Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 250, more Protagonist's Helper Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

16 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 250, more Protagonist's Helper Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I started writing on my newest novel.  Here is the theme statement: 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.

The protagonist's helper is likely the most important character, next to the protagonist, in a novel.  There is a joke in Japan that to have a good Manga (graphic novel/comic) you need a girl, her best friend, and a bad guy.  The point is that the best friend (protagonist's helper) allows a revelation of the protagonist because the friend provides a mirror to the soul of the protagonist.  The best friend knows the protagonist best.  It also allows some mystery--because who really is the protagonist's helper?

The protagonist's helper is always some slight mystery.  The protagonist is revealed--the protagonist's helper stays somewhat in the background.  In writing, you might not have understood or fully comprehended the importance of the protagonist's helper.  They are the lovers, best friends, comrades, etc. of the protagonist.  In my new novel, my protagonist's helper will begin as the rescue, then friend, then lover of my protagonist.
             
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 249, Protagonist's Helper Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

15 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 249, Protagonist's Helper Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I started writing on my newest novel.  Here is the theme statement: 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.

I'll move on to the protagonist's helper.  I've mentioned before, an opposite sex protagonist's helper in an adult novel immediately gives you a love interest.  A same sex protagonist's helper gives you a sidekick or friend.  As my experience with writing has grown, so has my realization of the importance of the protagonist's helper.  I would say that in modern novels, the protagonist's helper is a much more important character than the antagonist.  All three of these characters are necessary to a novel, but the antagonist can be abstract and general, while the protagonist helper cannot.  The protagonist's helper allows the revelation of the protagonist in ways the antagonist can never do.

Imagine, the protagonist and the protagonist's helper can engage almost at will in conversation the author can use to reveal them.  Very few conversations between the protagonist and the antagonist can be used to directly reveal those characters.  The interaction of those characters in the narration can be used to reveal, but the conversation between an antagonist and a protagonist is more likely to be filled with half-truths, lies, and intentional obscuration.  Depending on the novel, the antagonist might be torturing the protagonist.  This is definitely true about this novel that I'm writing.  The antagonist is a fascist government with a supreme leader.  The protagonist's helper is a stranded pilot.
             
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 248, even more Theme Protagonist Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

14 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 248, even more Theme Protagonist Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I started writing on my newest novel.  Here is the theme statement: 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.

Although the theme statement of the new novel I'm discussing does not include anything spiritual, the human journey and a journey to escape tyranny could be seen as a spiritual theme.  At the very least, it could be seen as an allegory.  And why not?  The point of writing a novel is to entertain.  Humans engage the world on many levels.  The primary is the physical.  The next is the intellectual or thoughts.  The last is the spiritual. How can there be entertainment without engaging all three levels in a novel. 

If you will note, some of the most popular novels today have some degree of spirituality.  The magic kid's novel is all about the spiritual.  The sparkly vampires are all about the spiritual.  Humans seek the spiritual.  You can dress this up as the meaning of life or the purpose of life or their purpose in life, but the actuality is that each human is seeking his of her place in the world.  I call that a spiritual search--others don't.  In any case, I intend to introduce a spiritual theme to this new dystopian novel.  I want that theme to enliven my characters and encourage my readers.
             
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 247, more Theme Protagonist Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

13 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 247, more Theme Protagonist Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I started writing on my newest novel.  Here is the theme statement: 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.

A critical question for all people is: what is the meaning of life?  This is ultimately a spiritual question.  People will always be asking this question.  That's why Dune is such a great novel.  Dune is one of the few science fiction novels that doesn't ignore the place of the spiritual in its created world.  In my opinion, Dune shouldn't be unique.  The problem is the modern novel and not the very few that actually engage in issues and ideas that are important to real people.  This is especially true today. 

The way I plan to engage the spiritual in my new dystopian science fiction novel is to have the protagonist ask to look through the protagonist's helper's survival kit.  The company places a New Testament in every survival kit.  The nation of Freedom doesn't allow its citizens books.  The protagonist, Reb, will want to read the book and ask the protagonist's helper about it.  This is a simple means to inject a spiritual idea into the novel.  The point is to provide all the elements of a normal society.  I know many intellectuals reject religious or spiritual concepts and ideas, but that doesn't mean they aren't important to a majority of people.  It also doesn't mean writers should ignore them.
             
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 246, Theme Protagonist Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

12 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 246, Theme Protagonist Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I started writing on my newest novel.  Here is the theme statement: 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.

If you are familiar with my novels, you know I always have some spiritual theme or subtheme in them.  My Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox novels probably have the least spiritual theme in them.  They are my early novels and before I really began to understand the craft.  They are still a fun read and have strong ethical elements in them.

