Development - Initial Picture of the Creative Process

23 February 2012, Development - Initial Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Why would someone call a demon?  What would motivate a person to sell their soul?  Perhaps more importantly, who might be able to call a demon?  I build the reason for calling a demon--the main character wanted to save their family from murder or worse.  This was additionally the motivation.  The main character loved their family so much, they would give up life and salvation for them. 

I wanted to set the story during a time where the world was under great distress, where science was on the ascendancy, and faith on the decline.  I wanted a time when demons and magic might share belief with science.  The time I chose was the end of the Great War, World War I.  The place I chose was Russia.  Great wrongs happened in Russia during this time and the atrocities I envisioned would not be out of place there. 

The picture is becoming clearer.  It shows a Russian who is willing to give their life and soul for their family.  It shows a demon called at the end of World War I to protect a family from murder and worse.  
We'll continue to explore the initial picture for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.