Scenes - Scene Setting, Who, yet even more Examples

2 December 2012, Scenes - Scene Setting, Who, yet even more Examples

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.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are lots of approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Remember, use 100 to 300 words to introduce a character. Here is the introduction of two more secondary characters in Aksinya.  In this example, these are two of the girls who sit at Aksinya and Natalya's table at school.
 

The older girl who spoke already to them introduced herself, “I am Anna Pfaff.” Anna had a round and gentle face.  A sweet smile pleasantly filled her features.  Her hair was blond.  Fraulein Pfaff continued, “Since the Lady Natalya doesn’t speak German, what country is she from?”

Aksinya grinned, “Is my German that good.  You didn’t ask what country I am from.”

One of the other girls rolled her eyes, “Anna, are you so slow?  They are Russian.  That’s obvious from their names.  I’m Diedre Vogt.  You are both Russian, aren’t you?  You escaped from the civil war?”  Diedre Vogt wore an immaculate uniform.  Her short coat and blouse looked as if they had been pressed just moments before dinner.  Her long dark brown hair was brushed to perfection, and her face was beautiful and slender.

Aksinya and Natalya nodded.

Diedre pressed her hands together, “That’s so romantic.  Where is your family?”

Lady Natalya came out of her seat again.  Aksinya didn’t stop her this time, “That is not a subject that may be discussed.”

Diedre almost fell out of her chair, “I’m sorry.  I do apologize.  I understand.”

Aksinya’s voice was a little tense, “There is no reason to apologize.  My parents, brother, and sister were murdered on the front lawn of our estate.  Only I escaped.  That is why I am the Countess Golitsyna.  The situation is equally difficult for the Lady Natalya.  You would be the best of friends not to mention it a second time.”

The table immediately became quiet again.

 

This is an example of an introduction within the framework of conversation.  Again, the point is simply that when you introduce your characters (setting the who) make sure you set the who. Show us about those characters. I'll give you more examples, tomorrow.
My Notes: once you have a theme, you need to begin to visualize your plot, focus your theme, and define 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.centurionnovelthesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.