Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 143, more action Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

31 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 143, more action Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

Description can also be incorporated into conversation and action narration.  In fact, a perfect balance in modern writing is to deviate from early writing in this regard.  In the past, writers many times would write extensive passages of description and scene setting.  They generally placed these long passages at the beginning of the scene--they were excellent settings, but too much.  A perfect example of this can be found on Mill on the Floss. The author goes on and on in description to build the world of the place.  This might have appealed during the high days of Dickens, but it won't cut it today.  Unfortunately, today, authors seem to have lost the fine sense of scene development and dig immediately into the action.

If you see novel writing as character revelation, you should be able to realize both the problem with Dickens' era over description, and modern lack of description.  In the early days of the novel, you can cut the writers some slack for overusing the omniscient and narrative voice.  They were developing the art of the novel.  Today, you have too many good examples to not understand.  If you take my rules of thumb, developed from Arlo Guthrie's Field Guide to Writing and use at least 300 words for your major characters and 100 words for minor characters.  For a scene setting, use at least 300 words.  These are minimums, but the will give you a good basis for descriptions.

Now, realize that all the other stuff the Victorian Era writers were trying to put in their descriptions must come with character and place revelation.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 142, action Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

30 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 142, action Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

Action content and word usage to build entertainment in description is accomplished by the careful selection of the right verbs and through figures of speech.  It is impossible to no use identity constructions in description, but a good writer attempts to reduce identity constructions as much as possible.  An identity construction is made through the use of is, was, am, were.  For example, the chair was yellow is an identity construction.  Something better (and more entertaining), the chair exuded the feeling of mustard--it smelled a little of old hotdog.  This is just an example to get you thinking--I'm not sure I'd use it in one of my novels, but the point is to not just state (identify) a thing with a simple verb, but to use verbs other than is, was, am, or were.  Additionally, you can see in the improved example, I added smell to the description.

Descriptions are more than visual.  Descriptions must incorporate all the senses.  In setting a scene, the writer needs to consciously include all fie senses.  Imagine the imagination of your readers to be a framework in more than one dimension.  That framework has five dimensions.  I wrote before that a writer does not fully describe anything.  A writer builds a framework for the imagination of the reader.  That framework has five dimensions.  If you leave one or more out, you will not engage the true power of your reader's imagination.  On the other hand, don't inundate your readers with unimportant or unneeded information.  Descriptions should be sufficient, entertaining, filled with action, and reasonable.  The reason I gave you this as an assignment and as an example first is because the scene setting (description) is the beginning of every scene.  There are other descriptions as well.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 141, more entertaining Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

29 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 141, more entertaining Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

Entertainment comes in multiple varieties, but in writing we see two very strong strains.  The first is the action content and the second is the word usage.  Action or conversation content is any excitement or banter that occurs in the narrative or conversation.  In scene setting, there is no action (or little action) and no conversation.  The way to interject entertainment into scene setting is through the use of words.  In English (and other languages) this mean figures of speech.  The means of interjecting entertainment in a scene setting is through the choice of words used.  The ultimate example of poor scene setting is: it was a dark and stormy night.  An entertaining means of writing the same idea would be:  the night was filled with raging clouds that cascaded bright bolts of lightening from cloud to cloud.  You could increase the entertainment by writing: the black night was illuminated by brilliant flashes that fell from the heavy weeping clouds.  Think about it, there are a million ways to write an entertaining scene setting.  Even the description of a room can come alive thought figures of speech and proper description.

