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.
What would you like to ask a vampire? Once an author can set up the reason for a scene where a character can have a reasoned conversation with a vampire, you can ask and answer any question you wish. In my novel, the agent takes the vampire to dinner. Why not? She's hungry. In my expansion of vampires, I propose they must have human blood during the full moon--at other times they eat for sustenance and enjoyment. The vampire is dirty, and her clothing is filthy. The best they can do is get ice cream to go. George invites the vampire back to his flat. She doesn't have anywhere else to go anyway.
The ability to get a character into a safe and comfortable environment and have a conversation, is the basis of all character revelation. As an author, you don't tell us what a character thinks--you allow the characters to tell us what they think. Is it the truth? That is what revelation is all about. From the mouth of the narrator, it should be truth--the narrator is like a god. On the other hand, words from the mouth of a character might be true or they might be false. This is what builds a great novel.
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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