Development - Rules of Writing, The Character as a Symbol

31 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, The Character as a Symbol

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Entertain your readers.
2. Don't confuse your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

It may be possible to start a character with just a name, but it is almost impossible to name a character without a context.  You must develop the character first, and the character, if you like, is your first symbol.

The example is the development of Aksinya.  I wrote already extensively about developing the character of Aksinya.  She was fully developed before I named her, the naming placed the final seal on who she was.  It placed her in time, her culture, and her being.  That is the point--you develop a character and then you place a name on the character that represents the character. 

Even before you learn about Aksinya, doesn't the name begin to conjure an image in your mind.  The author develops a character, places a name on the character that represents the character then gives the character life in revealing the character. 

This goes back to developing the character.  I will spend a little time on this subject in regard to the questions posed below.
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Naming and Symbols

30 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Naming and Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Entertain your readers.
2. Don't confuse your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

I wrote before about characters and symbols.  I don't intend to repeat, but I want to write more about designing characters to represent levels. 

Obviously, the first level of a character is their most basic information.  In other places, to simplify, I have written that you should start with description.  Let's instead start with the name.  You can just pick a name out of the air, but why would you do that.  I've been through many steps of historical and cultural study.  I've mentioned many times about analysis and developing characters.  So...the question is why would you spend days and weeks (I do) developing and researching your characters only to turn around and label them with a lame name you picked out of the blue.  Don't do it.  The naming of a character is a critical step.  Let's imagine it as a first step.

So, as a first step--that is naming a character, if you intend to write a simple children's book you must still be concerned about storyline, plot, and theme--just not to a very complex level.  If you want to write literature--you need to be a bit more cautious and deliberate.  Whoops, you can't just start with the name--you have to know something about the storyline, plot, and theme just to begin.  Likewise, you need to know something about the character to develop the storyline, plot, and theme.  We'll look at this more tomorrow.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Themes and Symbols

29 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Themes and Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Entertain your readers.
2. Don't confuse your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

With the power of symbols, we are back to the concept of levels in writing.  I also slipped in the idea of understanding and beauty.  I'm sure we could engage in many discussions on this topic.  In my view, art must add to beauty.  If it doesn't, it can't entertain.  My definition of beauty in art is very broad.  I can accept some measure greater than the common understanding of beauty, but certainly, art can't repel--if so, it can't be art.  To define something a human shuns because of ugliness, vulgarity, or cultural unacceptability as art is silly.  I gave an example of cultural unacceptability a couple of days ago. 

Back to symbols and levels.  The two basic levels in art and writing are theme and plot.  Storylines are also there--the form the plot.  Each storyline has the potential to provide a level in the writing and the theme and plot obviously provide a level in the writing.  Symbols additionally can provide levels within storyline, plot, and theme.  Warning: it is technically possible to build a cohesive secondary theme or subtheme through symbols, but don't dilute or confuse the theme of your novel.  I wish everyone had this problem.  Most writers seem oblivious to their themes--the idea of subthemes or secondary themes are even more foreign to them.  The important point is that you shouldn't use symbols in a way that they confuse the main theme.  Subthemes or secondary themes based on the same symbols are aokay.  An example of a subtheme is love in marriage.  I've written about this before.  Although not a theme in my novels, I have often written love in marriage as a subtheme.  Most novels handle love as a major theme, and they are usually, guy gets the girl or girl gets the guy.  In classical literature, it is commonly couple meets, couple falls in love, couple faces hardship for love, couple weds (or some variant).  Love in marriage is a pretty unused theme or subtheme in most AmerEnglish literature--so I like to use it.  You can probably think of other themes that could make good subthemes.  Make sure all your symbols point toward the proper theme, level, or plot (storyline).
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Power of Symbols

28 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Power of Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Entertain your readers.
2. Don't confuse your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

The number one purpose for any art including writing is to entertain.  This is where many modern artists have been misled by misunderstanding the purpose for their field.  Many writers have missed the point too--generally, those writers are not published.  The artists can sometimes get the government to support their uncreative and naive scribbles.  This is generally not so with authors.  If you have a message to tell, don't write--rather don't write fiction (go for essay)--or become a preacher.  However, if your writing doesn't entertain, neither will your sermons.

