Scenes - Scene Setting, even more Time Examples

12 November 2012, Scenes - Scene Setting, even more Time 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.

There are lots of other ways to set time markers (set time) in a scene.  I showed you the examples of a letter and a note yesterday.  This is one of my favorite methods of setting absolute time in a scene.  Readers really like this method, and it is considered a great breaking type method in a novel.  That is, it provides a large pause in the writing.

Another similar means of setting the time is through a newspaper article or heading.  For example, Jane picked up a copy of the San Fransisco Chronicle.  June 28, 1935...  This doesn't pause the scene, but it places a historical artifact as the setting marker.  You can also use anything else that has a date on it.  In a modern novel, you can use an expiration date.  For example, Jake picked up the can and read the expiration date: June 2010.  He did a little mental math, five months out of date.  He tossed it in the garbage.  This type of marker allows you to put in some character description and action.  Don't get stupid and put this in the wrong time.  Expiration dates were unknown until just recently in human history.

You could use a prescription in a similar manner.  There are other methods too.  We'll move to diaries 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/.

Scenes - Scene Setting, Time Examples

10 November 2012, Scenes - Scene Setting, Time 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.

Did you try the scene time setting exercise?  Did you discover unobtrusive ways to tell your readers the time in a scene.  Some obvious methods are the sun rising or setting (obviously morning and evening).  The sun at zenith or noon.  How about the long afternoon shadows or the extended morning shadows.  How about, he awoke to late morning sunlight or she awoke to false dawn.  Every one of these short statements tells you what time it is and sets the scene.

If you move out a little in time.  Did you try something like this: she woke and stretched.  She hated Monday mornings.  Or, how about this, the sun sat bellicose in her bedroom window.  She knew it was a Wednesday sun before she thought about the date.  Or, the Friday crowd pushed into the bar.  These are great ways to tell your reader the day of the week--if you have a reason to.

For dates and months:  February slinked in from a frozen January--you couldn't tell one from the other.  Or, Christmas decorations covered the town.  A poorly posed Halloween skeleton stared from behind the hedge.  How about a modification: a poorly posed and forgotten Halloween skeleton stared from behind the hedge--someone must have forgotten it because the smell of roasting Turkeys filled the atmosphere.  Okay, okay, I'm just trying to give you ideas on how to set the time in the scene. 

We'll move up a step 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/.

Scenes - Scene Setting, Time in a Bottle

9 November 2012, Scenes - Scene Setting, Time in a Bottle

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.

I've tried to show that setting the time in a scene is always necessary. The way you might go about that type of scene setting might differ according to the type of novel, but it must still be a priority in setting the scene.

In historical novels, we've seen the time must be completely encapsulated in the scenes. For a historical novel, you must incorporate historical markers as well as the specific of time in your scene setting...and all the markers and time needs to add up. In a novel where time is relative (scene to scene), you might get away with some of the time sequence out of order slightly. This ambivalence can work well in a novel (as long as you don't confuse your readers). On the other hand, you can't have historical events out of order in a historical novel. The historical events are themselves markers for time in the scenes.

I mentioned before, I like to put the date and place at the top of each chapter. This makes the time setting self evident to the reader. Time can and must still be set in the scenes, but the reader has markers he can't miss at every 20 page (or so) increment. You can't get much more specific than that.

As a creative exercise, why don't you try to write a scene setting for the when. Start with the broad date (month and year) or season and year. Then drill down into the day of the week and hour of the day. You don't have to follow any specific order. Just make it clear to the reader.

So, how to set the time in the scene. I'll get to more of that 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/.

Scenes - Scene Setting, Contemporary Time

8 November 2012, Scenes - Scene Setting, Contemporary Time

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.

There is no reason why time should confuse your readers.  Time is a really important and obvious setting your must set properly.  One of my pet peeves is when it is difficult to tell when an author intends for a work to begin.  I mean in every time sense. 

