Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore. Information can be found at www.ancientlight.com. Check out my novels--I think you'll really enjoy them.
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:
How to make the plot, theme, and resolution similar or the same. This is a cohesive novel. Theoretically, the plot, theme, and climax (resolution) should all align. In a very complex novel, if doesn't necessarily have to be at the same points, but they should still align. I mentioned that you sill find some modern novels that don't have a similar plot, theme, and resolution. An allegory doesn't necessarily have the same or a similar plot, theme, and resolution. If you remember, Aksinya is a semi-allegory. In an allegory, the theme and the plot should be different, however, they should align--that is, the theme and plot climax should be the same, they just represent different things. In my semi-allegory, Aksinya, the plot and theme are the same--the allegory runs apace the plot while the theme is similar, but different.
I'm getting a little into the weeds, but it might be worth noting. Aksinya is a semi-allegory based on Tobit. Tobit, itself is considered by many to be an allegory in its own right. In Tobit, the demon is beaten by an angel because of the faith and trustworthiness of Tobias and Sara. In Aksinya, Aksinya calls a demon and contracts it. She becomes an active Sara who pines for release and marriage. Her Tobias is Father Dobrushin. The dog is Natalya--sorry Natalya. The theme is the release of Aksinya from the demon. The plot is the release of Aksinya from the demon. One must happen before the other. Aksinya's problem is sin. Luxuria and sorcery are her sin and her temptation. She must overcome these before she can obtain release from the demon. Thus, there is a theme climax and a plot climax in the novel, Aksinya. Both are similar, but within the plot, they are different. This is a complex alignment of the plot, theme, and climax, but I think you can see how it all fits together. The point for your novel(s) is to make everything come together properly.
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