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?
If you realize that every scene must be entertaining and exciting and that each scene must be critical to the development of the plot and theme, then you are already thinking correctly about writing a novel. The development of the scenes is the plot and storyline.
It can be as simple as this: if you imagine an exciting interaction between your characters or your characters and the world of your novel, you have the elements for a scene and potentially a means to move your plot forward. For example, I mentioned yesterday I wanted an scene where Valeska, the vampire girl, was confronted by "the authorities" of the organization. I'll explain a little about Stele, part of the organization. Stele is an office in the organization whose purpose is to protect Britain from the supernatural. In my other books, I posit the interaction and closeness of magic, sorcery, ancient gods and creatures, and miracles within the modern world. All these things are unknown and unperceived by the average person, but they are real (in my novels).
I originally pictured the confrontation of Valeska with Stele as adversarial, multi-member, and direct. As I wrote the novel, it became less direct and singular but still adversarial. I originally pictured the conformation as an attack and warning, it became something much better in the plot. In fact, the characters through the storyline developed the confrontation in the plot into a very powerful scene. It took place at a Christmas party.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment