T.W.R. Shelton's Blog
March 25, 2017
November 10, 2016
NaNoWriMo & a Sequel?!
Greetings!It's been a long time. If you've been following this blog, you know that I wanted to have another book (Breathing Underwater) finished by September of this year. Unfortunately, life got in my way, and as I lost my grandmother and then shortly after moved my life in order to take a new job, writing got placed on the back burner.I had no clear plans of making a sequel toBefore a Million Universes,but this has recently changed. Sometimes with loss comes inspiration and growth, and I have found myself full of new ideas that I would love to use in this fictional universe.Because of this, I have put a different project on the back burner in order to use November (National Novel Writing Month) to focus on a sequel toBefore a Million Universes,tentatively calledWe are Untranslatable. This book will focus on Theo Odyssey as she comes of age in a world that has finally begun to heal.As of today, the 10th of November, I am 17,158 words into my 50,000 word goal and I'm hoping to keep up with my progress in order to finish the month out strong.I hope you are all having a wonderful day!Tegan
New Cover and Exciting News!
Greetings Folks!I am excited to announce that Before a Million Universes now has a beautiful new cover. Check it outhere.Additionally, Before a Million Universes has been selected to be included in December's Go Indie Now! book box. If you've never heard of it before, the Go Indie Now! box features indie novels from authors all over the world. It comes as a unique 4-D bibliotherapy experience with items that you can see, touch, hear, and taste in order to bring literary worlds to life. It's a book vacation in a box and I have adored every box I have been sent. Check it outhere.Until next time!Tegan
November 1, 2016
Remembering a Beautiful Life
Hello everyone!2016 has been a terrible year for multiple reasons, but one of the hardest things that I have had to deal with is the loss of my grandmother.Those of you who follow my blog know that she was a huge inspiration for my first novel,Before a Million Universes. I modeled Maxwell's Gran after her, I also modeled Gran's house after hers. My grandmother was always very proud of the fact that I wanted to be a writer. She loved to tell her friends that I was working on different projects and that I would someday be a published author.Sadly, her health declined rapidly in the months before my first book came out, and she was never able to read it.When she passed away this past summer, I was given the honor of writing her eulogy. I would like to share it here so that you will be able to know a little bit about the wonderful person she was.Here it is:
Hello,For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Tegan, and Stana was my grandma.I’ve heard many stories about how stern and strict my grandmother once was. As one of the youngest grandchildren, I would like to extend my gratitude to my aunts, uncles, and elder cousins for wearing her down to the softie I knew and adored. I can’t recall ever getting MY biscuits warmed.Though I came along a little later than most of my cousins, I spent a lot of time with my grandma and I’ve gathered many precious memories over the years.When I learned of her dementia a few years back, I began compiling a list of things that reminded me of her to keep the memories alive and to have specific things to mention to her in letters and conversation.Let me tell you what I remember.I remember nursery rhymes, and dirty hands, and dancing through lines of laundry. I remember embroidery and polka music and picking flowers for my mom.Grandma’s birthday was on Halloween. Each year, we met at her house in Davis for trick-or-treating. Afterward, we spent the evening with her while we enjoyed a bowl of her delicious chili. My grandma was a wonderful cook. Everybody had their favorites, whether it be apricot kolaches, buttered rolls, fried breakfast potatoes, tutti frutti rolls, or, my personal favorite, chicken and dumplings. Each and every meal was prepared with love and care. Before each meal, Grandma held our hands and said a prayer, thanking God for her family and friends.She was also a healer. When my grandfather became bed-ridden, she cared for him tirelessly and made him as comfortable as she possibly could. With him, she showed the true meaning of marriage and partnership by dedicating her life to loving her husband. She was a wonderful role model of what a wife and mother should be. Grandma also cared for a variety of orphaned animals throughout the years, varying from squirrels and birds