Development - Rules of Writing, History

19 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, History

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.

The idea of storylines, levels, and motivations of characters relates directly back to how much should you understand about your characters, their historical times, and their culture.  The question one of my readers asked was the extent that I outline.  Outline is a good word to describe the preliminary step of character design (or development).  Remember, I've written that the author develops the character before writing the novel and only reveals the characters within the novel--if this isn't clear, read back through this blog.

So, the step of development (design and outline).  I've written before about studying history.  You need an outline of the history of the times and either an outline of what you can prove is true about that time or an innate knowledge of it.  For example, I made a detailed study of the times surrounding the novel Aksinya before I began to write.  I penned a few notes that specifically related to the history of the times and information about the period.  Because I have written a novel before about this period (or close to it 1926), I already had notes and a foundation of information.  As I wrote the novel, whenever I touched on a subject area that I knew was questionable about the "true" history of the times, I carefully researched the area before I continued writing.  I did this with my published 1926 novel, Aegypt.  In fact, one of my publisher's questions related to the use of a lighter in the novel.  I had researched this extensively.  In 1910, the permanent match type lighter was invented and had extensive use through WWI and following until the invention of the Zippo lighter in 1932.  The permanent match is what the saying "Three on a match" refers to.

The primary historical questions for the writing of Aksinya was bathroom and household facilities during the period 1918 to 1919.  In this period, these varied from nothing to full bathrooms with hot and cold running water.  I tried to show this in Aksinya, and this is one of the levels of symbol and understanding in the novel.  As I wrote previously, in developing the history of something as simple as a bathroom, I started with a blank slate and used historical information to fill in the holes and properly describe the historical bathrooms.  If you can imagine that in the country in the times, the highest aristocrat had an outhouse and used chamber pots.  There was not running water and bath water was heated usually in the bathroom with a stove (thus bathroom not water closet).  In the cities, the wealthy were installing hot and cold running water systems (usually heated from the same boiler that heated the new radiant (radiator) heat).  They had toilets for a while, but the bidet was catching on--especially with warm water available.  The details of the subject are excruciating, but that is how a historical fiction writer needs to approach even the most mundane subject about the past.  Culture, 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, Motivations

18 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Motivations

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.

The idea of levels beginning with storylines that form the plot relates directly to what and what not to show.  In general, when the overlap of storylines relates directly to the protagonist you should consider showing it.  This still doesn't mean you should show everything about the protagonist.  The point is that a worthwhile measure of what to show is where the storylines coincide with the protagonist.

This assumes you understand the storylines of the other characters.  Every character and many things and incidents in a plot have their own storylines.  You don't have to know every detail in those storylines, but you need to know enough to understand them and the motivations of your characters. 

The motivations is the critical part.  It doesn't matter if you know every detail about a character, what you need to know to develop a storyline is the reason a character acts as they do.  The reasons can be varied and not even told.  In fact, don't give motivations.  One way to know you are telling is when you explain motivations.  Motivations are largely unknown--these are things you must show and not tell.  For example, in Aksinya, Natalya was sexually and physically abused.  We don't discover this until late in the novel.  We see slow Revelations that lead to this conclusion, and finally, she makes a confession to Aksinya.  We realise at that point (and later) that Natalya's motivations were because she was abused.  I never tell you her motivations--I do reveal over time that she was abused.

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, Levels

17 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Levels

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.

How do you achieve levels in writing and maintain those levels cohesively through a novel?  There are two primary levels: plot and theme.  The plot is the culmination of your storylines--that is broadly the story you are telling (showing).  As long as your storylines are cohesive, your plot will be cohesive.  Remember, there is only one plot.  If you have more than one plot, you either have an experimental novel, or you need to write another novel.  You can have multiple storylines, but only one plot.

