J.C. Shelton

Another Goal Realized: Writing Cottage

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Wed, 18 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

So often, it is said, that what we are looking for could be right in front of us. Actually, in this case, something I have wanted was right behind me. The idea of a writing cottage has danced about in my mind over the past year or so. You know, a place all to its own, designed for one purpose. A place devoid of the usual household distractions. All the while, I kept re-filing it into the "one day" category. That was, until a few weeks ago, when that little thought grew wings and soared into "now." Today, I am happy to say, I have my very own writing cottage.

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It really only took two simple ingredients. A guest house that, until recently, was used as a rental property. Next, there was a tenant who turned out to be an absolute nightmare. What was once my usual quiet and peaceful life, suddenly took a detour down a road cluttered with eviction notices and various legal jargon. However, once the clouds parted, a new vision emerged. Looking back on it now, that was the easy part. Designing the perfect writing cottage, well that is another hurdle all together.

There are so many choices involved in decorating a room; the color, the furniture, the personal touches. My first thoughts as a human being, or maybe just because I am a man, included sparing no expense in creating my personal masterpiece. I searched the web for that look of status. There are a number of great examples out there.

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Of course, most writers try and imagine the perfect desk. I was surprised at some of the more interesting options available.

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After returning to reality, remembering the simple idea I first began with, my only expense was new paint and blinds. I have long been familiar with the research and opinions on how colors can affect moods. I chose a color called yellow brick road, as well as a blog from Vanessa Leigh with a unique perspective on the color.

"The yellow brick road,
the road to everywhere
and nowhere at the same
time... ...in my life, there
have been so many paths
that I have taken, ones
that have been yellow
brick roads to my goal,
my pursuit, my dream,
or so I thought at least.
Some of the yellow
brick that I have followed
have been dead ends...

But, every path was meaning, every brick in those roads was purposeful
and meaningful, and I needed to gain full trust in myself that I knew,
deep within, which way to go. I ALWAYS trust my soul now, no question."

Now, as far as the desk and other accessories are concerned, I am still working on the selection process. But, knowing how I really am these days, something tells me I will keep it simple.

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Mom's Reading What?

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Tue, 10 May 2011 06:19:00 +0000

It has become a ritual, on most holidays and other special times, that my mom and I give each other books. