Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 309, Paragraph Initial Scene

13 February 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 309, Paragraph Initial Scene

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.

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 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

I'll make a slight digression because I'm developing advertising and publisher materials for my newest completed novel, Lilly.  Here is the cover proposal for Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer. 

Cover Propsal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene.  I'm writing about the initial scene of my newest novel, "Escape."  Escape is the working title.  I'll decide on the proposed title when I finish the novel.  I'm at the eight chapter right now.  That means I've written about 160 pages.

The entertainment (and excitement) should start with the first sentence and paragraph and grow to envelope the first scene.  Here is the first paragraph from Escape (working title).

V10+S10537 Rebecka trudged home alone from the Development Center.  She took the shortcut across the headlands instead of the main road—that way she wouldn’t have to see the pictures of the supreme leader or read the current slogans posted along the way.  She was a sensitivity level ten plus for visual and a sensitivity level ten for smell.  The colors of the posters always upset her and the smell of the processing facility made her nauseous.  Usually Racheal, Robin, and Ruth walked home with her this way, but they had not been released from their shift right away and Rebecka was hungry plus her head hurt.  She always finished her quota early and usually, Robin released her from their shift on time.

I suspect I could bring a little more excitement into the initial paragraph by focusing on Scott first.  Scott is piloting the shuttle way above Reb.  Let's see what I am trying to do with this initial paragraph.  I'd be interested to know if it excites you enough to want to read the novel.

I wanted to start with balance--the life of Reb and a little about her.  This is the purpose of this first paragraph.  I want to present an odd existence--an existence that cries out to be understood.  An existence that I want my readers to desire more about.  That's why I start with her name which is like a social security number.  In her society the name has been replaced with a code. 

In this first paragraph, I provide a bunch of unsolved mysteries, secrets if you like, that will be revealed in the novel.  The first and most obvious is her name code.  The second is the Development Center.  Next is the pictures and slogans.  Then her skills--they are more than human.  Secondary are her friends and her work.  These aren't mysteries so much as description to fill out her life--and to draw in the reader.  That's the point of everything, to draw in the reader--the more intimate the better.

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