What does that mean.  A storyline is a cohesive and connected linkage within a novel that combined with the other storylines produces the plot. For example, in Aksinya, the storyline of Natalya combines with that of Aksinya in Minsk.  Natalya's storyline started before Aksinya and before Minsk.  Her storyline is usually connected to Aksinya's in the novel, but not always.  Likewise, the storyline of Asmodeus begins before Aksinya calls him.  It connects to Aksinya's for most of the novel, but at times, it moves away from her.  At times we discover that Asmodeus has been acting on his own against Aksinya.  The reader guesses about his activities, but only later in the reflection of the life of Aksinya do we understand what the demon was up to.  Also, Ernst has his own storyline.  It weaves into Aksinya's for a while.  Every character has their own storyline and we only see them when they intersect with the protagonist's or when the author explicitly shows them to us.  All the other times, the storylines are not directly seen, but they all exist.  This is the beginning of how to understand the development of levels in writing fiction--more 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, Art Conversation and Symbols

16 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Art Conversation and Symbols

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.

Yesterday, I gave you an example of conversation from the novel, Aksinya.  In the example, I commented on the use of symbols and the levels of the writing.  If you go back to the beginning of the novel that I published in this blog, you can see other comments on the symbols.  I didn't write about the levels of the writing at that time; however, you can easily see how the symbols drive the writing to levels above the literal and that eventually reach the level of the theme. 

All cogent fiction writing has at least two levels: literal and theme.  Any writing of any power has many levels between the literal and the theme. Additionally, great writing will also have different  storylines running through it.  Each of these need to support the basic plot and the theme.  These different storylines each might have their own levels in the writing...and it is the symbols that drive these storylines and their levels. 

You might ask how can an author keep everything together?  The answer is that is the art of experienced writing.  This is also why I write that you must have at least the experience of writing 1 million words before you will achieve any real success as an author.  The experience necessary to write on many levels and to manipulate words and symbols to create entertaining writing takes a long time to develop.  I'll write more about how to achieve this kind of writing.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, example Conversation and Symbols

15 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, example Conversation and Symbols

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.

Here is an example of converstation from the begining of the novel, Aksinya.  Aksinya has just called the demon, Asmodeus.  Here we can readily see many examples of levels and using symbols to move from the plot to the theme.  I'll add comments in blue:

The demon slitted his eyes.  His voice was a hiss only slightly slurred by its fangs, “Russian.  I can answer in this tongue.  Be very afraid.”  He wrinkled his nose at her, “Where is your master little girl?” The demon was described before--he is a symbol.  I use description to move you from a literal framework to a more figurative framework.  The demon's voice is a hiss and slurred by its fangs--these are symbols.  Back to the literal with the use of Russian--this appeals to the culture and uses the language itself as a symbol to accent the culture.  The statement of the demon "Be very afraid," is the opposite of the statement of an angel "Be not afraid."--this is a symbol.  This statement propels the level to that of the theme (the theme is redemption).  The last statement places us at a middle level--Aksinya is diminutive and young (this is a symbol), but she called a demon.  The demon can't believe this at first.

“Ha, demon.  I am your master.”  Thus the claim of Aksinya--she is his master (this is a symbol).  This is obviously not literal, it is based in demon and folklore.  The symbols are very powerful: a demon, a young woman, the calling of a demon, the master of a demon, sorcery, and all.

“My master?  We shall see.  Who called me?”  The demon still doesn't believe her.  This interjects a level of humor to the mix.  We already have touched on:  a literal level, a cultural level, an intellectual level, a master/servent level, and a redemptive or theological level.

“I did.  I demand you name yourself.”  A name is a symbol in the context of culture, magic, and folklore--if you hold a name, you control a being.  Likewise a name is a symbol in itself--it stands in place of a person and representd the person.  There is much more in this simple demand.

“Little girl, I am Asmodeus.  Do you know me?”  The demon names her "little girl" and names himself--Asmodeus.  I won't go into the detail of who is Asmodeus again--Google it.  I will mention that Asmodeus is the demon of Lust (Luxuria), thus his last question has more than one meaning: do you know me (know of me), do you sexually know me (lust after what I represent), and have you experienced the lust I represent.

“I do know you, and I demand you obey me.” Aksinya only catches or answers the first part of the  question.  There are many levels represented in her answer, but she doesn't get it (or does she).  Likewise, the naivite of her demand is revealed later in the novel.  The ultimate question is "who can control a demon?" 

