Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 385, still more Creativity and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

30 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 385, still more Creativity and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Scene development:
1.  Scene input (easy)
2.  Scene output (a little harder)
3.  Scene setting (basic stuff)
4.  Creativity (creative elements of the scene)
5.  Tension (development of creative elements to build excitement)
6.  Release (climax of creative elements)

How to be creative?  This is a great question.  Is it something you are born with?  Is creativity something you learn in the truly formative years 1 to 8?  Are the foundations laid down at 1 to 8 and grow with age?  Here's what I think.

All the foundations for learning and imagination begin in the 1 to 8 range.  If you aren't basted in creativity and intellectual curiosity during that time, you will have a hard time being an exceptional learner or a creative person.  Creativity and intellectual curiosity are not wholly the bastions of the wealthy or the intellectual.  Any parent who sees the world with curiosity and seeks knowledge can pass that trait to their children.  You won't get there sucking on the boob tube or without interaction.

So with a foundation of intellectual curiosity and creativity, you can begin to build a mind that can create.  Creativity is simply the ability to see the world in ways others cannot.  It is the ability to take the old and make the new.  Creativity is the skill of either seeing something entirely new in what already exists or visualizing something with no previous basis in existence.  You must realize everything has a basis in the past--nothing is completely new, but some leaps are unique.    

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release 

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 384, more Creativity and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

29 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 384, more Creativity and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Scene development:
1.  Scene input (easy)
2.  Scene output (a little harder)
3.  Scene setting (basic stuff)
4.  Creativity (creative elements of the scene)
5.  Tension (development of creative elements to build excitement)
6.  Release (climax of creative elements)

Creativity has everything to do with daydreaming and imagination.  I am a daydreamer and a thinker.  When I was younger, I spent a lot of my life thinking and daydreaming.  As I got older, I started writing down my ideas and daydreams.  The result was 25 novels, plus a lot of other writing.  The point is writing. 

If you can't think of something to write about, write about incidents in your life.  I did this for www.wingsoverkansas.com.  I wrote about the exciting flights I had while in the military (and some in my civilian life).  Everyone has an exciting life, you just have to sometimes tickle the excitement out of it.  If you never had something exciting happen to you--make it up.  If you can't make it up, writing might not be your bag.  I get ideas all the time for writing.  I keep a notebook just for writing ideas.  I sat down once and made sentence long notes about flying stories, and ended up with over 200 flying stories I could write.  I've written many of these. 

If you can't think of anything, just begin writing exercises.  I recommend descriptive writing exercises.  Write to describe striking places or people.  Sit down and observe an interesting person and describe them.  Get something on paper--anything.  Writing is all about writing and creativity is about dreams and the mind.  Writing is about a catharsis of the mind on paper. 

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release 

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 383, Creativity and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

28 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 383, Creativity and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Scene development:
1.  Scene input (easy)
2.  Scene output (a little harder)
3.  Scene setting (basic stuff)
4.  Creativity (creative elements of the scene)
5.  Tension (development of creative elements to build excitement)
6.  Release (climax of creative elements)

Creativity is the means of writing and of scene development.  I think creativity is easy.  I discover new ideas to write about all the time.  I am intentionally being very carefully right now not to get a new idea to write about because I want to go through three novels that are already written, I want to develop the marketing material for Escape, and I'd like to get some contracted novels going.  If I get a ne idea, I'll want to write a novel, and that wouldn't be good right now.

Creativity is simply discovering new ideas to write about.  The way I cultivate new ideas is through reading and experience.  Most of my reading is great literature.  I also read much of my own writing.  I also try to diversify my experience--I've been reading much Asian literature and books.  I am planning to write a Japanese novel set in 1000 AD, but the closest I've come is Lilly.  The point is to keep generating ideas to build novels from.  I get plenty of ideas--the problem is writing them.

In the past, I've written much about generating ideas and themes.  Generating a theme is a great way to start a novel.  Getting an idea for an initial scene is a great way to start a novel.  Getting an idea and building on it is a great way to start a novel.  However you do it, start writing.  Writing is the way you will get a novel done--there is no other method.  What do you do if you have absolutely no idea how to begin?

