Writing Ideas - Nudity in Writing

27 June 2013, Writing Ideas - Nudity in Writing

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

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/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Entertain your readers.
2. Don't confuse your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

Nudity
In real life people take off their clothing for various reasons. In a novel, unless it drives the plot, theme, or story line there is little reason to document the action, consequences, or reasons for your character's nudity.

In my novels, especially the Aegypt novels www.AegyptNovel.com, I use nudity with a specific purpose in mind. I'm giving away real secrets here, about my writing and my ideas on writing.

Back to Eden
One of the main themes in the Aegypt Novels is 'back to Eden' driven by Leora. Leora, the Goddess of Light, is not perfect, but she is the archetype Eve--the perfect woman. Her nudity demonstrates and represents her closeness to God. Likewise Lumie're, her daughter, and the Goddess of Darkness, in her time, is clothed and uncomfortable unclothed. These themes play throughout the novels with this specific purpose.

Good/Purity and Evil/Impurity
Leora, the Goddess of Light, is naked at certain times, and Leila, the Goddess of Darkness, is always naked. The contrast within the books is their stature and pose--the purpose for their nudity is to represent the concept the Jews call Eve/Lilith. Eve was created perfect, the mother of mankind, Lilith was created perfect and the mother of demons. The concept displays how beauty and perfection of form does not equate to beauty and perfection of purpose.

Cultural Comparison/Contrast
I do cultures and societies in my novels. Many cultures are driven by clothing, many are not. The contrast and comparison is wonderful. The play between them significant. A powerful contrast in many cultures is their view of nudity. The ancient Irish culture abhorred it, while the Greeks thought it was completely normal. This comparison/contrast based on clothing, or the lack of it, provides a powerful driver for plot lines. I do this a lot in my newest novel Dana-ana.

Shock
Shock refers to the characters and the readers. The shock value of the use of nudity in a fashion the reader may not expect can be powerful--the shock value between characters whose cultural perceptions are very different is priceless. These cannot drive a theme, but they provide some power within a theme--especially a theme about culture.

All these ideas work together on the page. They are self supporting and although can be used separately, gain power through being used together.

See more writing secrets at www.ldalford.com

For more information, you can visit my author site www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel, http://www.centurionnovel.com, www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, thefoxshonor, aseasonofhonor.

Development - Rules of Writing, more Nudity as a Symbol

25 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, more Nudity as a Symbol

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/.

Here are my rules of 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.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

Nudity and nakedness are both very powerful symbols--as long as they are not overused.  Sensuality is best accomplished by what to can't see as much as what you can see.  This is why the most sexually charged scene isn't one of description but one of conversation--think about it.  On the other hand, a wise author who intends to turn nudity into a passe' image can do that too.  Most of the time, the incompetent try to titillate and end up boring their readers.  That is the problem with nudity, nakedness, sensuality, and sexuality.  A little bit can go a long way--too much turns into pornography or is silly. 

Many might imagine there is no place in certain types of literature for those four concepts.  The lessons of the past tell us that isn't so.  Some of the most sensual poetry and literature from the 18th and 19th centuries is religious but chock full of sensuality.  Burke, Pope, and Shakespeare are great examples of this kind of writing.  Although Shakespeare might not be thought of as a religious writer, many of his themes are classically redemptive--and they are entertaining. 

Let's put it this way.  Let's say you are an author who wants to present a powerful redemptive theme that communicates a religious thought or message.  Would you choose to write an allegory, a powerful multilevel novel, or a straight forward two-by-four type sermon.  Which would be read and which would have more effect on the world.  Simply, the more a novel is read, the more effect.  The allegory or the multilevel novel would have much more appeal to most than the sermon. 

Aksinya is this type of novel--that is it is a powerful multilevel novel that uses sensuality, sexuality, nudity, and nakedness as symbols to make important points in the theme.  The novel isn't about sensuality, sexuality, nudity, or nakedness, but it uses those ideas as symbols to communicate.  Additionally, anyone who reads the novel can't miss the point of each symbol.  This is the most powerful nature of symbols.  It is possible for a symbol to relate a concept nearly opposite to its literal meaning.  I'll write about this tomorrow.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Nudity as a Symbol

24 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Nudity as a Symbol

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/.

Here are my rules of 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.

All language is symbols. Therefore it shouldn't surprise you that your writing should include higher level symbols. What are higher level symbols? I mentioned before the cross as a symbol. The cross is a higher level symbol--a symbol that doesn't depend on language. Symbols can be ready made or author made symbols. Some symbols are a mix.

Lack of clothing--nudity or nakedness--is as powerful a statement as clothing. There is a difference between nudity and nakedness. Both are cultural symbols. In real life people take off their clothing for various reasons. In a novel, unless it drives the plot, theme, or story line there is no reason to write about nudity. On the other hand, it it supports the plot, theme, or storyline, the action, consequences, and reasons for a character's nudity or nakedness are important. If you don't know, nudity usually refers to the simple action of being unclothed--nakedness implies a purpose for being unclothed, usually nefarious.

In my novels, especially the Aegypt (Ancient Light) novels, I use nudity with specific cultural symbols in mind.

Back to Eden

One of the main themes in the Aegypt Novels is 'back to Eden' driven by Leora. Leora, the Goddess of Light, is not perfect, but she is the archetype Eve--the perfect woman. Her nudity demonstrates and represents her closeness to God. Likewise Lumie're, her daughter, and the Goddess of Darkness, in her time, is clothed and uncomfortable unclothed. These symbols play throughout the novels with this specific purpose.