to raccoons and pigs. One day, in late October, my brother found a tiny kitten freezing in our barn and she dropped everything to come to the rescue. She saved Bella’s life and raised her into a strong, healthy cat who absolutely adored her in return. Speaking of kittens, my grandma LOVED them. One day, my mom and sister snuck a kitten into her assisted living facility and my grandma was THRILLED.I remember imagination pancakes, and snapping the ends off of green beans, and watering flowers. I remember picking up walnuts and finding old treasures in the garage and saying bedtime prayers.Grandma cared a lot for people, even total strangers. She dedicated countless hours volunteering with her church to feed the homeless and roll bandages for the mission. She also spent a lot of time mending clothes for family and friends and came to the rescue every time we were sick and needed to be picked up from school.My grandma was an original gamer. She schooled us in euchre, dominos, checkers, and go-fish. She was a patient teacher, sticking with me even as we lost game after game of euchre and only getting —slightly frustrated— despite her incredibly competitive nature. Playing cards was one of our all-time favorite things to do when I visited. Another of our favorite activities was watching The Bachelor every week. Something you may not know about my grandmother is that she was an enormous Bachelor fan. We got together every week to root for our favorites over popcorn and during commercial breaks, Grandma loved to discuss which of our male relatives would serve well as the next contestant. One night, during a kissing contest, she turned to me and covered my eyes and said very seriously that she wasn’t sure if my mother would approve. It was priceless.I remember fishing, and my grandmother’s perfume, and stories about the island. I remember angel food cake, and catfish, and an old, red winter coat.I cherish all of these memories, but the best thing about my grandma was how much love she held in her heart for the people in her life. We used to have dinner a few nights a week while I was attending community college, so she saw me all the time, but every single time I knocked on the door, she was still so excited. Her face lit up and she would say, “Oh! I’m so happy to see you!” Every night before I left she’d take my hands and very firmly tell me how proud she was of me.This is something I’m sure can be universally felt between all of us. Grandma was SO proud of her family. She held so much love in her heart for us. My sister, Cortney, recently made a comment that grandma had a habit of holding her hand and squeezing tight when she spoke to her. This was typical. Every visit was welcomed with and ended by a hug, and there were a million affectionate touches in between. Shoulder rubs, and hand squeezes, and too many hugs to count.I remember Wheel-of-Fortune, and movie dates, and late nights. I remember weathered hands, and watching the birds, and stories about my great-grandmother.My grandmother was such an inspiration to us. She taught us how to be strong and independent and to work hard. She taught us to be kind to others, to volunteer community service, and to help those in need whenever possible. She was a perfect role model for the kind of mother I would like to one day be to my future children. And though it absolutely breaks my heart that my own children will never meet her, I am comforted by the fact that I see her reflected in myself and in so many other people in my life. I see her stubbornness and dedication in my sister. I see her strength and persistence in my brother. I see her love and selflessness in my mother.I remember Jeopardy, and half-sticks of Spearmint gum, and stomping through the garden for fresh vegetables. I remember tight hugs, and sorting through buttons, and splitting Milky Way bars. I remember green eyes, and a big smile, and dissolving into laughter.In closing, I would like to share a piece of a poem by Walt Whitman.The last scud of day holds back for me,It flings my likeness after the rest and true as any on the shadow'd wilds,It coaxes me to the vapor and the dusk.I depart as air, I shake my white locks at the runaway sun,I effuse my flesh in eddies, and drift it in lacy jags.I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love,If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.You will hardly know who I am or what I mean,But I shall be good health to you nevertheless,And filter and fibre your blood.Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,Missing me one place search another,I stop somewhere waiting for you.