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release 

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 382, Extraneous and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

27 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 382, Extraneous and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Scene development:
1.  Scene input (easy)
2.  Scene output (a little harder)
3.  Scene setting (basic stuff)
4.  Creativity (creative elements of the scene)
5.  Tension (development of creative elements to build excitement)
6.  Release (climax of creative elements)

In any of your writing, you don't want anything extraneous in the writing.  In writing a novel, you are not necessarily being paid by the word--in your editing and your rewriting, you want to clarify and reveal more effectively and cut everything that does not relate to the plot, theme, and main character revelation.  In some cases, there might be reason to cut main character revelation.  The question is what exactly is extraneous to a novel?

I don't have any problem determining this.  I use the no need, then exclude concept.  If a character or an event can be excluded from the novel, and that exclusion doesn't change the plot or theme of the novel, then the character or the event should not be included in the novel. 

For example, let's say you have secondary characters who are in love with each other--if they go on a date and discuss your protagonist and protagonist's helper relationship, that might be material to be included in the novel (if it provides revelation of the protagonist or protagonist's helper's characters or it forwards the plot or theme).  On the other hand, if the just have a date, there is no purpose to the novel--it should be excluded.  That is a simple example--a more complex one might be:  the revelation of a secondary character.  No matter how interesting the life of a secondary character might be, there is no reason to waste more than a few paragraphs on their life.  If the character is that interesting, write another novel.  That's what I did with Khione and Ceridwen.  The lives of the non-major characters (characters who are not the protagonist, antagonist, or protagonist's helper) are usually not important to the revelation of the characters, plot, or theme.  Do not include anything extraneous.

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release 

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 381, Scene Population and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

26 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 381, Scene Population and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Scene development:
1.  Scene input (easy)
2.  Scene output (a little harder)
3.  Scene setting (basic stuff)
4.  Creativity (creative elements of the scene)
5.  Tension (development of creative elements to build excitement)
6.  Release (climax of creative elements)

When I first started writing, I sometimes wondered how to fully populate a scene.  Because of this, my style of writing was more descriptive and artsy.  The entertainment in my scenes were driven by action or description (or both).  As I matured as a novelist, I discovered that I didn't need description and action to drive a scene--in fact, if you try to write using description and action, you will find your scenes are really short.  If you tell, you will find your scenes are really short. 

I discovered that the way to drive scenes was with conversation.  Conversation is the ultimate showing.  For example, try this:

They greeted each other. 

This is telling.  Notice the length of it.  Now look at this:

George tipped his hat, "Good morning Mrs. Collin."

"Good morning, George."

George raised his hat a bit more, "Beautiful weather we're having..."

Mrs. Collin smiled, "It is very pleasant.  I'd almost like to have a picnic this afternoon--do you think the weather will hold?."

George tweaked his lips, "I can't say for sure, but I'd like an invitation if you do--have a picnic, that is."

You could go on and on with the "greeting."  This is showing, and this is conversation.  The conversation builds the scene and the showing is the conversation.  There is little need for much action and only limited description.  Do you see how showing and conversation can build a scene.  If I applied creativity to develop events and then build the events with tension and release, we would have something.  If you stick with input and output, you will generally not go wrong--that is, you won't add in extraneous material.  Extraneous is where you don't want to go...

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release 

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 380, Tension and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

25 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 380, Tension and Entertainment in Scenes Developing the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Scene development:
1.  Scene input (easy)
2.  Scene output (a little harder)
3.  Scene setting (basic stuff)
4.  Creativity (creative elements of the scene)
5.  Tension (development of creative elements to build excitement)
6.  Release (climax of creative elements)

I made a list of the steps in the order of writing a scene.  This kind of list isn't as helpful as some other lists because it is endued with the need for creativity.  Although creativity to me is simply the part that makes the scene entertaining, the entertainment in a scene is the unexpected that might possibly be predictable or expected.  For example, simply based on Lilly and Tolinka's cultures, brining the two of them together will create entertainment--that is predictable.  The creative part might just be bringing the two beings together.  Once you have them together, the elements of their cultures (or the cultures they represent) automatically build tension and release.

Further, the personalities of Lilly and Tolinka are significantly different--brining them together as people is guaranteed to build tension.  For the author, determining how to use their differences and how to make those differences unexpected and entertaining is part of the creativity I'm writing about.

Perhaps a good exercise is to take your characters and list the points at which they must conflict.  Those points are where creativity can build tension and release.  Tension and release means entertainment. 

I'll add a final point about these concepts.  When I first started writing, I sometimes wondered how to fully populate a scene.  I'll finish this idea tomorrow. 

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release 

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 379, Tension and Entertainment Scenes Developing Tension in the Rising Action

24 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 379, Tension and Entertainment Scenes Developing Tension in the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Scene input (easy), scene output (a little harder), scene setting (basic stuff)--now to the hard part--creativity.

Whatever creative ideas we develop for the scene, we need to put them into the context of tension and release.  So, for bathing and nudity between Tolinka and Lilly, what could be a good tension and release.  Remember, Lilly wants to play a trick on Tolinka.  What better trick is just getting her to bathe in the onsen?  For tension and release, what if we build tension by showing the scene from Dane's point of view (POV).  He hears everything going on behind the privacy screens.  So, we hear the build up of tension as Lilly divests Tolinka of her clothing and washes her--we know from the novel, that this is normative Japanese culture, and the culture Lilly has absorbed.  The tension builds to a release--Lilly accidentally, intentionally pushes Tolinka into the onsen--that's a great "trick."  The tension build up goes to a release. 

How about nudity and Dane.  Lilly and Tolinka are in the onsen--Tolinka has lost her towel, the chime sounds and Dane enters.  Tolinka is naked, that's part of the tension buildup.  Dane is a guy--he could see everything, if he watched.  A small release is that Tolinka dives into the water.  A larger release is that Lilly gives Tolinka her towel--now Lilly is naked.  This is both a release and a build up to the next play (trick). 

You can see, the point of creativity is to write in tension and release for every creative point in the scene--it does no good to "tell" what is going on or to tell the tension--the author must show the tension and the release about each creative element.  That is how we develop entertainment in the rising action.

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release 

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 378, more Entertainment Scenes Developing Tension in the Rising Action

23 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 378, more Entertainment Scenes Developing Tension in the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Short digression:  I'm writing from Wichita, Kansas back from the world tour. 

Scene input (easy), scene output (a little harder), scene setting (basic stuff)--now to the hard part--creativity.

When I develop the creativity for a scene, I start with the characters.  I imagine the end state of the scene (the scene output)--that's basically where the plot is going.  I imagine how the characters will interact and how they can interact in a way that is entertaining.  For example, the next scene in Lilly, Tolinka plays a trick on Lilly.  It isn't a nasty trick, but it cuts to the core of Lilly's world.  Tolinka hacks Lilly's computer and takes her homework.  Tilinka gives it back, but this causes a huge fight between them that only Dane can referee. 

The homework and fight scene is fun and entertaining, but the next scene is even more delicious.  In that scene, Lilly gets back at Tolinka with her own tricks.  To write that scene, I imagined every trick Lilly could play against Tolinka.  My list was something like this, bath, nudity, Dane's nudity, dog food, dogwood, etc.  In Tolinka's culture, nudity is very personal--in the culture of Lilly's Japanese shrine, nudity is a function of bathing.  Bathing, in Tolinka's culture is very personal--not so in Lilly's adopted culture.  The dog references are just cheap shots, but the point is to make a trick--a trick the reader and Tolinka are not expecting.  With all these ideas on ways to make the scene entertaining, the point then is to write the scene.  You can see, the basis for making the scene entertaining is creativity.  The writing of the scene using the creative ideas is tension and release.

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release 

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 377, more Entertainment Scenes Developing Tension in the Rising Action

22 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 377, more Entertainment Scenes Developing Tension in the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Short digression:  I'm writing from Destin, Florida back from the world tour. 

Scene input (easy), scene output (a little harder), scene setting (basic stuff)--now to the hard part--creativity.

What is entertaining?  From my view of the world of Lilly: a Bakaneko (cat) serving the Coyote goddess, the Coyote goddess trying to seduce Lilly's boyfriend (it's half a trick), a Japanese kami (Lilly) and a Native American goddess (Coyote) trying to outdrink each other (and the results)--there is more.  I think you get the point.

