Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 35, yet more Vampire Revelation Rising Action

15 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 35, yet more Vampire Revelation Rising Action

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

When I first started writing, I wrote like the older classical novels I grew up with.  I learned, after writing many novels, that isn't the most powerful way to write.  You can write a good novel using that method, but it really is telling.  Don't tell.  This is the problem I see all the time.  Most writers know the dictum, "Show don't tell," but they really don't understand what that means.  For example, sorry to break this to you, if you didn't already know it, but Tolkien did a lot more telling than showing.  His worlds of Middle Earth are wonderful, but he really could have done a better job with his writing.  This is why his books make such wonderful movies.  Movies mostly show everything--when Tolkien is shown, the stories become much more powerful.

In fact, I'll disagree with the famous myth that the best novels are difficult to make into movies.  The best novels are entirely description and conversation.  If a screenplay writer can't make a great screenplay from description and conversation, he isn't much of a writer.  The best novels reveal everything through description and conversation--that is showing.  Instead of telling what is happening in the world, nation, city, place, a great author has the characters converse about it--or she shows it to the reader (descriptive action).  
 
More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 34, more Vampire Character Revelation Rising Action

14 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 34, more Vampire Character Revelation Rising Action

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

What would you like to ask a vampire?  Once an author can set up the reason for a scene where a character can have a reasoned conversation with a vampire, you can ask and answer any question you wish.  In my novel, the agent takes the vampire to dinner.  Why not?  She's hungry.  In my expansion of vampires, I propose they must have human blood during the full moon--at other times they eat for sustenance and enjoyment.  The vampire is dirty, and her clothing is filthy.  The best they can do is get ice cream to go.  George invites the vampire back to his flat.  She doesn't have anywhere else to go anyway. 

The ability to get a character into a safe and comfortable environment and have a conversation, is the basis of all character revelation.  As an author, you don't tell us what a character thinks--you allow the characters to tell us what they think.  Is it the truth?  That is what revelation is all about.  From the mouth of the narrator, it should be truth--the narrator is like a god.  On the other hand, words from the mouth of a character might be true or they might be false.  This is what builds a great novel.
 
More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 33, Vampire Character Revelation Rising Action

13 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 33, Vampire Character Revelation Rising Action

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

The wonderful power in writing in scenes is that time must pass and scenes must build.  The point is not to have extraneous scenes, but rather scenes that develop in the proper direction and that provide the feeling of time passing and events occurring.  In time, a lunar month to be exact, our vampire comes looking for George.  She is more bedraggled than before.  She is desperate.  She needs his blood.  What a great set up.  I enjoyed writing this scene almost more than the initial scene.  It was a fun scene because it was inevitable and not predictable.  The setup was fun too.  George comes home a different way every evening--to anyone in "the business," you know why this is necessary.  The vampire is waiting for him.

She ambushes him on a side street.  This is not an attack.  She is wise enough not to attack.  She has come to negotiate and beg if necessary.  The beauty of this event is that it provides an impetus to revelation.  Once I can get the agent and the vampire into a conversation, I can continue the process of the novel that was begun in the first scene.  Everyone wants to know about the vampire--don't you?
 
More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 32, even more Character Revelation Rising Action

12 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 32, even more Character Revelation Rising Action

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

Of course, the big event that the rising action is building to is a second meeting with the vampire.  In the novel sufficient time must past (28 days, one lunar cycle to be exact).  Additionally, we need to learn about George and his work.  I have to reveal certain facts about the world and the events in the world.  We meet Dave and Stewart.  We learn about the organization.  We begin to get hints about a special part of the organization that is called "stele."  The point in all of this is to give information to the reader through showing and not telling.  When Stewart, George, and Dave have their weekly staff meeting, we learn more about their work and the organization.  Their conversation brings this out.  We also learn about these three men.  We see their motivations, and how they work.  During the assignments, we see directly how George and Dave do their jobs.  We see how the intelligence system works.  We find out that the Polish Police and government are supporting these British operations.  During this time, we are also building up to Christmas.  The season is Advent.   The weather is cold, and the embassies are having Christmas parties.  Into this subtext, we reinject our vampire.
 
