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.
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.
You have a concrete goal--write 1,500 words a week. This isn't that difficult of a goal. If you keep it up, you will have a completed novel in one year. That's a perfect goal for any writer. If you really do wish to write, you need to put your time where your desires are. Without sweat equity (investment) you can't become a writer of any skill.
I've written over and over, if you wish to write well, you need to have written at least one million words. This goal is the start toward your one million words.
The next question is what should you write? This is where all that creative stuff I was writing about comes into play. If you are creative, I know you have a couple of novel ideas noted somewhere. If you you don't--what are you thinking? If you want to be a novelist, you need to have some novel length ideas--start thinking. If you really don't have any, now is the time to immerse yourself in all the filling kinds of pastimes with the goal to produce a creative idea. If you can't do that--you might want to give up on the idea of becoming an author.
I know, if you are reading this, you likely have some great ideas for books. Now is the time to make those ideas real. You need to begin to visualize your plot, stabilize your theme, and focus your characters. More tomorrow.
I'll move on to basic writing exercises and creativity in the near future.
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.
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, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.
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