Development - Tension and Release in the First Scene

11 March 2012, Development - Tension and Release in the First Scene

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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 picture that began the creative process for the novel Aksinya is complete, but to write the first scene requires the tension development and the characters' voice.  The obvious tension device is the conjuring (calling) of the demon.  This is the action in the first scene and the main tension device.  Within the first scene, I use many other means to develop tension.  We can make a short list of them.

1.  The room is in darkness--darkness is a means of building tension.
2.  Aksinya's clothing doesn't fit her well and she is over exposing herself--this is a means of creating embarrassment and sexual tension.  It also becomes a means of release as a joke in the text.
3.  Sorcery that is making magic can be considered a tension builder.  We will see how the elements of this play out.
4.  Threat of injury--the sorcery is couched in terms of injury if it fails or if it is done incorrectly.
5.  The threat of the demon--this is also a multifaceted tension builder.
6.  The confusion of the demon--he can't believe Aksinya called him.
7.  The sealing of the agreement--Aksinya must give a part of her body as a surety.
8.  The threat of death and hell--the demon threatens and promises her.
9.  The threat of injury when Aksinya takes up the dagger to cut off a body part.
10.  The threat of the death of Aksinya's family.
11.  The beginning of the demon's temptations--this concludes the chapter.

Each of these tension builders also have their own release (the resolution).  The darkness is resolved by movement to another location.  The sorcery is resolved by the completion of the spell (the surety).  The sexual tension caused by Aksinya's clothing is not resolved in this chapter--it continues for quite a while in the text.  The threat of injury in every case is resolved when the contract is concluded with the demon.  The confusion of the demon is fully resolved by the contract.  The threat of death for Aksinya's family is resolved in their death.  Finally, we don't see the resolution of the demon's temptations.  This carries over into the second chapter.  This is the major theme of the novel--that is, the temptation of Aksinya.

We'll look more at the first scene in the creative process in Aksinya tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - The First Scene in the Creative Process

10 March 2012, Development - The First Scene in the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

I have a picture to begin the novel.  All that picture needs is to be turned on--that is, the scene needs to start.  All the research is not complete, the novel isn't written yet, but all the necessary elements are in place to begin.  My creative process has started.  My next step is to write the first scene.

The first scene of any novel is the most important.  If you grasp your readers with the first scene, you will most likely hold them through the entire novel.  To turn the picture into the first scene, I need a couple of things. 

First, I need the entertaining and exciting part that will make up the scene.  Every scene must be exciting and entertaining.  If your scenes are not entertaining or exciting, rewrite them.  If you can't write an entertaining or exciting scene, give it up.  Your primary purpose as a writer is to write things people will read and that entertains them. 

To make an entertaining scene, you must develop the tension and the release in the scene.  Tension and release is the means to make a scene exciting and entertaining.  A scene is exciting because it has strong tension and release.  This is the only means to make a scene.  The tension and release is how you write a worthwhile scene.  I've been discussing this topic in depth on my Zen of Scenes blog at www.novelscene.wordpress.com.  I'll extend some of that discussion here in the future.

Second, I need the voice of the characters.  The history and description of the characters is not enough.  An author gives a voice to his characters.  The voice of the character includes their history, description, personality, et al, but it is the individual feel and writing that brings that character alive.  You will understand what I mean if you think back to characters in books who had little voice--you had no idea when that character was acting or speaking.  The author failed to bring that unique character alive.  This is akin to character revelation (development).  However, you can have a perfectly developed or revealed character who has little or no voice.
We'll look more at the first scene in the creative process in Aksinya tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - The Completed Picture in the Creative Process

9 March 2012, Development - The Completed Picture in the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

You might have noticed, the creative process takes a lot of effort.  If you can imagine the way I developed this first picture--the picture of Aksinya, the demon, and the setting--you can see how the creative process works in my mind.  With this single picture, the novel is not written, and the novel doesn't write itself; however, with this single picture, the novel begins.  From this single picture, the first scene explodes.  This picture is the beginning of the creative process.  This picture defines even the beginning details such as the theme.

Out of this picture is born the entire novel, but more specifically, from this picture comes the first scene.