When you plan to write a scene (you should actually plan), you need to think what might be entertaining about the interaction of your characters.  How might their personalities interact, and how do their actions change within the scene?  I imagine the scene like a stage play.  I see it play out generally in my mind--don't go for specifics.  If you need to make some notes.  I always keep a small notebook for notes and ideas about writing.  I always add notes to the end of each chapter concerning future interactions and scene development.  Sometimes I add a statement for a conversation--so I don't forget it.

Think about potential creative interactions between your characters as well as actions and activities.  Remember to focus on your plot and theme.  You absolutely don't want anything extraneous in your storyline that doesn't support the plot and theme.  I'll repeat the interaction between Lilly, Kolinka, and Dane from yesterday.  I should note for you that there is nothing in this interaction that is extraneous to the plot and theme of the novel.

Kuro didn’t return to serve tea.  Tolinka’s rice bowl was entirely filled with rice anyway.  Unusually, the beer didn’t run out in the ceramic pitcher canister.  Lilly kept filling up their serving bowls.  After a long while, Tolinka staggered to her feet.  She tried to take a step and achieved one forward and one to the side.

Lilly struggled to her feet.  She swayed a little, “Tolinka, would you like to sleep here?”

Tolinka slowly turned her head toward Lilly, “I am not domesticated, and I certainly don’t like cats.”

“You can sleep in one of the guestrooms.”

Tolinka staggered a step backward.  The wall just caught her, “I don’t like to sleep inside at all.”

“You may sleep on the grounds of the shrine.”

Tolinka hiccupped, “This isn’t the land of my being.  Plus, I’m not feeling too well.”  She burped, “I haven’t felt like this since my last potlatch.”  She burped again.

“Do you need to…you know?”

Tolinka drew herself to her full height, “I don’t…you know.”  She staggered and squirmed a little as she moved against the wall toward the sliding door.  She gave a great smile, “Perhaps your shaman can help me?”

Lilly moved toward Tolinka, then back, “I would, but certainly he can help you.”

Dane stood and Tolinka moved quickly toward him.  She put her arms around him, “Yes, he can help me.  I like your shaman very much.”

Lilly growled, “Don’t get too comfortable around him.”

“Why not—I’d like to share him…”

“Not going to happen,” an angry gong.

Tolinka grasped Dane more tightly, “Just a little sharing.”  She stuck her tongue out at Lilly.

Lilly took a staggering step toward them, “Kannushi, help my friend Tolinka to the torii.  I’ll go with you.”  Lilly stumbled around the table to his other side.  She grasped Dane’s other arm, “Let’s see Tolinka out together.”

Tolinka smiled and held tightly to Dane’s arm.

Dane wasn’t in as bad a shape as the two ladies.  He held them both up—one on either arm.  When they reached the genkan, Kuro was waiting.  She helped Lilly put on her shoes, then Dane.  She hissed at Tolinka.  Tolinka didn’t let go of Dane, but she pulled on her hide boots.  She lifted her lip toward Kuro, but didn’t say anything.  As soon as their shoes were on, Kuro opened the sliding door to the outside.

Lilly gently touched Kuro’s head as she passed, “Thank you, Kuro-san.”

Kuro smiled at Lilly, but completely ignored Tolinka.  Dane acted as the buffer between them.

Both girls wobbled down the path to the stone steps.  At the top of the steps, Tolinka swayed for a moment and Dane put his arm completely around her to keep her from falling.

Lilly gave a gasp, and Dane grabbed her.  He carried them, one under each arm to the bottom of the steps and the torii.  He was lucky both of them were very light.  Tolinka felt like a firm bundle of muscle.  Lilly was soft and slight.  Lilly gave a smug glance at Tolinka.  Tolinka just smiled back at her.

At the torii, Dane set them both on their feet.

Tolinka leaned against Dane, “Are you sure I can’t borrow him?  The night is cold.”

Lilly growled, “I want him for the same reason.”

“You should have more compassion for me.”

“I let you eat my salmon and Dane’s salmon and Kuro’s salmon.”

