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--