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.
Part of the reason to select Gdansk, Poland was personal. I know the culture, and I know the general area. I know about the history. This makes the setting much easier to write about. The setting is also slightly mysterious and romantic.
Gdansk is a city on the coast with a strong maritime history. It also, as I mentioned before, has many important embassies that were established their because of Prussia and because of the Polish reunification following World War Two. The setting is perfect for an accidental meeting. It is an old city with the modern mixed in. It is an important city, but little known by many of my readers. The lack of familiarity gives it an even greater mysterious flavor. The city itself has a flavor of the east and a flavor of the west. It is a kind of crossroads.
I liked the feel of the city and of the environment. There are other reasons for this place as the initial setting, but that will come out as I describe the novel in more detail.
With the main characters and the setting, we can begin the novel. The first step is to develop the initial scene. The initial scene must be an action oriented scene that grabs the reader and propels them into the novel.
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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