Scenes - Scene Setting, Psalm

22 May 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, Psalm

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.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are many approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

This is the first reading... it is from the Psalms.

Dobrushin spoke, “Let us attend.”

Father Makar read from the Psalms, “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!  May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!  May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!  May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!  May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!  May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!  May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!  Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.  O Lord, save the king!  May he answer us when we call.  You have placed upon their head crowns of precious stones.  They have asked you for life, and you have given them length of days.”

There are usually four readings in a liturgical service: the Old Testament, the Psalms, the Epistle, and the Gospel.  This reading is from the Psalms and calls for trust and relates directly back to the crowns.

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.

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

Scenes - Scene Setting, Crowning

21 May 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, Crowning

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.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are many approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

Even if you are not excited or entertained by sitting (reading) through an Orthodox wedding, I'm certain most readers will be intrigued by the crowning.  In Christian thought, Christians are crowned in glory.  This crowning is a symbol of human perfection in joining together man and woman in marriage.  This is the view that a man can't be perfect and a woman can't be perfect without their complements.  In Orthodoxy, priests must be married.  This is in direct contradiction of Catholic thought that man and woman can be perfect without their complement.  Orthodox thought comes from Jewish thought while Catholic and Roman and Greek thought are more in line.

Father Makar took the two crowns from the altar.  He lifted the silver one over Dobrushin’s head, “The servant of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, takes as his crown the servant of God, Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He lowered the crown on Dobrushin’s head while stating this three times.  Then he made the sign of the cross three times on each of them.

Father Makar took the gold crown and held it over Aksinya’s head, “The servant of God, Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, takes as her crown the servant of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He said this three times as he slowly lowered the crown to her head.  He made the sign of the cross three times on each of them again.

He chanted three times, “Lord our God, crown them with honor and glory.”

 

Notice the crowns represent the individuals--thus the crown representing Dobrushin is gold while the crown representing Aksinya is silver.  Dobrushin wears the silver crown and Aksinya the gold crown.  This also accords with Jewish thinking.  Woman is crowned as the peak of creation--she was created last and the greatest is always created last.  But man is accorded the representation of the gold--there is a wonderful balance here.

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.

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

Scenes - Scene Setting, one more Blessing

20 May 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, one more Blessing

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.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are many approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

I know all my readers won't appreciate the entire wedding ceremony in this novel.  I know it won't entertain everyone.  It is just like my novel Centurion.  I know not everyone is enamored with the details of the Roman Legion.  Men, mostly, are intrigued.  Women, not so much.  Women like the romance aspect in the novel.  I suspect men like it too.  The reason I left these details in the novel was to make it historically relevant as well as entertaining.  I've written before that historical novels must include the historical.  I don't mind that some readers will skip these parts--I wrote them as entertainingly as I could, but I also realize not everyone reads every word in many truly historical novels.

Dobrushin called, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina replied, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed again, “Holy God, who fashioned man from dust, and from his rib built up a woman and yoked her to him as a helper like himself, for it was not pleasing to your greatness for man to be alone on earth, do you, Master, now send forth your hand from your holy dwelling, and link…”  He put Dobrushin’s right hand in Aksinya’s.  She held it tightly while Father Makar continued to pray, “…your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, because it is by you that a wife is linked to her husband. Yoke them together in likeness of mind. Crown them into one flesh. Grant them fruit of the womb, enjoyment of fair offspring. For yours is the might, and yours the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Symbols in novels and life are as simple as holding hands and as complex as rings and crowns.  We are still preparing for the crowning.  This simple blessing explains the symbol of one flesh--linked by hands and then crowned...

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.
 

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

Scenes - Scene Setting, more Blessing

19 May 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, more Blessing

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.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are many approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

There really is little tension and release in the marriage ceremony, and I'm not intending to interject anything like that into it.  We will get some action in the scene, but it is really a chance to give release to the entire novel prior to the ending climax.