Tolinka grinned, “Yes, perhaps I overstayed my welcome.”

“You may come back…”

“Any time?”

Lilly lurched forward, “No…no, not at any time.  You may come when we allow you to enter.  You are invited when we invite you.”

Tolinka shrugged, “I would make the same stipulation, but it doesn’t mean I won’t bring some mischief to you or your shaman.”  She raised her face and bright eyes to the skies and slipped through the torii gate.  On the other side, there was a swirl in the darkness and a coyote sat beside the torii.  The coyote’s mouth was open and its tongue lolled to one side.  The coyote paced around in a small circle, lay on the ground outside the torii, and closed its eyes.

Lilly put her arms around Dane’s neck.  She whispered in his ear, “I don’t think I can walk any farther--carry me back to the shamusho.”
 

Dane picked her up and carried her.  At the top of the stone steps, out of sight of the base of the torii, Lilly struggled in his arms and Dane set her down.  She rushed to the side of the Sandō and fell to her knees.  Dane went to her side.  Lilly lost her dinner, once twice, three times.  She was very quiet about it.  He thought he heard some strange sounds beside the torii gate as well.

  
Literally, every word in this interaction and conversation is necessary to the novel, Lilly.  Through the short piece, the reader gets part of the revelation about Lilly, Tolinka, Dane, and Kuro.  Additionally, the reader is entertained through the showing of the revelation of the characters.  That is the point of all good writing.

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release 

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 376, Entertainment Scenes Developing Tension in the Rising Action

21 April 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 376, Entertainment Scenes Developing Tension in the Rising Action

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but the publisher has delayed all their fiction output due to the economy.  I'll keep you informed.  More 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 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.

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action.  I've just started on the next major run-through of my novel, Escape.

I'm an advocate of using the/a scene input/output method to drive the rising action--in fact, to write any novel. 

Short digression:  I'm writing from Destin, Florida back from the world tour. 

Scene input (easy), scene output (a little harder), scene setting (basic stuff)--now to the hard part.  I hope developing the output and the setting has your creative juices going because the next part is wholly creative.  Now you need to figure out how to make the scene entertaining.  The entertaining is all creative, and it is all about tension and release.  Here is an example from Lilly.

One of my prepublication readers asked a question about some of my writing and characters, and in contemplating the question, I came to a very surprising answer.  The question was about the number of times I happened to have characters get drunk and drink.  Most of my characters are not lushes, but I have one very specific scene in Lilly where two characters get drunk--the reason is purely entertainment.  It also furthers the plot and theme, but let's put it this way--I could have two "goddess" characters who are in a competition with one another have dinner and discuss their circumstances, or I could have them bring their competition to their cups.  Which is more entertaining?  Which is more interesting?  Add to that, the server is a bakaneko (a type of Japanese cat creature who looks like a human) and one of the "goddesses" is Coyote.  Further, Dane is watching it all and is one of the competitive prizes in the slight competition.  Lilly and Tolinka (Coyote) drink too much and are drunk at the end of the evening.  They both try to hide their drunkenness from each other.  The point of their inebriation is not gratuitous--it has a point in the plot and the theme, but it adds entertainment to the scene.  Here's an extract:

Kuro didn’t return to serve tea.  Tolinka’s rice bowl was entirely filled with rice anyway.  Unusually, the beer didn’t run out in the ceramic pitcher canister.  Lilly kept filling up their serving bowls.  After a long while, Tolinka staggered to her feet.  She tried to take a step and achieved one forward and one to the side.

Lilly struggled to her feet.  She swayed a little, “Tolinka, would you like to sleep here?”

Tolinka slowly turned her head toward Lilly, “I am not domesticated, and I certainly don’t like cats.”

“You can sleep in one of the guestrooms.”

Tolinka staggered a step backward.  The wall just caught her, “I don’t like to sleep inside at all.”

“You may sleep on the grounds of the shrine.”

Tolinka hiccupped, “This isn’t the land of my being.  Plus, I’m not feeling too well.”  She burped, “I haven’t felt like this since my last potlatch.”  She burped again.

“Do you need to…you know?”

