As he tried to pull away from my grasp, I tightened my grip and cleared my throat.

“I don’t know what goes through your little head when you’re talking to people, and I certainly don’t know why you even have friends, or what your problem with me is. But I will not allow you to speak like that to me or to anyone else, and the next time you say anything, and I mean anything rude, inconsiderate and simply stupid, you will have to deal with me and my fists. Are we clear here?” I didn’t wait for an answer but jerked away in surprise when Chris’s voice called loudly.

“Alexa, let him go. He’s not worth it.”

I like this scene because its one of the first times that Ben is stood up to, and one of the first times that Alexa stands up for herself and others. I also like imagining this scene and how funny it could be in a movie!

Scene 3:

“Can you sniff her out?” I asked Ben when we had crawled far enough into the trees to speak normally.

“I can try, but only if you thank me first,” he snipped back.

“Right, sorry. Thank you for coming to find us. It would have been hard getting out of there without—” I gasped, “a knife! She used her knife to get away.” I crawled faster, looking ridiculous, and stopped as Ben sniggered. I looked back, my eyes squinting at him. “What?” I snapped, finally losing it.

“You know you can stop crawling now?” he pointed out, and I realised he had been walking normally beside me since getting away from the clearing.

I looked down at the ground and at my hands, looked at him again and finally got to my feet, dusting myself off.

“Right, I knew that. I… was just being extra careful.” I nodded self-righteously but groaned inwardly. I blamed it on my tiredness, and the surprising safety I felt when crawling.

Hmmm, get it together, Alexa, I ordered myself, and continued walking.

Ben hurried to catch up and remained silent, knowing full well I would punch him if he didn’t keep his mouth shut.

Again, interactions between Ben and Alexa are hilarious to write. Maybe this type of thing is just my humour, or maybe you can snicker along too ;-)

Scene 4:

“It’s somewhere over here…” Mel muttered, rummaging around through the bushes.

Liza didn’t know what they were looking for, so she absentmindedly stroked Ty’s scales and stretched her magic out around her, searching for strange energy signatures or anything misplace in the fairly normal pine forest behind the boy’s dormitories. She walked around for a bit and becoming bored, sat down on a rock to take a swig of water from her glass drink bottle. Sophie was leaning on a tree trunk nearby, the dark clothes she was wearing suiting her sombre mood.

“What’s the matter?” Liza asked.

Sophie looked up from where she had been studying her shortly cut fingernails and smiled. It didn’t reach her eyes. “Nothing, and everything. I’m worried about Alexa and I’m also worried about what we’ll find out about Mr. Phillips. It’s hard enough knowing we’re in some momentous prophecy, but now we’re constantly harassed by dracons who may or may not be in allegiance with an Academy teacher!”

Liza knew where Sophie was coming from, but she couldn’t help teasing her a bit. “I thought you liked fighting things and being part of something important? Well, now’s your chance!”

“Seriously?!” a voice riddled with annoyance said. “You’ve been sitting on it this entire time?” It was Tris and she didn’t look so happy.

Liza looked down surprised and got off the rock. “Do you mean… this is what you’ve been looking for?” she stammered.

Tris rolled her eyes and instead of answering, called Amelia, Mel and Thia over.

Sophie chuckled and sauntered over, chucking Liza under the chin. “We always knew you were good at finding things, but no one ever said that you were aware you found something.”

Maybe I don't need to say so much about this scene, except that it showcases Liza's dreaminess and the funny interactions that friends can have.

Anyway, there's probably a bunch more little scenes that I've missed, but these are the main ones that I remember. To be fair, my writing style has changed a lot over the years, and Search for Snow is a lot more simply written than Trial of Time or Ascent to Ash. If I had to rewrite SfS, I would, but for now, I'm happy with how it is.

Now, onto my screenplay! It might be a challenge to read at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly! Alexa stares at the dracon as it shrivels up and disappears, leaving Chris standing there, panting and holding a leg carefully as if he's broken it. He shifts back and sits down groaning, clutching at his knee.

CHRIS

(manages to grind out)

So sorry about that, hope you're not squeamish!

ALEXA

(trying to decide what to say first)

Oh holy Mercury, your knee, its dislocated!

Chris looks down, smirks in pain and then grits his teeth.

CHRIS

You're a quick study.

ALEXA

Stop joking and let me have a look. (already reaching for the knee)

Chris moves his hands and lets Alexa carefully test his knee. A muffled groan from Chris as she touches a sore spot.

ALEXA

Sorry.

CHRIS

No biggie, I've had worse. Are you okay though? You're a new student, right? I'm sorry I had to kill it right next to you, he was going for you and... some have unsated appetites it seems.

ALEXA

I'm fine. And he was a total perv. I just don't understand what he was. You haven't said yet...

Before waiting for his answer, she yanks his knee back into place and watches grimly as Chris yowls and scrunches up into a ball. He soon emerges with a rather sheepish expression.

CHRIS

Thanks and sor-

ALEXA

(half-threateningly, half-jokingly)

If you say sorry one more time, I'll re-dislocate your knee!

CHRIS

(chuckles)

Kittie's got claws.

ALEXA

(mutters)

I've heard that one before.

CHRIS

Sorry.

Chris flinches with a grin as Alexa swipes at his knee.

CHRIS

Hey now, careful!

This is how I've rewritten Alexa's and Chris' first meeting in my screenplay (there's more, but I don't want to give away everything just yet). There's a certain level of attraction already (these things kinda have to go quick in a movie that has restricted time and a budget!) But I'd love to know your thoughts, so here's a poll! How exciting!

Is the 1st meeting between Alexa & Chris...?

• Too chummy
• Just right
• There's meet-cute vibes
• Tone down the overall vibe, please

And that's where I'll leave it for now. Stay tuned for Scenes from Trial of Time!

-Andra K.