Writing - part xxx729 Centurion more Document

28 June 2024, Writing - part xxx729 Centurion more Document

Announcement: I still need a new publisher.  However, I’ve taken the step to republish my previously published novels.  I’m starting with Centurion, and we’ll see from there.  Since previously published novels have little chance of publication in the market (unless they are huge best sellers), I might as well get those older novels back out.  I’m going through Amazon Publishing, and I’ll pass the information on to you.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21^st 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 websites http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus two 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.

6. The initial scene is the most important scene.

 

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 31^st novel, working title, Cassandra, potential title Cassandra: Enchantment and the Warriors.  The theme statement is: Deirdre and Sorcha are redirected to French finishing school where they discover difficult mysteries, people, and events.

 

I finished writing my 34^th novel (actually my 32^nd completed novel), Seoirse, potential title Seoirse: Enchantment and the Assignment.  The theme statement is: Seoirse is assigned to be Rose’s protector and helper at Monmouth while Rose deals with five goddesses and schoolwork; unfortunately, Seoirse has fallen in love with Rose.     

Here is the cover proposal for Seoirse: Enchantment and the Assignment: 

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 finished writing number 31, working title Cassandra: Enchantment and the Warrior.  I just finished my 32^nd novel and 33^rd novel: Rose: Enchantment and the Flower, and Seoirse: Enchantment and the Assignment.

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 32:  Shiggy Tash finds a lost girl in the isolated Scottish safe house her organization gives her for her latest assignment: Rose Craigie has nothing, is alone, and needs someone or something to rescue and acknowledge her as a human being.

 

For novel 33, Book girl:  Siobhàn Shaw is Morven McLean’s savior—they are both attending Kilgraston School in Scotland when Morven loses everything, her wealth, position, and friends, and Siobhàn Shaw is the only one left to befriend and help her discover the one thing that might save Morven’s family and existence.

 

For novel 34:  Seoirse is assigned to be Rose’s protector and helper at Monmouth while Rose deals with five goddesses and schoolwork; unfortunately, Seoirse has fallen in love with Rose.

 

For novel 35: Eoghan, a Scottish National Park Authority Ranger, while handing a supernatural problem in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park discovers the crypt of Aine and accidentally releases her into the world; Eoghan wants more from the world and Aine desires a new life and perhaps love.

 

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:  Let me tell you a little about writing.  Writing isn’t so much a hobby, a career, or a pastime.  Writing is a habit and an obsession.  We who love to write love to write. 

 

If you love to write, the problem is gaining the skills to write well.  We want to write well enough to have others enjoy our writing.  This is important.  No one writes just for themselves the idea is absolutely irrational and silly.  I can prove why.

 

In the first place, the purpose of writing is communication—that’s the only purpose.  Writing is the abstract communication of the mind through symbols.  As time goes by, we as writers gain more and better tools and our readers gain more and better appreciation for those tools and skills—even if they have no idea what they are. 

 

We are in the modern era.  In this time, the action and dialog style along with the push of technology forced novels into the form of third person, past tense, action and dialog style, implying the future.  This is the modern style of the novel.  I also showed how the end of literature created the reflected worldview.  We have three possible worldviews for a novel: the real, the reflected, and the created.  I choose to work in the reflected worldview.

 

Why don’t we go back to the basics and just writing a novel?  I can tell you what I do, and show you how I go about putting a novel together.  We can start with developing an idea then move into the details of the writing. 

 

Ideas.  We need ideas.  Ideas allow us to figure out the protagonist and the telic flaw.  Ideas don’t come fully armed from the mind of Zeus.  We need to cultivate ideas. 

 

1.     Read novels. 

2.     Fill your mind with good stuff—basically the stuff you want to write about. 

3.     Figure out what will build ideas in your mind and what will kill ideas in your mind.

4.     Study.

5.     Teach. 

6.     Make the catharsis. 

7.     Write.

 

The development of ideas is based on study and research, but it is also based on creativity.  Creativity is the extrapolation of older ideas to form new ones or to present old ideas in a new form.  It is a reflection of something new created with ties to the history, science, and logic (the intellect).  Creativity requires consuming, thinking, and producing.

 

If we have filled our mind with all kinds of information and ideas, we are ready to become creative.  Creativity means the extrapolation of older ideas to form new ones or to present old ideas in a new form.  Literally, we are seeing the world in a new way, or actually, we are seeing some part of the world in a new way. 

 

The beginning of creativity is study and effort.  We can use this to extrapolate to creativity.  In addition, we need to look at recording ideas and working with ideas.

 

With that said, where should we go?  Should I delve into ideas and creativity again, or should we just move into the novel again?  Should I develop a new protagonist, which, we know, will result in a new novel.  I’ve got an idea, but it went stale.  Let’s look at the outline for a novel again:

 

1.      The initial scene

2.     The rising action scenes

3.     The climax scene

4.     The falling action scene(s)

5.     The dénouement scene(s)

   

The initial scene is the most important scene and part of any novel.  To get to the initial scene, you don’t need a plot, you need a protagonist.