More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 31, yet more Character Revelation Rising Action

11 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 31, yet more Character Revelation Rising Action

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

As scenes play out in the rising action, the author has the opportunity for the characters to converse.  Much of the power in the conversations is characters revelation.  I was making the point of scene input and output in the development of the story.  This is the method I use when writing.  The scenes progress from the initial scene.  The second scene is of George in the hospital.  The next scene is when he returns to his flat and writes his report.  I write about real characters--a large point of covert work is reports.  With George's report, we learn even more about his character.  There is no way he can report that a vampire asked for his blood, and he gave it.  There is no way he can write that he was dying, and the vampire's actions gave him life.  We see a direct tension in the plot and storyline.  This tension is intentional.  The tension helps us understand George Mardling and shows us his work.

When George shows up for his next assignment, his partner, Dave is surprised.  His assignment is surprised that George was out "with a cold."  In the continuation of scenes, we see the buildup of the work George does--this is character revelation at its best.  We also see increasing tension with the Chinese embassy.  This is a plot build-up to provide a future crises.
 
More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 30, still more Character Revelation Rising Action

10 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 30, still more Character Revelation Rising Action

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

I write in scenes and I like to have scenes follow one another in time and based on the scene input and output.  The output of the initial scene from my vampire novel is that the vampire disappears and the agent falls unconscious.  There is a cliffhanger because the reader doesn't know if the agent lives of dies.  The next scene follows the initial scene in time and from the output of the scene.

George Mardling wakes up in a hospital bed.  His first contacts are with the nurse and then his doctor.  There we learn that his wounds healed miraculously, and the doctor is surprised that George is alive.  We also learn that George is in a lockdown room for his security.  The hospital scenes follow in sequence.  The next visitor is George's boss, Stewart Calloway.  Now, we can get down to character revelation.  There is little to reveal in the interaction between the nurse or the doctor and a patient--there is extensive revelation possible with a person and their boss.  Stewart and George are also friends.  Friends and revelation are perfect together.  The conversation that ensues shows the reader many facts that are not obvious in the initial scene.  For example, what was the mission George was sent to accomplish, and why didn't he have a backup?  George's actual work and job is hinted at, but there is no reason to reveal everything all at once.  As I wrote, the entire rising action is a revelation of the characters.  George is the protagonist, so he will be the focus of the revelation.  George is released from the hospital.  The next scene should be obvious.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 29, more Character Revelation Rising Action

9 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 29, more Character Revelation Rising Action

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

So, let me make this very clear--first you develop your characters.  This is what I tried to show you about the vampire and the agent.  I designed and developed each character before I began to write the initial scene.  Following the initial scene, in the rising action, I reveal the character that was developed. 

Let's talk about the scene next to the initial scene and then following.  This will help us explore how revelation of a character works.  At the end of my first scene, the vampire, Heidi is her given (German) name and Valeska is her Polish name, has disappeared.  The agent, George Mardling is unconscious, but alive--the reader is left with an ambiguity that he survives.  This is a classic, and the correct, means of writing a scene.  A scene is set (the setting), a rising action, a climax, and a falling action.  Scenes don't necessarily have a dénouement.  This means that a scene can and should always have some kind of unresolved action--this is called a cliffhanger.  A cliffhanger doesn't have to be like the one in my vampire novel--it doesn't have to be about life and death.  It can be a simple unresolved question or point.  For example, the character can simply ask a question that will be resolved in the novel, or there can be an obvious break in the conversation with a wrap-up that leads to the next scene.  The group makes a plan and the next scene they execute it.  This is one way of stating that the end of one scene introduces the beginning of the next scene.  Since George loses consciousness at the end of the first scene, we can expect a funeral or a hospital scene (or something in between.  I chose a hospital scene.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 28, Character Revelation Rising Action

8 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 28, Character Revelation Rising Action

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

A novel is all about the revelation of the characters.  Many inexperienced authors (I know because I though this way at one time too), believe you introduce the characters and once that step is out of the way, you are free to write and develop the theme.  This is a wrong way of thinking.  The work of revealing the characters is the work of the entire rising action.  Many new writers try to get all the character stuff out of the way early to focus on the plot and storyline.  Instead, if you look at the entire rising action as a way to reveal the character, you have a novel that critics call rich with powerful characters.

