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.
Self evident action in this initial scene is the meeting of the agent and the vampire; however, this is not how I wrote it. The scene I wanted to produce was a pathetic one (one filled with emotion). The agent was sent on the mission allow because it was supposed to be a simple meeting and connection. The reality was that the agent was ambushed by those he was supposed to meet. Before he meets the vampire, he is shot through the chest, and that begins the entire theme of the novel.
The vampire happened to be hunting the same person as the agent. She happened to be in the alley when the agent is shot. Can you see the picture? That is the setting and the stage I write in the initial scene. Our starving vampire is still starving--the agent chased away her prey, but she is still hungry and now his blood is being wasted on the dark cobblestones. What other question could she ask: may I dine on your blood. She has to ask the question because of the design feature I placed in my vampires: since vampires are repelled by the cross, they are equally unable to attack cross-bearers (Christians). The agent happens to be a Christian. She, therefore must ask, and he must give that permission.
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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