9 October 2018, Writing - part
x641, Developing Skills, How to Suspend Disbelief, Building Pathos in Scenes, more
Example
Announcement: Delay, my new novels can be seen on the internet, but my primary
publisher has gone out of business—they couldn’t succeed in the past business
and publishing environment. I'll keep you informed, but I need a new publisher. More
information can be found at www.ancientlight.com. Check out my novels--I think you'll really enjoy
them.
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.
4a. Show what can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, and tasted on the stage
of the novel.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.
These are the steps I use to write a
novel including the five discrete parts of a novel:
1.
Design the initial scene
2.
Develop a theme statement (initial
setting, protagonist, protagonist’s helper or antagonist, action statement)
a.
Research as required
b.
Develop the initial setting
c.
Develop the characters
d.
Identify the telic flaw (internal
and external)
3.
Write the initial scene (identify
the output: implied setting, implied characters, implied action movement)
4.
Write the next scene(s) to the
climax (rising action)
5.
Write the climax scene
6.
Write the falling action scene(s)
7.
Write the dénouement scene
I
finished writing my 29th novel, working title, Detective, potential
title Blue Rose: Enchantment and the Detective. The theme statement is: Lady Azure Rose
Wishart, the Chancellor of the Fae, supernatural detective, and all around
dangerous girl, finds love, solves cases, breaks heads, and plays golf.
Here is the cover proposal for Blue
Rose: Enchantment and the Detective.
|
|
Cover
Proposal
|
The most important scene in any
novel is the initial scene, but eventually, you have to move to the rising
action. I am continuing to write on my 30th novel, working
title Red Sonja. I finished my 29th novel, working
title Detective. I’m planning to start on number 31, working
title Shifter.
How to begin a novel. Number one thought, we need an entertaining
idea. I usually encapsulate such an idea
with a theme statement. Since I’m
writing a new novel, we need a new theme statement. Here is an initial cut.
For novel 30: Red Sonja, a Soviet spy, infiltrates the
X-plane programs at Edwards AFB as a test pilot’s administrative clerk, learns
about freedom, and is redeemed.
For novel 31: TBD
Here
is the scene development outline:
1.
Scene input (comes from the previous scene output or is an initial scene)
2.
Write the scene setting (place, time, stuff, and characters)
3.
Imagine the output, creative elements, plot, telic flaw resolution (climax) and
develop the tension and release.
4.
Write the scene using the output and creative elements to build the tension.
5.
Write the release
6.
Write the kicker
Today: Suspension of
disbelief is the characteristic of writing that pulls the reader into the world
of the novel in such a way that the reader would rather face the world of the
novel rather than the real world—at least while reading. If this occurs while not reading, it is
potentially a mental problem. To achieve
the suspension of disbelief your writing has to meet some basic criteria and contain
some strong inspiration. If you want to
call the inspiration creativity, that works too. Here is a list of the basic criteria to hope
to achieve some degree of suspension of disbelief.
1.
Reasonably written in standard
English
2.
No glaring logical fallacies
3.
Reasoned worldview
4.
Creative and interesting topic
5.
A Plot
6.
Entertaining
7.
POV
Everything is about entertainment. The purpose for all published novels is
entertainment. Other than this is the
only point of fiction literature, one of the main reasons is that entertainment
can fill a lot of holes as well as result in the suspension of disbelief.
The factors that do lend themselves
to entertaining are these:
1.
Characters
2.
Plot
3.
Setting
4.
Topics
5.
Writing
6.
Use of figures of speech (vocabulary
and language).
How to develop entertaining
protagonists? I can’t leave the
discussion of entertaining protagonists without mentioning the romantic
character. I assert that we are still in
the Romantic Era for writing, but whether we are or aren’t, the romantic
character is the favored character of most readers. If your protagonist is a romantic character
or has romantic characteristics, this will improve the chance your readers will
find them entertaining.
So, what does a romantic character
look like? I happen to have a short
list. This isn’t a perfect list, but it
gets the basic idea. I’ll find examples
as well.
1. The common man,
innocence of humans, and childhood (children)
2. Focus on strong
senses, emotions, and feelings
3. Awe of nature
4. Celebration of the
individual and individualism
5. Importance of
imagination
To write a scene, we start with an input and develop an
output. Se have characters, a setting,
and a known plot which is moving to a climax (telic flaw resolution). We are looking at developing the middle part
of the scene. I am continuing with the
idea of the setup for an example.
Here is part of this example from my novel, Blue Rose: Enchantment and the Detective:
The room was not
crowded with people, but at least fifteen couples stood in the space. Buffet tables filled with food and drink were
stationed under the stairs. A quartet at
the left side played Christmas music intermixed with other classics. Daniel and Sveta Long stood on the right side.
Daniel Long was
medium height and shorter than Lachlann.
His hair was light brown and his features were fine but
nondescript. He possessed a very
pleasant face with a few wrinkles--most seemed to grace his eyes and lips as
though he was used to smiling.