Think of it this way.  You reveal a character through conversation and description.  Every conversation and every description is an opportunity to reveal something about the characters involved.  Thus, in my vampire novel, each time the vampire and the agent speak, I have a chance to reveal more about them.  There is a lot to reveal.  You might ask: why is there so much to reveal?  The reason is this--when a character is fully developed, they are like a real person.  Real people are very complex--even the most trivial is complex enough to have an entire book written about them.  The skill is in the writing.  The skill is also in the revelation, and the continued revelation.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 27, Rising Action

7 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 27, Rising Action

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

The point of a novel in general and the rising action specifically is the revelation of the characters (especially the major characters).  Characters are not developed in a novel--they are developed by the author and then revealed in the novel.  Some characteristics of a character might change, but the telic change (the change that drives the theme and climax of the novel) belongs only to the protagonist.  In general, we say, the protagonist is the only character who has a telic change.  That doesn't mean that other characters might not grow or show some change in a novel, but rather the primary change belongs to the protagonist. If another character has a telic change, you chose the wrong character to write about.

Characters are developed prior to writing the novel and are revealed in the novel.  I've heard the term character development my whole writing life.  I think this is a misunderstanding by many teachers and educators who don't understand writing a novel.  It may appear during the rising action, that the characters develop or that the author is developing a character, but for a writer this is not true at all.  An author develops the characters before she writes about them.  In the novel, the characters are revealed.  All the development has been done, the author's job after developing them is to reveal them to the reader.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 26, after The Initial Scene

6 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 26, after The Initial Scene

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

Once the initial scene is written, you have the whole rising action to give backstory build the theme and plot and approach the climax of the novel.  The initial scene is such a small part of a novel, but the most important part of the novel. 

It is the most important part because it sets the novel and it draws in the reader.  Let's say you write the best novel in the world, but no one will read it because the initial scene is a turn-off--you have a great novel that no one will read.  How's that going to play in Hoboken?  That's the point, the initial scene is the initial draw into the novel.  If the reader isn't excited and interested in the initial scene, they will likely not continue reading the novel--the world's greatest novel is kaput. 

The initial scene is the critical scene of the novel and after it, you can begin to flesh out all those marvelous details that reveal the characters and build the novel.  Did you get that--the initial scene is not the place to reveal the characters or to build the novel.  A good writer will not.  Let's say you could fully reveal a character during the initial scene--either that character is facile, your first scene is way too long with too much backstory, or your novel is going to be weak.  One of the whole points of a novel is the characters.  Revealing the characters is the point of a novel.  I'll explain this.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 25, yet more Action in The Initial Scene

5 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 25, yet more Action in The Initial Scene

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

The point is that for this novel, the initial scene meets my criteria for that first critical scene.  First it is filled with action: a shooting, potential death, a hunting vampire, the vampire is hungry and wants to eat.  Second, it introduces the protagonist and the protagonist's helper.  We get a description with no details (yet) of the characters.  Their meeting is filled with action.  Third, the theme is introduced.  The protagonist must have a telic change caused by his telic flaw.  From the initial scene, you don't know the telic flaw of the agent character, George Mardling, but because of his interaction with the vampire, you have the same question he does: what does it mean to give some blood to a vampire, and what will happen to me and her?  This is the device that drives the theme into the plot.

That's the point of the initial scene: excitement, introductions (descriptions), setting, and the theme turned into a plot.  I have much more in mind for this novel.  The initial idea, you must admit, is intriguing.  The idea of a homeless vampire is pretty appealing.  We usually imagine vampires to be predators who have everything together.  The idea of one who is dirty, dressed in rags, and hungry is slightly outside of our usual thinking.  This is the springboard for the rest of the novel.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 24, more Action in The Initial Scene

4 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 24, more Action in The Initial Scene

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

The agent was shot, and he is dying.  Our vampire asks the obvious question: may I dine on your blood.  For there to  be a future relationship and a future at all, he must answer yes.  There is some back and forth between them, but mostly the vampire wants to eat (and live), and the agent is ready to give up his life.  He doesn't want to, but when you are leaking your blood out and you are an hour away from help, you know you are going to die.