We'll look more at the first scene in the creative process in Aksinya tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - The Scene in the Creative Process

8 March 2012, Development - The Scene in the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

Now we have a picture.  In the picture there is Aksinya with all her baggage, Asmodeus with his history, and the initial scene.  This picture forms the basis for the first scene in the novel.  In my development of a novel, I build this first scene as the focus of the entire novel.  Of course there are many things a single picture can't convey.  For example, the theme of the novel.  You might guess that the theme is a logical expansion of this initial picture.

With the picture of a demon and a sorceress, the theme could go many ways.  You could have a theme like Faust, a man who was willing to give his soul to a demon for wealth and power.  You could have the theme of a sorceress who called a demon to accomplish evil.  These themes were already used or seemed too trite to me.  Instead, I wanted a theme based on temptation and a main character who called a demon for moral reasons.  Aksinya called Asmodeus to protect her family from the Red Russians, the Bolsheviks.  Instead, she was too late and her family was murdered. 

The theme is then the actions of the demon through temptation.  Aksinya isn't necessarily a good person, but she never intended to use the demon for evil.  In spite of this, the demon's purpose is temptation and evil.  Already, we see the tension that will begin with the first scene in the novel.
We'll look more at the creative process in Aksinya tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Scene Setting in the Picture of the Creative Process

7 March 2012, Development - Scene Setting in the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

We have an initial description of Aksinya, the main character, and of Asmodeus, the demon.  We know about their backgrounds and history.  We have the setting in time and space.  The final element is the setting for the first scene.  With that last piece, we will have enough of the creative process complete to set the entire novel in motion.  Remember, I keep advising you as a writer to physically describe your characters and physically describe the scene setting.  I showed you examples for Aksinya and the demon.  Here is the initial scene setting from the novel Aksinya:

     The dank stone room was filled with shadows.  Every corner oozed darkness.  Within a pentagram that was encompassed by a circle stood a slight young woman.  Fat yellow beef-tallow candles marked the points of the pentagram and weakly illuminated only the area around her.  A brazier of incense filled the room with the scent of myrrh along with an underlying smell that was indeterminate, but left a taste of blood in the mouth...
      Aksinya stood in the middle of the pentagram.  She held a book in one hand, and the bodice of the dress in the other.  It kept falling away from her chest and although there was no one to see, she felt uncomfortable and underdressed when it did.  She squinted across the cellar again and focused back on the book.  She knew the words and the pictures in the book by heart.  She had memorized them long ago, but still she sought them like an anchor against the storm she was about to release.  In the dark—she hadn’t thought about how dark it would be, she could barely read the text.  Finally, she took up an extra taper from the floor and lit it from the closest candle.  She had to hold the taper in one hand and the book in the other, which almost completely revealed her chest, but that couldn’t be helped now.

Aksinya read from the book.  The words weren’t Russian, her mother tongue, and they weren’t the French of the

Russian Court

.  They weren’t the Greek their priest pounded daily into her head.  The language was Latin.  She had studied it secretly for years.  She had memorized all the Latin books she had found hidden in the unused guesthouse at the back of the estate.  With nothing else to do, she had spent every free moment teasing out the secrets of these books for just this moment.  Aksinya was tired of being nothing and being helpless.  She intended from this moment forward to never be helpless again.

     She read the ponderous Latin from her book.  The cover was black, and a pentagram was worked into the ancient leather.  The book was old, ancient.  The pages were yellowed with age.  In spite of that, the pictures and words were perfectly preserved as if time inside it had been slowed to a stop.  The words of the book were dark and evil.  Aksinya knew them well.  She knew their meanings.  She forced her lips to form them, but this wasn’t the first time she had forced her lips to make these dark words.  For years and years she spoke them.  She manipulated the world through them.  She made the world obey her with these ancient words.  She let her mind flow to the word—sorcery.  Aksinya made magic.  She had taught herself from the dark books she found, and here and now, she made the most horrible of magic.

There is more than simple description in this description.  Part of it is about Aksinya and part of it is about the times and the place (all scene setting).  This is a style and a technique for description.  This is an especially good way to integrate description in an action scene.  You get a revelation of the scene along with the action in the scene.  This is also a method to build tension.

We'll look more at the creative process in Aksinya tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - more Description in Character Revelation

6 March 2012, Development - more Description in Character Revelation

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

Before I really get into anything about character development (revelation) I need to finish this discussion of the creative development of Aksinya.  We have a relatively complete picture of the demon.  Remember, the character of the demon is already developed, but it hasn't been revealed.  The last blog, I gave you the initial description of the demon.  This description was developed by studying various sources in ancient literature.  I put together a picture of Asmodeus from the classical descriptions of him.  With a description, the picture is almost complete. 