Harold stepped
forward. He didn’t look at Azure’s card
or invitation, “Mrs. and Mr. Long, may I present the Lady Azure Rose Wishart
and her escort, Wing Commander Lachlann Calloway.”
Azure held out
her hand and Daniel Long took it, “Good evening, Lady Wishart. I’d heard Lachlann was coming with you, but I
had no idea he could enter into the good graces of such a spectacularly
beautiful woman.” Daniel bowed over her
hand.
Azure sniffed, a
little put out, “Thank you for inviting me.
I was happy to bring Lachlann with me.”
Daniel released
Azure’s hand. Sveta grasped it and
whispered, “I thought I asked you not to wear your signature clothing.”
Azure gave her a
tart smile, “It’s not white.”
“Yes, well. I’ll not say you don’t have excellent
taste. That’s a Dior, isn’t it?”
“The Queen bought
it for me especially for your party.”
Sveta rolled her
eyes. She pulled Azure to the side and
put her mouth near her ear, “Mrs. Calloway may be attending tonight.”
“Do you wish me
to stay out of her sight?”
Sveta sighed,
“That will not be possible. Use your own
discretion. I will not be able to
protect you.”
“In your own
house?” Azure scowled, “Lachlann shall
protect me.”
“That’s to be
seen.”
“As to our
business, when will we meet and where?”
Sveta let out
another sigh, “When the principles have gathered. I’m waiting for Klava to arrive. Enjoy yourselves. I’ll send Harold for you when we are ready,
but I’d like to wait until the party is winding down.”
Azure’s slitted
her eyes, “Is there anyone else I should know about who is attending your
party?”
Sveta glanced
around, “Why? I don’t think so. Everyone else here are members of the
Organization or MI6. You’ll not mention
anything about that or Stele, please.”
Azure turned her
a withering glance, “Really? Of course
not. Who do you think I am?”
Sveta curtsied,
“I do apologize. I didn’t mean it that
way.”
“Very well.”
Azure grasped
Lachlann’s hand and pulled him toward the main part of the ballroom. Lachlann snared them a couple of flutes of
Champaign, and they filled their plates from the buffet tables.
They found a
quiet table on which to place their food.
Lachlann stated, “Daniel Long is the head of the Organization.”
Azure nodded, “I
know.”
“Everyone here is
a member of MI6 or the Organization.”
“So Sveta told
me. I suppose, we shall have our little
meeting near the end of the party. Do
you think your mother will attend?”
Lachlann’s lips
curled down in a frown, “She will indeed.”
He pointed, “There she is now with father.”
Azure turned
quickly around and away from the direction Lachlann pointed, “It will be
impossible for me to remain hidden in this small room and with this small
crowd.”
“She doesn’t know
who you are, so don’t be alarmed.”
Azure turned him
a baleful glace, “You will protect me. I
insist.”
Lachlann mumbled,
“I will protect you—I promised.”
Azure gave him a
quavering smile, “That isn’t at all reassuring.” She picked up her flute of Champaign and took
a sip.
Lachlann sucked
in a deep breath, “Prepare yourself. She
is coming directly toward us.”
Azure choked and
Champaign dribbled from her lips.
Lachlann handed her his napkin.
Mrs. Calloway
came right up to them on the other side of the table. James Calloway grasped Kathrin Calloway’s
hand and tried to redirect her, “Kathrin, there are some people I’d like you to
meet…”
Mrs. Calloway
stopped on the far side of the table.
Her voice was low, but commanding, “There is a single person, whom I
would very much like to meet at the moment.
You may go, James. I’ll catch up
with you later.”
James didn’t
budge.
Azure didn’t turn
around. She held the napkin against her
face.
Mrs. Calloway
squinted at Azure’s back, then turned her eyes to Lachlann, “Lachlann Calloway,
please introduce me to your date.”
Lachlann cleared
his throat, “Mother, you’ve met her before.
This is Miss Azure Rose.”
“Lachlann. Preposterous.
She is not Miss Azure Rose. There
is no such person. I suspect this is Lady
Azure Rose Wishart. I demand to know why
she is here, and why you are escorting this person?”
Azure didn’t turn
around. She didn’t lower her napkin.
Lachlann licked
his lips, “Sveta invited Miss Rose to her Christmas party. I agreed to escort her.”
“Is this the same
schoolgirl you brought to church and our house?”
“Yes, the same
Miss Rose.”
“I guessed that
something was up. I checked out your
Miss Rose when I looked through Sveta’s invitation list. Who should I spot but the Lady Wishart. Lady Wishart, I demand to know why you were
included in this party. I ordered that
you should be excluded from any official associations with these groups.”
Azure spoke from
behind her napkin, “This is not an official event.”
“Again,
preposterous. You know very well what
kind of event this is.”
Azure
turned. She still held her napkin in
front of her face, “This is a Christmas Party.
