Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 307, Exciting Initial Scene

11 February 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 307, Exciting Initial Scene

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

I'll make a slight digression because I'm developing advertising and publisher materials for my newest completed novel, Lilly.  Here is the cover proposal for Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer. 

Cover Propsal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene.  I'm writing about the initial scene of my newest novel, "Escape."  Escape is the working title.  I'll decide on the proposed title when I finish the novel.  I'm at the eight chapter right now.  That means I've written about 160 pages.

How do you make your first scene exciting?  At least exciting and entertaining enough that a publisher might read further and a potential reader might buy your novel?  This most critical scene requires your utmost attention.  This scene must not be eclipsed by prologues or other impediments.  This scene and the first paragraph my be your only attempt to sell your novel--no kidding.  This scene must blow the socks off your readers.  How do you do it?

Start with action.  I recommend you begin with the meeting of he protagonist and antagonist or of the protagonist and the protagonist's helper.  This should generate some action and excitement--maybe a few fires and sparks.  If the meeting of your protagonist and antagonist or protagonist and protagonist's helper doesn't make action or excitement, you might be writing about the wrong thing.

In Escape (working title), the meeting of the protagonist and the protagonist's helper is full of action.  She, Reb, the protagonist is going home from her work.  The protagonist's helper, Scott, is illegally cutting across the island of Freedom (Reb's homeland) in a cargo shuttle to save time.  The engine of the cargo shuttle fails as Scott applies power to climb to a higher altitude.  An engine failure while flying an illegal flight path that results in an emergency landing is a whole lotta excitement and action.  This is the meeting of my main characters.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 305, Initial Scene

9 February 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 305, Initial Scene

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

I'll make a slight digression because I'm developing advertising and publisher materials for my newest completed novel, Lilly.  Here is the cover proposal for Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer. 

Cover Propsal

The most important scene in any novel is the initial scene.  I'm writing about the initial scene of my newest novel, "Escape."  Escape is the working title.  I'll decide on the proposed title when I finish the novel.  I'm at the eight chapter right now.  That means I've written about 160 pages.

When I begin a novel--I should say, before I begin a novel, I imagine the initial scene.  The initial scene is the most important scene in any novel, and it  is the scene that defines the novel.  The initial scene in "Escape," jumps back and forth between Reb and Scott.  Scott is the pilot who is flying an illegal flight path across the island nation of Freedom.  Reb is the citizen who longs to escape Freedom.  Their paths cross when Scott's high altitude cargo shuttle has an engine failure and he has to crash land on the island of Freedom.  This scene sets up the entire novel.

The reason this is so important is that this scene is the one that will get  publisher or a prospective reader to pick up your novel and read it.  If a publisher reads your novel, you might get published.  If a potential reader likes the first scene, they might buy your novel.  This is why this scene is so important.  You can louse up the scenes in the middle of the novel and few will care, but if the first scene is bad, a publisher or a potential reader will no t read your novel.  No read, no buy.  No read, no publish.  That is why the first scene is so important.

Additionally, this is why I'm not in favor of prologues or anything else that gets in front of the first scene.  Don't self eliminate your novels with this kind of bad writing.  Better to dump the prologue and bring it in later as a flashback than to screw up your first scene.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 278, Theme Title

13 January 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 278, Theme Title

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

I'll make a slight digression because I'm developing advertising and publisher materials for my newest completed novel, Lilly.  Here is the cover proposal for Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer. 

Cover Propsal

If you are setting a title on a work yourself or your publisher asks you for ideas (assuming you don't have a title already), here are some ideas for developing a title.

1.  It needs to be pithy. 

2.  It needs to be marketable. 

3. It needs to be short, but not too simple.            

4.  It needs to be unique, but not too unique. 

5.  It should not be too similar to works with negative connotations. 

6.  It should encapsulate some measure of the theme.  This should be the basis of the title--the title should make some reference back to the theme of the novel.  Thus Centurion is about a centurion.  Aegypt is about ancient Egypt and Egyptian ideas.  The Second Mission is about the second mission into time.  The End of Honor is about the end of honor in a culture.  The Fox's Honor is about the honor of an individual called the Fox.  A Season of Honor is about the reclaiming of honor in a culture.  Sister of Light is about the sister of light.  Sister of Darkness is about the sister of darkness.  I'll leave you to read the books and gather who these people are.  That's my connection to the next recommendation, but I need to give you a little more about theme.

