Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.
The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:
1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.
All novels have five discrete parts:
1. The initial scene (the beginning)
2. The rising action
3. The climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement
The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.
The agent character starts with an idea. The agent is a covert agent. I already have an organization and a protocol for this type of agent. I've used them and the organization in many of my novels. So, for this particular agent, I used "the organization." I already described this agency of the British government and explained that it came from MI-19 after WWII. My agent is a covert agent who is also a share to MI-6. MI-6 is the British equivalent to the CIA. They accomplish spying and work on foreign shores. James Bond is an MI-6 agent.
I started with a name for the agent. I put it together the way I do most of my novels. I needed a good British name and one I haven't used for a major character before. I chose George. For the last name, I chose to use an unusual British name and selected Mardling. I didn't intend for the name to mean much--it is an nondescript British name. The character is supposed to be nondescript and at the same time, the protagonist.
Mr. Mardling was an agent share to MI-6 and with his partner David Shear, they work as muscle (embassy protection) for Sir Rolland. Sir Rolland is the secretary to the British ambassador in Poland. That doesn't mean he takes notes, it means that he represents the British ambassador in the more tedious and important behind the scenes meetings.
With this theme statement I am ready to tackle the novel. The next step was to flesh out the characters and the setting.
More tomorrow.
For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com
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