The purpose of art is to make the world more understandable and beautiful.  It is possible for dark and ugly images to achieve both illumination and beauty.  How can that be?  My latest topic in symbols is opposing symbols--that is symbols that are the opposite of what they literally convey.  I mentioned that this is evident in the novel, Aksinya.  In Aksinya, we see a young woman who has committed the grossest crimes, yet the image produced is that of innocence.  In her name much evil has been done by the demon, but we also see how she isn't fully responsible for those crimes.  Aksinya is coerced into taking Natalya as her lady-in-waiting, but Natalya assumes and credits her status as the beneficent act of Aksinya.  To save a sorceress' virtue (Aksinya), Natalya is willing to seduce Aksinya's probable fiance'.  Natalya, whose every action lead us to believe she is innocent has been sexually and physically abused.  All these are dark and in some cases ugly images--but the revelation of them in the context of the novel brings understanding and becomes beautiful.

The great betrayal of Aksinya by Natalya leads to the redemption of Aksinya, Ernst, and Aksinya (just to mention three).  The power that makes these opposing symbols come right is subtlety and presentation.  As I mentioned, the primary purpose in writing fiction is to entertain.  The theme, plot, and storylines are all part of that entertainment--they are also their own message on (hopefully) many levels.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, more Opposing Symbols

27 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, more Opposing Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Entertain your readers.
2. Don't confuse your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

Just producing something shocking or vulgar is not irony, sarcasm, satire, or anything else--it's just vulgar.  The tools we mentioned (irony, sarcasm, and satire) are best yielded purposefully, gently, and subtly.  The point is to get your message across.  No one will accept a vulgar message.  For example, placing a cross into a vial of urine is just vile and vulgar.  It didn't change any one's opinion--it just polarized every one's opinion.  Further, such a vile act is both intolerant and prejudiced.  The person who did such an act is neither an artist or an intelligent person.  Likewise, using nudity as a means to shock or produce a vulgar show is not art and is not effective as a means to influence.  If you say the artists who did such things were not trying to influence, you are really fooling yourself.  Remember my rules of writing--they are also good rules for art.  I put them above (and in the correct order this time).

My first rule is to entertain.  A cross in urine is only entertaining to a scatologist.  It is ugly and dirty to the mentally not ill.  A vulgar show of nudity might entertain the perverse, a pornographer, or a pedophile--it certainly is not entertaining to those more adapted to society and culture. 

So, if you intend to write using irony, sarcasm, or satire, do not assume that the shocking or the vulgar are what you want.  The intent is subtlety.  If you want an example of how to write using these tools take a look at Aksinya.  In this novel, you will ind sufficient examples of all three to engender full understanding.  In Aksinya, the Catholic Church is prosecuting Aksinya for the sorcery of conjuring a demon, yet none of those doing the prosecuting believe in sorcery or demons.  Those that are close to Aksinya know she can do sorcery, yet they are all willing to defend her to the point of lying about her actions.  These are great ironies.  These are handled delicately in the novel...and that is the point.  Based on the novel, I desire that even those who might disagree with my points will agree with the irony.  I want those who might disagree to be entertained.  I might not convince them, but I wish to entertain them.  And is there anything I really want to convince them of?  Not really...or not that I will say.  The point is the novel and the entertainment, if the theme has any kind of punch or tracks that is due to the fact that someone read and was entertained by the novel. ...And that's the ultimate point of art and writing.
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Opposing Symbols

26 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Opposing Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

Sarcasm and satire are very powerful writing tools.  They are driven by symbols and generally, those symbols are opposite to their literal meanings.  We recognize this in sarcasm and irony.  The writer makes a statement that is literally the opposite of the intended meaning.  Satire and irony are evident in great essays.  Johnathan Swift was considered a master of this form of writing.  His essay A Modest Proposal suggested the Irish eat their own children to survive the great Irish famine.  It is quite clear from his writing, that the modest proposal is irony and satire.  The symbols of the writing mean precisely the opposite of their literal words.

Authors many times miss the ability to properly use irony, sarcasm, and satire.  They are not the usual tools of the modern writer.  They are the tools used in Aksinya.  Aksinya is a novel about a girl who calls a demon to save her family.  The irony is that the demon can't save her family--they die anyway.  A further irony is that we discover near the end of the novel, that the demon himself delayed his arrival so that Aksinya's family would be murdered.