You might set the scene properly in terms of the time of day, but miss entirely that it is the summer of 1918.  The fact that it is the summer of 1918 is critical to the reader. 

Let's talk about contemporary novels where the author imagines the absolute time is not important.  I think that in this case, time is even more important.  A novel that is contemporary today is passe' tomorrow.  And that's the point.  If you set significant markers in your writing, your writing isn't contemporary anymore, it is fixed within a setting.  The setting is significant.  This is the point.  You must place your work in a setting of its time.  If the time is now, it needs a setting.  If the time was 100 years ago, it needs a setting.  Set the time.  This is a necessary component of any scene setting.

So, how to set the time in the scene. I'll get to more of that 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/.

Scenes - Scene Setting, Absolute and Relative Time

7 November 2012, Scenes - Scene Setting, Absolute and Relative Time

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.

I'm writing about setting time in a scene.  As we set any scene, we need to recognize there is absolute and relative time in a novel.  If you read any of my science fiction novels (The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox), you will see relative time used very specifically.  Since there is no real absolute time (years, months, days), unless you define them in your science fiction world, there is no reason to define scenes in absolute terms.  For historical novels, on the other hand, everything must be set to an absolute time scale.  I would also argue that for any contemporary or near contemporary novel, time should be based in an absolute scale. 

If you are working in a relative time scale, you must even work harder to set time in your scenes.  The reason is this, although in my historical novels, I must be very cautious with the time in each scene, since it is based in absolute terms and historical terms, the definitions and sequencing can be based in real historical time (they should be).  When you are writing in a relative time scale, you must specifically define everything for your readers.  That is, for a historical novel, it is sufficient to write: "On January 12, 1917, the Bridgestone Mansion was covered with a wet mantel of snow.  The rising sun cast deep blue shadows across the smooth landscape."  In these two sentences, the setting for this scene has been set, and the setting is very clear.

If we want to make a similar relative time setting for a novel, here's how that might be accomplished: "Falkeep's Ball always occurred during the cold season on the planet Falkeep.  Unfortunately, except for Nior and Grand Stern, most of the other planets of the Human Galactic Empire, never had as pronounced a cold season.  The visitors to the Ball routinely forgot this small detail...so, Falkeep kept fashionable cloaks and coats availible for all of his guests.  The cloudy skies and damp air promised to let loose a typical Falkeep rain storm--during the festivities.  The Rathenberg Emperor's fifth year on the Iron Throne meant that he, his Empress, and their children could finally attend Falkeep's Ball..." 

I hope you get the point.  Instead of a single statement, to set relative time in a novel, you must tie together other time based events such that your readers can fit the sequence and timing together.

So, how to set the time in the scene. I'll get to more of that 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/.

Scenes - Scene Setting, Time

6 November 2012, Scenes - Scene Setting, Time

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.

The question, then, is how do you set a scene?  This isn't as obvious as you might imagine.  It really isn't sufficient to just describe the place where the scene takes place.  The obvious questions are how much should you describe, and what should you include?  If you really wanted to, you could write an entire book describing a single room.  You don't want to include too much, but you don't want your descriptions to be too sparse.

Let's start with the easiest and yet the most forgotten setting piece--when.  In my novels, I make a point of setting the when with great accuracy.  Time is always an important point in my novels.  For one series (Ancient Light), I put the date and place at the top of every chapter, my publisher suggested I do this for all the novels.  I liked this idea so much, I've used it in other novels. 

The when is a critical piece of information for most readers and barely marked sign posts won't fill the bill.  I suggest a straight forward statement.  If you place the date and place at the top of the chapter, you should still set the when in the scene, but there is less urgency.  In fact, there is little urgency at the very beginning.  That is, if your first scene is exciting and entertaining, your readers just might hang on long enough for you to get around to setting the time---on the other hand.

So, how to set the time in the scene.  I'll get to more of that 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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Scenes - more Scene Setting

5 November 2012, Scenes - more Scene Setting

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. 