Tolinka drew herself to her full height, “I don’t…you know.”  She staggered and squirmed a little as she moved against the wall toward the sliding door.  She gave a great smile, “Perhaps your shaman can help me?”

Lilly moved toward Tolinka, then back, “I would, but certainly he can help you.”

Dane stood and Tolinka moved quickly toward him.  She put her arms around him, “Yes, he can help me.  I like your shaman very much.”

Lilly growled, “Don’t get too comfortable around him.”

“Why not—I’d like to share him…”

“Not going to happen,” an angry gong.

Tolinka grasped Dane more tightly, “Just a little sharing.”  She stuck her tongue out at Lilly.

Lilly took a staggering step toward them, “Kannushi, help my friend Tolinka to the torii.  I’ll go with you.”  Lilly stumbled around the table to his other side.  She grasped Dane’s other arm, “Let’s see Tolinka out together.”

Tolinka smiled and held tightly to Dane’s arm.

Dane wasn’t in as bad a shape as the two ladies.  He held them both up—one on either arm.  When they reached the genkan, Kuro was waiting.  She helped Lilly put on her shoes, then Dane.  She hissed at Tolinka.  Tolinka didn’t let go of Dane, but she pulled on her hide boots.  She lifted her lip toward Kuro, but didn’t say anything.  As soon as their shoes were on, Kuro opened the sliding door to the outside.

Lilly gently touched Kuro’s head as she passed, “Thank you, Kuro-san.”

Kuro smiled at Lilly, but completely ignored Tolinka.  Dane acted as the buffer between them.

Both girls wobbled down the path to the stone steps.  At the top of the steps, Tolinka swayed for a moment and Dane put his arm completely around her to keep her from falling.

Lilly gave a gasp, and Dane grabbed her.  He carried them, one under each arm to the bottom of the steps and the torii.  He was lucky both of them were very light.  Tolinka felt like a firm bundle of muscle.  Lilly was soft and slight.  Lilly gave a smug glance at Tolinka.  Tolinka just smiled back at her.

At the torii, Dane set them both on their feet.

Tolinka leaned against Dane, “Are you sure I can’t borrow him?  The night is cold.”

Lilly growled, “I want him for the same reason.”

“You should have more compassion for me.”

“I let you eat my salmon and Dane’s salmon and Kuro’s salmon.”

Tolinka grinned, “Yes, perhaps I overstayed my welcome.”

“You may come back…”

“Any time?”

Lilly lurched forward, “No…no, not at any time.  You may come when we allow you to enter.  You are invited when we invite you.”

Tolinka shrugged, “I would make the same stipulation, but it doesn’t mean I won’t bring some mischief to you or your shaman.”  She raised her face and bright eyes to the skies and slipped through the torii gate.  On the other side, there was a swirl in the darkness and a coyote sat beside the torii.  The coyote’s mouth was open and its tongue lolled to one side.  The coyote paced around in a small circle, lay on the ground outside the torii, and closed its eyes.

Lilly put her arms around Dane’s neck.  She whispered in his ear, “I don’t think I can walk any farther--carry me back to the shamusho.”

Dane picked her up and carried her.  At the top of the stone steps, out of sight of the base of the torii, Lilly struggled in his arms and Dane set her down.  She rushed to the side of the Sandō and fell to her knees.  Dane went to her side.  Lilly lost her dinner, once twice, three times.  She was very quiet about it.  He thought he heard some strange sounds beside the torii gate as well.

   
We'll look more at the concept of creativity in scene development.  The point is very simple, scenes are built to be entertaining.  Entertainment means they excite your readers.  If you imagine an unspoken drinking contest with mutual failure at the end, that gives a degree of entertainment--it also demonstrates the primary means of entertainment development in a scene: tension and release.  The tension is very obvious in the scene.  It is built with the drinking and the banter about Dane.  The release comes at the end--it's a kind of literal "release."  Dane goes home with Lilly--they are committed anyway.  Tolinka knows she can't take Dane away from Lilly, but the tension is excruciating.  For Lilly, who has never been loved before, it is devastating.  The release is sweet--and not so sweet.

More tomorrow.

For more information, you can visit my author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:

http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com  

fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release