Again irony, the demon who was supposed to obey Aksinya instead temps, controls, and commands her.  And where Aksinya is supposed to be a novel about a demon and a girl, it is instead a novel about how a girl is redeemed from the power of her own sin and temptation.  The use of symbols through irony, sarcasm, and satire allow such an opposite theme.  That is the point I made yesterday: nudity, nakedness, sensuality, and sexuality can become incredibly powerful symbols that through the adept use of irony, sarcasm, and satire can be used to present a redemptive or even a theme opposite to nudity, nakedness, sensuality, and sexuality.  In fact, the contrast itself can be instructive and useful.  Don't be afraid to use these tools in your writing and especially the symbols.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, more Nudity as a Symbol

25 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, more Nudity as a Symbol

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

Nudity and nakedness are both very powerful symbols--as long as they are not overused.  Sensuality is best accomplished by what to can't see as much as what you can see.  This is why the most sexually charged scene isn't one of description but one of conversation--think about it.  On the other hand, a wise author who intends to turn nudity into a passe' image can do that too.  Most of the time, the incompetent try to titillate and end up boring their readers.  That is the problem with nudity, nakedness, sensuality, and sexuality.  A little bit can go a long way--too much turns into pornography or is silly. 

Many might imagine there is no place in certain types of literature for those four concepts.  The lessons of the past tell us that isn't so.  Some of the most sensual poetry and literature from the 18th and 19th centuries is religious but chock full of sensuality.  Burke, Pope, and Shakespeare are great examples of this kind of writing.  Although Shakespeare might not be thought of as a religious writer, many of his themes are classically redemptive--and they are entertaining. 

Let's put it this way.  Let's say you are an author who wants to present a powerful redemptive theme that communicates a religious thought or message.  Would you choose to write an allegory, a powerful multilevel novel, or a straight forward two-by-four type sermon.  Which would be read and which would have more effect on the world.  Simply, the more a novel is read, the more effect.  The allegory or the multilevel novel would have much more appeal to most than the sermon. 

Aksinya is this type of novel--that is it is a powerful multilevel novel that uses sensuality, sexuality, nudity, and nakedness as symbols to make important points in the theme.  The novel isn't about sensuality, sexuality, nudity, or nakedness, but it uses those ideas as symbols to communicate.  Additionally, anyone who reads the novel can't miss the point of each symbol.  This is the most powerful nature of symbols.  It is possible for a symbol to relate a concept nearly opposite to its literal meaning.  I'll write about this tomorrow.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Nudity as a Symbol

24 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Nudity as a Symbol

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

Lack of clothing--nudity or nakedness--is as powerful a statement as clothing. There is a difference between nudity and nakedness. Both are cultural symbols. In real life people take off their clothing for various reasons. In a novel, unless it drives the plot, theme, or story line there is no reason to write about nudity. On the other hand, it it supports the plot, theme, or storyline, the action, consequences, and reasons for a character's nudity or nakedness are important. If you don't know, nudity usually refers to the simple action of being unclothed--nakedness implies a purpose for being unclothed, usually nefarious.

In my novels, especially the Aegypt (Ancient Light) novels, I use nudity with specific cultural symbols in mind.

Back to Eden

One of the main themes in the Aegypt Novels is 'back to Eden' driven by Leora. Leora, the Goddess of Light, is not perfect, but she is the archetype Eve--the perfect woman. Her nudity demonstrates and represents her closeness to God. Likewise Lumie're, her daughter, and the Goddess of Darkness, in her time, is clothed and uncomfortable unclothed. These symbols play throughout the novels with this specific purpose.

Good/Purity and Evil/Impurity

Leora, the Goddess of Light, is nude at certain times, and Leila, is always naked. The contrast within the books is their stature and pose--the purpose for their nudity is to represent the concept the Jews call Eve/Lilith. Eve was created perfect, the mother of mankind, Lilith was created perfect and the mother of demons. The concept displays how beauty and perfection of form does not equate to beauty and perfection of purpose.

Cultural Comparison/Contrast

I write about cultures and societies in my novels. Many cultures are driven by clothing, many are not. The contrast and comparison is wonderful. The play between them significant. A powerful contrast in many cultures is their view of nudity. The ancient Irish culture abhorred it, while the Greeks thought it was completely normal. This comparison/contrast based on clothing, or the lack of it, provides a powerful driver for plot lines.

Shock

Shock refers to the characters and the readers. The shock value of the use of nudity in a fashion the reader may not expect can be powerful--the shock value between characters whose cultural perceptions are very different are priceless. These cannot drive a theme, but they provide some power within a theme--especially a theme about culture.