You might guess we need a picture of Aksinya as well:

     The woman was dressed in a black gown that was much too large for her.  Beautiful hand made lace cascaded down the front of the dress and decorated the sleeves.  Thick velvet competed with black satin to form a perfect attire to greet a Tsar, but certainly not a commissar.  The gown fell loosely away from the woman’s thin chest and small breasts.  It looked odd draped on her body, like a girl playing dress-up from her mother’s closet.  But this gown obviously came from the closet of a princess.

     Aksinya, the woman within the pentagram, squinted across the dark cellar.  She was barely eighteen and much too thin for her age.  She was petit; that was a polite way of saying small.  And underdeveloped, that was a polite way of saying she didn’t yet appear much like a woman.  Aksinya’s hair was dark brown and silky and beautiful, bound up in a long braid, but her face was plain and Russian, so Russian.  Her voice was soft and sometimes too shrill.  When she was excited it rose in strength and pitch, so she never sounded very mature or well mannered. 

This is the initial description of the young woman, Aksinya.  I didn't build the description until after I designed the character.  In this description, we already see Aksinya in action.  The character is yet unrevealed, but she is developed and complete.  You as a reader just don't know what it is.  As the author know exactly what and who Aksinya is.  This is what I revealed in the novel to you.

We'll look more at the creative process in Aksinya tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Description in Character Revelation

5 March 2012, Development - Description in Character Revelation

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

I'll say it again and again, you can't tell us what the character of a person is, you must show us their character.  The best place to start is description.  Always describe your primary and secondary characters.  I know some authors who might not describe a primary character for certain reasons--that might be okay.  Beyond that, there is no reason to not describe every primary and secondary character with at least 100 to 300 words.  Here is the description of the demon from the novel, Aksinya:

A great roar filled the cellar, and she almost fell.  She didn’t.  Her voice rang out more clearly.  A hot sulfurous wind rushed through the place and Aksinya smiled.  Then she forced her face back to blandness.  There was a dark flash, a scream like the sound of metal cutting metal, and across the cellar, in the corner suddenly was a shape.

Immediately, Aksinya’s words changed.  They words of enticing and cajoling became those of welcoming and greeting.  They leapt automatically from her lips.  As she spoke, she carefully watched the shape across the room.  It began to move.  At first it slowly rose and fell as though it was just beginning to breathe, and then it began to grow.  It unfolded like a flower, but this flower was like nothing beautiful the earth had ever seen.  It was man-shaped and black.  Its skin and muscles clung to it as though it was only bone and muscle without any fat at all.  When it had unfolded completely, it touched the top of the ceiling, at least seven feet tall.  More than two meters.  Its limbs were long and at the end of its fingers were talons and of its feet were claws.  They were black too.  It’s face was black and handsome.  Fangs jutted out of its lips on the top and the bottom, but the face was aristocratic and fine.  At its head were ears that lifted up points like an animal and horns at either side. 

The creature was naked, and Aksinya’s eyes moved almost without her control downward.  There was nothing there.  It was like an expurgated statue.  There was nothing but a pubic bulge.  Aksinya wasn’t certain whether to be disappointed.  She raised her hands in the final greeting and let them fall.

This is the initial description of the demon, Asmodeus.  This is the picture that was the beginning of the demon in Aksinya.  I didn't build the description until after I designed the character.  In this description, we already see the demon in action.  The character is yet unrevealed, but it is developed and complete.  You, as a reader, just don't know what it is.  I, as the writer, know exactly what and who this demon is.  This is what I revealed in the novel to you.

Asmodeus has the character of a demon--we'll look at that tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Character Development in the Picture of the Creative Process

4 March 2012, Development - Character Development in the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

As you might have surmised from my description of the development of Aksinya as a character, the demon also must have a developed character before the novel starts.  A novel is not really a place to develop a character but rather to reveal a character.  The main character might show a change in character--that is true character development, but there always exists at the beginning a character that the author reveals.  I am using the language very specifically here--if it sounds strange to you, think about it.  A character already has a developed character before the novel begins.  Within the novel, the author reveals the character of the characters.  The main character might have a change in character.  We usually call the revelation of the character character development.  As I pointed out, this is sloppy use of language.

