Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 780, the Meeting in the Initial Scene Setting

30 May 2016, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 780, the Meeting in the Initial Scene Setting

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.  Since I’m writing a new novel, we need a new theme statement.  Here is an initial cut.

 

Red Sonja, a Soviet spy, infiltrates the X-plane programs at Edwards AFB as a test pilot’s administrative clerk, learns about freedom, and is redeemed.

 

We begin the initial scene with scene setting.  Here’s the beginning:

Dorothy Smith stepped off the train onto the platform of the Lancaster Station, Lancaster, California.  Already the air was hot and getting hotter by the moment.  The smell of diesel, dust, and scalded rock burnt her nostrils.  The wind tugged at her, and she barely caught her light blue dress before it lifted above her thighs.  She made a face that quickly settled into an uneasy smile.  Her dress looked wrinkled, and she couldn’t do anything to fix that here.  She could only afford a third class ticket without a sleeper, and she felt grubby as well as uncomfortable.  Dorothy held down her skirt and touched her hair.  It felt stiff and unkept.  She’d tried to tease it out in the train’s restroom, but the curl had fallen out, and she was sure it looked dreadful.  She’d covered it with her light blue scarf.  Her makeup looked in better shape.  She hated wearing it, but she had become accustomed to it.  She licked her too red lips and berated herself.  She’d have to repair that as soon as she could.  With an uncharacteristic sigh, she scurried out of the full sunshine and under the long awning in front of the station.  Behind her, one of the conductors lugged her large cardboard valise.  He carried it with both hands.  It was so easy to get these men to do things like this for her.  She was told that was the case, but she had to see it to believe it.  With a small smile, a look of helplessness, and a tiny gesture, they would come to her help and attend to almost any need.  If she’d want to, she wouldn’t have had to pay for a single meal during her travels, and she could have shared a sleeper.  She didn’t allow herself that pleasure.  She didn’t need the attention or the entanglements.  She just noted the availability.

 

I may change this beginning, but it’s not too bad.  The time is not directly stated.  I put that in the beginning like this:

 

Spring 1960, Lancaster Train Station, Lancaster, California, USA

 

I will also relate the time directly in the initial scene.  You can see the protagonist is partially described.  There is more in the next paragraph.  The point is that the initial scene requires a strong setting—that includes character description.  Notice, I don’t give you any information about who Dorothy Smith really is.  This is for revelation in the novel.  I do give some little slips of information that might make the reader pause and wonder.  This is my style, and a style I intend to use through the entire novel.  The tension and release cycle starts with this paragraph and is made clear in the next paragraph.  Dorothy is worried about her appearance.  The reader can guess why.  The next paragraph makes this very clear:

 

She looked to the right and the left.  No one matched the description of her greeter so she stopped beside a wooden bench.  The conductor placed her bag at the side of the bench. 

 

Dorothy is waiting for someone.  The someone is the protagonist’s helper.  This is the meeting of the two.        

     

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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