Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its 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 many 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.
This is the second marriage prayer for blessing. There isn't really a lot I can say about these prayers and the marriage ceremony in the context of the novel. That is, in the novel, I am giving you an actual marriage ceremony. My intent is to try to provide this little piece of history a context and a reality. I want to give the actions and the words together for prosperity.
Father Makar, “For
to you belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”
They replied, “Amen.”
Dobrushin
announced, “Let us pray to the Lord.”
Ekaterina, “Lord,
have mercy.”
Father Makar
prayed, “God most pure, Author of all creation, through your love for mankind
you transformed the rib of our forefather Adam into a woman and blessed them
saying, ‘Increase and multiply and have dominion over the earth’, and declared
them both to be one through wedlock, ‘for because of this a man will abandon
his father and mother and be attached to his own wife, and the two shall become
one flesh’ and ‘those whom God has joined together, let no human separate’. You blessed your servant Abraham and opened
Sara’s womb, making him the father of many nations. You gave Isaac to Rebecca and blessed her
offspring. You joined Jacob with Rachel
and from him revealed the Twelve Patriarchs.
You yoked together Joseph and Aseneth and gave them as the fruit of
their union Ephraim and Manassee. You
accepted Zachary and Elisabeth and declared their offspring to be the
Forerunner. You made the Ever-Virgin
spring from the root of Jesse according to the flesh, and from her you became
incarnate and were born for the salvation of the human race. Through your ineffable gift and great
goodness you were present in Cana of Galilee and blessed the marriage there, to
show that lawful wedlock and the begetting of children that comes from it is
your will. All-holy Master, accept the
entreaty of us, your suppliants, and, as you were present there, be present
here also with your invisible protection.
Bless this marriage and grant to these servants of yours, Dobrushin
Sergeevich
Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya
Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, love for each other
in the bond of peace, long-lived offspring, grace in their children and an
unfading crown of glory. Grant that they
may see their children’s children. Preserve
their marriage bed unassailed. Give them
of the dew of heaven from on high and of the richness of the earth. Fill their houses with wheat, wine and oil
and every good thing, so that they may also share them with those in need. Grant also to those here with them all their
requests that are for salvation. Because you are a God of mercy and compassion
and love for humankind, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who
has no beginning, and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for
ever, and to the ages of ages.”
“Amen.”
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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