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.
Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:
An ah ha moment is a concept in showing. For example, if I show you a blush, or tears, or an embarrassed chuckle, you might guess a character is in love. A wise author doesn't tell us that he loves her, a wise author shows us that he loves her. You might throw in a well placed confession of love, but that is simply gravy for those who couldn't get the point of every other indicator. However, if a character shows absolutely not indications of love and suddenly confesses love--the author has sent a very powerful signal.
Showing means there is consistent actions and words throughout a novel. Words that are not consistent with actions or indications mean something is really wrong. An author who is writing in the groove knows this and uses this. On the other hand, if you tell us he loves her and there is no indications and no words, what does your statement mean. Does it mean anything at all. In fact, when an author moves into the omniscient and tell us something, that is truth--isn't it? I mean, that is like the hand of God stepping in to deliver a truth to the world of the writing. It also means the world of the writing has turned into pure fantasy.
If I show you a blush and a tear and an embarrassed chuckle, I might have shown you love. When the character states, "I love you," he might be telling the truth--perhaps not. The ah ha moment is when the reader realizes that the character is lying--or not.
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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