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

“Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “Blessed are you, Lord our God, sacred Celebrant of the mystical and most pure marriage, Lawgiver of bodily marriage, Guardian of incorruption, loving Steward of our livelihood. In the beginning, Master, you fashioned man and established him as king of creation, and said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone on the earth. Let us make him a helper like himself.’ And taking one of his ribs you fashioned a woman. When Adam saw her he said, ‘Now this is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She will be called ‘woman’ because she was taken from her man. For this reason a man will leave behind his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’. And ‘Those whom God has joined together, let no human separate’. Now, Master, Lord our God, send down your heavenly grace also on these servants of yours, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and grant that this handmaid of yours may be subject in all things to her husband and that this servant of yours may be the head of his wife, so that they may live in accordance with your will. Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Abraham and Sara.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Isaac and Rebecca.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Jacob and all the Patriarchs.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Joseph and Aseneth. Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Moses and Sepphora. Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Joachim and Anna.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Zachary and Elisabeth.  Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved Noë in the Ark. Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved Jonas in the belly of the whale.  Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved the three holy Youths from the fire, by sending down on them dew from heaven.  And let the joy come upon them that the blessed Helen had when she found the precious Cross.  Remember them, Lord our God, as you remembered Enoch, Sem and Elias.  Remember them, Lord our God, as you remembered the holy Forty Martyrs, sending down on them crowns from heaven.  Remember also, Lord our God, the parents who have brought them up, for the prayers of parents make firm the foundations of households.  Remember, Lord our God, your servants, who have come together to share this joy.  Remember, Lord our God, your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and bless them.  Give them the fruit of the womb, fair offspring, concord of soul and body.  Exalt them like the cedars of Lebanon, like a well-cultured vine.  Grant then rich harvest, so that, having all sufficiency for themselves, they may overflow into every good work that is also well-pleasing to you, and that they may see their children’s children like newly planted olive trees all around their table. And, having been well pleasing to you, may they shine like beacons in heaven, in you our Lord, to whom belong all glory might, honor and worship, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen."

This is a prayer for material blessings, but also in preparation for the crowning.
 

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.
 

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

Scenes - Scene Setting, First Marriage Prayer

17 May 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, First Marriage Prayer

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.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are many approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

Following the asscention and glory prayer is the first prayer for the marriage.

Father Makar faced toward the east and lifted up the Gospel book, “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

They replied, “Amen.”

Father Makar stated, “In peace, let us pray to the Lord.”

Matushka Ekaterina called, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, and in response to each petition, Ekaterina replied, “Lord have mercy.”

“For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.  For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.  For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.  For Tikhon of Moscow 11th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, for the honored order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.  For the servants of God Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, who are now being joined with one another in the communion of marriage, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.  For this marriage to be blessed like that in Cana of Galilee let us pray to the Lord.  For them to be granted chastity and the fruit of the womb as may be expedient for them, let us pray to the Lord.  For them to be given the joy of seeing sons and daughters, let us pray to the Lord.  For them to be granted the delight of the blessing of children and a life without accusation, let us pray to the Lord.  For us and them to be given every request that is for salvation, let us pray to the Lord.  For their and our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.  Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.  Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.” 

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

The blessing for marriage continue.

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.

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

Scenes - Scene Setting, Ring Prayer

15 May 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, Ring Prayer

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.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are many approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

Each part of the betrothal and marriage has a prayer.  This is the prayer for the rings.

With a smile, Matushka Ekaterina exchanged the rings between Aksinya and Dobrushin.

Dobrushin announced, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “Lord our God, you journeyed with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham in Mesopotamia when he was sent to obtain a wife for his lord Isaac, and by means of drawing water you revealed that he should betroth Rebecca. Bless the betrothal of your servants Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna and make firm the word that they have spoken. Confirm them with the holy unity that comes from you. For it was you who in the beginning created male and female, and it is by you that woman is linked to man as a helper and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, Lord our God, who sent truth out to your inheritance and your promise to your servants, our fathers, your elect in every generation, look on your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and make firm their betrothal in faith and concord and truth and love. For it is you, Lord, who declared that times a pledge is to be given and made firm in everything. By a ring authority was given to Joseph in Egypt. By a ring Daniel was glorified in the country of Babylon. By a ring the truth of Thamar was revealed. By a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion to the prodigal son. For he said, ‘Put a ring on his hand and bring out and slay the fatted calf, and let us eat and be joyful’. It was your right hand, Lord, that armed Moses at the Red Sea, for through your true word the heavens were made firm and the earth set on its foundations. And the right hand of your servants will be blessed by your mighty word and by your upraised arm. Therefore, Master, with your heavenly blessing now bless also this putting-on of rings. And may an Angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their lives. For you are the One who blesses and sanctifies all things, and to you we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

They said, “Amen.”

In Orthodox thought, the rings represent much more than they do in general Christianity.  The sweeping allegory of the rings is amazing.  The rings represent authority, glorification, truth and revelation, and compassion.  This representation is much grander and greater than singularity of being or person.  It is also given by men as well as God. 

 

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.