Hello,For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Tegan, and Stana was my grandma.I’ve heard many stories about how stern and strict my grandmother once was. As one of the youngest grandchildren, I would like to extend my gratitude to my aunts, uncles, and elder cousins for wearing her down to the softie I knew and adored. I can’t recall ever getting MY biscuits warmed.Though I came along a little later than most of my cousins, I spent a lot of time with my grandma and I’ve gathered many precious memories over the years.When I learned of her dementia a few years back, I began compiling a list of things that reminded me of her to keep the memories alive and to have specific things to mention to her in letters and conversation.Let me tell you what I remember.I remember nursery rhymes, and dirty hands, and dancing through lines of laundry. I remember embroidery and polka music and picking flowers for my mom.Grandma’s birthday was on Halloween. Each year, we met at her house in Davis for trick-or-treating. Afterward, we spent the evening with her while we enjoyed a bowl of her delicious chili. My grandma was a wonderful cook. Everybody had their favorites, whether it be apricot kolaches, buttered rolls, fried breakfast potatoes, tutti frutti rolls, or, my personal favorite, chicken and dumplings. Each and every meal was prepared with love and care. Before each meal, Grandma held our hands and said a prayer, thanking God for her family and friends.She was also a healer. When my grandfather became bed-ridden, she cared for him tirelessly and made him as comfortable as she possibly could. With him, she showed the true meaning of marriage and partnership by dedicating her life to loving her husband. She was a wonderful role model of what a wife and mother should be. Grandma also cared for a variety of orphaned animals throughout the years, varying from squirrels and birds to raccoons and pigs. One day, in late October, my brother found a tiny kitten freezing in our barn and she dropped everything to come to the rescue. She saved Bella’s life and raised her into a strong, healthy cat who absolutely adored her in return. Speaking of kittens, my grandma LOVED them. One day, my mom and sister snuck a kitten into her assisted living facility and my grandma was THRILLED.I remember imagination pancakes, and snapping the ends off of green beans, and watering flowers. I remember picking up walnuts and finding old treasures in the garage and saying bedtime prayers.Grandma cared a lot for people, even total strangers. She dedicated countless hours volunteering with her church to feed the homeless and roll bandages for the mission. She also spent a lot of time mending clothes for family and friends and came to the rescue every time we were sick and needed to be picked up from school.My grandma was an original gamer. She schooled us in euchre, dominos, checkers, and go-fish. She was a patient teacher, sticking with me even as we lost game after game of euchre and only getting —slightly frustrated— despite her incredibly competitive nature. Playing cards was one of our all-time favorite things to do when I visited. Another of our favorite activities was watching The Bachelor every week. Something you may not know about my grandmother is that she was an enormous Bachelor fan. We got together every week to root for our favorites over popcorn and during commercial breaks, Grandma loved to discuss which of our male relatives would serve well as the next contestant. One night, during a kissing contest, she turned to me and covered my eyes and said very seriously that she wasn’t sure if my mother would approve. It was priceless.I remember fishing, and my grandmother’s perfume, and stories about the island. I remember angel food cake, and catfish, and an old, red winter coat.I cherish all of these memories, but the best thing about my grandma was how much love she held in her heart for the people in her life. We used to have dinner a few nights a week while I was attending community college, so she saw me all the time, but every single time I knocked on the door, she was still so excited. Her face lit up and she would say, “Oh! I’m so happy to see you!” Every night before I left she’d take my hands and very firmly tell me how proud she was of me.This is something I’m sure can be universally felt between all of us. Grandma was SO proud of her family. She held so much love in her heart for us. My sister, Cortney, recently made a comment that grandma had a habit of holding her hand and squeezing tight when she spoke to her. This was typical. Every visit was welcomed with and ended by a hug, and there were a million affectionate touches in between. Shoulder rubs, and hand squeezes, and too many hugs to count.I remember Wheel-of-Fortune, and movie dates, and late nights. I remember weathered hands, and watching the birds, and stories about my great-grandmother.My grandmother was such an inspiration to us. She taught us how to be strong and independent and to work hard. She taught us to be kind to others, to volunteer community service, and to help those in need whenever possible. She was a perfect role model for the kind of mother I would like to one day be to my future children. And though it absolutely breaks my heart that my own children will never meet her, I am comforted by the fact that I see her reflected in myself and in so many other people in my life. I see her stubbornness and dedication in my sister. I see her strength and persistence in my brother. I see her love and selflessness in my mother.I remember Jeopardy, and half-sticks of Spearmint gum, and stomping through the garden for fresh vegetables. I remember tight hugs, and sorting through buttons, and splitting Milky Way bars. I remember green eyes, and a big smile, and dissolving into laughter.In closing, I would like to share a piece of a poem by Walt Whitman.The last scud of day holds back for me,It flings my likeness after the rest and true as any on the shadow'd wilds,It coaxes me to the vapor and the dusk.I depart as air, I shake my white locks at the runaway sun,I effuse my flesh in eddies, and drift it in lacy jags.I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love,If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.You will hardly know who I am or what I mean,But I shall be good health to you nevertheless,And filter and fibre your blood.Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,Missing me one place search another,I stop somewhere waiting for you.
