Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 767, more Writing the Initial Scene

17 May 2016, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 767, more Writing the Initial Scene

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: 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 my 27^th novel, working title Claire.  I’m working on marketing materials.

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 begin a novel.  Number one thought, we need an entertaining idea.  I usually encapsulate such an idea with a theme statement.  Here’s the theme statement from Sorcha.

 

Claire (Sorcha) Davis accepts Shiggy, a dangerous screw-up, into her Stela branch of the organization and rehabilitates her.

 

The input to the scene isn’t something you write—the input of the scene is what comes before.  You begin writing the initial scene with the setting.  This is true for every scene you ever write.  You must start with setting.  Generally, you write the where, when, who, what, etc.  Usually, the setting is from the point of view (POV) of the protagonist.  In the case of Sorcha, Shiggy finds herself in a place she doesn’t know.  The time is unknown to her.  She can only describe the place where she is.  This is the setting.  Additionally, Shiggy is part of the setting.  There is no need at this point to describe her, but what she sees and what she feels is relevant to the setting.  In this case, the setting is being revealed in the revelation of the initial scene. 

 

This concept of setting is very important.  In fact, it is critical.  You can’t jump into the action without a setting.  A novel or a scene can only take place in a setting.  Likewise without characters, there can be no action or conversation.  Characters are part of the setting.  Before you can write a scene, you must set the scene.  You set the scene by showing the reader what is on the stage of the novel.  The stage of the novel is what can be seen, heard, felt, smelt, and tasted in the scene.  This includes the characters. 

 

If you don’t make this step, you can’t write a scene.  The initial part of every scene is the setting.  This is the first part revealed in the scene.  If you look at the first scene from Sorcha, you will see this setting.  Once the scene is set, the action can begin.  Even when the action starts, the first step in the revelation of the plot is the description of Sorcha as she enters the room.  You might say the revelation of the setting, characters, and the plot is integral to each other, but the setting must come first. 

 

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, creative, idea, logic