This is what I mean by entertaining.  If you take your assignment to write a room description and edit it to be filled with figures of speech and action words, you will be beginning to write like a novelist.  Notice, I wrote action words.  "It was a dark and stormy night," has no action words--it has a identity construction (was).  I've written before that you should reduce identity constructions from your writing.  They are generally not necessary or they can be replace with an action word (verb).  That is not to say was, is, am, are not verbs--it is to say that these are identity verbs that can be many times replaced with more powerful verbs.  In my writing, I do a search for these verbs (is, am, was, were) and try to reduce them as much as possible.  Action words (verbs) are the bread and butter of good writing.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 140, entertaining Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

28 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 140, entertaining Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

If you accomplished the assignment to describe the room you are in, you have a first draft.  The next step is to edit this first draft.  Of course you should fix any grammar, spelling, or punctuation problems.  These are basics and shouldn't even need to come into consideration in terms of this level of writing skills.  Now, you may say, but I notice some errors in your writing.  No kidding.  There are always basic grammar errors in all writing--sometimes they slip through into published books.  Forgive your writers and realize errors come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but there is a difference between knowing better and not realizing there is a problem.

Back to the point at hand.  Editing does mean fixing any errors in the writing you find, but editing primarily means getting your point across.  Writing on the most basic level is about communicating. Writing on the novel level is always about entertaining.  So, the primary of writing is this--did I get across the description of a room (this room).  Many writers find that they write too much and must pare back their words.  I find the opposite.  I usually add words to clarify.  Clarity is very important to me and in the communication process.  Writing is not about using the least words possible, nor is it about using the most words possible.  It is about using the words that are necessary, and if you are writing a novel--it is always about being entertaining.  Entertaining and entertainment is the focus.  This is the goal of all novel writing.  I will say, it is the goal of all good fiction writing.  The problem is, how do we interject entertainment into the description of a room (scene setting).

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 139, expanding Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

27 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 139, expanding Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

Did you try the assignment.  I recommended, that if you didn't have any other ideas, and you want to learn to write, begin by describing the room you are in.  You can be as complex or as simple as you like, but write something you would like to read.  Write something enjoyable to you. 

Perhaps, just the setting of the room doesn't flip your switch.  If you want to be a good writer, you must find a way to make your description entertaining.  There is the ultimate point.  All good writing must be entertaining.  If it isn't entertaining, it isn't good--it can't be.  The question on the table is how can you write your scene setting to be entertaining?  This is the preeminent question for every writer.  Perhaps your first draft is a great scene setting and entertaining.  Good, you understand writing; however, if you are like most of us, you will edit what you wrote and find it is lacking in some way.

Primarily, can you understand your description. If it doesn't make sense or it is not complete, you need to revise.  On the other hand, if it is too verbose or doesn't stick to the subject at hand, you need to revise.  The next step is words and entertainment.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 138, beginning Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

26 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 138, beginning Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

Once you have a basis for your writing, you need to begin to write.  I'll assume you already know how to write, and you just need the skills of a novelist to proceed.  If you don't really know how to write, you need to take a class.  I'm not kidding.  The average person comes out of school with very poor writing skills--I'm not writing about poor novel writing skills.  I'm writing about poor any kind of writing skills.  The ability to put together a cogent sentence is remarkably missing in a majority of graduates.  It is unfortunately probable that if you are in this boat, you don't realize how poor your writing skills are. The self-esteem movement has deluded people about their skills and abilities for more than twenty years.  It is highly likely, as a graduate from college, you think you really know something--like writing, but that you can't write your way out of a wet paper bag.  Don't worry, if you think you can write and you follow my directions, you can really get to be a good writer.  I do hope you understand about verbs, nouns, and such.

I'm not trying to put anyone down, but one of the most important mindsets for a writer is to realize they need help and correction.  Correction is the word and the most important word.  Many people imagine they have some skill--at something.  It doesn't matter what.  If you imagine you have some skill, but you are unwilling to take corrections to improve, you will never get better.  A successful writer realizes she/he always can and needs to improve her/his writing.  Perhaps the first step in becoming a skilled writer is to realize you aren't.  The next step is easy--start to write.  If you haven't been writing since you were a child, you might recheck your desires, but you might also be a late bloomer.  I've found that most real writers always wanted to write and wrote fiction from their childhood.