In building a title, the theme is a primary consideration.  You are trying to put together an idea in a word or a short statement that meets all the requirements above and below.  This shouldn't be that difficult.  If it is really hard, use a note from brainstorming and bring in your readers.  I've done that before. 

I've brainstormed every word and word combination I could think of that grounded the theme and fit the general criteria I've listed.  I've asked my readers to brainstorm too.  I've presented my list to my readers and asked their opinions.  I did this especially with Ancient Light.  My publisher wanted a title for the overall series.  I put ideas out to my readers, and they helped me pick a series title.  This is a good way to get an idea that might be different from what you expected.

7.  It should build mystery.

At this point everything I'm doing with and for this work is about marketing to a publisher and building a website.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 277, Negative Title

12 January 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 277, Negative Title

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

I'll make a slight digression because I'm developing advertising and publisher materials for my newest completed novel, Lilly.  Here is the cover proposal for Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer. 

Cover Propsal

If you are setting a title on a work yourself or your publisher asks you for ideas (assuming you don't have a title already), here are some ideas for developing a title.

1.  It needs to be pithy. 

2.  It needs to be marketable. 

3. It needs to be short, but not too simple.            

4.  It needs to be unique, but not too unique. 

5.  It should not be too similar to works with negative connotations.  There is a lot of stuff on the internet.  When you make your search on your title, be on the lookout for negative works with similar titles or similar titles of any kind with a connotation negative to your writing. 

I looked at this closely for my novel, Centurion.  Believe it or not, the theme of the Roman Legion is used and regarded as a standard motif in many erotic homosexual stories.  A general search for the word Centurion will bring up some.  I didn't feel this was negative enough to not use Centurion as the title, but you can see where this might be an issue.  My novel Centurion appeals to all ages and groups--it is a novel for adults, but it is not an erotic or homosexually themed novel. 

Likewise, my novel, Sister of Darkness has a title that is similar to a single erotic horror novel.  Sister of Darkness is suspense and might be considered by some to have horror elements in it, but it is not erotic by any measure.  Still a single other novel outside the main genre of the novel didn't seem like too much of an issue to me.  The problem of negativity becomes obvious when you make a search and come up with thousands of results of a similar negative nature.  You might be able to guess which titles could result in these kinds of results--then again, that's the point in making a search.

Here is a simple example.  If you choose the title: Big Johnson takes a Trip.  You may already know the connotations of Big Johnson.  If you don't, perhaps you shouldn't google it.  In any case, unless you intend, with this title, something sexual, you shouldn't use it.  Plus, the title might not be used (I didn't check it), but the search will bring up thousands of similar negative results.  Negative, if you don't want to be associated with erotic content.

Whatever you do, just check your title in  search before you set it. 

6.  It should encapsulate some measure of the theme.

At this point everything I'm doing with and for this work is about marketing to a publisher and building a website.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 276, Unique Title

11 January 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 276, Unique Title

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

I'll make a slight digression because I'm developing advertising and publisher materials for my newest completed novel, Lilly.  Here is the cover proposal for Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer. 

Cover Propsal

If you are setting a title on a work yourself or your publisher asks you for ideas (assuming you don't have a title already), here are some ideas for developing a title.

1.  It needs to be pithy. 

2.  It needs to be marketable. 

3. It needs to be short, but not too simple.            

4.  It needs to be unique, but not too unique.  This is easy to check.  Pick your title and make an internet search or make a search on amazon.  If you get a thousand results for that title, your title is not unique enough.  If you get a few that are similar or even one or two that are the same--especially outside the decade--the title might be about right.  If you don't get any results or any results that are books, you might be too unique. 

The sweet spot is a few book related results.  If you get no book related results, people won't find your novel without putting in the specific name (and/or your name)--they can't accidentally find your novel.  In the world of the internet, accidental finds are what you can hope for.  You can set up websites, and you can advertise, but the most effective finds are accidental.  This is also why the title should represent the theme or a major idea in your novel.  For example, Aegypt my novel about Egyptian ideas and concepts. 