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

A New Novel, Part 306 Amen

6 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 306 Amen

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.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We come to the end of the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “God, our God, who were present in Cana of Galilee, and blessed the marriage there, bless these servants of yours also, who by your providence have been joined in the communion of marriage.  Bless their goings out and their comings in.  Fill their life with good things. Take up their crowns…” he took the crowns from their heads and placed them on the altar, “…in your Kingdom, unspotted and unblemished, and keep them without offence to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar, “Peace to all.”

Ekaterina, “And to your spirit.”

Dobrushin, “Bow your heads to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar prayed, “May Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the all-holy, consubstantial Trinity, origin of life, the one Godhead and Kingship, bless you and grant you long life, fair offspring, progress in life and faith, and fill you with every good thing on earth, and count you worthy of the promised good things of the enjoyment of heaven, at the prayers of the Mother of God and of all the Saints.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar stated a loud voice, “Glory to you, Christ God, our hope, glory to you.  Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

“Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy Father, give the blessing.  May he who by his presence at Cana declared marriage honorable, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all-pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, of the holy Sovereigns crowned by God and Equals of the Apostles, Constantine and Helen, of the holy great Martyr Prokopios and all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.  Through the prayers of our holy fathers Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us.

“Amen.”

We have reached the end of the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  There is the final blessing and the final prayer.  Father Makar pronounces them married then the final Amen.

Here is the secret in this.  They are not really married in terms of either the church, the ancient world, the Jews, or almost any other religious agency or group.  Marriage is only official at consummation.  This is one of the points of the Book of Tobit and in the ancient world.  The ceremony of the sacrament is a pleasant and important step, but until they become "one flesh," they are not married.  Tomorrow, an important conversation.

A New Novel, Part 305 Lifting the Crowns

5 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 305 Lifting the Crowns

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.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Father Makar, “Peace to all.”

Ekaterina, “And to your spirit.”

Dobrushin, “Let us bow our heads to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar lifted the cup from the altar.  He held it high.

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar blessed the cup, “O God, who made all things by your strength, who made the inhabited world firm and adorned the crown of all that had been made by you, bless too with your spiritual blessing this common Cup, which you grant to those who have been joined in the communion of marriage.  For blessed is your name and glorified your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar held the cup for Dobrushin to drink then Aksinya.  He offered them the cup three times while stating, “I will take the cup of salvation and I will call on the name of the Lord.”

Then he grasped Dobrushin and Aksinya by the hands and led them around the altar three times.

Ekaterina followed behind and chanted, “The Virgin has conceived and given birth to a Son, Emmanuel, who is both God and man. Orient is his name, whom we magnify as we call the Virgin blessed.  Holy Martyrs, who fought the good fight and were crowned, intercede with the Lord to have mercy on our souls.  Glory to you, Christ God, boast of Apostles, joy of Martyrs whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

When they stood at the front of the altar again, Father Makar raised Dobrushin’s crown, “Bridegroom, be magnified like Abraham, blessed like Isaac and multiplied like Jacob, as you go your way in peace and carry out in righteousness the commandments of God.”  He set the crown back on Dobrushin’s head.

Father Makar moved to Aksinya.  He raised her crown, “And you, Bride, be magnified like Sara, and rejoice like Rebecca and be multiplied like Rachel, rejoicing in your own husband, keeping the limits of the law, for so God has been well-pleased.”  He lowered the crown back onto her head.

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

The bride and groom are offered the cup of peace.  They share in it three times.  Then Father Makar led them around the altar three times.  Finally, we have the lifting of the crowns.  Father Makar blesses them at each point. 

There is much powerful symbology in every step of the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  I won't try to describe every point, much is obvious--some is lost in time.  In general, most of you can see how these pieces fit into the work as a whole.  Specifically, the marriage, as I mentioned before, is a primary metaphor in this novel for the theme of the novel.  Since this novel is a semi-allegory of the Book of Tobit, you might want to check out that work to see exactly where this might fit.

A New Novel, Part 304 The Lord's Prayer

4 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 304 The Lord's Prayer

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.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Ekaterina replied after each petition, “Grant this, O Lord.”

Father Makar, “That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.  An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.  Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.  Things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.  That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.  A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.  Having asked for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God.”

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar, “And count us worthy, Master, with boldness and without condemnation to dare to call upon you, the God of heaven, as Father, and to say:”

They all replied, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Father Makar continued, “For yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Now we have arrived at the point of the Lord's prayer.  The next step in the sacrament of marriage is the Eucharist.  We shall see that tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 300 The Crowning

31 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 300 The Crowning

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.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  Father Makar continues with the marriage prayers...

