Methods and systems for generating backups are disclosed. To generate a backup, a snapshot may be generated. A snapshot may be a point in time representation of data, in contrast to live data which may be updated over time. To reduce the impact of snapshot generation, a method, system, and device for generating and maintaining a snapshot that utilizes fewer writes is disclosed. To reduce the writes, the snapshots may be generated by preferentially referring to already stored copies of data for the snapshot rather than storing an additional copy of data for the snapshot. The snapshots may be maintained by storing copies of data for the snapshot only when live data diverges from the snapshot.