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/.

Development - Rules of Writing, Cultural Literacy

30 June 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Cultural Literacy

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 most important type of cultural understanding is your own culture. This is why "Cultural Literacy" is so important. Cultural literacy means understanding the symbols and language of your culture. If you don't have cultural literacy, you have no hope of writing well.

Hirsch, Kett, and Trefil defined cultural literacy as: the Bible, Mythology and Folklore, Proverbs, Idioms, World Literature, Philosophy, and Religion, Literature in English, Fine Arts, World History, American History, World Politics, American Politics, World Geography, American Geography, Anthropology, Psychology, and sociology, Business and Economics, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Medicine and Health, and Technology. They even produced a dictionary and curriculum for cultural literacy. These are the basics you must know to understand the Amerenglish Culture.

Hirsch, et al, make the argument that if you don't have a basic understanding of these topics, you are culturally illiterate. I'll go further, if you don't understand the basics of these subjects, your can't understand literature and you shouldn't be writing literature. If you try to write, you will just confuse yourself and your readers.

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, Confusing

29 June 2012, Development - Rules of Writing, Confusing

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.

"Don't confuse your readers," envelopes the main rules of communication in writing.  This rule applies first to language, grammar, and punctuation--you have to have these rules down pat if you wish to write.  These are the basics of writing, and if you don't have them down, you can't be successful as a writer. 

There is more to communication in writing than the basics.  Communication in writing means understanding and using symbols and metaphors from the culture you are writing in.  Sometimes when you read material that seems to be weak and unexciting, many times the writing lacks cultural perception and understanding.  This is especially true for writers who are foreign to the language they are writing in.  A lack of cultural understanding will confuse you readers and points to this very important rule about the use of symbols and metaphors. 

I wrote about this before in terms of history and cultural understanding.  I'll write more about cultural understanding and the rules 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

28 June 2012, Development -  Rules of Writing

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/.

Some writers claim there are no rules in writing--or to write well you should break the rules there are.  There definitely are rules in writing.  For example, grammar is one of the hard rules of writing.  Punctuation is another rule of writing.  Language is another rule of writing.  If you aren't writing using language properly, grammar properly, and punctuation properly, no one will be able to understand you.  My four rules for writing follow:

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 first rule applies to language, grammar, and punctuation (as well as other more complex topics).  If you confuse your readers (because they can't understand your writing), you have failed as a writer.  It is impossible for writing not to have a strong foundation of basic rules.  Likewise, it is impossible to write well unless you are well grounded in these basics. 

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 - Science in Science Fiction

27 June 2012, Development - Science in Science Fiction

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/.

I wrote in detail about how to study history and culture to write historical fiction. That moved to how to write about culture in science fiction, and now, I am exploring how to study to write science fiction.

If you want to write science fiction, you need to understand science.  I've tried to give you some rules of thumb to determine the reliability of scientific papers and information.  Just understanding this information will help you understand the basics of science.  Using this information will help you determine the validity of the science you study.  The important point is that you have to work to study, and if you want to have enough science knowledge to write science fiction, you have to study science.
I'll write about the rules of writing 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 - Extrapolated Science in Science Fiction, yet still more Accuracy

26 June 2012, Development - Extrapolated Science in Science Fiction, yet still more Accuracy

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/.

I wrote in detail about how to study history and culture to write historical fiction. That moved to how to write about culture in science fiction, and now, I am exploring how to study to write science fiction.

I wrote a little about human studies before.  In general, medical studies are problematic.  To solve this problem, all legitimate medical device and medicine studies are made "double-blind."  A double-blind test always has a control and a placebo.  The control is to measure the differences between the active and placebo groups and helps make up for the general low confidence of the studies.  The placebo group rules out the placebo effect--which is a real and powerful effect. 

How good are double-blinds?  Like all studies and research, they have their problems, but if a medicine or other supplement has not gone through a double-blind test, I would never put it in my body.  I tell my science classes all the time, if you find a non-double-blind tested medicine that appears to do something--stop it immediately.  It is okay to put stuff in your body that is relatively benign, if it isn't benign, you are just asking to injure yourself.  This is also why many oriental medicines can be problematic and dangerous.  Chinese societies don't believe it is ethical to conduct double-blind tests on humans, therefore their medicines are always suspect.  If a double-blind test hasn't been accomplished on a medicine or human procedure, you are just asking to die (or at least to hurt yourself).

I'll write more about science in science fiction 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 - Extrapolated Science in Science Fiction, still more Accuracy

25 June 2012, Development - Extrapolated Science in Science Fiction, still more Accuracy

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/.

I wrote in detail about how to study history and culture to write historical fiction. That moved to how to write about culture in science fiction, and now, I am exploring how to study to write science fiction.

Conclusions based on a paucity of data are almost guaranteed to be wrong.  We already looked at statistical issues.  If the sample size of the data set is small and the confidence is not large, there is a real issue with the data.  If the levels measured are too low to cause effects, there is a problem with the results.  If the paper is written without research or using anecdotal evidence, there is a problem. 

In addition to these problems, there can be false conclusions.  If the researcher can't show a direct causal link between the results and the conclusions, the conclusions are not necessarily true.  In fact, lack of a direct causal link indicates the lack of a cause and effect relationship.  This is why there is so much debate on the issue of global warming.  No scientist will argue that carbon dioxide doesn't have some affect on global warming, but water vapor is responsible for about 95% of all global warming.  The question is the direct causal relationship between increasing carbon dioxide levels and warming of the earth.

So when you are looking at a scientific study, be cautious of conclusions that can't be directly related back to the experiment.  Be especially cautious of conclusions based on incomplete or inexact relationships between data or poor data samples.

In medicine, double blind tests are the means of conducting studies.
I'll write more about science in science fiction 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/.