The major failing with most authors seems to be that either they don't understand how important scene setting is, or they act as if the setting is a mystery the reader must unravel.  Let's put it this way.  How many times have you gone to a play and had to spend more than two minutes deciphering the time and place of the play?  Or how many times have you gone to a movie and had to think very hard about the time and place?  Usually, in a stage play, the playbill will tell you the when and the where.  The setting of the stage will show you, and sometimes tell you the when and where.  The writer of a stage play or a movie does not wish the audience to question the location and time setting of the movie or play.  Now, there are likely some rare plays and movies where the time and place might be questioned or a mystery, but I can't remember them--they were so unimportant artistically and commercially, that I don't remember a single movie or play like that.

Let's face facts--the mystery in any novel isn't normally the time and place, the mystery is in the plot and theme, not the setting.  This means that, as an author, you need to be at least as clear as a movie or stage play in setting your scenes.

As you begin to write, make sure you have the basics down. I'll write more in detail about the basics of scenes 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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Scenes - Scene Setting

4 November 2012, Scenes - Scene Setting

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

The way to write well is through scenes.  The problem is very few people are teaching how to write good scenes.  Most writing classes focus on the technical basics or the higher level development in writing.  Writing classes should teach how to write in scenes--this is the fundamental secret of good writing.

Whenever you read any poor writing (or just questionable writing), note the way the scenes are put together.  Look at the first set in writing a scene (scene setting).  In my experience, many (if not most) modern writers don't properly set their scenes.  If I read a scene and I'm left wondering about the where, when, who, what, or how--the author has failed.  Writing is not about hiding the basics of the scene.  I've put this in the context of a stage play before--you don't set your players on an empty stage (unless it is experimental theater).  You design and build the stage, you place the characters on the stage, then you set them into action. 

Look at any classic literature from the golden age of writing (19th century), you will see wonderful, colorful, and vibrant scene setting.  The scene setting is so extensive, it is many times too much to our modern literary sensibilities.  It is still beautiful and sets the entire scene properly.  When you set a scene, you don't have to be so detailed you describe every single thing, but you must describe the necessary items. 

As you begin to write, make sure you have the basics down. I'll write more in detail about the basics of scenes 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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - more on Learning

2 November 2012, Development - more on Learning

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

Then how do you learn to be a novel writer?  Certainly the basics of grammar, English, vocabulary, style, form, etc. are important, and basic teachers and professors (even those unpublished) can teach you those kinds of things.  These are subjects that you must know explicitly.  If you haven't mastered English and grammar, go back to school.  Let me tell you, most teachers haven't mastered English and grammar.  The number of students (and teachers) who don't understand when to properly use I, me, myself, who, whom, and all is extremely large--at least 95% of the population.  The number who don't understand about transitive and intransitive verbs is at least 99% of the population.  The number who don't understand subjunctive verb cases is even larger.

If you wish to understand the English language, study a foreign language...and study it to learn it and not just to study it.

The first step is to understand the basics of the language you wish to write in.  The basics are not such rules as conciseness or "never end a sentence with a preposition."  The basics are those of the proper use of verbs parts of speech and pronouns.  Sadly, the education most people receive today is insufficient to let them know the most basic use of English and English grammar. 

If you understand verbs, parts of speech, and pronoun use.  The next is the use of punctuation.  By the way, none of this is a lifetime study.  The lifetime study is the use of language and punctuation to properly express a thought in writing--this is the art of writing.  The knowledge of the tool is a basic concept only.

As you begin to write, make sure you have the basics down. I'll write more in detail about the basics of scenes 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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Learning

1 November 2012, Development - Learning

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

I'm getting a lot of lists here.  Lists aren't the end all but they are certainly a great method to make sure you are focusing on the right thing.  For example, you can sit down and write a novel.  That's the way most people do it.  They may or may not have much training or experience.  Let's face the truth--most people teaching writing aren't published authors.  Hopefully, they will give you some of the advice a published author can.