“Who really called me?”  The demon reacts to her naivete and her statement.  This has many levels as well--the levels all come out of what was spoken before.  I'll skip ahead--note in the places I don't mark there is still much going on within the conversation.

“I called you.”

“If you lie, you know what I can do to you.”

Aksinya stuck out her chin, “I do not lie, demon.”  She began the next part of the reciting in Latin again. 

As she spoke, the demon’s eyes widened, “You did call me.”  He began to laugh.

Aksinya cautiously stopped speaking the dark words and asked, “Why are you laughing?”

Asmodeus scratched his nose and let out a little snort, “In all my many years, I have never been called by a girl or a woman.  Only men.  How old are you anyway.  You are nearly breastless.  Are you even past the age of accountability.”  Accountability--a symbol.  This is a concept that immediately causes the conversation level to leap into the theological and to that of the theme.  The question is very deep.  It is about age, sex, theology, sin, personal responsibility, and knowledge of the world.  Note, that this follows in the wake of the statements about who has called the demon in the past.

“The age of accountability?”

“Yes, are you at least twelve with pubic hair?”  This statement is Jewish and Talmudic.  This is the marker of accountability according to Jewish Orthodoxy.  The statement from the demon keeps the level at the theme and brings in a literal component.  The literal is the age and appearance of Aksinya.  The is the use of a cultural symbol to make a very critical point.

Aksinya blushed, “You, keep quiet.  I called you—you have no right to insult me.”

“I have not insulted you, little girl.  I only wish to know with whom I deal.  If you can’t be held accountable for your sins, then I can’t have any dealing with you.”

“I am more than twelve, and I have…I have…,” Aksinya was breathing hard.

“You have pubic hair.  I could ask you to prove that, you know.”

“Zatknis'[1], demon.  I don’t have to prove anything to you.”

“Ah, but you do, and you know it.”

“What I have to prove has nothing to do with, with, that.  Listen to me demon, Asmodeus, I claim you as my servant.  I called you, and you must now answer to me alone.” I could go on and on, but I think I've made my point.

In this very short example of a conversation from the novel, Aksinya, we see the levels of the novel and the levels in the writing play out.  There is much more that I didn't mention.  If you are perceptive and trained in AmerEnglish culture, you should be able to tease them out one by one.
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, Conversation and Symbols

14 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Conversation and Symbols

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.

You could argue that since language is all symbols that writing is just these symbols and that's it.  There is much more to this subject however.  Yesterday, I broached the subject of levels in writing and postulated that plot and theme are two separate and unequal levels of writing.  The use of symbols is what makes this differentiation.  The use of complex symbols in language and culture makes the differentiation and the levels of writing possible.  The most evident example of this is in the writing of conversation.

The power of conversation (which should be over 60 percent of any novel) is in what is said and what is not said.  This refers back to one of my rules of writing:  don't show everything.  Strong conversation, especially in writing, can be and should be levels on levels of masks.  I wrote recently about secrets as a tension and release developer in writing, see www.novelscene.wordpress.com.   The most powerful secrets are those held by the protagonist that are not shared with the reader until late in the novel.  Secrets held by other characters also lend power and depth to any writing.

A conversation starts on a concrete and literal level.  Depending on the skill of the writer, the levels build from there to the theme.  This is a difficult subject to give simple examples for.  I'll try to bring some into play tomorrow.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, Plot and Theme in Symbols

13 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Plot and Theme in Symbols

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.

Language is a symbol.  Excluding illustrations, symbols in literature are always composed of language.  I mentioned that good children's literature should be composed with strong symbols.  If you want other examples look at McDonald's children's books.  Look at Treasure Island or C.S. Lewis' novels.  Great children's literature is filled with powerful symbols.  The reason is because children understand and love symbols.  Children look for the complex in the simple.  They see everything as puzzles to decipher.  Language itself is a puzzle.  Adults forget the work that was required as a child to discover and decipher the trick of reading.  Children know reading is a work of seeking the treasure in the writing.