All these ideas and symbols work together on a page. They are self supporting and although can be used separately, gain power through being used together.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Clothing as a Symbol

23 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Clothing as a Symbol

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

I wrote about historical dress yesterday.  There is much that we ca say about dress and symbols.  The way a character is dressed focuses and forms them.  It is very uncommon for an author to write much about what a character is wearing.  That is, once the clothing is first described, there isn't much reason, unless it is important to the plot or theme, for an author to give us much more on the clothing.

In Aksinya, I described Aksinya and Natalya's clothing almost every time I introduced them for a new day.  The reason for this was that the theme revolves around Aksinya's problem with luxuria--the love of fine...everything.  Her clothing was not a force of identity for her, but she was tempted by the desire for beautiful things.  Thus, in the climax of the novel, when she lost everything, the abrupt transition from silk dresses to a black woolen one is significant.  In previous chapters, Aksinya's clothing was beautiful and fine--following the climax, it is plain and utilitarian.  She never returns to the wonderful clothing she wore as a Countess. 

In Aksinya, the clothing of Aksinya and Natalya are symbols for her wealth, temptation, and aristocracy.  The clothing represents the culture and the times.  I would also correctly observe that anyone familiar with the times and culture would immediately recognize the wealth and position represented by the clothing.  Likewise, when Aksinya loses her status, her clothing changes.  In almost every culture, clothing is a symbol of wealth, power, and position.  In Aksinya, I also use nudity (lack of clothing) as a symbol.  I'll write about that tomorrow.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Descriptive Symbols

22 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Descriptive Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

I've written about the study necessary to develop an historical character, and I've written about the understanding of culture that is necessary to develop an historical character.  The culture and history drive many of the details--these include both the descriptive physical pieces and the unspoken, but shown parts that reveal the character. 

One of the first points is how do you dress your character?  Without a knowledge of the fashions of the time, you can clothe them.  In Sister of Light, a novel on contract with my publisher, the main character buys a dress from the fashion district in Paris and the protagonist's mother speaks of Coco's shop and fashions.  The characters dress in the clothing of the times and that clothing is necessary to fully understanding the times.  When the characters take off their clothes, I describe the necessary items.  This kind of detail requires extensive study.

In my novel, Hestia, the ancient Greek clothing worn for the times is the peplos and the himation.  We would call them togas, but they are not togas and the ancient Greeks would be upset if someone couldn't tell the difference between a peplos and a chiton (both are very similar).  An AmerEnglish person might think it humorous that an ancient Greek would be so concerned about the type of tunic that is worn, yet the same AmerEnglish person might be concerned that an ancient Greek couldn't tell the difference between a double breasted and a single breasted suit or between a a tux and a tux and tails.  If you are AmerEnglish and you don't know the difference, you really don't know your own culture well enough to write about anyone else's. 

Description is involved with history and culture--I'll go into more detail tomorrow. 
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Cultural Symbols

21 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Cultural Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

I've been writing as though cultural and historical symbols can be separated.  They really can't be.  History and culture are innerwoven tightly and can't be easily separated.  It is good for our study here to imagine otherwise because history and culture, although tied together, are the same concepts viewed from a different angle.  For example, I wrote about how the history of the bathroom directly affects the novel, Aksinya.  The history is the facilities, their use and introduction in time.  The culture is how the society viewed and used them.  The viewed and used significantly overlaps facilities, use, and introduction, but there is a slight difference.  Even though a facility ( a bathroom or water closet) exists, there is no guarantee a person in the society will use that facility.  History drives the existence of a capability.  Culture drives the use of a capability.

For bathrooms and water closets, I didn't play the cultural angle the way I could have in Aksinya.  I made the assumption that bathrooms were common in the strata of the culture and understood and used.  This isn't true about science, religion, and sorcery. 