Start to write.  If you aren't writing right now--start to write.  If you need a push--here's one.  Describe the room you are sitting in.  Describe it in detail.  Try to make the words sing.  This is the beginning of scene setting--a primary writing skill.   

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 137, Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

25 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 137, Writing skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

If you are well read and love to read, you may have a chance at writing.  Notice the requirements for writing are to love to read and to be well read.  If you are missing either, you don't have a chance.  When I write, well read, I don't mean you have read modern kid or adult novels.  I mean that you have read the classics.  The classics are novels written before about 1960 and still in print.  Go to the classics section of a bookstore--if you can find one, or check a list for classics.  Don't be fooled by the kind of stuff they are trying to sell as "classics" in college or school.  Some is there for political correctness reasons and some is there for social justice reasons--no ideology produces good writing (or classics) because ideology is the opposite of the point in writing. 

Writing is all about entertaining.  Writing is not about provoking, spreading, influencing, or pursuing an ideology.  If what you read is not entertaining, it is not good writing.  My favorite example of bad writing is James Joyce.  James Joyce is about as interesting to read as a Picasso is to look at.  James Joyce is not an entertaining writer.  If you haven't read James Joyce, you should so you understand what you shouldn't write.  James Joyce's novels are usually included in lists of classics.  Few would call his writing understandable, entertaining, or meaningful.  This is an example of lack of understanding of what writing is all about and what good writing is all about.

Writing is about entertaining.  So, once you have all the skills of writing down, your writing is supposed to be entertaining.  The type of writing you find entertaining (what you read), you should attempt to imitate.  Not copy, but imitate the style and skills of the writers you admire.  This is what I have been getting at about writing.  I've been trying to give you some type of standard to base your reading and writing on.  The problem is that if you don't base your writing on "great" novels, you will not produce very high quality writing.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 136, more Senses reading skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

24 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 136, more Senses reading skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I'm trying to reflect on reading for the purpose of getting good examples of how to write.  The primary point is to read great literature so you can write great literature.  I'm also relating appropriate scene development to great literature to show how you should approach writing.  You should read great literature to gain examples.  You should evaluate what you read to see how those authors approached writing, and you should use their good examples to improve your writing.

I noted for you, that great authors build a framework of description for their readers to hang their imagination on.  You can't and you shouldn't try to make all encompassing descriptions, rather, you want descriptions that evoke the reader's imagination.  This is why I suggest, support, and encourage using figures of speech in every way shape and form in your descriptions.  From comparisons to metaphors to every figure of speech possible, I encourage you to write in those types of forms.  For example:

     The fragrant yellow flowers lined the side of the path like blond soldiers nodding sleepily at their guard stations.

Some might argue that the above sentence is illogical--it is in some degree, but you get it.  Anyone who reads it will get the feel of the moment and will see the description in their minds.  This is simply a great description in English.  It can be tightened up and improved.  My point isn't to give a full and complete product, but rather a quick example of a thought provoking description.  So remember, description is required.  It is a key in scene setting.  Reading is how you begin to build your writing skills, but writing is what it is all about.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 135, Senses reading skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

23 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 135, Senses reading skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

Descriptions reflect the senses.  There are five and only five: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.  Most authors only give you sight.  Talk about a constrained world.  The first problem with a lot of the modern writing I see is inadequate description, but add to that, the description is only what is seen.  Look, people have five senses--an author needs to engage all the senses of the reader. 

This is something to note in your reading.  If the author you are reading isn't writing about the other areas of possible description, the framework, the reader's imagination is supposed to cover will be missing a piece.  This is not to say, the writer needs to set every scene with a list of what is seen, heard, smelled, felt, and tasted.  It wouldn't hurt sometimes, but a list isn't what is necessary.  What is necessary is a scene setting, a description, of the place and characters that gives us a human view of the world of the writing.  As I mentioned, this view is only a framework for the reader's imagination, but an incomplete framework is pitiful, and complete framework conveys the writer's ideas.

