Slowly, but surely....

While issues with seizures and health concerns previously referred to are being overcome, progress on the story is still coming slowly, due to challenges such as a loss of the dictation tapes and having to start over. Trevor found it easier to dictate the story to tape than to write it on a page that persisted in swimming before his eyes. Add to this a battle with a totally unreasonable and tyrannical housing administration (they gave up in the end--they would have hung themselves, as Trevor took detailed notes on everything they did and said, as well as doing research on his rights and their powers). It is without question that the stresses caused by these people contributed heavily to the seizure disorder Trevor suffered. It has since improved greatly.

However, the story is steadily taking shape and being fleshed out. Other projects and concerns (personal schooling, children, etc.) have taken some attention from the work recently, but it goes on, though not as quickly as we would like. Life happens while you wish to make other plans (to paraphrase John Lennon).

Post 5--First Conflict

I once read an intro to a story by Roger Zelazny, in which he stated that characters in his stories can come alive and "live" with him for years in full detail before ever being committed to paper. I am learning that this is most definitely true.

My characters are alive. From the young boy cruelly orphaned and forced into a robot-like service, to the clone unwittingly awakened to humanity by a past regret and a chance to make it right, to the agonized father gripping the counter as he awaits news of whether his 23-year old daughter has survived the events streaming through the television screen...Ghosts they may be, but they are real. They haunt me, yes--but they also share their joys and achievements with me. I watch that father reunited with his daughter, see them both learn to forgive those who have wronged them. I cry tears of true joy as I watch a young woman swallow her fears and put her reputation in peril for the sake of a single act of kindness that will never be discovered. I revel in the sight of a young man discovering his true self--again and again. These are the scenes that I live with, my joy and my frustration.

Frustration? Well, the inspirations of an author never come the easy way, or they'd hardly leave a mark. My most recent markings have come in the form of a new development in a battle I've been waging against a seizure disorder since 2001.

I've always suffered from ADHD...but through several mind tricks I played on myself, I was able to make it through high school without raising much suspicion--but those skills have proved insufficient to handle the complicating effect of an epileptic wave across those rocky shores. At the moment, I am stuck between a rock and a hard place: After more than a month as a glorified paperweight while testing prescription anticonvulsants, I have finally found one that fixes more problems than it causes, which allows me to awaken and think clearly in the morning. The trade-off is that most afternoons are spent in a seizure and/or medication induced drowsy stupor. My hope is that this state will allow enough functionality that some of these beloved characters can come out and play in chunks of plotline that last longer than a paragraph or two (which has been about all I could manage before the whole page began swimming before).

If such is not the case, however, I may have to go seeking professional help of a different variety--namely one skilled in the art of authorship. This is, obviously, a last resort. It is a very painful thing for an author to release his "baby" into the care of another, however trustworthy he may be.

Until then, you've still only got teasers...but I'll try to get the partial outline and brief snippets up when I can find a break large enough in the demands of life.

I applaud and thank any who have managed to find this blog and follow it, and beg their forgiveness for piquing curiosity about a tale that...well...is working its way out in author's time, rather than reader's time.

--Trevor O'Dell

Post 4--Time (and effort) marches on

The work of preparing a solid foundation for this tale has shown itself to be a gargantuan undertaking, but it proceeds steadily. Working out the details of a story of this magnitude is difficult, but exciting, as well. Each character and every scene, every discussion, each situation and transition--all need to be smoothly and realistically portrayed to the reader and ultimately, to the viewer of the film we expect to be made from it. Ideally, the book itself should draw the reader in as if he or she were watching a film. It should be that engaging and realistic.

A reminder: there are to be at least two other books in the series. These will be needed in order to adequately complete this epic tale. Whereas some books and films are produced in series simply for the sake of having a sequel, this story would not be fulfilled unless at least three volumes are given to the effort.

No corners are being cut in the writing and none will be allowed in the filming, when that time comes. Thank you for your patience and we ask that you keep us in your prayers and have positive thoughts for us and about this project.

Post 3 -- A New Religion

During the last few talks Trevor and I have had regarding Turncycle, we have been discussing the need for some established religions in the story. Different sects, if you will. This story just gets more amazing as it develops. It was meant to be.

You may wonder why religion should enter in, but it seems that the muses are dictating it and it cannot be denied. Our discussion has begun to envision and develop a few deviations from a true faith that should be the cornerstone of this world, the apostate factions that develop and the subterfuge that ensues in the major faction. A true prophet is isolated for the 'good' of the upper crust and the privileged. He is mis-represented and misquoted by those who should be his staunchest supporters. When he is removed to another planet and its colony, the inhabitants there take him more seriously than his own. A powerful chain of events seems destined to ensue.

Other discussions have rotated around alternative energy sources, plus a radical and engaging new theory of the nature of light and of quantum mechanics. This excites me perhaps more than any other thing right now. The only word I can use is 'stoked'. When this book is released, this theory will turn some heads, I feel. There may also be some talk of new considerations of theories of earth's religious and secular histories. Perfectly good explanations that have been previously ignored by the 'scientific' elite and the purveyors of 'junk science' will need to be acknowledged finally.