You can guess the answer: the agent tells her that she can drink his blood, and she leaves him a gift.  Remember that a vampire can make a vampire by killing them by taking their blood then putting in some of the vampire's own special blood.  What would happen if a vampire gave some of their blood to a living person--I posit that they would not become a vampire, but they would be healed.  That is what happens.  The vampire drinks the agent's blood, but then gives back some of her own blood to him.  The result is that he doesn't die.  He is also touched by the grave, but that is an entirely different problem.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 23, Action in The Initial Scene

3 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 23, Action in The Initial Scene

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

Self evident action in this initial scene is the meeting of the agent and the vampire; however, this is not how I wrote it.  The scene I wanted to produce was a pathetic one (one filled with emotion).  The agent was sent on the mission allow because it was supposed to be a simple meeting and connection.  The reality was that the agent was ambushed by those he was supposed to meet.  Before he meets the vampire, he is shot through the chest, and that begins the entire theme of the novel. 

The vampire happened to be hunting the same person as the agent.  She happened to be in the alley when the agent is shot.  Can you see the picture?  That is the setting and the stage I write in the initial scene.  Our starving vampire is still starving--the agent chased away her prey, but she is still hungry and now his blood is being wasted on the dark cobblestones.  What other question could she ask: may I dine on your blood.  She has to ask the question because of the design feature I placed in my vampires: since vampires are repelled by the cross, they are equally unable to attack cross-bearers (Christians).  The agent happens to be a Christian.  She, therefore must ask, and he must give that permission. 

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 22, more The Initial Scene

2 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 22, more The Initial Scene

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

You don't need backstory to introduce and describe characters--all you need to do is describe the characters and the action.  When I write "describe the characters," I mean physically--show and don't tell.  Therefore, when I describe the vampire girl, she looks like she is a malnourished fifteen year old who is wearing a soiled party dress.  I do give a little more--her eyes are strange, she has fangs, and a long pointed tongue.  Still, seeing her, I don't tell you she is a vampire--that would be telling. 

The protagonist is a man on a mission.  Only a little information here.  He was sent to meet with an Eastern European due to his language skills.  His office asked for the work because of his language skills and from a Polish Police request.  The man is an agent.  I don't tell you that either--that would be telling.  Instead, I describe a man who is packing and using a night vision goggle past midnight. 

This is the setup: a man who is obviously on some type of police mission and a hunting vampire.  Their meeting is a part of the action in the initial scene.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 21, The Initial Scene

1 May 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 21, The Initial Scene

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

The ways to submarine your initial scene are a prologue, a non-action initial scene, an initial scene that is backstory. 

In my vampire novel, the obvious initial scene is the meeting between the protagonist and the protagonist's helper (the agent and the vampire).  As I mentioned before, the protagonist is a British agent from the organization and the protagonist's helper is a vampire.  In accordance with my definitions for a vampire, the vampire, Valeska is out hunting on a night with a full moon.  She isn't a very good hunter because her master previously had hunted for her.  She was kept like a pet because of her unnatural beauty.  She was made a vampire because of her beauty and her evil. 

All this is backstory.  You don't get any of it in the initial scene.  What you see in the initial scene is a girl who looks fifteen who is wearing a horribly dirty white and pink party dress.  The dress has blood spatters and years worth of graves and dirt ground into it.  The girl is a malnourished vampire.  She isn't malnourished because she is trying to save humans--she is malnourished because she is a poor hunter and she has no money.  Part of the backstory, that you learn later in the novel, is that her vampire master failed to return to his home and that left her and the other vampires with a problem.  When the house went up for sale, they had no place to go.  She was the least proficient and more coddled vampire and has not succeeded well on the street.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 20, and even more Submarining Your Initial Scene

30 April 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 20, and even more Submarining Your Initial Scene

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

The ways to submarine your initial scene are a prologue, a non-action initial scene, an initial scene that is backstory. 

