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.
You don't need backstory to introduce and describe characters--all you need to do is describe the characters and the action. When I write "describe the characters," I mean physically--show and don't tell. Therefore, when I describe the vampire girl, she looks like she is a malnourished fifteen year old who is wearing a soiled party dress. I do give a little more--her eyes are strange, she has fangs, and a long pointed tongue. Still, seeing her, I don't tell you she is a vampire--that would be telling.
The protagonist is a man on a mission. Only a little information here. He was sent to meet with an Eastern European due to his language skills. His office asked for the work because of his language skills and from a Polish Police request. The man is an agent. I don't tell you that either--that would be telling. Instead, I describe a man who is packing and using a night vision goggle past midnight.
This is the setup: a man who is obviously on some type of police mission and a hunting vampire. Their meeting is a part of the action in the initial scene.
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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