I was lucky to have a mentor, Roz Young.  Roz was very helpful to me when I was an unpublished author.  Roz was a professional writer who had many published works.  Every would-be author should seek a published mentor.  Don't look for the unpublished teacher or professor--they haven't had their writing published, so how do you think they can help you?  Look for the professional writer.  The ones who are paid for their writing and not for their teaching of writing.

As you begin to write, make sure you have the basics down.  I'll write more in detail about the basics of scenes 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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - more Short Stories and Scenes

31 October 2012, Development - more Short Stories and Scenes

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

A great scene writer can write great short stories or great novels.  George R. R. Martin and Ray Bradbury are examples of great short story authors who put their short stories together into novels.  A great writer must first be able to write scenes.  A writer who has learned to write short stories well has learned to write scenes well.  That doesn't mean a writer must be an expert short story writer.  In fact, some great short story writers aren't good at putting those short stories into a longer piece.

What an author must learn is the use of the above outline to develop scenes.  The point is that correctly written scenes are very similar to a correctly written short story.  In a short story, the input and the output are fully contained in the story.  In a scene, the input and the output connect to the previous and the next scene. 

I'll write more in detail about scenes 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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Short Stories and Scenes

30 October 2012, Development - Short Stories and Scenes

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

This is the basics of scene development. Every scene must have a setting, characters, and tension and release.  The breakdown of a scene is roughly analogous to a novel and especially to a short story.  Every scene can potentially be made into a short story.  Listen to this very carefully.  I'm not saying that every scene can easily be made into a short story or that they should, but every scene must contain the elements of a short story.  Those elements are the same as the parts of a scene above, and if a short story, they are exactly the elements of a novel.

To be specific, a short story, like a novel, is always self contained.  A scene is not necessarily self contained, but it has the significant elements of any short story.  To turn a scene into a short story just requires the addition of an input and an output.  The input is the connection to the novel (for a short story, the beginning setup).  The output is the dénouement.  In a short story, the beginning (setup) is cohesive and self contained, and the dénouement completes the story.  In a scene, the input connects the scene to the previous scene and the output to the next scene.

Some great authors are short story writers.  I'll write about this 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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Storyline Outlines

29 October 2012, Development - Storyline Outlines

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. 

If you use a storyline outline, you must be very cautious to write very clear scene markers (time, place, characters) in each scene, and you must develop strong connections between every scene.  I'll write about basic scene construction tomorrow.

This is the basics of scene development. Every scene must have a setting, characters, and tension and release.

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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Don't Confuse

28 October 2012, Development - Don't Confuse

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.

I advise using a scene outline to write a novel. That isn't the only way to write a novel, but it is the cleanest. It produces the cleanest and clearest direction for the settings, time, and characters. Other methods are possible, but they add complexity. I wrote yesterday about the next simplest method, that is using a storyline outline. I don't usually use this method. It is more difficult and can lead the writer to revealing too much.

One of my rules of writing is number four above: don't show (or tell) everything. You could rewrite this, don't show too much. Or let your readers use their brains.

I think a bad novel is one that confuses your readers. These are the most terrible creations because the readers are confused. Confused readers are unhappy readers. Unhappy readers won't recommend or reread your novel. You definitely don't want your writing to be confusing, so I'll offer you a simple method to ensure your writing is not confusing--use the scene outline method. This also helps to keep your writing at the proper level of revelation. The problem with using storyline outlines is the author must work twice as hard to place scene setting and placement markers in them. I'll write about this tomorrow.

This is the basics of scene development. Every scene must have a setting, characters, and tension and release.

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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Storyline Outline

27 October 2012, Development - Storyline Outline

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.

You create a storyline outline by following the storyline of the major characters and interweave them when it makes sense in the plot.  For example, In Aksinya, I could have followed the demon when he was away from Aksinya and produced some scenes where he was the major actor in a scene without Aksinya.