Good/Purity and Evil/Impurity

Leora, the Goddess of Light, is nude at certain times, and Leila, is always naked. The contrast within the books is their stature and pose--the purpose for their nudity is to represent the concept the Jews call Eve/Lilith. Eve was created perfect, the mother of mankind, Lilith was created perfect and the mother of demons. The concept displays how beauty and perfection of form does not equate to beauty and perfection of purpose.

Cultural Comparison/Contrast

I write about cultures and societies in my novels. Many cultures are driven by clothing, many are not. The contrast and comparison is wonderful. The play between them significant. A powerful contrast in many cultures is their view of nudity. The ancient Irish culture abhorred it, while the Greeks thought it was completely normal. This comparison/contrast based on clothing, or the lack of it, provides a powerful driver for plot lines.

Shock

Shock refers to the characters and the readers. The shock value of the use of nudity in a fashion the reader may not expect can be powerful--the shock value between characters whose cultural perceptions are very different are priceless. These cannot drive a theme, but they provide some power within a theme--especially a theme about culture.

All these ideas and symbols work together on a page. They are self supporting and although can be used separately, gain power through being used together.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow. The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques. To what extent do you outline the historic context, culture, mannerism, speech, dress and thought process of the main characters, in a historic novel...in order to maintain integrity, and gradually (help) reveal attributes of a character in the story, or otherwise clarify the plot, scene, transition, tension or resolution?

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

A New Novel, Part 173 The Way You are Sitting!

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.


When Natalya came to wake Aksinya, Aksinya is naked and asleep on her bed.  She holds a rod of enchanted light in her hand.  It is a new enchantment from the book that came from Ernst...

Natalya didn’t want to take her eyes off Aksinya. She replied without turning her head, “The Countess was up late studying. I don’t wish to wake her yet.”

Aksinya moaned. Her eyes snapped open. She glanced at the rod of light in her hand then turned her face quickly from it. She started to say a Latin phrase, Natalya touched Aksinya’s lips with her outstretched finger, “Don’t make it go away yet. Let me look at it a little longer. It is so beautiful.”

Aksinya yawned and stretched. She clasped the light a little more tightly in her hand. She pushed herself up and sat cross legged on the top of the bed then she held the light out to Natalya, “Would you like to hold it?”

“May I?”

“Take it in your hand,” Aksinya placed the rod of light in Natalya’s outstretched palm.

“It isn’t hot. It’s cold. It’s beautiful, mistress. Do you have to make it go away?”

Aksinya giggled, “No, why don’t you place it in the schrank then you can take it out whenever you like.”

“May I take it to my room?”

Aksinya’s lips turned up into a smile, “You may do whatever you like with it, but you must not let anyone else see it.”

Natalya’s eyes lit up, “Thank you, mistress.” Natalya cupped the rod in her hand and carried it to the schrank. She placed it inside and closed the door. When she turned around Aksinya sprawled with her legs open on the bed, “Mistress!” Natalya colored.

Aksinya turned her face toward her.

Natalya did everything not to point, “The way you are sitting. Everything…”

Aksinya laughed and stretched again. She scooted to the edge of the bed and hopped off, “Draw my bath, Nata. I didn’t sleep very much last night, but I feel very refreshed.”

Aksinya wakes.  Her eyes are obviously attracted to the light in her hand.  It is so bright.  Aksinya's first thought is to unbind the spell she made.  Natalya sees Aksinya's sorcery as beautiful and wonderful--remember Natalya worships Aksinya.  Aksinya's sorcery is indeed beautiful and wonderful.  Satan is depicted by Milton as an angel of light.  Satan, according to Milton is beautiful.  This is a metaphor for the evil in Aksinya.  It is also a metaphor for the way Natalya views Aksinya.
 
Watch Aksinya's physical actions carefully.  She is naked and sits cross legged.  She hands the light to Natalya.  She offers it to Natalya.  Aksinya places the rod of enchanted light in Natalya's hand.  Natalya is entranced.  I give you a description of the rod of light through Natalya's conversation.  Aksinya giggles--she's giddy.  Aksinya rarely giggles.  When she does, she is either drunk or otherwise intoxicated.  Aksinya gives the enchanted light to Natalya.  There is a precaution, but that would be expected.
 
I show you how Natalya respects the gift by the way Natalya handles it.  She carefully hides it.  When Natalya turns around Aksinya is sitting in such a way that she exposes herself.  This is completely out of character for Aksinya.  Aksinya is a perfect aristocrat.  She is the kind of woman who sits properly and gets out of a vehicle properly.  She would never show off herself.  She is sitting in such a way that is indecorous and improper in the mind of Natalya.
 
The reason for this display is to show the mind of Aksinya without telling you anything.  Aksinya was once so concerned about her appearance she didn't want to look at herself.  The demon used her nudity against her more than once.  This Aksinya is different than the one we first met.  We could see her transformation.  At this point, Aksinya doesn't care.  She lost hope.  She has no hope, and she has allowed herself to be tempted by sorcery again.  She has reached the point where she doesn't care anymore.  When a person has reached this stage, anything is possible.  Aksinya could be capable of any evil.  She has been tempted and lost to the point where desire is everything.  She has no compunction anymore.  She has no control.  I will show you more of the indications of her descent, but none of this should be a surprise.  None of this should be unexpected.  Aksinya has slowly changed to what she is now.  At the end of this piece, Aksinya feels refreshed because she has completely given into her desires.  Tomorrow, back to school.