The easiest way to kill the action in an initial scene is to include too much backstory.  The initial scene s no place for backstory.  You should always leap into the novel with both feet and start with setting and action.  The action can include conversation, but not too much.  In your action and setting, you can place some little tidbits of backstory, but even then, I think it is back story telling technique to put in too much backstory at all.  You should be able to make the entire storyline, including the backstory, come alive in the conversation of the characters.

With solitary characters, it is possible to have them reminisce during breakfast or to contemplate the past at dinner.  But do it in the second and later scenes.  I made the mistake of putting too much backstory in the initial scene of my novel, Aegypt.  I was following the advice of my mentor, but I should have left the novel as it is with the backstory in the later scenes.  My mentor in writing novels liked to write in an older style and wanted to put the full character setting and description at the beginning. I can go for character description, but not backstory.  From experience, I can assure you, you can put all the elements of the backstory you wish in the rising action.  So, don't put much backstory in your initial scene.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 19, even more Submarining Your Initial Scene

29 April 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 19, even more Submarining Your Initial Scene

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

The ways to submarine your initial scene are a prologue, a non-action initial scene, an initial scene that is backstory. 

Action equals energy in my book.  There is no novel that has no action.  Even the most intellectual novel will have some degree of action.  Action propels every novel.  Without some action or threat of action, there is no reason for a novel.  I'm trying to think of novels without any or much action--I can't think of any.  I'm trying to think of examples of low grade action in novels--I can't think of any.  Action of some kind envelops and infuses every novel.  A novel like the history The Diary of Anne Frank is defined by suppressed action and the climax is the action of an attack.  Suppressed action defines such a book and gives wings to the intellectual parts of it.  In a similar novel, The Book Thief, the action is the novel and defines the novel.  There is no relief from the driving beat of warfare and threat of death.  Most novels are similar to this.  I would argue that most novels are propelled by some degree of action and that action must propel and define the initial scene.

Action will also define and propel the climax, but if you had no other action in your novel, it should be in the initial scene and the climax.  These two parts are never intellectual.  If you find a great novel where they are, I'd like to see it.  Action must define these two parts.  In most novels, you will find that action propels the entire novel and especially the rising action.  Just think of most novels, the movement and actions of the characters is what moves the rising action.  In the rising action, the action builds to the climax.  But the two highest action points of the novel are the initial scene and the climax.  The point is this, make certain your initial scene is high action.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 18, yet more Submarining Your Initial Scene

28 April 2014, Writing Ideas - Vampire Novel, part 18, yet more Submarining Your Initial Scene

Announcement: There is action on my new novels.  The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name.  I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions.  They are also working on a single theme for the covers.  I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

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

All novels have five discrete parts:
1.  The initial scene (the beginning)
2.  The rising action
3.  The climax
4.  The falling action
5.  The dénouement

The theme statement of this new novel is: An agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed. 

The ways to submarine your initial scene are a prologue, a non-action initial scene, an initial scene that is backstory. 

What you want from your initial scene is to set the novel, to introduce the main characters, to introduce the theme, and to bring the reader directly into the action (plot and storyline).  I can still achieve this and submarine my initial scene by not making it a powerful scene.  There are potentially many reasons for this.  The first is picking a point outside the action.  I made this mistake in The End of Honor.  I've already confessed the problems of the initial scenes of some of my published novels.  I made the mistake of not having this as an action scene and by brining in backstory.  The novel also has a prologue.  So I'm breaking all my recommendations to you.  You might ask how the novel was published--the novel has redeeming characteristics, but it was one of the first novels I wrote.  It is a good novel, but I've grown as a writer and a novelist.  The quality and understanding of writing you have at your twenty-third novel is much different than at your third novel.  I have improved as a novelist and as a writer.  My earlier novels as still good novels, but I've learned even better how to write and how to put together a great novel.

Now, as to action.  If you bring the protagonist and the antagonist together or the protagonist and the protagonist's helper, you will have action.  It is possible to have intellectual action, but I'm not into novels like that.  You should have some degree of real action.  When we get to it, I'll use my vampire novel as an example of the action in the initial scene.

More tomorrow.

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