As always, this is still in the formative stages and the shape will surely morph and take a clearer shape as time passes. It is still as exciting as ever.

UPDATE: July 22, 2006 Regarding the new theory of the nature of light and quantum mechanics, I have recently spoken with a friend I had not seen for some time. He is known for having his fingers in some diverse and interesting pies. His background is physics in general and lasers in particular. He also has some interesting acquaintances of his own, as you might imagine. One of these is a dual Ph.D. who ascribes to the same unique and bleeding edge theories that Trevor has lighted upon (Trevor says it is simple "common sense"--I wish I had such insights and confidence). Anyway, it is extremely reassuring that the insights are considered correct by such an eminently qualified individual. This will assure that the story will be cutting edge, as well, with a certain and lengthy life span.

Post 2--First Contact

Hi. I'm Steven O'Dell, father of Trevor, whose story Turncycle is. I felt it important to share the history thus far, from my point of view. First, Turncycle is a story that will not go away. It grows continually and will one day be entirely clear. 'Someone' wants this tale to be written. It cannot and will not die.

Trevor first began to tell me the concept of the Turncycle tale about one year ago. I will never forget that night. I had given him a ride home to his apartment, as it was the dead cold of winter. We sat for a short while in the van and I expected to say our goodbyes for the evening and leave. Trevor then told me he had a story in his head that he wanted to tell me about. (A story that I did not know had already been haunting him for seven years at that point).

As he began to share his vision of Turncycle, I was thoroughly engrossed in the details that he opened to my own view. Half an hour later I was absolutely certain that this story had to be told and was destined to become a film of the highest caliber. I still feel the excitement and the certainty of that night. The more we hammer out the details of this story for the outline, the more excited I get. It has a life of its own.

There is one thing I have learned from my own writing projects, and that is that a truly great story takes on a life of its own and literally dictates to the author what is meant to be written. Nothing else will do. It must unfold for the author as it does for a reader. It must totally engage the writer as it does a reading audience. If it does not, there will be no life to it and it will be a flat failure before it is even finished. As I was writing my own novel, I said, "I can't wait to see what happens next." In working with Trevor on Turncycle, I have found myself saying the same thing again.

I can say with certainty, even before it is completed, that Turncycle is a work of epic and monumental proportions. I do not say that lightly. I am fully aware of all the hype that accompanies the release of some real 'stinkers' in the book and film industries. There are many "stories" that I have found to be a waste of paper or a waste of film. Turncycle grabbed me and drew me in without any effort and will not let me go. In fact, I have no desire to be let go. This is truly a great work--the work of a lifetime and a masterpiece in the making. I do not hesitate to place its potential in the same category as Frank Herbert's Dune series or J.R.R. Tolkien's Ring Trilogy.

I have read the works of true masters for many, many years and know what makes a good story, what makes it flow, what a cliffhanger is--and I know what is engaging and what is not. I have learned techniques from the masters since my childhood, because I have read the works of the masters since my childhood. I claim no other qualifications and have no shame in claiming this lone badge of authority. Time will bear me out. Turncycle is here to stay and will yet have millions of fans who will verify the claims.

Now you must judge for yourself. Stay tuned for further details.

--A Novel Approach--

Post 1--Behind the curtain

Over the years I have had opportunity to read many novels and wonder how certain concepts or characters were developed. I have also noticed that often the writer’s own comments are limited on those points of interest. Therefore, I thought it would be neat to give readers an inside view of the story as it develops, so they can see a glimpse of how exciting and/or difficult the development can be.

I used to be puzzled with the idea that some writers had extensive notes that they referred to as they wrote a story. It baffled me that an author could write a story without an instinctive detailed knowledge of each character and story nuance. Since beginning this project, I have been humbled and have begun taking extensive notes of my own. This has led me to a greater appreciation of the works of such great authors as J.R.R. Tolkien and Frank Herbert. Anyone that can build entire worlds and civilizations from scratch—with or without the aid of a notebook—is worthy of great respect.

Our intent with this site is to expand it into a behind-the-scenes exposition of the creation of the Turncycle series. We hope you enjoy this and we appreciate your patience until such time as it becomes fully developed.

Feel free to leave comments and impressions as things ensue. I have been gathering plot and character ideas from numerous eclectic sources. There is no reason why you couldn’t be one of them. Just don’t be hurt if your suggestions can’t be fitted into the storyline. I am working with my father as a sounding board on this and I have had to shoot down some of his ideas that seemed quite sound on the surface. There are still parts of the tale that have not been fleshed out in my mind yet, but there are also parts that I already know have to be portrayed in a specific manner…even if I don’t yet know how or why. Even without the flesh, the spirit is still there and that is, after all, what defines the form.