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 my newest novel, Valeska, is this: 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:
The plot is developed directly from the theme. The first steps are fleshing out the characters (not accomplished in the novel, but before writing the novel) and the setting. The main characters and the setting come directly out of the theme. The characters are revealed through the storyline that is based on the plot. Then how do you get to the plot?
The plot is really the invention of the imagination, but it is a high level development. The storyline is where all the action occurs. The plot if the thing you can really outline if you wish. It is the point your are writing the storyline to and that reveals the theme. I like to write using scenes. If you write this way, your plot outline might be by scene. To tell you the truth, I outline very generally by the parts of a novel. I have a general idea what the climax is supposed to be, and I write to the climax. I know this may not sound very planned or scientific, but in my use of imagination and creativity, I like the characters and the plot to tell their own story. I know very generally where I'm going and let the novel take its course. My interjections are the main events of the scenes that provide entertainment and excitement through the novel.
For example, in Valeska, I brought the main characters to Britain. The recounting of those travels is a fun scene. I knew I wanted a scene where Valeska encounters a member of Stele unexpectedly. Stele is the secret organization that protects Britain from the supernatural. Since Valeska is a vampire, I figured there would be some kind of fireworks. Stele doesn't know what kind of creature Valeska is. They are interested in her from the reports from Poland. This scene, like most scenes in my novels is pivotal. The encounter between Sveta Long, the head of Stele, and Valeska propel the novel. In the case of each scene, this is how I progress the plot.
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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