The reason I want t include spiritual themes in my fiction and especially my science fiction is because this is an area most science fiction and modern writers ignore.  More than 80 percent of the people in the Western World believe in God, and a relatively high percentage of those either have or participate in some kind of worship of the deity or a deity.  As a young person, the assumption about the future is that everyone will be an atheist--science will disprove God.  I think this is a very foolish idea.  The future, just like the past, will have gross similarities with today.  You find a very vibrant religious environment in modern America and the world.  That environment will not dry up just because of he future and new technology.  I suspect it will become more and more important as people become disconnected from others and their families.  Prisoners become more attached to the spiritual, why shouldn't isolated people do the same?

For these reasons, I want to bring a spiritual element into this new science fiction novel.
             
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 245, yet more Protagonist Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

11 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 245, yet more Protagonist Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I started writing on my newest novel.  Here is the theme statement: 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.

I named my protagonist V10+S10 537 Rebecka.  She has visual acuity and accuracy ten plus--that's ten times greater than the average human (she would say citizen).  He sense of smell is ten times the acuity and accuracy of a normal human.  She was bred for these skills, and she uses them to develop scents and colors for the nation of Freedom.  What she doesn't know, but she will discover is that she is the designer of whole fashion and scent lines for the party members of Freedom.  While Reb (short for Rebecka, Reb=Rebel, get it), wins citizen medals for developing colors and scents, the party members of Freedom use her scents and colors in their extravagant luxury items. 

I think I will drive this home when Reb and Scott are walking through the capital of Freedom.  She will look into a shop front window and see her color and scent combination trumpeted as the color and scent of the year.  The credit will be given to the party leader for the development center.  I'm not sure how I'll have her handle it.  She could just go rigid as she contemplates what is going on.  Or she could have an outburst--or both.  Maybe the or both would be great for her.  She didn't like her society before Scott came--I want her to absolutely despise it by the time they escape--or not.  I want the reader to feel her pain and suffering.  She dedicated her labor to doing what she loved to do, but the nation took the credit and gave her cheap plastic (synthetic) medals.    
             
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 244, still more Protagonist Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

10 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 244, still more Protagonist Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I started writing on my newest novel.  Here is the theme statement: 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.

The edge in my protagonist is that she will do anything to escape the nation she in in.  She has no knowledge about anywhere else--she will learn from my protagonist's helper.  Still, she realizes the oppression of her society, and she longs for something more.  I need to build so sense of how she concluded this, but I intend to make this a revelation novel.  She and the protagonist's helper will confront many issues in Freedom (the nation) that will bring home the fascist nature of the place.

The culture is militaristic and what the citizens don't realize is that they work to keep he few--the party in power and in great wealth.  The slogans of the place speak about wealth as evil and poverty as good--like all socialistic and communistic regimes, the party lives in elegance and wealth while the "citizens" live in controlled poverty.  This is the power of this kind of dystopian novel.  
             
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 243, more Protagonist Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

9 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 243, more Protagonist Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I started writing on my newest novel.  Here is the theme statement: 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.

I plan to make the girl in my novel the protagonist.  I want a really edgy protagonist--not that my other protagonists aren't very edgy.  They all are.  I want this one to be really out there.  She will do anything to escape the place she is in.  The nation is called Freedom and it has anything but Freedom.  I decided to name my protagonist V10+S10537 Rebecka.  The name means visual acuity ten plus scent acuity ten number 537, and her given name is Rebecka.  Rebecka because all the children in her series were named with an R.  Rebecka works at the development center.  Her specialty is the ability to match colors to a ten plus accuracy and a scent to a ten.  This means that she was bred for these skills.  In her society, the "citizens" are all bred and developed for specific skills.

I wanted her name to be Rebecka so her nickname is Reb.  She is a kind of rebel.  Unfortunately, in her society, rebellion and rebels are handled very easily, they are sent to the hospital.  Anyone who goes to the hospital doesn't return.  It is a place like the people's asylums of the Soviet Union--except--the hospital puts out organs and human endocrine fluids.  When you go to the hospital, you either end up being harvested for organs or being harvested for your fluids and tissues.  Not so nice a place to go.  The culture's motto is recycle, reuse, reduce, and they take it very seriously.     
             
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 242, Protagonist Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

8 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 242, Protagonist Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I haven't started writing yet, but I have a theme statement for my next novel: 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.