If you get way too many results with your title, the searcher will not be able to break your novel out of the crowd--plus who wants to have a title that is so similar or overused.  Too unique is too much.  Not unique enough is too much.  There is also another consideration in looking at titles--similarity to negative works.

5.  It should not be too similar to works with negative connotations.

6.  It should encapsulate some measure of the theme.

At this point everything I'm doing with and for this work is about marketing to a publisher and building a website.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 275, Short Title

10 January 2015, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 275, Short Title

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

I'll make a slight digression because I'm developing advertising and publisher materials for my newest completed novel, Lilly.  Here is the cover proposal for Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer. 

Cover Propsal

If you are setting a title on a work yourself or your publisher asks you for ideas (assuming you don't have a title already), here are some ideas for developing a title.

1.  It needs to be pithy. 

2.  It needs to be marketable. 

3. It needs to be short, but not too simple.  Short or shortable--you can make it short.  That's why, for example, Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer is a reasonable title.  It is a classic title with a subtitle.  The title itself is short Lilly.  The subtitle is hip, Enchantment and the Computer.  Is it hip and marketable ?  Who knows.  When the time comes, I'm sure my publisher will want to weigh in.

My novels, Aegypt and Centurion, have short but complex titles.  This is exactly what I mean by short but not too simple.  The single words, Aegypt and Centurion conjure in your mind a whole set of thoughts and associations.  This is and isn't true of other words or titles.  For example, you might get away with the title Bowling Ball.  Then again, maybe not.  If you want to build the picture of bowling alleys and bowling teams in the mind of your potential readers, bowling ball is there.  I don't feel any magic in the word or the title.

Aegypt makes you imagine Egypt, the ancient, and exotic circumstances.  Centurion makes you imagine the Roman Legions, the ancient world, and warfare.  These titles fit their books well.  They are short, and they have complex antecedents--they make you imagine much more than many simple single words.  That doesn't mean single words are the way to go. 

My other published novels are: The Second Mission, The End of Honor, The Fox's Honor, and A Season of Honor.  Each of these required a longer title and the title well represents their thematic ideas.           

4.  It needs to be unique, but not too unique.

5.  It should encapsulate some measure of the theme.

There is more and more to being pithy.

At this point everything I'm doing with and for this work is about marketing to a publisher and building a website.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 265, more Medical Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

31 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 265, more Medical Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

This theme statement lends itself well to each part of the development of a novel.  Note, there is a setting, an initial scene, protagonist, protagonist helper, antagonist, and the climax is obvious.  Let's talk about each.

More small digression:  I'm now on a demo tour in the AT-6 to Paraguay.  I'm writing from Ecuador.

On the colony world of the novel, working title, Escape, there are numerous continents and at least one large island.  The large island is a fascist nation that is based in pure extrapolated communism.  This nation is called Freedom.  Freedom has three groups of people on it: the Party Members, the citizens, and the armed citizens. 

Indeed, the extrapolation of a socialist or a communist nation is that the citizens are treated like chattel.  Their value is only the worth they bring to the state--they have no inherent value and no inherent worth. 

In Freedom, this value is tracked numerically for each citizen.  I mentioned before, when the value of a citizen becomes less than the value of his organs and fluids, he is harvested.  Many are harvested in the womb or as children.  Of course, Freedom has a strong eugenics program.  All fascist socialist and communist regimes dream of a eugenics program.  They want to breed the best and brightest citizens.  All fascist socialist and communist regimes want to control family constituents and relationships.

In freedom, the children are taken immediately from the mother and father to ensure a clean upbringing by the state.  The state is the best parent for the children.  When the child's value, including potential becomes less than their organs, the child is harvested.  Sometimes, the child of a Party Member needs an organ--one of the children citizens loses their life--for of course, the child of a citizen can never be worth the life of a beloved Party Member's child.  Medicine and medical procedures are made to sustain the life of the Party Members and not the citizens.  This is the medical environment of Freedom.

By the way, Merry seventh day of Christmas--this is my gift to you: more medical technology.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 264, Medical Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

30 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 264, Medical Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

This theme statement lends itself well to each part of the development of a novel.  Note, there is a setting, an initial scene, protagonist, protagonist helper, antagonist, and the climax is obvious.  Let's talk about each.

