Writing - part x659, Developing Skills, Day 4 Scotland

27 October 2018, Writing - part x659, Developing Skills, Day 4 Scotland

Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but my primary publisher has gone out of business—they couldn’t succeed in the past business and publishing environment.  I'll keep you informed, but I need a new publisher.  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.

These are the steps I use to write a novel including the five discrete parts of a novel:

1.      Design the initial scene

2.      Develop a theme statement (initial setting, protagonist, protagonist’s helper or antagonist, action statement)

a.       Research as required

b.      Develop the initial setting

c.       Develop the characters

d.      Identify the telic flaw (internal and external)

3.      Write the initial scene (identify the output: implied setting, implied characters, implied action movement)

4.      Write the next scene(s) to the climax (rising action)

5.      Write the climax scene

6.      Write the falling action scene(s)

7.      Write the dénouement scene

I finished writing my 29^th novel, working title, Detective, potential title Blue Rose: Enchantment and the Detective.  The theme statement is: Lady Azure Rose Wishart, the Chancellor of the Fae, supernatural detective, and all around dangerous girl, finds love, solves cases, breaks heads, and plays golf.  

Here is the cover proposal for Blue Rose: Enchantment and the Detective. 

Cover Proposal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising action. I am continuing to write on my 30^th novel, working title Red Sonja.  I finished my 29^th novel, working title Detective.  I’m planning to start on number 31, working title Shifter. 

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.

For novel 30:  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.

For novel 31:  TBD 

Here is the scene development outline:

1. Scene input (comes from the previous scene output or is an initial scene)

2. Write the scene setting (place, time, stuff, and characters)

3. Imagine the output, creative elements, plot, telic flaw resolution (climax) and develop the tension and release.

4. Write the scene using the output and creative elements to build the tension.

5. Write the release

6. Write the kicker

          

Today:  The Kilmarnock Arms Hotel was a wonderful stay.  Breakfast is in the front room and very large.  I ate an omelet, then we were off to play the Cruden Bay course. 

I picked up a roll filled with three large sausages and a scone for the course.  I didn’t plan on drinking anything because there is only one toilet between the eight and ninth holes.  The roll and sausages were excellent.  The skin of the sausages was crispy—all in all a nice snack.

Cruden Bay is a difficult course.  I had caddy number six who was Jim.  Jim was a retired gentleman who happens to play a lot of golf.  He was a great caddy.  If I could act on his advice, I would likely end up with all pars.  In any case, the course is scenic and plays like the rolling hills—it is also completely exposed to the elements.  Even on the valley and hillside holes.  The wind was literally wuthering across every fairway, tee box, and green.  The lies are mostly tight, and the gorse unforgiving.  Near the end of our round, the rain began to drizzle, so we finished in the rain and wind.  It was an excellent and pleasant walk, but a less pleasant game of golf.  It was still worth the play. 

We decided to eat at the clubhouse at Cruden Bay.  It was cutlery day, but I ordered the lamb stew.  I’m here to have a taste of Scotland.  The lamb stew was excellent.  At this point, I think I can conclude that Scottish stews, meat pies, and soups are very flavorful.  The pure meats such as grills and steaks are less seasoned.  This isn’t a negative, but an observation.  I much prefer the stews and meats cooked in this manner.  This was reiterated on the next day, but we aren’t there yet. 

After supper, we were on our way to Saint Andrews.  We arrived at the Brownlee B&B at 2100 and went to bed.    

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