Adults can't ever forget this small fact--especially writers.  Writing is producing treasure.  Some of the treasure is evident on the surface, but there are levels in great writing.  These levels come out of the theme and the plot.  In any well written novel there must be two levels in the writing.  The first is the plot--the surface of the story.  The second is the theme--the deeper meaning. 
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, more Culture and Symbols

12 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, more Culture and Symbols

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.

It isn't just writing about other cultures that require knowledge of symbols.  More than anything else, any writing requires knowledge of symbols.  This includes children's literature.  I think the simplification of children's literature has been a terrible disservice to the intellectual development of the next generation.  Dr. Seuss is the exact opposite of this trend.  Dr. Seuss produced children's literature that spoke to complete symbols, modified symbols, and simplified symbols.  In many cases, Dr. Seuss developed his own symbols.  Combined with rhyme and pictures, Dr. Seuss formed complex concepts through language and symbols that children could enjoy and understand.  The enjoy is critical.  That goes back to my rule: entertain your readers.  Dr. Seuss entertained... and much of that entertainment came out of the symbols he used.

Symbols not only can prevent or remove confusion, properly used they entertain.  I think it is both silly and disingenuous when someone says a pun was not intended.  Puns are an intellectual means of entertainment.  If they aren't intentional, then did the speaker or writer accidentally stumble across them?  Does this mean the speaker or writer isn't aware of his own language enough to understand what he is saying or thinking?  Or is the speaker or writer just lying because they think puns are silly, wrong, or not acceptable.  If I use a pun it is because I used it intentionally.  A pun is a use of language as an advance symbol.  At the highest level a pun draws attention from one subject to another.  Such use of language is a powerful capability.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, Culture and Symbols

11 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Culture and Symbols

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.

When we speak about symbols, we are speaking about writing within a cultural paradigm.  A cultural paradigm implies a historical setting or paradigm.  My point is that to write properly requires a very in depth knowledge of the culture and history you are writing in and for.  Language is, of course, the ultimate symbol.  I've written before about language and culture.  They are inseparable.  You can't have a language without a culture and culture is expressed through language.  If you don't understand how culture and language are interconnected, read back through this blog, and you will see.

So, symbols require a strong understanding of the culture and of the language.  I'll still make the point that they are significantly the same.  In one of my novels, Children of Light and Darkness, I play on this idea of language and culture through the entire novel.  The trick is to make other nonAmerEnglish cultures and languages somewhat understandable to my AmerEnglish readers.  The way you can do this is through symbols.  Symbols is perhaps the only way you can achieve this.

So when I write about another culture, I use their religious symbols, touches of their language, their names, their places, their knowledge.  The culture is all about symbols, and this is a necessary part of communicating the culture. 
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, more on Symbols

10 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, more on Symbols

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.

I showed yesterday a symbol (tea), a specific type of the symbol tea (Russian tea), and a modified symbol (Russian tea with milk and sugar) applied to a character.  In no case did the symbol ever lose its basic or specific meaning.  Note that to use this symbol required significant knowledge of the symbol and the cultures involved.  This goes back to historical study and cultural awareness that I wrote about not too long ago.

A writer is an artist who works in symbols.  Language is the symbol and all symbols are about history and culture.  When I write history, I hope you also understand I am saying literature, art, architecture, politics, and all.  Symbols come directly out of culture and history, but there are many kinds and types.  I've mentioned two in any depth--the cross and tea.  Symbols can be very obscure--such as a reference to a little known piece of poetry.  They can be nearly universal such as the cross.  They can be very culturally focused, such as tea.

How important are symbols in writing?  I've tried to show you they are indispensable to writing.  Language itself is a symbol.  You might ask instead: how often do you use symbols in your writing--that is higher level symbols and not just language.  The answer might surprise you.  I have a symbol in at least every paragraph I write.  Some are simple--metaphors or similes.  Some are complex--a reference to history or from literature.  In every case, they are necessary to express the full meaning of my intention in the writing.  This is why I wrote before about classical interpretation of literature.  I'll write more, tomorrow.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, more Modified Character Symbols

9 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, more Modified Character Symbols

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.