Let's look at the protagonist and then the protagonist's helper.  I suspect I will make the protagonist the girl and the protagonist's helper the guy, but I'll show the story from the protagonist's helper's point of view (POV).  I've done this in my latest novels and I like the way it works.  There is great power in having a POV completely outside that of the protagonist.  This lends credibility to the story in ways a first person or a normal third person protagonist POV will not.  This goes back to what I wrote about character revelation.  A character revelation from the POV of the protagonist has less credibility than that of an outside POV.  Character revelation from a fist person POV is definitely worthless--with the omniscient view required of the first person, the entire truth is all there is or the reader never knows what is really true--the first person might lie or be insane or be deluded.  Like I wrote before, from an outside POV, the actions of the protagonist become truth--from an internal POV, they are always questionable.

The POV of the protagonist helper gives a realistic view of the protagonist, at least from the standpoint of the protagonist's helper.  I like slightly distanced protagonist's helpers--this provides a good separation that gives a strong impression of truth to the reader.
             
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 241, more Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

7 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 241, more Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I haven't started writing yet, but I have a theme statement for my next novel: 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, a initial scene, protagonist, protagonist helper, antagonist, and the climax is obvious.  Let's talk about each.

An impersonal antagonist has become a very normative theme in many modern novels.  This impersonal antagonist is usually an evil government.  Some writers give the "evil government" a personal face.  George Orwell did this in 1984 and in Animal Farm.  Aldous Huxley did the opposite in Brave New World and left the antagonist impersonal.  In the Hunger Games, the evil president is the personal protagonist.

For now, I wish to leave the antagonist impersonal--this many times can make a more powerful novel.  Many modern people feel they are under attack from an impersonal "government."  Your readers will likely resonate with this kind of antagonist.  My intent is to take modern socialism to an extreme in the novel.  The USSR provides the best model from the 20th Century for this kind of extreme.  In the USSR, everything belonged to the state--the people supposedly had ownership, but as the Boston Commons showed the modern world, what an individual doesn't own will not be taken care of.  Socialism allows a government to control everything about the lives of a people.  For example, the most private of property is the human life--if the state claims ownership of your person, you not only have no rights, your value to the state is now what you can provide it.  This is why homosexuals, the mentally retarded, and others were killed by the Nazis in World War Two--their value to the state was zero.  In a free society, everyone has value because they have life.  Being a human confers value intrinsically.  In fact, the US Constitution asserts that under natural law, all rights are conferred by God and not by government.  Humans have rights based solely on their life.  My antagonist, "evil" government will be this type of fascism based on the Nazis and the USSR.
             
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 240, Characters and Plot, How to Develop Storyline

6 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 240, Characters and Plot, 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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I haven't started writing yet, but I have a theme statement for my next novel: 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, a initial scene, protagonist, protagonist helper, antagonist, and the climax is obvious.  Let's talk about each. 

I'm actually using this blog to develop the parts of my newest novel.  I'm currently in the second run-through for Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer.  I haven't sent that novel to my readers yet.  I am generally happy with it, but I had an idea for the novel represented by the theme statement immediately above.  I mentioned the development of the initial scene yesterday.  The next is the development of the protagonist.  The big question is who is the protagonist and who is the protagonist's helper.  We know the antagonist.  Perhaps, the antagonist is the best place to go next.

The antagonist is the government of the fascist nation.  I mentioned some ideas about the setting for the initial scene.  The question is what does this fascist nation look like and will the antagonist be personal or impersonal?  The question of personal or impersonal refers to whether the antagonist will have a real human face or be a generic bureaucracy.  For example, if the supreme leader is the face of the government, that could harbor a personal antagonist.  On the other hand, if the supreme leader is just a threatening person that represents the evil government, the antagonist is impersonal.  Or if a singular person acts as the face of the government toward the protagonist, that is a personal antagonist.  I'll delve deeper into the antagonist.    
             
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 239, New Climax design Plots, Revelation How to Develop Storyline, Climax

5 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 239, New Climax design Plots, Revelation How to Develop Storyline, Climax

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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I haven't started writing yet, but I have a theme statement for my next novel: 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 picture this as a dystopian novel.  I usually don't write dystopian novels, but my publisher has called my Ancient Light novels dystopian.  They do have that kind of feel, but they are really historical.  The world just went through a terrible period during the second world war.  I am not sitting down with the specific intent to write a dystopian novel, I just got a great idea for that kind of novel.