 

My main focus, at the moment, is marketing my novels.  That specifically means submissions.  I’m aiming for agents because if I can get an agent, I think that might give me more contacts with publishers plus a let up in the business.  I would like to write another novel, but I’m holding off and editing one of my older novels Shadow of Darkness.  I thought that novel would have fit perfectly with one potential agent who said they were looking for Jewish based and non-Western mythology in fantasy.  That’s exactly what Shadow of Darkness is, but they passed on it.  In any case, I’m looking for an agent who will fall in love with my writing and then promote it to publishers.  That’s the goal.

I’m on a new venture in my writing.  I’m adverse to self-publishing; however, I have an author friend who was also published in the normal market with a regular publisher who went out of business.  He is deep into independent publishing.  I will say this, since he has two novels that were published normally, he is a proven author.  In other words, there is no reason, except for the help, advertising, and support you get from a regular publisher, for him not to independently publish.  There is little reason I shouldn’t either.  I’m still seeking a regular publisher, and at the moment, I’m seeking an agent.

My friend suggested that I republish my previously published works.  Since they were previously published and not bestsellers, there is very little likelihood that any publisher would republish them.  I decided to do just that.  I went to the Amazon Premium Publishing site and chatted with their representative there.  They didn’t make any hard sell, but they looked up my book, Centurion.  It’s still listed with all the others on Amazon, but it is only available used.  They presented me with two options for publication.  I think these were basically what they offer for a new publication.  I’ll post them below:

-          BASIC PUBLISHING PLAN: $1,670 instead of $2,245

·       Proofreading of the Entire content

·       Final Formatting (Paperback, Hardcover and ebook)

·       Publishing on Amazon, and Kindle

·       Creation of Author Bio & Profile

·       Add ISBNs to each format

·       Integrate Bank Accounts with Amazon

·       Setup your Shelf

·       Set Royalty Percentages

·       Print on Demand Configuration

-          GLOBAL PUBLISHING PLAN: $2,921 instead of $3,745

·       Finalization of the publish-ready version of the book (print & digital)

·       Publishing on the following platforms
a) Amazon KDP
b) Barnes & Noble
c) Kobo
d) Draft 2 Digital
e) Ingram Spark
f) Google Books
g) Esquire
h) Book Baby
i) Goodreads
j) Wattpad

·       Barcode and ISBN.

·       Unlimited print-on-demand setup.

·       Creation of author and book profiles, optimized to attract your book's target audience.

·       Turnaround time (4 Weeks)

·       The author retains 100% Ownership Rights.

PUBLISHING
Guarantees:

·       100% Ownership Rights

·       100% Satisfaction Guarantee

·       100% Money-Back Guarantee

OUR PROCESS:

Step 1:

Once you complete the online order process and you are onboard with us, I will assign a dedicated project manager to collaborate with you during the entire process until the publication of your book.

Step 2:

We will begin the professional phase by initiating our proofreading services once you share the manuscript.

This proofreading process will assess the manuscript for any necessary revisions.

If required, our experts will diligently edit the content, providing you with a revised draft for your review.

Step 3:

We will proceed to the formatting of the book, integrate your bank accounts with Amazon, establish your Shelf, include an Author Bio, and prepare the necessary elements for publication.

 

These were the packages they offered.  I asked for a few days to discuss with my author friend and my supporters.  My author friend suggested using the regular Amazon publishing services rather than the premium.  My question was how do the costs and support compare.  He is a real genius for marketing and the details—I’m not.  The costs were basically the same when you factor in editing, proofreading, cover development, and all.  I decided to go with the Global publishing for Centurion.  I’ll explain next why Centurion, and why the Global package.

Centurion is my most popular novel.  It brought in a few bucks and has good reviews on Amazon and other places.  That’s the main reason I chose it for republication first.  It really helped that the novel was already on Amazon and everything had been developed for it.  My Amazon agents just looked at the information and said they could make everything work.

Now, I don’t think I’m going to make a mint on Centurion, but I would like to give it as much a chance as possible.  That’s the main reason I chose the Global plan.  This plan puts the work into the maximum number of formats and placement.  I’m not certain how much more access this gives the work, but I’m going to track it and check it out.

My plan for the other works is to use the lower cost basic publishing plan.  This might not give the other novels as good a boost in the marketplace, but I just want to get my writing back into availability.  As I noted before, previously published works generally have little potential for republication by a new publisher—they are looking for something new and unpublished—that is unless the novel is a best seller.

I’m not foolish enough to believe that my novels without the backing of a publisher will takeoff immediately, but I would like to have them available to my fans and the market.  I also hope for more attention for future publication. 

I’m not a fan of self-publication (independent publication), but in this case, I think it’s justified as well as a good investment in the future of my writing. 

So, that’s the reason for the specific package as well as Centurion first.  I’ll give you more details on the specifics and how things are moving along, next.

