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 entire plot of the scene(s) I showed you were developed around the idea of tension and release as related to the theme of the novel. Each scene or section of the overall scene included a tension and release idea that was then fleshed out in the storyline. The plot outline might look something like this:
Scene 1 (for this example): Christmas party at Lyons House 19 December 2014, damp night
George and Heidi arrive late
George and Heidi meet Sveta and Daniel
Heidi and Sveta have a confrontation based on contact (tension builder)
Heidi seeks a way to break off the confrontation
Daniel restrains Sveta, Heidi removes George (release)
Scene 2: at the Party near the buffet table
Heidi and George argue about the confrontation with Sveta (tension builder)
Harold, the butler, brings wine to Heidi and helps with the buffet (release)
Heidi and George settle into an uneasy cease fire
Scene 3: at the Party
Daniel and George converse concerning the confrontation between Heidi and Sveta
Daniel makes arrangements with George for a business meeting
Heidi has disappeared (tension builder)
Scene 4: during the party, sunroom at the Lyons House
Harold, the butler, takes Heidi to the sunroom
Sveta serves tea
Sveta explains about Stele
Sveta tells Heidi who she is
Sveta wants to know what/who Heidi is (tension builder)
Heidi will not tell her
Sveta explains she has someone she wants to speak to Heidi
Sveta swears not to harm Heidi or George (release)
Heidi leaves
In this plot outline of the scenes, you note only the high points and specific points are listed. Each scene starts with a setting and the outline proceeds from that. If you review the writing, the scene is first set and then we move into the dialog and actions of the scene.
What may not be clear in each scene outline is the tension builders of the scene. That's why I added that in the outline. I also listed the release. When I outline a scene, I usually don't go to this detail. Here is the detail I use for myself:
Scene 1 (for this example): Christmas party at Lyons House 19 December 2014, damp night
Heidi and Sveta have a confrontation based on contact (tension builder)
Daniel restrains Sveta, Heidi removes George (release) (output)
Scene 2: at the Party near the buffet table
Heidi and George argue about the confrontation with Sveta (tension builder)
Harold, the butler, brings wine to Heidi and helps with the buffet (release) (output)
Scene 3: at the Party
Daniel and George converse concerning the confrontation between Heidi and Sveta
Daniel makes arrangements with George for a business meeting
Heidi has disappeared (tension builder) (output)
Scene 4: during the party, sunroom at the Lyons House
Harold, the butler, takes Heidi to the sunroom
Sveta explains about Stele
Sveta tells Heidi who she is
Sveta wants to know what/who Heidi is (tension builder)
Heidi will not tell her
Sveta explains she has someone she wants to speak to Heidi
Sveta swears not to harm Heidi or George (release)
Heidi leaves (output)
There is only a slight difference. The point I wanted to make is that you don't need a lot of details in a scene outline. What you need is the tension builder and a potential release. As you write the storyline for the scene, you might find these change slightly. Note in the second outline, I put the outputs to the scene. The output becomes the next scene implied or direct input. Since these four scenes (a set) are directly related input to output in time sequence, it isn't hard to see how they fit into each other.
Once you have a theme and begin to develop you plot, you can outline your scenes as a plot and then write them (storyline).
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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