My bet with author Diane M. Graham

Posted by Keven Newsome on

My friend, founding member with me at the New Authors’ Fellowship, and now fellow author at Splashdown Books,Diane M. Graham,  just released her debut novel I Am Ocilla. Prior to the release of the book, one of her proof readers said something on Facebook about the twists and turns in Diane’s book. I made the comment to him that there’s only been one book that I didn’t figure out before the twists were upon me.

That started a discussion…well, more like boasting and smack talk on the part of both Diane and me. It turned into a bet. Until now, it has only been recorded on Facebook. Here’s the thread if you’d like to look it over. I wanted to give the details of the bet a more permanent and stable home.

So here they are…the details of the bet:

If Diane’s book surprises Keven just once with a plot twist, then Keven will make a YouTube video of him dancing for at least 25 seconds, saying, “Di is twisty.” If Diane’s book surprises Keven more than once, then Keven will also have her on his website as a guest expert on how to create twists in a story. If Diane’s book fails to surprise Keven, then Diane must make a video of her dancing for at least 25 seconds, saying, “Keven is a plot master.” And if by 3/4′s through the book Keven presents a reasonable outline of how the book will end, then Diane will have Keven as a guest expert on her website on recognizing and avoiding predictable plot devices.

So there’s the bet. I’m not scared, really. Plot development is something I’m very nerdy about…sort of an extension of my fascination with taking things apart to see how they work. Which, by the way, I’ve ALWAYS been able to put everything back together again.

The bet will be realized at the beginning of the summer, when I have time free enough to read her book. This post not only serves to document the bet, but will also kick off a series of related posts on plot development. I’ve been wanting to write some of what I know about plotting, and this finally gives me an excuse. Look for those posts soon.

-k

Grown-ups who can’t make friends.

Posted by Keven Newsome on

Reblogged from The Cheesecake Thickens:

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Want to know the biggest secret in the world? A secret so big that everyone already knows it, but still no one will talk about it? Most grown-ups don’t know how to make friends. It’s true. I’m one of them. So is my wife. We really struggle with this. Sure…I’ve got friends. I’m a friendly person. I’ll conversate and doing all kinds of friend-things with you. I’m not talking about that kind of thing. I’m talking about those really close friends. The kind that know you in and out, and that you’re not afraid …

My article this week on The Cheesecake Thickens.

Nerd role call.

Posted by Keven Newsome on

Reblogged from The Cheesecake Thickens:

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Welcome to The Cheesecake Thickens! We’re so glad you’ve decided to check out this fledgling sister site of the New Authors’ Fellowship. If you want to know what we’re all about, simply click up there on the About Cheesecake button…but not until you finish reading this. Or maybe go read that then come back here. Doesn’t matter. Just read this please! As a group, we decided that our first posts should be an introduction about ourselves. But not just any introduction…no. That wouldn’t do. We have bios …

A confessional blog about how nerdy I am. I’ll be blogging on this website about once every two weeks. Be sure to subscribe, it promises to be a hoot!

The next best thing to a movie of Winter!

Posted by Keven Newsome on

I’ve been a little under the weather today and haven’t felt up to doing a vlog. I do want to give you something, though. Today is also my birthday. And my gift to you is this very special announcement.

We’re in the process of producing the next best thing to an actual movie of Winter. An audio book. But not just any audio book, an audio book featuring actual voice acting instead of standard narration. We’re also going to add a subtle soundtrack in a few key places in the story.

I am honored to be working with the very talented Lindsay Zana. She’s working hard to bring this story to life in a way you’ve never experienced before. A graduate of Oklahoma City University, her resume boasts of film, voice over, and theater credits. I’ve listened to the first chapter already and it’s awesome. Not only does she do a convincing Winter, but she’s convincing with every character. You’ll think there’s more than one person doing the voices! Check out her website at www.LindsayZana.com.

Once completed, this audio production of Winter will be available through Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. I’ll keep you updated as it progresses about release dates and such. But expect it sometime this Spring.