I took a very well known symbol--tea.  Then I made it specific-Russian tea.  Then I modified it to a character--Russian tea with milk and sugar.

Let's look a little deeper at this symbol.  First in AmerEnglish culture tea is a symbol of British refinement.  It symbolizes nobility and tea time.  In all my novels that touch British society, I use tea as this symbol.  Tea is the symbol that brings the pauper up and the queen down.  It both ennobles and normalizes.  Nothing can be common with tea.  In my novels of Scottish farmers, they drink tea, but they don't have tea time--tea time is too high, you see.  Tea time is alright for the queen, but not for the thistle laced farm.  On the other hand, the pauper comes to tea time with a proud and happy face--she knows it is time to warm the heart and the fingers with tea and the stomach with a bit of bread--perhaps biscuits. 

Russian tea is much different.  It still holds the symbol of tea, but it makes common.  Russian tea is a drink without its own time.  It is a drink that Russians all share.  It is a Russian past time, pleasure, and habit.  It is drunk dark and pure because it is already flavored with wonderful and powerful spices.  All Russian tea is strong and black and spiced in one way or another.  The common tea is smoked.  The less common tea is spiced.  It is served from a concentrate and diluted with boiling water from a samovar.  The samovar makes Russian tea available all day and at every hour of the day.  It can be made the proper richness by dilution, but Russians drink their tea very black indeed.  I have friends who like tea, but who consider Russian tea to not be tea at all--in their minds tea must be unfermented (green) and pure (unspiced).  Such a thought would never run through a Russian mind.  This is the symbol that is Russian tea.

Then I modified it to Sveta.  Sveta was born in the USA of French parents and she lived her life in the US, France, and England.  She drinks tea with milk and sugar.  This identifies her and her origin.  In the novel, Shadow of Darkness, one of Sveta's great secrets is her origin.  She doesn't know where she came from for almost the entire novel.  She thought she came from Moscow.  We know she began the novel in Berlin.  She drinks her Russian tea with milk and sugar--a modified symbol.
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, Modified Character Symbols

8 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Modified Character Symbols

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.

Using, developing, and modifying symbols are the author's job.  This includes language and other symbols.  It is the other symbols that I have been writing about.  Yesterday, I gave an example of description that used symbols exclusively to begin to define a character.  The symbols were a clerical collar, a smoking jacket, an Oxford accent, a cheap cigarette, and cheap whisky.  These are simple and strong enough symbols that they don't need modification.  Let's choose a symbol that is easily modified and that has some real power to it.  Let's use tea--Russian tea.

In one of my yet unpublished novels, Shadow of Darkness, the main character, Sveta, drinks Russian tea with milk and sugar.  Russian tea itself, like vodka represents the people and the resilience of Russia.  Unlike vodka, Russian tea doesn't represent the underside of Russia and Russians--that is laziness and drunkenness.  Russian tea connects Russia to Europe and to Britain.  Russian tea connects Russia to Imperialism and power.  Russian tea is a wonderful symbol.  The fact that Sveta like her Russian tea with milk and sugar connects her directly to Europe and to royalty.  I modified the symbol of Russian tea by making the symbol personal and by putting sugar and milk into it.  Russians usually drink their tea without sugar or milk.  The way Sveta likes her tea is a powerful statement about who she is and who she was.  It tells the reader who she really is.

The who she really is, is a secret in the novel.  This is a secret that isn't revealed until very late in the novel and even then, the reader isn't certain it is true. 

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, Character Symbols

7 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Character Symbols

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.

Language is symbols, therefore great authors are also great manipulators of symbols.  Symbol manipulation is the work of a writer.  When you develop characters, you are developing a type of symbol.  The symbol you are developing is a human being formulated by words.  The power of that character is enveloped by the power of the symbols and words that create her or him. 

