Scenes - Scene Setting, Who, and yet even more Examples

3 December 2012, Scenes - Scene Setting, Who, and yet even more Examples

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

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

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

Here are my rules of writing:

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

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

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

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

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

Every scene has these parts:

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

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

Remember, use 100 to 300 words to introduce a character. Here is the introduction of a very critical character -- Ernst von Taaffe.  This introduction and description progresses through conversation and description.  The importance is setting the character and letting them go.  In this case, the character is moving at the same time.
 

Almost immediately a young man moved from the ballroom floor and stepped directly up to Aksinya.  He dropped to his left knee and bowed his head.  He was dressed in finery.  Not as fine as the clothing Aksinya wore, but very formal and slightly out of fashion.  Aksinya’s Uncle would have approved.  His frockcoat was charcoal and his pants were cream colored.  His shirt was also cream and everything was pressed to perfection.   

Aksinya straightened her back.  She couldn’t see anything of his face only the top of his blond head.  She wondered if, with such a display, he mocked her.  The young man didn’t stand.  He lifted his face to hers and reached for her hand.  Aksinya was too slow to keep him from taking it.  His face was gentle and pleasant.  It matched his voice which was almost melodic.  Aksinya might have described it as like a snake in a more pointed moment, but it was sweet and calm.  His eyes were blue and met hers without apology.  He glanced at her hand and then at her face again and smiled, “You are truly the one, Countess.”

Aksinya took a deep breath, “The one…?”

His smile broadened, “I have met you twice, but we have not been introduced.  Please don’t think me forward if I introduce myself.  I am Ernst Franz von Taaffe.  My father is the Graf von Taaffe.  So, you see, we are of nearly equal rank.”

Aksinya tried to pull her hand from his, “Why should that matter to me?”

“Because, first, I am infatuated with you.  I warn you, I will do anything to have you.  Second, I know exactly what you are…”

Aksinya pursed her lips and yanked her hand back.  The man would not let it go.  “Where did you meet me?”  She hissed.

“Outside the Golden Adler Gasthaus.”

Aksinya’s free hand stole to her face, “You were one of the rapists?”

The furrows in Ernst’s smooth brow deepened, “Dear Countess, surely you don’t count me with that sort.  Search your memories.  You stared directly at me.  You spoke to me.  I carried your sweet body back into your house and placed you in your bed.  Your blood ruined one of my good suits, but I purposely haven’t thrown it out.”

Aksinya’s eyes widened, “You were that man.”

Ernst’s lips drooped, “Yes, that man…”

Aksinya’s eyes filled with fear.  She tried again to pull her hand from his grasp, “Why were you there?  What did you see?”

Ernst grinned, “I was there because your courtier, Anatov Aznabaev told me you would be there.”

Aksinya shook her head, “Wait, Anatov Aznabaev.”  She whispered a sentence of Latin words under her breath, “Say that name again.”

Ernst repeated, “Anatov Aznabaev.”

And clearly to Aksinya’s ears came, “Asmodeus.”  She puffed out her cheeks, “Scheize.”

“Countess!  I was led to believe you were a completely refined woman.”

“I don’t care.”  She stared at the man, “What do you know?”

“That you are a most wondrous sorceress.  I saw everything.  You made a great enchantment without any protection.  Such power, unbelievable power…”  He noted the look on Aksinya’s face, “Don’t worry, Countess.  Your secret is safe with me, but only if you do as I wish.”

This is an example of an introduction within the framework of conversation. Again, the point is simply that when you introduce your characters (setting the who) make sure you set the who. Show us about those characters. I'll give you more examples, tomorrow.

My Notes: once you have a theme, you need to begin to visualize your plot, focus your theme, and define your characters. More tomorrow.

I'll move on to basic writing exercises and creativity in the near future.

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: Please elaborate on scene, theme, plot, character development in a new novel creation....ie, the framework, the development, order if operation, the level of detail, guidelines, rule of thumb, tricks, traps and techniques.

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.centurionnovelthesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.