I showed you parts of the character of Aksinya.  Within the novel, I reveal the depth of Aksinya's character to you.  I also do this with the demon.  I don't wish to say the demon is a simpler character, but the reality is that he is more simple than a human.  That doesn't mean his actions as less complex--the demon always acts in a singular fashion.  A great deal of the novel is to reveal this to Aksinya.  As it is revealed to Aksinya, it is also revealed to the reader.

Asmodeus has the character of a demon--we'll look at that tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - even more of the Demon in the Picture of the Creative Process

3 March 2012, Development - even more of the Demon in the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

We are focusing on building the initial picture that set the scene for the beginning scene in the novel Aksinya.  Within that picture is Aksinya and the demon, Asmodeus.  Through this picture, I'm trying to show you how the creative process works in my brain, and how the initial creative process came about that ended in a novel of over 100,000 words.  If you can understand some of this creative process, you might be able to use my techniques to build a novel or the idea for a novel.

To begin with, I build a picture.  In this picture, we clearly see the person, Aksinya, we are seeing clearer and clearer the demon, Asmodeus.  I've been focusing on Asmodeus to show how his character came about.  If I don't forget, I'll do a whole session on character development within the creative process.

The picture of Aksinya in terms of her character is relatively well developed.  On the other hand, the character of a demon is not within human understanding.  An author must make a character humanized.  That doesn't mean the character must have human characteristics, but rather that the characteristics can be understood by the normal person, your readers.  It does no good to build a character who does not have human characteristics--it may be impossible, but in any case, the character of every character must be understandable and logical to your readers.  This is true of the character of a demon.

Asmodeus has the character of a demon--we'll look at that tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - more of the Demon in the Picture of the Creative Process

2 March 2012, Development - more of the Demon in the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

There is a lot of information about the demon Asmodeus.  The concept of Asmodeus may have started well before he appears in literature.  When he does appear it is in the ancient document Tobit.  Tobit is a non-historical document found in the Apocrypha.  Asmodeus is a demon who murdered the seven bridegrooms of Sarah.  He murders Sarah's husbands before the marriage can be consummated.  From this information, the mythus of Asmodeus built and made him the demon of luxuria.  I mentioned yesterday that luxuria is an inordinate desire for the good things in life.  The demon Asmodeus is especially concerned with sensuality.  His power is the temptation toward sensuality.

Using a demon in this fashion allows me to explore temptation.  I already told you the picture of Aksinya is a young woman who desires sensuality.  She wants power, clothing, love, good food and drink and the demon Asmodeus can give her all of these things.

Asmodeus shows up in a few other ancient and less than ancient documents.  He is in the Testament of Solomon, a pseudographia from the first to third century.  Milton also mentions Asmodeus in Paradise Lost.  You can already see the personality of the demon developing.

We'll continue to explore the concept of the demon, Asmodeus, for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - The Demon in the Picture of the Creative Process

1 March 2012, Development - The Demon in the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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 picture that provided the focus for the novel Aksinya is a metaphor for the creative process.  It is also a direct example of how I created the ideas for the novel.  I showed you already the depth of the historical research and information that went into developing this picture.  Remember, once we have the picture (the scene setting) we can release the characters to act in the scene, and this first scene defines the entire novel.

We have built the character Aksinya.  Now, we need to build the demon.  I wanted a real demon.  This required about a week of research.  The demon I centered on was Asmodeus.  Asmodeus was my choice because, first, I wanted part of Aksinya's problems to be related to sensuality.  I chose specifically for her temptation to be luxuria.  This is one of the seven deadly sins that is usually translated as lust in English.  Luxuria is more than a desire for sex or intimate sensuality.  Luxuria includes all the temptations of human sensuality: good food, drink, clothing, possessions, desire, etc.  I chose the demon Asmodeus because in literature, he is the demon of luxiria, and luxuria is Aksinya's problem.  I also chose Asmodeus for other reasons.

We'll continue to explore the concept of the demon, Asmodeus, for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Even More Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

29 February 2012, Development - Even More Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

Aksinya, the heroine of my novel, Aksinya, is a troubled person.  We are seeing how I used the creative process to make the initial picture then the initial scene for the novel.  Within that initial picture, we see a demon and now a young woman.  Through her ancestry, she is an aristocrat and indeed a Russian princess.  That last part is not revealed until near the end of the novel.  We also have a basis for her afflictions.  She perceived that she was unloved by her mother, her step father, and to some degree by her brother and sister.  Still, she loved her family enough to call a demon (give up her soul) to protect them.  This in itself is revealing.