As you read, look for the framework of description and then improve on it.  You don't usually need more words--you need words.  That is you need to focus attention on scene setting and character description in all five senses.  If you are missing this part in your writing, work to add it in.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 134, more reading skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

22 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 134, more reading skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

If you realize that a writer is not a thought controller, but rather an imagination herder, you will begin to understand the power of writing.  The writer places elements into the mind of the reader, and the reader applies the imagination to make the plot and theme play out.  This is why I use the example of scene setting like the stage of a play.  No stage really looks exactly like any place in the world.  Usually, the stage designer doesn't even try to make it real.  They place enough paint and fake woodwork so the audience turns their framework into a house or a lawn or a bowling alley. 

A novel is exactly the same, except instead of fake woodwork and paint, the writer has stronger tools.  Words can weave a reality that isn't real at all.  Some writers paint their scenes using metaphor and comparisons.  Some writers just directly describe the scene.  Some writers use their characters to describe the scene.  Some just jumble it all up together.  As long as you systematically set your scenes and provide strong descriptions for your readers, I'm happy, and you readers will be happy.

In my experience with many new novels, the writers do not know how to set the scenes or describe their characters.  What you get is too much framework of action and adventure with too little paint or fake woodwork on it.  This is like watching a black and white movie with blurry scenes and people.  The writer needs to bring the characters and the scenes into focus and the way to achieve this is through description.  Here's where reading is critical--and I mean reading classics.  Pick up one of those old novels and read the detail the writers placed in their books.  Look at the metaphors and descriptive phrases.  You can see the pictures they want you to see.  You should be able to see, hear, smell, feel, and taste each scene.  That's next.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 133, reading skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

21 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 133, reading skills how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

So, how are your reading skills?  Can you read and evaluate what you read?  Can you articulate what you read?  Can you act out what you read?  The ability to act out a scene--at least in your mind is essential to the ability to write.  You have to visualize a scene to write it.  You have to visualize a scene to understand it. I ask this because it is a basic and essential reading skill that becomes a writing skill.

Reading is the basic skill.  You take coherently written words from a page and understand them in their original sense--a mental picture.  In writing you take a mental picture (video) and turn it into a coherently written set of words on a page.  I don't buy the idea that everyone self interprets.  I understand where this idea comes from.  I intentionally use the idea that every reader will interpret parts of my writing differently than I do.  This is why authors intentionally give their readers latitude in the writing.  The point, as a writer, is not to define and control every characteristic of the novel, but rather to herd the imagination of the reader.  The author does not want to be misunderstood or misinterpreted about the important aspects of the storyline.  The author intentionally allows (herds) the imagination of the reader for the rest. 

Let's put it this way.  Your experience as a reader should make it obvious that the writer can't control every aspect of description and narration.  The writer produces a proper framework over which the reader drapes their imagination.  Just writing this: a chair was in the room.  Conjures a picture in the mind of the reader.  Add this: a chair with a high back was in the room--the reader gets an entirely new picture.  Change it to this: a high back chair with a black and yellow flowered print was in the room--gives a new picture.  The author can't completely control the picture.  The author can place the correct elements of the picture into the mind of the reader.  The point for the writer is this, is a normal, general "chair" required for the plot and theme or is a "high back chair with a certain print" required for the plot and theme.  The tools you gain by seeing how other authors tackled this question is very important to your growth as an author.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 132, still more skill development in writing how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

20 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 132, still more skill development in writing how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

The number one skill you need as a writer is the ability to read.  It would help if you could act at least a little.  Like when you read to your kids or grandkids.  Do you use different voices for each character?  Do you act out the story?  This is the way you need to be able to read. It would help if you could make even the lousiest piece of writing sound interesting.  This is the point of great literature--the author makes the writing sound great.  If you take some of Shakespeare at face value, the writing is terrible, but Shakespeare made the writing great by the way he put it together and the words he used.  Learn to read and read a lot.  I mentioned what you should read.  Perhaps it is worthwhile to evaluate what to read. 

