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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 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo shuttle pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.
Here is the cover proposal for Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer. Lilly is my 24th novel.
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| Cover Proposal |
A very great problem for many inexperienced writers is conversation. They believe their writing of conversation sounds trite and forced. They want to know the tricks to writing good conversation. This is a great aspiration and an important skill. My novels are about 90% conversation. I love to write conversation, and I see it as the major tool of the novelist. I'll spend some time defining what makes good written conversation in a novel, and how to write it.
Here is the example from my newest novel Escape (working title). This section still needs some work, but I'll use it as an example of conversation in a novel.
Let's look at the content of this conversation. This is the initial meeting of the protagonist and the protagonist's helper. This is truly a critical event in the novel. It is the point from which the entire novel moves. Notice the options from either side. Reb could turn Scott into the officials of her nation. She could walk away. She could hide. She could lead the Armed Citizens to him.
On the other hand, Scott could attack her. He could stay with her until the officials arrive. He could turn her in. He could surrender to the officials. The choices each of these people make are the impetuous for the entire novel. Their choices are driven by their desires and knowledge. Reb, the protagonist is the control. She wants to be free. Scott has o idea what to expect. The purpose and content of the conversation must encourage him to do Reb's will. If you notice, the first event in the conversation is Scott's greeting.
Scott unlatched the helmet at the neck and pulled it off, “Hi there. Are you all right?”
[Again, we expect her return greeting.}
Rebecka could understand his words although the accent was strange to her ears. She was breathless, “Did you come to get me?”
[Instead there is her driving question. She wants to escape--she imagines Scott has come for her.]
The man stood straight as though the question caught him completely off guard, “To get you?” He took a moment to regain his thoughts, “No my engine failed. I’m afraid I’m stuck until they rescue me…” The last sounded slightly desperate in his ears. “Do you think I could get some help here?”
[Scott response to her--this is a logical response. He asks for help.]
Rebecka shook her head slowly, “This is Freedom. I’ve never heard of anyone coming here from anywhere else before.”
[The question is help. She has nothing to give him--there is no help from the nation of Freedom.]
“Freedom? That’s an odd name for this place. Could you help me?”
[This is an important question for Reb--she hasn't contemplated helping anyone else. We will find, in the novel, that help is not something the Citizens of Freedom give eve to one another.]
Rebecka stood in contemplation for a long time.
[This is why she thinks about it.]
Finally, Scott asked again, “Can you help me?”
[The key question again.]
“Do you really think they will come for you?”
[The second most important question for Reb. The first is "Will you take me with you?"]
“Eventually…,” But that didn’t sound very reassuring either.”
“If you will take me with you when you leave here—I’ll help you…”
[The question.]
“Take you with me?”
“Listen to me. You don’t stand a chance here without help. If you will take me with you, I will do everything in my power to help you.”
[The argument.]
“I’m not so sure about that.”
Rebecka stuck her hands on her hips, “Do we have an agreement or not? If you wait too long, the armed citizens will come and take you away. If that happens, you will be judged and categorized. If that happens, I don’t think you will ever leave here.”
“Judged and categorized…what’s that?”
“Listen to me very carefully. I can see you know nothing about this place…”
“You’re right about that.”
“You don’t stand a chance without help. I will help you, but you must promise to take me with you.”
Scott thought for a moment. A sudden noise from the west startled them both.
Rebecka stamped her foot, “We don’t have very long. Make up your mind…”
Scott sighed, “If you will help me, I’ll do anything you wish…”
“Is that a promise? Do you swear?”
“I swear.”
“As a citizen…”
“I’m not a citizen.”
Rebecka was taken aback, “You do swear by all you hold sacred?”
“I swear.”
Rebecka stepped up to him and grasped his gloved hand, “Then come with me.”
The point of this conversation is to launch the novel. Reb must convince Scott to go with her. The end of the conversation is when he choses. In developing conversation, remember:1. Cultural norms (greeting, introduction, small talk, big talk)
2. Logical response (characters must respond to each other in the conversation)
3. ID the speaker
4. Show us the picture of the conversation
5. Use contractions (most of the time)
6. What are you trying to say?
We haven't even touched on tone and actual message.
More tomorrow.
For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
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