Dobrushin called, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina replied, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed again, “Holy God, who fashioned man from dust, and from his rib built up a woman and yoked her to him as a helper like himself, for it was not pleasing to your greatness for man to be alone on earth, do you, Master, now send forth your hand from your holy dwelling, and link…”  He put Dobrushin’s right hand in Aksinya’s.  She held it tightly while Father Makar continued to pray, “…your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, because it is by you that a wife is linked to her husband. Yoke them together in likeness of mind. Crown them into one flesh. Grant them fruit of the womb, enjoyment of fair offspring. For yours is the might, and yours the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar took the two crowns from the altar.  He lifted the silver one over Dobrushin’s head, “The servant of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, takes as his crown the servant of God, Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He lowered the crown on Dobrushin’s head while stating this three times.  Then he made the sign of the cross three times on each of them.

Father Makar took the gold crown and held it over Aksinya’s head, “The servant of God, Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, takes as her crown the servant of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He said this three times as he slowly lowered the crown to her head.  He made the sign of the cross three times on each of them again.

He chanted three times, “Lord our God, crown them with honor and glory.”

Now we get to the crowning.  The crowning is the high point in an Orthodox wedding.  The significance of the crowns is they represent the marriage of Christ with the church.  The woman represents the church, her crown is silver, and the man represents Christ, his crown is gold.  The man's crown is placed on the woman and the woman's crown on the man.  The rings of betrothal then during their lives represent the crowns.

The point in this scene and in this novel is that marriage represents an important element in Christian thought.  Aksinya was crowned before this through her reliance (you could say faith) in Christ.  Do you remember whom she told the demon now owns her soul.  The marriage directly represents this point of salvation.  Further, now the crown of Christ is a crown that represents Dobrushin.  The image isn't that Dobrushin is Christ or that Aksinya is the church, but rather that Christian faith and the imagery of the novel is being played out in this ceremony.  That is the point.  It will have more meaning in the context of what happens in the next chapter.  Tomorrow, prayers following the crowning.

A New Novel, Part 299 The Two Shall Become One Flesh

30 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 299 The Two Shall Become One Flesh

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.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  Father Makar continues with the marriage prayers...

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

“Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “Blessed are you, Lord our God, sacred Celebrant of the mystical and most pure marriage, Lawgiver of bodily marriage, Guardian of incorruption, loving Steward of our livelihood. In the beginning, Master, you fashioned man and established him as king of creation, and said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone on the earth. Let us make him a helper like himself.’ And taking one of his ribs you fashioned a woman. When Adam saw her he said, ‘Now this is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She will be called ‘woman’ because she was taken from her man. For this reason a man will leave behind his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’. And ‘Those whom God has joined together, let no human separate’. Now, Master, Lord our God, send down your heavenly grace also on these servants of yours, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and grant that this handmaid of yours may be subject in all things to her husband and that this servant of yours may be the head of his wife, so that they may live in accordance with your will. Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Abraham and Sara.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Isaac and Rebecca.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Jacob and all the Patriarchs.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Joseph and Aseneth. Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Moses and Sepphora. Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Joachim and Anna.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Zachary and Elisabeth.  Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved Noë in the Ark. Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved Jonas in the belly of the whale.  Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved the three holy Youths from the fire, by sending down on them dew from heaven.  And let the joy come upon them that the blessed Helen had when she found the precious Cross.  Remember them, Lord our God, as you remembered Enoch, Sem and Elias.  Remember them, Lord our God, as you remembered the holy Forty Martyrs, sending down on them crowns from heaven.  Remember also, Lord our God, the parents who have brought them up, for the prayers of parents make firm the foundations of households.  Remember, Lord our God, your servants, who have come together to share this joy.  Remember, Lord our God, your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and bless them.  Give them the fruit of the womb, fair offspring, concord of soul and body.  Exalt them like the cedars of Lebanon, like a well-cultured vine.  Grant then rich harvest, so that, having all sufficiency for themselves, they may overflow into every good work that is also well-pleasing to you, and that they may see their children’s children like newly planted olive trees all around their table. And, having been well pleasing to you, may they shine like beacons in heaven, in you our Lord, to whom belong all glory might, honor and worship, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

I know these are long prayers and the ceremony is long, but I already made the point that this applies to the entire scope of the novel.  Just as the book of Tobit is very important to the plot and theme, likewise, the concept of marriage as a covenant and contract is critical to the theme.  You will soon see how it fits into the plot as well.

This prayer is another great blessing and prayer of preservation.  It is important to note, this ceremony is the one that united Tzars and Tzarinas and common men and women alike.  It is the foundation of an orthodox wedding.  Tomorrow, the yoking.