June 19, 2016
Maxwell's House
Greetings! It’s been ages.Something that not everybody knows is that I modeled Maxwell’s grandmother’s house after my own grandmother’s house. When I envisioned the world in which Maxwell lived and the dying city of Chicago, I envisioned a city much different than the Chicago of today. I saw a city that had spread much further than it’s original heart and that, as it had grown too much too quickly, it had left death, destruction, and waste in it’s path. My grandmother lived in a tiny house in an
April 23, 2016
Music in Writing
Greetings, Citizens!From very early on in my writing process, I connected images in my writing to music. This isn’t a new concept; many writers rely on music as inspiration. As a teacher, I believe audio and visual are both very important when it comes to the world of English/Language Arts. If I become particularly attached to a book, I tend to create a soundtrack to go along with it. Diving into a book with an appropriate soundtrack makes the fictional world come alive and allows for a fuller experience. It also allows me to make my own connections to the text through lyrical and instrumental thought. This leads to a deepened personal understanding and relationship with the text.I thought it would be fun to share several playlists that I made while working on Before a Million Universes.The first is Gabriel’s Lament. Without going into too much detail and spoiling everything, it tracks Gabriel’s journey from the moment his story begins and follows him until the very end.Fun fact #1: “Aubrey” by Bread is where Aubrey got her name.Fun fact #2: “The Angel” by Alexandre Desplat was the inspiration for Gabriel’s very first scene in the book.The second is Aubrey’s Playlist for Gabriel. Aubrey was an incredibly fun character to write. She’s young and free-spirited and it shows in this playlist. Her obsession with music through time means she has a wide variety of tastes. The songs in this playlist are examples she would have shown Gabriel during their time together.Fun fact #3: “The Times They are A-Changin’” by Bob Dylan is the song Aubrey sang and later cried to in one of the book’s middle scenes.The third is Maxwell’s Survival Playlist. This is basically a conglomeration of every dystopic/apocalyptic song that I listened to as I wrote. It’s got a few surprises sprinkled in.Fun fact #4: I listened to “Graveyard” by Heist on repeat while writing Part V.Fun fact #5: When I initially woke from the nightmare that started it all, Lorde’s cover of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” was playing in my headphones and probably had a lot to do with setting the overall tone of the novel.That’s all for now!All the best,TeganMaxwell's Survival Playlist: http://8tracks.com/twrshelton91/maxwe... Lament: http://8tracks.com/twrshelton91/gabri... Playlist for Gabriel: http://8tracks.com/twrshelton91/aubre...
September 15, 2015
Magical Notebook
Greetings! I've always had a real issue with dirtying notebooks. By that, I mean that when I open a new notebook, I expect myself to write neatly and avoid mistakes at all costs, because scratching out a line means that the page is ruined forever. This is ridiculous, of course, but it's always been a point of anxiety for me. A couple of days before I had the crazy dream that inspired Before a Million Universes, my mom and I made this notebook out of an old Peter Pan Little Golden Book. In my
September 10, 2015
New Project and New Goals
Greetings! Before a Million Universes took nearly two years to complete from start to finish. I’ve set a new goal for myself. I would like to push myself to finish my next novel by September 2016. This is definitely ambitious, given the crazy state of my life right now, but goal-setting is what makes the world turn round, and I think I could be ready for this. Thankfully, toward the end of writing Before a Million Universes, I was sparked by a new idea that I fell just as deeply in love
September 7, 2015
Dream Cast
Greetings! I have a problem. Basically, whenever I read a piece of a fiction, I'm forced to come up with my own dream cast of characters to better visualize the work. I decided to post up my very own dream cast in an effort for you, as readers, to be able to visualize the people I used as reference in my writing. I had a lot of fun doing this and it made writing so much easier because I was able to look back at real people for inspiration. It also helps bring the story to life. Here
September 1, 2015
Happy Birthday, Maxwell Odyssey!
Happy birthday, Maxwell Odyssey (in 133 years, that is)! In celebration of this day, I decided to share fifteen facts about Max’s character. Favorites: Green “Flagpole Sitta” by Harvey Danger Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman Flying Painting Random facts: Inherited heterochromia iridis from her mother. Bisexual Swears like a sailor Mechanic Non-smoker Writing Process/ Inspiration: Maxwell was originally intended to be an anti-hero but evolved into a reluctant hero. Instead of fighting her on it,
