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?
I should eventually show you the scene I'm talking about--perhaps I will. For now, let me describe the plot elements that drove the storyline. The first is the setting of the novel. It is set during the 2014 Christmas season. Out of this, George Mardling returned to England. There is every reason for George to be invited to the Christmas party of the director of the organization. This Christmas party is at the director's home. The director is Daniel Long and his wife, Sveta Long is the head of Stele. They are both characters from another novel I wrote, Warrior of Light. There is some wonder and beauty to have a Vampire attend a Christmas party. Of course Valeska must go to the party with George.
The moment Valeska and Sveta touch hands, the fight is on. Sveta knows immediately Valeska is not a normal human and vise versa. That is when the tension of the scene takes off--tension and release. Both George and Daniel are ignorant of what is going on--to them it looks as though Valeska is petulant and Sveta is unkind. In reality, they are measuring each other up. Valeska knows the gig is up. We don't know about Sveta.
The tension shows itself in wonderful ways. The tension is part of the plot (it comes out of the meeting of the characters)--the storyline is how the tension is revealed to the reader. Sveta and Valeska have a small spat--not an direct one, but an indirect confrontation. George and Valeska have a fight. Daniel and Sveta have a small disagreement. Eventually, Sveta invites Valeska to her sunroom for a private conversation.
The plot points are the characters, the setting in time and the setting in place. The storyline derives from 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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