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.
Once the vampire and the agent can sit for conversation, the real revelation can begin. In any novel, the novel can't propel itself totally through action and description. The revelation of the characters come not only from what they do, but from what they say and how they say it. Imagine what questions you would like to ask a vampire and specifically this vampire. The first might be, how did you become a vampire. Another might be, how do you like being a vampire. Perhaps, what is you daily life like as a vampire. Of course, it is unlikely your characters would ask these questions so directly, but the answers should come out of the conversation. The question of life as a vampire is natural. Where do you sleep? What do eat? Do you dream?
The answers and how they are said reveal the character and person to the reader. The author reveals the character to the reader because the character is important and interesting. Unique. Additionally, through the conversation, the author reveals the other character--that is the agent. Character and thoughts are revealed by the questions that are asked and by the response. In addition, the vampire gets to ask questions or the agent must state certain facts to help the vampire. For example, the agent's work and work schedule.
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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