Aksinya assumes sorcery exists--it does not assume society (or culture) accepts it as true.  Within the sphere that is the novel, Aksinya, the characters act and react in a world that is historically and culturally accurate for the times.  The people believe in science, religion, and sorcery.  This is not to say that everyone believes in these things, but rather that they are culturally, socially, and class dependent.  The modern world isn't so different.  The point is that in Aksinya the protagonist must contend with varying degrees of misunderstanding, knowledge, and belief throughout.  For example, although Aksinya is being tried for sorcery, it is evident that the prosecutor and the church don't really believe in the sorcery she is being prosecuted for.  Likewise, the civil government doesn't believe in sorcery at all, but in every case, they must contend at some degree or level with the evidence of sorcery and Aksinya's strange actions.  Most people of the time think she is insane--yet the reader knows she is not insane.  There is more to culture and symbols.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Historical Symbols

20 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Historical Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

Yesterday, I wrote about the details of historical writing.  I didn't mention levels and symbols, but I should before we move on to the details of culture.  I wrote that bathrooms and other household facilities were a focus of the history in my novel, Aksinya.  Of course, bathrooms and household facilities was not the only focus of the history in the writing.  I used primary historical sources and information for all the history in the novel and followed my own recommendations for study and writing, but bathrooms and household facilities were a large difference between the historical world in the time of Aksinya and today. 

The bathroom and other household details became the baseline for levels in the writing and for the contrast of today's culture and Aksinya's culture.  How, you might ask?  If you go back a look at Aksinya, one of the key scenes is when she needs to go to the bathroom, which is outside.  She decided not to use the chamber pot because there would be no one to empty it (her family and all the servants were murdered by the Bolsheviks), and she didn't want to have the demon empty her chamber pot--that was too embarrassing a thought for a person from that age.  She has to go to the outhouse for her family's mansion.  If that doesn't show a huge cultural and historical difference, I don't know what does.  Aksinya has an accident (outhouse type) while going to the outhouse building--an accident that the demon becomes directly involved in.  The demon has to take her to the "bathroom" attached to her room and prepare a bath for her.  He has to take care of her soiled clothing etc.  Like her own sexuality, this incident reveals a pattern of actions by the demon that embarrass then help Aksinya.  These actions become part of the process of tempting her. 

Additionally, the outhouse, bathroom, and the bath provide symbols that relate directly to Aksinya's issues and the demon's infiltration into her life.  In the bath provided by the demon, Aksinya sees her reflection in the mirror and recognises the loss of her hair (given as a surety to the demon).  She sees her own ugliness (she thinks she is ugly).  The bath becomes a symbol for her inferiority and insecurity.  There is a bath scene with Natalya and there we see Natalya hiding the evidence of her abuse.  The bath itself becomes a symbol throughout the novel for secrets and the hidden issues of Aksinya, Natalya, and the demon.  It is no accident that Aksinya and Natalya reveal their inmost thoughts in the bedroom and in a bed rather than in the bathroom.  In the bathroom is solitude of sorts and privacy, in the bedroom there is revelation and honesty.  Which we discover later is the unseen turning point of the novel--the bedroom secret tryst between Ernst and Natalya that drives Aksinya over the edge.  The power of symbols that drive levels of storyline, plot, and theme in a historical novel should be the historical points.  Tomorrow, culture. 

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, History

19 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, History

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

The idea of storylines, levels, and motivations of characters relates directly back to how much should you understand about your characters, their historical times, and their culture.  The question one of my readers asked was the extent that I outline.  Outline is a good word to describe the preliminary step of character design (or development).  Remember, I've written that the author develops the character before writing the novel and only reveals the characters within the novel--if this isn't clear, read back through this blog.

So, the step of development (design and outline).  I've written before about studying history.  You need an outline of the history of the times and either an outline of what you can prove is true about that time or an innate knowledge of it.  For example, I made a detailed study of the times surrounding the novel Aksinya before I began to write.  I penned a few notes that specifically related to the history of the times and information about the period.  Because I have written a novel before about this period (or close to it 1926), I already had notes and a foundation of information.  As I wrote the novel, whenever I touched on a subject area that I knew was questionable about the "true" history of the times, I carefully researched the area before I continued writing.  I did this with my published 1926 novel, Aegypt.  In fact, one of my publisher's questions related to the use of a lighter in the novel.  I had researched this extensively.  In 1910, the permanent match type lighter was invented and had extensive use through WWI and following until the invention of the Zippo lighter in 1932.  The permanent match is what the saying "Three on a match" refers to.