Why should I not attend if I am invited, and why should I not be
escorted by my suitor.”
Mrs. Calloway
took an entire step back. She couldn’t
mask her astonishment. When she
recovered a little of her aplomb, she responded, “Your suitor? Have things moved as far as that? Lachlann, I demand to know your relationship
with this person.”
Lachlann grimaced
and put out his hands, “Mother, this is really not the place for this kind of
discussion.”
“This woman is
not what she seems, Lachlann. I don’t want
you near her, and I don’t wish to associate with her on any basis.”
Azure’s voice
trembled, “Lachlann, take me home. I
will not be slighted, and I declare insult.”
“My son shall not
take you anywhere. I fear for his
position and morals.”
Azure’s eyes
flashed, “That was uncalled for.
Lachlann, you promised.”
Lachlann set his
mouth, “I must agree. The Lady Wishart
was invited by Mrs. and Mr. Long. I will
not discontinue my relationship with her.
I do intend to marry her.”
Mrs. Calloway’s
eyes opened wide, “I need to sit down.
This is too much for me to process all at once.”
Azure’s eyes
widened as well, “To marry me?”
Lachlann took her
hands in his, “What do you think it meant when I said I love you?”
Mrs. Calloway’s
knees buckled. Mr. Calloway grasped her
arm. She exclaimed, “Lachlann, you told
her you love her? I can’t let this
stand.”
Lachlann stood
straight, “Mother, you are making a scene.
I am in love with this fine lady.
I will not be put off by you or by her.”
Azure licked her
lips, “I haven’t said yes or given you any affirmation at all.”
Mrs. Calloway
snarled, “That’s it then. The Lady
doesn’t share your affections and that pleases me more than words can tell.”
Lachlann turned
his mother a piercing glance, “Your opinion, Mother, has nothing to do with
this. I love this lady, and I will not
be put off by you or her.”
Sveta and Klava
came running up to the table. Sveta
arrived first, “Really, Mother, you are making a scene. Could we take this to a more private venue?”
Klava nodded,
“Sveta’s guests are staring.”
Azure raised her
chin, “I have been publically insulted.”
Sveta nodded, “I
do apologize, Lady Wishart. Would you
please come with me, Klava, and Mrs. Calloway so we can discuss this together?”
Azure put up her
hand, “Not without Lachlann. He has
promised, no, he has sworn to protect me.”
Mrs. Calloway
frowned, “Sworn? In what way sworn?”
Azure grinned,
“By the One and all.”
Mrs. Calloway
groused, “I took that to be your meaning.”
“Then why did you
ask?”
Mrs. Calloway’s
mouth worked soundlessly in frustration.
Sveta wrung her
hands together, “I shall swear to protect you, Lady Wishart. If you will but come with us.”
Azure glanced
down her nose at Sveta, “By the One and all?”
Sveta whispered,
“Yes, if necessary, by the One and all.
I do swear to protect you, Lady Wishart.” A faint thunderclap sounded in the distance,
and Sveta’s hair rose slightly at the back.”
Azure released
Lachlann’s hands, “Then I will attend you.
Lachlann, wait for me. I shall
require you later.”
Lachlann
bowed. Mr. Calloway bowed.
Klava led Mrs.
Calloway and Sveta, followed by Azure followed.
This is the scene I was writing about. The setup is as I described it. The protagonist is Lady Azure Rose
Wishart. The antagonist is Mrs.
Calloway. The protagonist’s helper is
Lachlann Calloway.
The confrontation is about the characters and their relationships. The setup comes from the plot, setting, and
the characters. That part is somewhat
complex, but what I want to show you is how these pieces fit together to form
an entertaining scene.
I hope you find this to be an entertaining scene—that is its
only point. There is much that irritates
Mrs. Calloway about Azure Rose. There is
even more than irritates Azure Rose about Mrs. Calloway. The confrontation brings out even more
problems and issues.
Azure Rose and Mrs. Calloway really didn’t know Lachlann was
going to ask Azure to marry him. I didn’t
give you the previous scene where Lachlann tried to tell Azure. He was able to tell her he loved her, but
part of Azure’s problem is that she doesn’t listen to the things she doesn’t
want to listen to. In addition, Azure is
ignorant of love interactions. She didn’t
get what Lachlann was telling her.
In any case, we have Mrs. Calloway and Azure Rose fighting in
public. There are no fisticuffs, they
are too much of ladies to actually hit each other. Perhaps I will show you a scene where Azure actually
fights someone. She does that.
Confrontations can be at any degree or level. This one is a slow burn with insults and verbal
attacks. I already told you, this is my
favorite type of confrontation. I think
you can see why.
More
tomorrow.
For more information, you can visit my
author site http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.ancientlight.com/
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com
fiction, theme, plot, story, storyline, character development, scene, setting, conversation, novel, book, writing, information, study, marketing, tension, release, creative, idea, logic
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