If I write about a character wearing a clerical tab and collar, I already have begun to use symbols to develop that character.  If I write that the character speaks with an Oxford accent and wears a smoking jacket, the symbols continue to stack up one after the other.  If I write that he takes a long pull on a cheap cigarette and pours an impoverished dram of inexpensive whiskey, you know even more.  Each of these descriptions are themselves symbols.  I haven't given any of them a modified or their own meaning.  They have their own meaning that requires no other explanation. 

The clerical collar and tab tells you the man is a priest of some liturgical Christian order--your main choices are Lutheran, Catholic, or Anglican.  When I write that he speaks with an Oxford accent and wears a smoking jacket, you know he is likely Anglican and British and that he attended or is attending Oxford.  The cheap cigarette and whiskey indicate some degree of poverty or cheapness.  The long pull shows addiction and points to potentially other bad habits.  I haven't begun to do anything other than provide some very simple descriptions and already the character is beginning to form in your mind's eye.  What happens when we modify these symbols?
There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, even more Modified Symbols

6 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, even more Modified Symbols

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.

Modifying common cultural symbols is not just a characteristic of young-adult or children's literature. It is true that young-adult and children's writers tend to modify symbols much more than adult writers. They likely shouldn't. The most important lesson to teach the young and inexperienced are the nuances of cultural symbols and understanding. If you modify common cultural symbols, you might find that children imagine their conception of the symbol is correct when it isn't. No matter what modern authors do to modify the symbol that is a vampire, they will never be able to cut it lose of disconnect it from the classical picture Bram Stoker drew more than a century ago.

Bram Stoker designed and defined the symbol that is the vampire. Bram Stoker did more than that. He also defined the horror and the Gothic novel. He defined the idea of the "Mummy" that came back to life. I used this symbol in my novel Aegypt.

If you note that Bram Stoker's vampire is the antecedent of every vampire. The modified vampires of the post modern world begin with a comparison to the vampire symbol designed by Bram Stoker. So some of the first questions the heroine asks of the modern vampire: does the cross affect you? Does garlic affect you? Does sunlight affect you? One of the many modern vampire modifiers makes her vampires have scintillating skin--that's the reason they don't come out in sunlight. That is a far cry from the creature of the night that can be destroyed by purifying sunlight.

I'm not against modifying symbols, quite the contrary. What I want is for you to know when you are modifying a symbol and what the modification connotes. And to tell you the truth, the most important thing is that you are conginzantly using symbols in your writing. I'll give you more about symbols.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, more Modified Symbols

5 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, more Modified Symbols

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.

Although I used an example of how to take a very well know symbol and turn it into a modified symbol, It is almost always best to not modify well known symbols.  We know that many authors have been modifying well known symbols recently--how can they pull this off?  The first is you must have an audience that isn't completely clear on the symbols.  This is really terrible.  It means that too many people are not very well educated in the symbols of our culture.  This is why you find young-adult novels are those most willing and capable of modifying symbols.

The most immediate example of this is the smother of teen vampire novels.  This was preceded in Asia by a host of vampire manga and novels there.  The problem with many of these novels is they modify the symbol of a vampire to something completely unvampirelike.  As I mentioned, the success of the authors is because their readers are not very familiar with or they reject the symbol of a vampire.

Let's look at the vampire.  A vampire is an undead creature that has been condemned to an impure and unholy existence for eternity.  It is a creature that can be banished through prayer, holy water, holy symbols, and holy acts.  It is a creature that seeks to make the pure impure the good evil and the Godly ungodly.  It is a creature of evil without a single touch of good.  Some modern writers have modified the vampire into a creature of nobility.  This is the modification of a classical symbol into the exact opposite of its cultural symbol. 

Other writers in the post-modern era have accomplished this.  For example, the novel Wicked changed an evil witch into a tragic hero and a "good" witch into a self-serving being.  Frank Baum in The Wizard of Oz already modified witches into a "good" witch and a "bad" witch.  So, Frank Baum already modified a classical symbol--of course, he was writing for children?

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, Modified Symbols

4 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Modified Symbols

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.

