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.
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.
Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.
The scene has been set, but here we have another transition with new characters introduced. Note, especially, the description of Ernst's father and the introductions. I use introducitons to reinforce the descriptions and tags I use with characters. It is one thing to note them to your readers in a descirption--it is quite another thing to put them in the words of another character.
When their coupe
arrived at front of the house, Ernst ran out and stopped at the carriage door
before the vehicle came to a complete stop.
He was dressed formally in dark tails, but didn’t have on his top
hat. He yanked open the door before the
doorman or the driver could. Aunt
Brunhilda grasped Aksinya’s arm and pulled her up. She whispered with a smile, “Greet him
first. He’s looking for you.”
Aksinya came to
the door, and Ernst put out his hand. Aksinya
allowed him to help her from the coupe.
She was dressed in a light blue gown that had silver highlights sewn
into the fabric. The gown flowed gently
over her body. The top was high with a
straight collar that accentuated her very thin body and small bosom. Her hat was a small square of blue lace with
a very light veil that only reached as long as her bangs. Like always, Natalya had chosen the clothing
for her. Aksinya had not closed her long
mink cloak and that framed her body and the dress. Ernst stared at her for a moment then he put
his lips close to her gloved hand and bowed deeply over it. His warm breath swirled with small clouds in
the cold air, “Countess Golitsyna, welcome to Steinholtz.” He raised his head and gazed in her eyes with
such a strange and fervent expression, she blushed.
The doorman and
driver helped the Freiherr and Freifrau from the coupe and then Natalya. Finally, without moving his eyes from Aksinya,
Ernst turned partially toward the Freiherr and Freifrau, “Good evening Freiherr
and Freifrau Bockmann.” After a moment,
Ernst managed to drag his eyes from Aksinya and to the Freiherr. He gave a slight bow to the nobleman, and
then took Freifrau Bockmann’s hand and bowed over it.
A man who looked
like an older copy of Ernst descended the marble steps from the house. He was dressed in very conservative formal
tails. His top hat sat jauntily on his
head. A great smile filled his
features. He laughed, “Ernst, the
Freiherr and the Freifrau I know. Please
introduce me to your friend.”
Ernst offered his
arm to Aksinya and walked her to the gentleman, “Father, this is the Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna. Countess, this is my
father, the Graf Franz von Taaffe.”
Aksinya proffered
her gloved hand, and The Graf took it and bowed over it. When he raised his head, his eyes twinkled,
“Good evening, Countess and welcome to Steinholtz. My son has truly chosen to court a treasure.”
Aksinya blushed at
that too.
The Graf
reluctantly, Aksinya thought, released her hand and turned toward her aunt and
uncle. The Freiherr gave slight bow and
the Freifrau a curtsy. Graf von Taaffe
grasped the Freiherr’s hand and pumped it up and down. He bowed over Freifrau Bockmann’s hand.
Aksinya reached
behind her and pulled Natalya forward.
Lady Natalya made a low curtsy.
Aksinya put out her hand, “Graf von Taaffe, this is my lady-in-waiting,
the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna
Obolenska.”
Graf von Taaffe bowed over Natalya’s hand, “I
have heard about your good friend also, Countess Golitsyna. You are also welcome,
Lady Obolenska. That is a name of
Russian nobility, is it not?”
Aksinya answered for Natalya, “The Lady
Natalya is a member of the court.”
Graf von Taaffe turned his smile back to
Aksinya, “Is that so? Then we are all
well met.”
Aksinya continued, “You may address her as
the Lady Natalya.”
Graf von Taaffe grinned at Aksinya, “I do
understand the formality of the Russian court, but you may address me as Franz
if you wish, Countess.”
“I have not given Ernst the favor of that
informality with me, yet, sir. I am a
little old fashioned in my thinking. I
hope you don’t mind.”
The Graf seemed even more pleased, “I
understand completely, Countess. Very
well, it is cold outside, and I understand your delicate nature. Please, let us retire to the ballroom. There are refreshments, and I’m certain, my
guests would like to make your acquaintance.”
The Graf extended his arm toward Aksinya. She took it.
Ernst frowned and gave his arm to Natalya. They made their way into the
house with the Graf von Taaffe and the Countess Golitsyna in the lead.
A very complex conversation is included in this scene. It is completely timely to the era of the novel. It is definitely foreign to the normal modern view of place and the way people are addressed. These details are critical for any historical novel.
The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.
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, www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, thefoxshonor, aseasonofhonor.
No comments:
Post a Comment