More small digression:  I'm now on a demo tour in the AT-6 to Paraguay.  I'm writing from Paraguay.

On the colony world of the novel, working title, Escape, there are numerous continents and at least one large island.  The large island is a fascist nation that is based in pure extrapolated communism.  This nation is called Freedom.  Freedom has three groups of people on it: the Party Members, the citizens, and the armed citizens. 

I mentioned art as one of the focuses of the fascist nation of Freedom.  Art comes into play because the Party seeks entertainment as a function of their rule.  Therefore, the arts of the "Development" Center are: colors and scents, movies and programs, music, books and photography.  This should seem odd to you if you imagine the purpose of a development center in a market based society.  Shouldn't a development center be focused on technology?  Not on Freedom.  Freedom is a nation without any competition.  It doesn't worry about military technology or military competition.  It only has to keep its citizens occupied and under control.

The Freedom Party is completely interested in entertainment and self fulfilment.  There is no consideration of the citizens.  There is no need to invent new technology except to help the party.  The main technology investment by the Party is for medical intervention and longevity.  They accomplish this through transplants and the use of human endocrine fluids and compounds. 

The technology of Freedom is all about, first, maintaining the lives of the Party Members.  To do that, let's assume a technological extrapolation based on preventing death.  In Freedom, with lots of citizens and few Party Members, there is an opportunity to experiment with human subjects and human tissues outside of any human mores or ethics.  The Freedom Party has discovered how to keep their Party Members alive with nearly perfect organ transplants and the use of other human hormones and fluids.  Any of this would be considered illegal anywhere else.  Freedom has people and lives to spare.  When the value of a citizen is less than their organs, snip snap, the organs are harvested and stored or used to maintain the life of a Party Member. 

The Party Members of freedom have discovered was to use hormones and other human tissues and fluids to tone and reduce the effects of aging.  The citizens provide all of the required ingredients. 

By the way, Merry sixth day of Christmas--this is my gift to you: medical technology.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 263, Labor Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

29 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 263, Labor Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

This theme statement lends itself well to each part of the development of a novel.  Note, there is a setting, an initial scene, protagonist, protagonist helper, antagonist, and the climax is obvious.  Let's talk about each.

More small digression:  I'm now on a demo tour in the AT-6 to Paraguay.  I'm writing from Paraguay.

On the colony world of the novel, working title, Escape, there are numerous continents and at least one large island.  The large island is a fascist nation that is based in pure extrapolated communism.  This nation is called Freedom.  Freedom has three groups of people on it: the Party Members, the citizens, and the armed citizens. 

Communist societies assume labor is free, but "there never is a free lunch."  Labor, even government labor is never free.  Slave labor is never free.  In the island nation of Freedom, the citizens and armed citizens are fed, clothed, and housed.  They are provided the basics of life.  They are taught that life is work and work is life--they never get to taste the fruit of their labor. 

The citizens of Freedom are also tracked--that means they are bred and evaluated as children for the purpose of training for specific technical and artistic (developmental work).  The protagonist of the novel is a girl/young woman who was bred, traced, and trained specifically for visual acuity and scent acuity.  She is unique and very effective in her work.  She has no idea that her skills provide a piece of artistic development to the Party Members of Freedom.  Indeed, Reb's work is similar to that of a fashion house and perfumer.  She designs color and scent patterns that are used for clothing, furniture, art, designs, etc.  She has no idea how her work is used--except that she did design the colors for the blue and the green drug given to citizens.

Isn't it interesting that socialist (Nazi for example) and communist (USSR and China for example) fascist societies focus so much on art.  Soviet Realism was the official art form of the Stalin regime.  Mao even had his own cultural revolution.  Hitler collected, burned, and commissioned art all over Europe.  The extrapolation of Freedom is that the entire Party is focused in art and sensuality--in many ways.  This is a simple extrapolation of their society and culture.

By the way, Merry fifth day of Christmas--this is my gift to you: art and technology.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 262, more Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

28 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 262, more Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

This theme statement lends itself well to each part of the development of a novel.  Note, there is a setting, an initial scene, protagonist, protagonist helper, antagonist, and the climax is obvious.  Let's talk about each.

More small digression:  I'm now on a demo tour in the AT-6 to Paraguay.  I'm writing from Paraguay.