The primary historical questions for the writing of Aksinya was bathroom and household facilities during the period 1918 to 1919.  In this period, these varied from nothing to full bathrooms with hot and cold running water.  I tried to show this in Aksinya, and this is one of the levels of symbol and understanding in the novel.  As I wrote previously, in developing the history of something as simple as a bathroom, I started with a blank slate and used historical information to fill in the holes and properly describe the historical bathrooms.  If you can imagine that in the country in the times, the highest aristocrat had an outhouse and used chamber pots.  There was not running water and bath water was heated usually in the bathroom with a stove (thus bathroom not water closet).  In the cities, the wealthy were installing hot and cold running water systems (usually heated from the same boiler that heated the new radiant (radiator) heat).  They had toilets for a while, but the bidet was catching on--especially with warm water available.  The details of the subject are excruciating, but that is how a historical fiction writer needs to approach even the most mundane subject about the past.  Culture, tomorrow.
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Motivations

18 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Motivations

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

The idea of levels beginning with storylines that form the plot relates directly to what and what not to show.  In general, when the overlap of storylines relates directly to the protagonist you should consider showing it.  This still doesn't mean you should show everything about the protagonist.  The point is that a worthwhile measure of what to show is where the storylines coincide with the protagonist.

This assumes you understand the storylines of the other characters.  Every character and many things and incidents in a plot have their own storylines.  You don't have to know every detail in those storylines, but you need to know enough to understand them and the motivations of your characters. 

The motivations is the critical part.  It doesn't matter if you know every detail about a character, what you need to know to develop a storyline is the reason a character acts as they do.  The reasons can be varied and not even told.  In fact, don't give motivations.  One way to know you are telling is when you explain motivations.  Motivations are largely unknown--these are things you must show and not tell.  For example, in Aksinya, Natalya was sexually and physically abused.  We don't discover this until late in the novel.  We see slow Revelations that lead to this conclusion, and finally, she makes a confession to Aksinya.  We realise at that point (and later) that Natalya's motivations were because she was abused.  I never tell you her motivations--I do reveal over time that she was abused.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Levels

17 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Levels

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

How do you achieve levels in writing and maintain those levels cohesively through a novel?  There are two primary levels: plot and theme.  The plot is the culmination of your storylines--that is broadly the story you are telling (showing).  As long as your storylines are cohesive, your plot will be cohesive.  Remember, there is only one plot.  If you have more than one plot, you either have an experimental novel, or you need to write another novel.  You can have multiple storylines, but only one plot.

What does that mean.  A storyline is a cohesive and connected linkage within a novel that combined with the other storylines produces the plot. For example, in Aksinya, the storyline of Natalya combines with that of Aksinya in Minsk.  Natalya's storyline started before Aksinya and before Minsk.  Her storyline is usually connected to Aksinya's in the novel, but not always.  Likewise, the storyline of Asmodeus begins before Aksinya calls him.  It connects to Aksinya's for most of the novel, but at times, it moves away from her.  At times we discover that Asmodeus has been acting on his own against Aksinya.  The reader guesses about his activities, but only later in the reflection of the life of Aksinya do we understand what the demon was up to.  Also, Ernst has his own storyline.  It weaves into Aksinya's for a while.  Every character has their own storyline and we only see them when they intersect with the protagonist's or when the author explicitly shows them to us.  All the other times, the storylines are not directly seen, but they all exist.  This is the beginning of how to understand the development of levels in writing fiction--more tomorrow.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.  The following is a question asked by one of my readers.  I'm going to address this over time:  Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques.  To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Art Conversation and Symbols

16 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Art Conversation and Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

Yesterday, I gave you an example of conversation from the novel, Aksinya.  In the example, I commented on the use of symbols and the levels of the writing.  If you go back to the beginning of the novel that I published in this blog, you can see other comments on the symbols.  I didn't write about the levels of the writing at that time; however, you can easily see how the symbols drive the writing to levels above the literal and that eventually reach the level of the theme. 

All cogent fiction writing has at least two levels: literal and theme.  Any writing of any power has many levels between the literal and the theme. Additionally, great writing will also have different  storylines running through it.  Each of these need to support the basic plot and the theme.  These different storylines each might have their own levels in the writing...and it is the symbols that drive these storylines and their levels. 