I was writing yesterday about her acquisition of sorcery.  We discover in the novel that she was trained by an Orthodox priest and learned Latin and other languages.  She was given a decrepit guest house and there found texts about sorcery.  Sorcery texts, we discover, are written in Latin.  The language of sorcery, we find, is Latin.  Aksinya has learned Latin perfectly.  She studied the books of sorcery and perfected the use of sorcery.  At the dawn of the novel, we discover a person grounded fully in the art of sorcery.  This is also something I wanted to present in a novel.  Too many novels about magic have incompetent sorcerers.  I wrote a novel where the sorceress was entirely competent--perhaps the most capable sorceress of her time.

In addition to the design of the character, I also had to design the means of the magic.  I used classical sources for that part.

We'll continue to explore the concept of the main character for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Still More Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

28 February 2012, Development - Still More Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

With the history of Aksinya, the picture is coming into better and better focus.  The next question is what kind of person would be able to call a demon.  The answer is simple, a person who is a sorcerer or necromancer.  This means that Aksinya must be a sorceress.  Her history itself doesn't lend itself to this, but the beginnings are set in her history.  A person might become a sorcerer if they had time and exposure.

Aksinya is a person who grew up alone.  Her mother ignored her.  She had a brother and a sister, the son and daughter of Aksinya's mother and step father.  We find throughout the novel that Aksinya unsuccessfully sought her mother and step father's love and attention.  Since they didn't seem to care, Aksinya had too much time by herself and too much time to study.  She studied originally to gain her mother and step father's attention.  Her step father gave her an old guest house for her own use (as much to get rid of her).  In the guest house Aksinya found ancient texts about sorcery.  This was the beginnings of her study of sorcery.  The sorcery that eventually led to her being able to call a demon.      

We'll continue to explore the concept of the main character for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - More Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

27 February 2012, Development - More Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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 person in the picture with the demon is a young woman.  I almost immediately gave her a name.  More than a week went into the development of her name, but I'll just give it right to you and explain how it came to be.  The young woman in the picture is Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna.  I came by the name very deliberately.  I've written before to you that you must name characters.  This is very true of the main characters, but also the secondary and to a degree the tertiary characters.

All my novels are enveloped in history.  They are fitted perfectly in their time and place.  I research the times and the places extensively before and while I write.  The mother of Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna was Princess Nina Vladimirovna Golitsyna, nee Bockmann.  She was killed by the Bolsheviks in February 1918.  I did take some liberties about her death and placed it in November 1918.  Aksinya's step father was Count Andrei Nikolaevich Golitsyna.  He was also murdered by the Bolsheviks.  Aksinya's birth father was

Grand Duke George Alexandrovich Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov.  This fact isn't revealed until late in the novel, but I want you to know this for the detail and the color of the picture I am building initially--the picture than defines the first scene.  The Grand Duke died of tuberculosis in 1900.  He was not married and did not leave any children.  I did play with history a little to make Aksinya who she was--I just tied up some loose ends. 

This means that Aksinya's baptismal name was Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov.  She was one of the many Russian princesses.  Her grandfather was Herzog Vladimir Bockmann, a German Duke.  She was aristocracy from her German and Russian ancestors.  You can see the beginnings of the problem that is Aksinya.  Her mother married a Romanov Prince and had a daughter.  The prince died before the child, Aksinya was born.  Aksinya's mother married a Russian Count--perhaps the relationship was based on love.  I don't tell you anything--I just leave tracks. 

We'll continue to explore the concept of the main character for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Further Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

26 February 2012, Development - Further Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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 initial picture for the novel Aksinya is coming into focus.  I am showing how the main character came into being for this novel.  With a demon involved and the concept of calling a demon, I intended the theme of the novel to be about temptation.  Already, we see the main character is an aristocrat, a loner, a person of some skill, obviously one who is fearless (or almost fearless), but who loves her or his family.  Now, I want to settle on the person. 