On the colony world of the novel, working title, Escape, there are numerous continents and at least one large island.  The large island is a fascist nation that is based in pure extrapolated communism.  This nation is called Freedom.  Freedom has three groups of people on it: the Party Members, the citizens, and the armed citizens. 

The Party Members have everything and the citizens do all the work.  To ensue there is plenty of work and because they are retrograde, anything that can be accomplished by a human is done by a human.  For example, cutting the grass to produce military grade roads is accomplished by hand labor.  This isn't that odd for communist and socialist societies because the value of the human labor is low.  There is no reason to mechanize anything if the cost of human labor is low.

In a high technological market based economy, human value is based mainly in service labor and intellectual labor.  There are pockets of manufacturing and agricultural labor, but it becomes more and more valuable to mechanize manufacturing and agricultural labor to free up human resources for intellectual and service pursuits.  Communist and socialist societies see labor as free, and in their slave based economies, it generally is. 

In the nation of Freedom, the labor of the citizens comes at the cost of food, drink, and habitation.  The punishment occurs when the value of the citizen drops below the value of their organs--then slash, slash, slash.

By the way, Merry fourth day of Christmas--this is my gift to you: more about technology.

More tomorrow.

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

Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 261, Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

27 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 261, Technology Development, How to Develop Storyline

Announcement: My new novels should be available from any webseller or can be ordered from any brick and mortar bookstore.  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.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

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

The theme statement of my 25th novel, working title, Escape, is this: a girl in a fascist island nation will do anything to escape--a young cargo ferry pilot not following the rules crashes on the island.

This theme statement lends itself well to each part of the development of a novel.  Note, there is a setting, an initial scene, protagonist, protagonist helper, antagonist, and the climax is obvious.  Let's talk about each.

More small digression:  I'm now on a demo tour in the AT-6 to Paraguay.  I'm writing from Paraguay.

Let's talk about technology.  I did a whole series on extrapolating technology for science fiction.  I am using all the ideas I wrote about in this novel.  I'm giving away a bit, but by the time the novel is published, you'll have forgotten it all.  The world of Escape is a colony of earth.  I'm not certain how much I'll describe this (if at all) in the novel.  The colony is technologically superior to our times and yet slightly retrograde in some ways. 

The superior technology are all the modes of travel, management, and operations of the truly free nations on the planet.  The retrograde are personal equipment and goods.  Therefore, I don't have human integrated technology--I left the technology slightly higher than today, but still fixed in manufactured goods.  For example, in the future, books will be projected from an installed chip or device in the brain to the person's mind.  In Escape, they still use electronic books.  The electronic books are higher tech than ours, but they are still not human imbedded.  The people of Freedom are both retrograde with some high tech.  Their high tech deals with medical, coding, human materials, foods, and drugs.  They are very retrograde in some areas, especially those that can be easily replaced with human labor.

By the way, Merry third day of Christmas--this is my gift to you: more about technology.

More tomorrow.

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

A New Novel, Part 213 A Walk in the Cold

5 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 213 A Walk in the Cold

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Aksinya has left the Ecclesia.  She knows where she is going, she isn't certain how to get there…

Aksinya knew generally where she was within the city, but she wasn’t certain how she should go. She recalled little of her flight here. She only remembered the stone wall that lay on her left the entire time. Aksinya tentatively placed her right hand on the wall at the street outside the rectory and began to walk up the street.


The morning was cold, and her breath formed gentle swirls in the air. Her clothing was insufficient for the day, but she didn’t have a cloak anymore. She could only imagine with regret her warm mink cloak. As she walked, the morning clouds seemed to descend. They enclosed her, but she kept her hand on the right hand wall and continued along the cold cobblestone street.

Around her, she could hear and smell the city come awake. The rich fragrance of coffee filled the air. She smelled butter and eggs as they cooked. Somewhere bacon sizzled and the scent of the hot grease flowed into the street. Aksinya remembered bacon. Her mouth watered. Her empty stomach rumbled.

The muted conversation of waking mothers and fathers came to her. She heard crying babies. The creaking of harness and wheels moved in and out of the fog. She caught the nicker of horses and their heavy hooves on the cobbles. As of yet, none of this came within her sight. The fog pressed down against her and kept it all hidden from her. She could tell the world was lightening. She could feel a little warmth seep into the cold late winter morning.