You might ask how can an author keep everything together?  The answer is that is the art of experienced writing.  This is also why I write that you must have at least the experience of writing 1 million words before you will achieve any real success as an author.  The experience necessary to write on many levels and to manipulate words and symbols to create entertaining writing takes a long time to develop.  I'll write more about how to achieve this kind of writing.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that 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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, example Conversation and Symbols

15 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, example Conversation and Symbols

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, 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 beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

Here is an example of converstation from the begining of the novel, Aksinya.  Aksinya has just called the demon, Asmodeus.  Here we can readily see many examples of levels and using symbols to move from the plot to the theme.  I'll add comments in blue:

The demon slitted his eyes.  His voice was a hiss only slightly slurred by its fangs, “Russian.  I can answer in this tongue.  Be very afraid.”  He wrinkled his nose at her, “Where is your master little girl?” The demon was described before--he is a symbol.  I use description to move you from a literal framework to a more figurative framework.  The demon's voice is a hiss and slurred by its fangs--these are symbols.  Back to the literal with the use of Russian--this appeals to the culture and uses the language itself as a symbol to accent the culture.  The statement of the demon "Be very afraid," is the opposite of the statement of an angel "Be not afraid."--this is a symbol.  This statement propels the level to that of the theme (the theme is redemption).  The last statement places us at a middle level--Aksinya is diminutive and young (this is a symbol), but she called a demon.  The demon can't believe this at first.

“Ha, demon.  I am your master.”  Thus the claim of Aksinya--she is his master (this is a symbol).  This is obviously not literal, it is based in demon and folklore.  The symbols are very powerful: a demon, a young woman, the calling of a demon, the master of a demon, sorcery, and all.

“My master?  We shall see.  Who called me?”  The demon still doesn't believe her.  This interjects a level of humor to the mix.  We already have touched on:  a literal level, a cultural level, an intellectual level, a master/servent level, and a redemptive or theological level.

“I did.  I demand you name yourself.”  A name is a symbol in the context of culture, magic, and folklore--if you hold a name, you control a being.  Likewise a name is a symbol in itself--it stands in place of a person and representd the person.  There is much more in this simple demand.

“Little girl, I am Asmodeus.  Do you know me?”  The demon names her "little girl" and names himself--Asmodeus.  I won't go into the detail of who is Asmodeus again--Google it.  I will mention that Asmodeus is the demon of Lust (Luxuria), thus his last question has more than one meaning: do you know me (know of me), do you sexually know me (lust after what I represent), and have you experienced the lust I represent.

“I do know you, and I demand you obey me.” Aksinya only catches or answers the first part of the  question.  There are many levels represented in her answer, but she doesn't get it (or does she).  Likewise, the naivite of her demand is revealed later in the novel.  The ultimate question is "who can control a demon?" 

“Who really called me?”  The demon reacts to her naivete and her statement.  This has many levels as well--the levels all come out of what was spoken before.  I'll skip ahead--note in the places I don't mark there is still much going on within the conversation.

“I called you.”

“If you lie, you know what I can do to you.”

Aksinya stuck out her chin, “I do not lie, demon.”  She began the next part of the reciting in Latin again. 

As she spoke, the demon’s eyes widened, “You did call me.”  He began to laugh.

Aksinya cautiously stopped speaking the dark words and asked, “Why are you laughing?”

Asmodeus scratched his nose and let out a little snort, “In all my many years, I have never been called by a girl or a woman.  Only men.  How old are you anyway.  You are nearly breastless.  Are you even past the age of accountability.”  Accountability--a symbol.  This is a concept that immediately causes the conversation level to leap into the theological and to that of the theme.  The question is very deep.  It is about age, sex, theology, sin, personal responsibility, and knowledge of the world.  Note, that this follows in the wake of the statements about who has called the demon in the past.

“The age of accountability?”

“Yes, are you at least twelve with pubic hair?”  This statement is Jewish and Talmudic.  This is the marker of accountability according to Jewish Orthodoxy.  The statement from the demon keeps the level at the theme and brings in a literal component.  The literal is the age and appearance of Aksinya.  The is the use of a cultural symbol to make a very critical point.

Aksinya blushed, “You, keep quiet.  I called you—you have no right to insult me.”

“I have not insulted you, little girl.  I only wish to know with whom I deal.  If you can’t be held accountable for your sins, then I can’t have any dealing with you.”

“I am more than twelve, and I have…I have…,” Aksinya was breathing hard.

“You have pubic hair.  I could ask you to prove that, you know.”

“Zatknis'[1], demon.  I don’t have to prove anything to you.”

“Ah, but you do, and you know it.”

“What I have to prove has nothing to do with, with, that.  Listen to me demon, Asmodeus, I claim you as my servant.  I called you, and you must now answer to me alone.” I could go on and on, but I think I've made my point.

In this very short example of a conversation from the novel, Aksinya, we see the levels of the novel and the levels in the writing play out.  There is much more that I didn't mention.  If you are perceptive and trained in AmerEnglish culture, you should be able to tease them out one by one.
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that 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/.