If you mess with culturally universal symbols you run a great risk of confusing your readers. For example, if you have a cross that is not a holy symbol or a symbol of the church and Christianity, you have modified that symbol. There is a strong possibility you will confuse and lose your readers. Very powerful symbols like the cross have such long standing defined characteristics that to modify them is foolish.

A better idea is to modify the concept of a specific cross. This is a means of symbol modification you can use with almost any symbol. Take a specific cross, the Maltese Cross, for example. The Maltese Cross has a very specific meaning and is the focus of a very specific order and organization. Let's say I want to use the Maltese Cross to mean something a little different. Its basic meaning is a holy order of knights. I can use these concepts to make it the modern symbol of a secret society or a criminal group or a hospital. The point here is that you can slightly change the meaning without causing misunderstandings or confusions in your writing.

This can be an even more powerful concept if you choose symbols that are less well known.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, Symbols

3 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Symbols

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. 

The cross is a ready made symbol.  It has many very specific and many very general meanings.  An author can also program it with new or enhanced meanings.  For example, if I am writing about vampires, the general meaning of a cross is as a holy implement or device.  The specific meaning is usually as a protection against vampires.  An author might negate the classical meaning of a cross by stating that her vampires aren't affected by crosses at all.  There is a problem with this change of meaning for a cross--do you see it?  The concept of a vampire is as a foil to holy things.  A vampire is a set of symbols by itself.  Classically, a vampire is a creature of the night that is undead and immortal.  It can only live at night and subsists on human blood.  There are many other components of a vampire.  If we deconstruct the concept of a vampire and begin to change the classical symbols that make up a vampire--we don't have a vampire anymore. 

This might be okay with people who don't know anything about vampires, but it certainly will mess up those who do.  Therefore, if the cross won't affect a being whose purpose is as a foil to holy things, the idea of vampire suddenly is nought.  I now I'm bringing logic into a place where logic might not be familiar to many people, but Bram Stoker, who developed the symbol of the vampire in literature, set in place this symbol.  You can mess with symbols, but you need to be careful how you do it.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, Language and Symbols

2 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Language and Symbols

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.

Language is the ultimate symbol.  Words stand for ideas.  If I mention the word "love," you can't picture "a love."  You don't picture any thing.  You might picture the word "love."  Love is a concept that can't be a physical noun.  Verbs are that way--they have to be pictured (if at all) through actions.  The noun, "love," is equally not a thing that you can see.  "Love" is a word, and it is a symbol.  A person who can't understand love can't use the word properly and a person who doesn't understand love can't understand writing that includes it. 

This leads to a very important anthropological concept.  Do societies that are not literate have the capability to understand symbolic concepts?  The answer to this is not known.  Most non literate cultures that have been studied show that they do not understand symbolic concepts like love.  Most early cultures barely have a word for love. 

You might then ask, do people who are illiterate understand symbolic concepts, like love?  Great question.  I hope all of you are fully literate and fully comprehend the idea of symbols--writing is impossible without them and great writing is completely dependent on them.

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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, Cultural Literacy and Symbols

1 July 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Cultural Literacy and Symbols

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.

The focus of all writing is in language and culture.  This is the primary skill necessary to write well.  You must know your language well, and you must understand your culture.  Culture is derived of symbols, language, history, and etc. all the subjects I listed yesterday from Hirsch, et al.  The understanding of these subjects about your culture determines the depth and power of your writing.  A writer who is conversant in their own culture can write well within it.  This is why just knowing another language isn't usually enough to write well in that culture.  An author needs to know the details of the culture to put together the symbols of a language.

This is also why the author determines the full understanding of the content and not the reader.  The reader may never completely understand the full meaning of the author.  This is what makes Shakespeare so powerful.  His writing uses the symbols of his culture on many levels and must be understood and evaluated on these many levels. 

I try to write this way.  I am not trying to put myself on Shakespeare's level, but any adult author should be trying to build their writing in this manner.  The power of writing is the control of symbols and language is the ultimate symbol. 

There is much more to writing without confusing your readers. I'll write about that tomorrow.

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/.