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: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, 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:
My latest novel is about a girl computer genius. This isn't a simple novel, and it follows the general ideas of my other novels--so you know there will be a deity involved. In fact, the protagonist is granted the position of a Japanese kami (god). The character has a lot of issues, and as I noted, I'm working toward the climax in the novel. I had an idea where the novel was going, but I didn't know exactly what the focus of the theme would be or what trials the characters would face. My daughter thought I should include North American deities. In fact, what I did was set the novel in Tacoma, Washington (Spanaway to be exact). The Japanese deity was an immigrant to the USA--hey, it makes sense in the novel. That's the thing about novels--what I describe in a single sentence, in a novel an entire conversation and narrative ensue.
Since the novel is set in the USA, there is no reason not to include North American deities. In fact, I choose to include some native people in the novel. As I mentioned, this is a complex novel, and I'm thinking about making it be the first of a series set. The focus of the first novel is the relationship of the protagonist (super genius computer girl) and a young man who saves her. The novel begins with the saving, and the rising action builds on the understanding and development of both character's roles in the shrine and their work. Their work is an interesting part of the novel. A further complication is that the Japanese kami (deity) world is very concerned about this new kami. This becomes a center piece for the climax. One Japanese kami opposes the protagonist because she is gaining more acceptance and having a greater effect on people than he is--thus the climax.
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