Aksinya didn’t stumble. She didn’t falter. She kept moving forward. Slowly shapes began to appear in the fog. A lampman passed her on the other side of the street. She recognized him because he carried a long taper and a tool that he used to cut off the gas at each lamp. The light of the morning already dimmed the blaze from the gaslamps. It was too early for the beggars and too late for the prostitutes to be in the streets.

The only thing Aksinya could remember of her flight to the Ecclesia was that she held her left hand on a wall the entire way.  To return, she places her right hand on the wall.

For the trip, my intention is to put all your senses into play.  The morning is cold.  I show you Aksinya's breath.  She is cold because she only has a light dress.  I want to remind you of Aksinya's past life and her place before--there is a specific purpose in this.  I make the trip slightly mysterious, but I use language that is not creepy--clouds formed, and everything is cold.  Then, the city begins to wake.  You can taste and smell the morning.  You can hear it as well.  The morning is lightening.  At the end of this piece, you see the lampman.  He is the only one about, other than Aksinya.  The beggars and the prostitutes are not out yet.  Tomorrow, the arrival.

A New Novel, Part 212 Leaving the Ecclesia

4 May 2011, A New Novel, Part 212 Leaving the Ecclesia

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Aksinya heard and understood well that she must face punishment for her actions.  Repentance isn't enough; she must pay restitution for her evil, she must atone for her sin.  Only then can things be made right--perhaps, but how can you pay restitution for murder or sorcery…?

Aksinya woke very early the next morning. She stood in the darkness and folded her blanket. She straightened her dress. She hadn’t bathed much since she came here. She was certain she smelled, but that couldn’t be helped. She tried to smooth her hair. That was impossible. Ekaterina usually brushed it in the morning for her. It was not long enough to braid properly, but it wasn’t short enough to not be a problem. It just touched her shoulders. She had no mirror and was glad of it. She couldn’t stand to look at herself. It was too dark anyway. She brought out her rosary and quickly said the first decade and the last prayer. She would complete them later. She crossed herself then lovingly drew her hand over the leather cover of the Greek Bible. She wanted to take it with her, but she knew she couldn’t. It wasn’t really hers. She had memorized most of the Gospels and Acts. She wanted to begin to memorize Paul’s letters next.


Aksinya turned abruptly and stepped to the door of her room. Although nothing changed, the room seemed to darken. She felt for the handle and pulled the door open. Her hand stretched out to the wall at her right. With her right hand trailing against the wood, she followed the hall to the back of the rectory. The outside door only halted her for a moment—it was bolted but not locked. She went out through it to the small backyard where she and Ekaterina hung the wash every Wednesday. In the predawn night, the low clouds reflected enough light for her to see. Aksinya’s eyes were so accustomed to the dark, it seemed almost bright to her. The thin gate that led outside the yard had a simple wooden latch. She opened it and in the predawn, exited into the street outside the rectory.

Okay, watch how I set the scene for you.  The following is entirely in narrative, but using showing and with very little telling.  The very small areas where I tell you information adds to the scene development--I'll point it out.  

First the when: she woke very early the next morning.  You know she is in her room in the Ecclesia.  I use some showing to give you a mental image of the place and her actions--she folds the blanket.  The telling is interspersed in the text.  I could have had her smell herself, but you can't really smell yourself.  I handled this by telling you, then I show you that Aksinya tries to smooth her hair.  Then lots of information about the hair.  I can't let you forget about the hair.  All this scene setting puts you into the story.  Watch how Aksinya touches the Greek Bible.  Notice, I brought every sense into this description and this scene.  I want to activate every sense of the readers.  Look at the information I give you that completes the previous scenes.  We knew Aksinya was memorizing the Bible, just as she memorized the books of sorcery.  In this narrative, I show you that she has memorized the Gospels and she wants to memorize the rest.  She says her prayers but doesn't complete them because she is in a hurry.

Now do you realize what her decision was.  She steps to the door, and I give you a premonition--the room seemed to darken.  I show you the darkness of the place.  I give you pieces of her life with Ekaterina.  Aksinya makes her way out of the rectory and the Ecclesia.  Tomorrow, Aksinya is on a mission.