This theme statement lends itself well to each part of the development of a novel.  Note, there is a setting, a initial scene, protagonist, protagonist helper, antagonist, and the climax is obvious.  Let's talk about each.  The initial scene is the fascist island nation.  I'm still building my idea of what this will look like, but I just finished traveling around the world (for work) and I saw many nations that would qualify as fascist.  There are always many pictures of the supreme leader--everywhere.  Police have a strong presence.  Everyone is polite, but there is a feeling of oppression.  There is usually deep poverty.  I am imagining the sloganeering for this nation.  For example, love equals hate.  Or try this, poor equals rich.  Working is freedom.  Riches are a fair share.  Life is more than food and wealth.  Property is poverty.  Property is captivity.  Something like that.  I'd like to turn some of the socialistic and fascistic concepts on their head by exaggeration.  Not that you have to exaggerate very far.  I have experienced socialized medicine in the military.  In socialized medicine, you make people very happy when you die--you no longer are a drain on their resources.  This is the basis for the initial scene. 

A further point of the initial scene will be the aircraft the pilot is flying.  He will be breaking the rules by flying over this island nation.  He is doing it to make better time on the cargo ferry run he is making.  The aircraft engine will fail and he will have to land on the island.  That will provide the setting for the initial 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 238, Lilly Climax design Plots, Revelation How to Develop Storyline, Climax

4 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 238, Lilly Climax design Plots, Revelation How to Develop Storyline, Climax

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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

In my current novel, I can now write the theme as: Lilly a computer genius meets Dane at Pacific Lutheran University; she becomes the kami of a Japanese shrine and he her Kannushi--they are confronted by other Japanese kami and succeed.

When I first started writing this novel, Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer, I knew where I started, but I didn't know where I was going.  I don't recommend writing a novel like this, but I want you to know you can write this way.  Usually, when I start writing, my theme statement is complete.  I'm already contemplating a new novel and the theme statement is complete: 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, a initial scene, protagonist, protagonist helper, antagonist, and the climax is obvious.  This is a dystopian type novel, perhaps I can get my publisher to contract it early to take advantage of the dystopian clamor.  I haven't started writing the novel yet--I just got the idea for it.  What I should do is go through the parts and show the connection of the theme statement to each part of the novel.  That would be a great exercise for me and you.  If you also note, you and I could both use the same theme statement and come out with two completely different novels.

Now, back to Lilly.  I just finished Lilly.  I kind of plan on writing two or three novels based on Lilly.  As I wrote, I finished the novel while flying back to the USA from Bangkok Thailand.  The climax of Lilly is her clash with another kami (Japanese god).  What was great about this novel is I wove in Native American gods into the fabric of the novel.  I plan to continue this idea in the other novels if I write them.  Lilly is a standalone novel, but like all good novels, all the threads are not tied together.  I intentionally didn't tie some to let the novel play, but the climax resolved the theme and the plot--there is just more there, there. 
             
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 237, more Climax design Plots, Revelation How to Develop Storyline, Climax

3 December 2014, Writing Ideas - New Novel, part 237, more Climax design Plots, Revelation How to Develop Storyline, Climax

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 newest novel, Valeska, is this: while on assignment in Gdansk, Poland, an agent of the organization becomes involved with a vampire girl during a mission, she becomes dependent on the agent, and she is redeemed.

Here is my proposed cover for Valeska:

I decided on a white cover style.  You can see more at www.GoddessofDarkness.com.

I have developed the climax of my newest novel enough to begin writing it.  At the same time, I have begun writing notes for another novel.  I should write that I am in Bangkok Thailand at this moment on a round the world flying tour.  If I had thought about it, I would have written about each place I stopped during each flight.  I didn't.  So goes it. 

During the longer stops, I was able to write on my novel Lilly: Enchantment and the Computer.  I don't know if this title will stand, but it matches other similar titles.  I also got a great idea for a try dystopian novel--maybe my publisher will push it to the front of the pack.

I have been writing about the climax of a novel and about how I look at and write a climax.  In general, I plan for the climax as part of the theme development, but for the latest novel I am writing, I didn't develop the theme sufficiently to provide a climax as part of it.  I've been writing to the climax of the novel.  I don't suggest this as a good method for any writer, but it has provided a great means to write about a climax. 

In my current novel, I can now write the theme as: Lilly a computer genius meets Dane at Pacific Lutheran University; she becomes the kami of a Japanese shrine and he her Kannushi--they are confronted by other Japanese kami and succeed.

The climax is obviously that they are confronted by other kami (gods) and succeed against them.  This is about as good as it gets.  Note the theme statement includes everything that is important.  You can guess that the initial scene is their meeting.  The climax must be some kind of confrontation with a Japanese deity.  I should have known this from the beginning, but sometimes a little writing helps.
             
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