Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 739, Classic Design, My Distinct Manner of Writing Q and A

19 April 2016, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 739, Classic Design, My Distinct Manner of Writing Q and A

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.

     4a. Show what can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, and tasted on the stage of the novel.

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 26th novel, working title, Shape, proposed title, Essie: Enchantment and the Aos Si, is this: Mrs. Lyons captures a shape-shifting girl in her pantry and rehabilitates her.

I just started writing my 27^th novel, working title, Claire, potential title Sorcha: Enchantment and the Curse.  This might need some tweaking.  The theme statement is something like this: Claire (Sorcha) Davis accepts Shiggy, a dangerous screw-up, into her Stela branch of the organization and rehabilitates her.  

Here is the cover proposal for Essie: Enchantment and the Aos Si.  Essie is my 26th 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’m editing many of my novels using comments from my primary reader.  I finished editing Children of Light and Darkness and am now writing on my 27^th novel, working title Claire.

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)

One of my blog readers posed these questions.  I'll use the next few weeks to answer them.

1.  Conflict/tension between characters

2.  Character presentation (appearance, speech, behavior, gestures, actions)

3.  Change, complexity of relationship, and relation to issues/theme

4.  Evolving vs static character

5.  Language and style

6.  Verbal, gesture, action

7.  Words employed

8.  Sentence length

9.  Complexity

10.  Type of grammar

11.  Diction

12.  Field of reference or allusion

13.  Tone - how tone is created through diction, rhythm, sentence construction, sound effects, images created by similes, syntax/re-arrangement of words in sentence, the inflections of the silent or spoken voice, etc.

14.  Mannerism suggested by speech

15.  Style

16.  Distinct manner of writing or speaking you employ, and why (like Pinter's style includes gaps, silences, non-sequitors, and fragments while Chekhov's includes 'apparent' inconclusiveness).

Moving on to 16. 16. Distinct manner of writing or speaking you employ, and why (like Pinter's style includes gaps, silences, non-sequitors, and fragments while Chekhov's includes 'apparent' inconclusiveness).

I use a classical method for writing and writing novels.  This classical design is outlined above.  I don’t think there is another means of writing a novel, but I’m sure people have tried other ways and failed. 

 

This question is specifically, what do I do differently that sets my writing apart from other novelists.  With this we move back to the basics of the novel.  What makes any writer’s work (manner or style of writing different) is their approach to the basics.

 

Number one, my theme.  I love redemptive themes.  I want my characters to be saved from something—their terrible life, their immorality, their stupidity, their bad life choices, their lack of knowledge, whatever.  I come be this idea legitimately.  Most of the problem with people is they need to be redeemed.  The average person wastes their life in front of a TV—they need to be redeemed.  A few have bought into the hedonistic view of the world, and found it really sucks—they need to be redeemed.  Some have found success in their field, but hate what they do—they need to be redeemed.  Others just lack motivation or interest—they need to be redeemed too.  I’m not writing about just spiritual redemption or some holy crusade.  I’m writing about people where they are—I think there is hope for everyone.  At least, I want to believe that.  In my novels, I explore the ideas of redemption, not from simply a religious standpoint, but from every standpoint.  I write for everyone, because everyone has some demon to slay, and slaying demons is redemption. 

 

This is the first mannerism or style choice I make in all my writing.  By the way, my second rule of writing (it should be the first) is entertain.  I’m not writing about redemption to redeem.  I’m writing about redemption to entertain.  If someone take it to heart and has a life changing moment, that’s great.  I’m happy to have someone read my writing and enjoy it.  I’d like them to choke up at the sad parts and laugh at the funny parts and not be able or willing to put down the book until the very end.  This has much to do with mannerism and style of 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  

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