Like I said, find the best in your genre.  If you write science fiction, I'd suggest Ray Bradbury, Jack Vance, Frank Herbert. early Robert Heinlein. If you write historical fiction, I'd suggest Sir Walter Scott, Shakespeare, Dickens.  Hey, I think most modern historical fiction authors aren't worth reading.  I haven't read many I think know what the ancient world really was like. If they don't understand the world they are writing about, they can't be very good writers.  Shakespeare isn't very good for history either, but that's another question.  He understood the details that he could know, he just didn't have very good sources.  You don't have that excuse.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 131, more skill development in writing how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

19 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 131, more skill development in writing how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase for the publication of my new novels.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

Writing is getting better.  It is evolving.  In the beginning was poetry that became the ballades of the skalds and troubadours.  Those became epic poetry--the Oddessy and the Iliad--Beowulf.  The writers produced short stories and collections of short stories--Decameron.  Eventually Miazaki wrote the first novel, Genshi and Cervantes wrote Don Quiote.  Eventually, Defoe wrote Moll Flanders and that was the beginning of the novel in the English language.  Defoe wrote in a journalistic style, in the first person, and present tense.  The novel has evolved.  It has become something very different than it's beginning.

Writers have evolved the form and the style of the novel.  It is now third person, past tense, and implying the future or a future present.  Novels have evolved, and we should expect them to evolve more.  What is the future of novels?  I suspect they will generally have the form of third person, past tense, implying the future.  We call this science fiction, but I suspect novels will be more and more of a future and scientific basis without much science fiction in them.  They will have science fiction features without much extrapolation of technology.  That is what we are seeing in novels right now.

When you write, I suggest, you take advantage of my observations.  Write third person, past tense, and if your novel is in the present then us a future present.  I set all my novels in time.  I like to use real time and places.  The trick in grounding your writing is to make it fit these basic criteria.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 130, skill development in writing how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

18 August 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 130, skill development in writing how to develop Storyline, Entertaining, Rising Action

Announcement: We are in the countdown phase.  The date on the internet is 1 September.  We will see how close we come, or if the publishers meet the deadline.  My Aegypt novels will be titled Ancient Light, and the next two books will be called Sister of Light  and  Sister of Darkness.  These were the original titles.  They will be released individually and as a 3 in 1 volume.  The proposed cover and info can be found at www.ancientlight.com.  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.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

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:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

Let's talk about skill development as a writer.  I mentioned generally that you should read and write.  I've given some ideas about how to develop writing skills, but I'd like to drill a little deeper.  First, reading.  What to read and how to read.  What to read is very simple.  Focus your reading on books styles or types you would like to write and intermix those with classic literature.  So, if you want to write science fiction, read Vance, Heinlein, Clark, Asimov, Herbert, and all.  For each of these books you read, read a classic.  Read, Robinson Caruso, Ivanhoe, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Oliver Twist, and all.  You certainly can't expect to become a great writer if you don't know what great is, and great in science fiction isn't necessarily great in literature.  In fact, one of the great problems with science fiction is that it has not earned the gravitas of other genre of literature.  I'll leave it to you to determine if that is a problem of the writing or the reading.

Read in the genre you wish to write in and read classics.  By the way, anything from a living writer or post 1950 cannot really be declared a classic.  I will throw in that Ray Bradbury is likely the greatest modern writer and his works will be considered classics.  Dandelion Wine is perhaps the best work in the English language and the best work from the 20th Century.  Writing is getting better in time.  So, although I state Ray Bradbury has produced one if not the best work in English, there is hope for you too.  Writing is getting better in time.  That is why it is necessary to read classics and modern works in your genre.          

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