Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.
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 issue of the house is handelly solved. Herr Tauber had a claim, but like everything the demon has touched, even the claim is not what it seems. Herr Tauber had an advantage he believed he could take to court. The reality is that Father Dobrushin knew the full cost. The court is a just one.
Judge
Richter glanced back at his notes, “Herr Tauber, was the house damaged?”
“No.”
“You
have it back in the same condition you delivered it?”
“Yes,
but I lost three months interest…”
“I
see that is your claim.” The judge
glanced to the left, “Prosecutor Trauen, do you wish to question the witness?”
“No,
Your Honor.”
“Herr
Lopuhin?”
Father
Dobrushin jumped up. He spoke quickly,
“Herr Tauber, the Countess had the use of your house for less than three
months, but you had a surety of earnest money that is greater than the interest
and you received the house back without loss.
As far as I can tell you came out positive in this venture. What actual claims remain that you wish to
make against the Countess? It seems to
me, that you owe her money.”
“But
the contract…”
“Herr
Tauber, this is a criminal court. The
question is one of theft. It appears to
me, that the Countess did not legally make a contract with you. That rather your contract was with this
person Anatov Aznabaev. In any case, you
should return the surety and be paid the interest. How much would you then owe the Countess?”
Herr
Tauber’s lips quivered, “I suppose a thousand Marks.”
“There
is no indication of theft here at all, that is theft by the Countess from you,
rather you have potentially conducted a theft from the Countess. If I were her, I would sue you in civil court
and ask that you be tired for criminal theft.”
Prosecutor
Trauen stood, “I object to the questioning of the witness.”
Judge
Richter seemed surprised, “I’m not certain Herr Lopuhin is not
correct. This is a criminal trial
against the Princess, but the actions of Herr Tauber are close to criminal and
civil fraud. It does not seem to me that
there is any indication of theft, in this case, by the Princess. Herr Tauber, you are dismissed.”
The
house owner stood on shaking legs. He
bowed to the Princess and exited the courtroom.
The question of theft isn't answered, but it has been opened and shut in one case.
For more information, you can visit my author sitewww.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com, www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, thefoxshonor, aseasonofhonor.
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