The first main point I wanted to address for Centurion was an update to the cover.  The cover was designed back in 2006 or so when the novel was published by Capstone/Oaktara.  There was a second edition with a slight change to the cover, but still the basic cover. 

If you take a look at my website with the covers for the Ancient Light novels you will see the improvement between the original Aegypt cover and the new covers for Aegypt, Sister of Light, and Sister of Darkness.  The newer covers represented the market and more modern marketing from 2006 to around 2016 a change of ten years.  Yes, the markets and what excites and interests readers has changed in ten years.  It’s not so much the interior of the writing as what grabs a potential reader’s attention.  I’ve mentioned this before.  In a bookstore, you grab the attention of the reader by the cover.  The original Centurion cover was kind of bland compared to the modern covers of today.  I asked the Amazon agent to update it.  I can give you a pretaste because the novel should be republished by the time you read this.  Here’s the old cover:

    

Here is a mockup of the updated cover.  The final will be similar:

I think this cover still conveys the dignity and the mystery of the centurion.  The color scheme is red and gold with the Centurion facing away from the viewer.  At the same time, the background shows mystery and a blaze of sunlight.

I think this is a great update to the novel.  It’s just the cover, but it should generate some excitement.  By the way, if you make an Amazon search for Centurion and Alford, this novel comes up at the top of the search.  That’s a good sign although the title has some issues in the modern market. 

The next stage is the writing itself.  I’ll write about that piece, next.

I decided before that I didn’t want to make a complete rewrite of Centurion.  I could, but I think the novel stands well on it’s own.  Even though it’s one of my early novels, it reads well and is complete.  The things I’d want to change in a complete rewrite is getting rid of the “saids” and making more contractions.  These might improve readability, but they are just cosmetic in some ways. 

The novel, before publication, went through more editing and inspection by the publisher as well as my prepublication readers.  I always make notes for my published novels when my readers or I find things that need a fix.  I did the same for Centurion, but there weren’t very many—only a handful.  As I noted, I could have made an entire rewrite of the novel, but I’d rather keep it the same as the first two editions and just fix some of the obvious proofreading problems and the small historical issues I’ve really become aware of through my own study.  What’s that exactly.

When I wrote Centurion, I studied all the Roman, Greek, and Aramaic sources I could concerning the times and the Legions, but some information was just not available in history.  One point that has come out of my extensive research into the times and history is about metal and food.  When I wrote Centurion, the historical and agreed knowledge was that metal was not ubiquitous, but it was relatively common in general use.  I’ve found that is completely untrue.  The average family and person had very little metal and only soldiers would have much as part of their weapons and issue.  In other words, there were no pot and pans, no metal cups, or other metal items in common use.  You do find metal in wealthy families and individuals and metal used industrially—as in pots for cooking as part of an inn or food preparation, but individuals rarely had any pots or the ability to cook items that required pots.  This is seen by the fact that in Europe as well as the rest of the world people resorted to inns and pubs for soups and stews as well as some other types of metal only cooking even into the early twentieth century.  That is, even when metal cooking vessels were available and more common, the average person was still going out to get foods that were difficult to cook, except with a metal vessel.  That changed with the Twentieth Century for cost reasons rather than lack of convenience.

The small things I’m correcting in Centurion are these little points.  Where before I had Abenadar with a bronze metal cup, I changed it to wooden.  Bronze and metal was just too dear to own a metal cup.  How do we know?  The word in Greek for money means to be punched from a pot.  In other words with the invention of money in 600 BC, the Greeks took all their metal serving dishes and turned them into coins.  By the way, these serving dishes would not have been used for cooking, they were gold and silver, only of use as containers.  We know even the metal nails used rarely in Roman crucifixions would be stolen as soon as the guards left their posts.  That’s how valuable metal was in the ancient world.  You can even note the affect of Captain Cook’s metal nails from his ship in Hawaii as another example of ancient societies and metal.  These are the kinds of small issues I’m correcting.  I’ll give you more, next.

So, I’m not really working on a revision as much as a new edition.  As I noted, this will be the third addition.  The difference between the first and second was the cover and just some small details.  The difference between the second and the third will be a little more. 

Basically, I’m fixing the few problems I know about plus some of the very small historical abnormalities I know about and can find.  This is how I’m approaching this change.  I’m also looking at modernizing the novel.  What I mean by that isn’t the text as much as the cover.  The cover is the real issue.  Since all my novels are set in time and place, I don’t see any reason to rewrite of affect any of them.  Although I’m sure Centurion could be improved with a full rewrite, that would significantly change it.  I think the overall novel fits and is complete.  The immaturity of my style and the feel of the novel itself has entertained and informed a large group of readers, so I don’t think it needs much change.

I’ll see whatever I can bring to you about the changes, publication, and the novel.         

This is how we develop a protagonist.  Next, I guess we should look at the plot for a novel. 

I want to write another book based on Rose and Seoirse, and the topic will be the raising of Ceridwen—at least that’s my plan.  Before I get to that, I want to write another novel about dependency as a theme.  We shall see.

 

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