I mentioned before that I sought a pathetic character.  A pathetic character is one who evokes emotion.  A man who is tempted and succumbs to temptation is viewed as either weak (for succumbing to temptation) or as over pious (for resisting temptation).  Generally, in terms of temptation, a man will not do.  A boy is similar.  There are pathetic circumstances for young men and boys, but most of them are romantic.  Pathos is very easy with a woman and especially a girl or young woman.  This is the character I thought would best represent temptation and most believably fit in the picture I was developing. 
We'll continue to explore the concept of the main character for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

25 February 2012, Development - Developing the Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

For the book Aksinya, the picture for the first scene is developing.  Remember, there is no title yet.  I set it long after the novel was written.  I mentioned that I wanted to develop a character who evoked emotion.  The character is becoming clearer and clearer in the initial picture.  The sex has not been determined yet, but we have a member of the Russian aristocracy who called a demon to protect their family from the Bolsheviks. 

I asked the question before.  Here it is again: what kind of person could call a demon?  A member of the aristocracy would potentially have the opportunity for an fantastic education.  They would have the time to study an esoteric subject like sorcery.  A person who studies sorcery, especially at a young age, would have to be somewhat isolated and alone.  They would be very intelligent but not necessarily used to interacting with people.   

We'll continue to explore the concept of the main character for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Developing Picture of the Creative Process

24 February 2012, Development - Developing Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

We have a picture of a demon and a person who called the demon.  The place is Russia at the end of the Great War (WWI).  The occasion was to save a family.  There is a choice here.  To save a common family (or a Bolshevik family) from the Russians or to save an aristocratic family from the Bolsheviks.  The choice was easy for me.  The Bolsheviks (Communists) are the most evil force in the modern world.  The person therefore became someone who needed to save a family (their family) from the actions of the Bolsheviks during the Russian revolution.  This is a very historically accurate position since there are many records of the Russian Communists murdering the aristocracy for no other reason then they were part of the Russian aristocracy.  The Communists literally murdered men, women, and children who were aristocrats.  The most famous was the murder of the Tzar's family.

Part of the reason for this choice is to produce a pathetic character.  A pathetic character is one who evokes emotions.   

We'll continue to explore the concept of the main character for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Initial Picture of the Creative Process

23 February 2012, Development - Initial Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

Why would someone call a demon?  What would motivate a person to sell their soul?  Perhaps more importantly, who might be able to call a demon?  I build the reason for calling a demon--the main character wanted to save their family from murder or worse.  This was additionally the motivation.  The main character loved their family so much, they would give up life and salvation for them. 

I wanted to set the story during a time where the world was under great distress, where science was on the ascendancy, and faith on the decline.  I wanted a time when demons and magic might share belief with science.  The time I chose was the end of the Great War, World War I.  The place I chose was Russia.  Great wrongs happened in Russia during this time and the atrocities I envisioned would not be out of place there. 

The picture is becoming clearer.  It shows a Russian who is willing to give their life and soul for their family.  It shows a demon called at the end of World War I to protect a family from murder and worse.  
We'll continue to explore the initial picture for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Picture of the Creative Process

22 February 2012, Development - Picture of the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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 picture I imagine that becomes the first scene of a novel is usually very specific.  Here is how it developed for Aksinya.  The picture came almost all at once.  I imagined a person who sold thier soul to a demon.  That was the flash of the first picture.  The picture I wanted to create was of a person who sold their soul for an ethical and moral reason that was not achieved.  You can see in the initial picture we have a demon and a person.  The person is somehow innocent but at the same time very guilty.

The picture begins to build.  You can see the blurry outlines of a demon and a person.  You can begin to see the person.  There must be a reason for calling the demon.  There must be a sufficient reason for accepting the guilt of losing your soul.  

We'll continue to explore the initial picture for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Development - Continuing the Creative Process

21 February 2012, Development - Continuing the Creative Process

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, 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.

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/.

For me, the creative process always begins with a picture.  I've called this a scene before, but the simplest form is a picture.  I usually use the example of the stage for a play in describing a scene.  We can make this example simpler by freezing the beginning of the scene.  When we do this, we see the setting, the characters, and the action ready to play out.  This is the picture.

In a stage play, the stage is set, this is the setting.  When the lights go down, the characters take their places.  They are ready to act.  The play is about to commence. 

The picture I am describing for you is similar.  Imagine the scene setting and the characters like a picture.  At the beginning of the novel, the initial scene is the same.  To begin the creative process, you have to imagine this scene, that is, the complete picture.  This complete picture is the characters, the setting, and the actions.
We'll continue to explore these ideas for the novel Aksinya, tomorrow.

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.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.