I would have produced this kind of plot by outlining Aksinya's storyline and the demon's storyline separately and them putting them together in the plot.  I could have had two scenes that moved at the same time, but in different places.  As I mentioned, this is not my preferred method of writing a novel.  I feel that this type of writing can too easily confuse your readers.  It also, in my mind, reveals too much to the reader.  Part of the power of a novel, like Aksinya, is the uncertainty in the mind of the reader about the actions of the demon (and the actions of Natalya) when they are off screen.  The power of a novel is as much in what you don't reveal as what you reveal.

The other problem with using storyline outlines is the author must work twice as hard to place scene setting and placement markers in them.  I'll write about this tomorrow.

This is the basics of scene development. Every scene must have a setting, characters, and tension and release.

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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Scene Outline

26 October 2012, Development - Scene Outline

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.

Additionally, every scene must have an input and an output. I'm not a fan of scenes that don't follow one another in time sequence. That isn't to say that these types of disconnected scenes don't have a purpose, but if you use this, you must be cautious not to confuse your readers. In a normal scene outline, the scenes all have an input with an output that follows from scene to scene. For example, in Aksinya, the first scene's input is the background for Aksinya and the demon. This is the implied input. The output is the movement of Aksinya and the demon to save Aksinya's family.

The input of this next scene is the discovery of the death of Aksinya's family, the output is when Aksinya sends the demon out to get revenge. The input of the next scene is the return of the demon...and so on. You can easily write and outline an entire novel this way.

It is also possible to write a scene outline were the scenes don't follow directly one after the other. The means to do this is through a storyline outline.

This is the basics of scene development. Every scene must have a setting, characters, and tension and release.

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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - more Tension and Release

25 October 2012, Development - more Tension and Release

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.

If you have been following this blog, you knew I would get to this point eventually. If you have a focused theme, developed characters (with some storyline development), a setting, and a beginning, you have enough information to write the initial scene of the novel.

To develop the first scene, you set the scene, set the characters, then set them loose with tension and release.  Every scene must have a tension developer.  In my other blog at www.novelscene.wordpress.com, I showed many types of tension developers and how to use them.  The main point here is that the plot of the first scene must envelope tension and release.

Aksinya is a great example of this.  The tension developer in the first scene of Aksinya is the calling of the demon.  Within that action is an element of danger.  The scene development focuses on the danger to Aksinya's life and soul by calling the demon.  This is the tension. 

Initially, the reader isn't certain Aksinya will conjure anything.  When she does, the reader now is fearful that the demon will harm Aksinya.  The release occurs when Aksinya is able to contract with the demon, and he appears to follow her orders. 

This is the basics of scene development.  Every scene must have a setting, characters, and tension and release.

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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Tension and Release

24 October 2012, Development - Tension and Release

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.

If you have been following this blog, you knew I would get to this point eventually. If you have a focused theme, developed characters (with some storyline development), a setting, and a beginning, you have enough information to write the initial scene of the novel.

Now is the time to write the initial scene.  You have the setting, characters, and theme.  Take the point at which the storylines of the major characters intersect and write the scene.  Every scene has a setting, an input (beginning), characters, tension building (rising action), tension release (climax), and output (dénouement).  Each scene is something like a mini-novel or a short story.  Your input is the intersection of the storylines, the setting is the novel setting, the characters are your major characters, the tension building...there is the problem with writing any scene.

When you write a scene, you must create it with tension building and release in mind.  I've written extensively about this in my blog at www.novelscene.wordpress.com.  I'll give some basics here.  An entertaining scene is just like an entertaining novel or short story.  Novels, short stories, and scenes are entertaining because of tension building and release.

To build tension, the author sets up a situation that requires some resolution.  The tension development is the tension within the plot which is conveyed to the reader.  The resolution is when the issue that causes the tension is resolved.  This is the most important concept on writing a scene.  I'll discuss more 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.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor, http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.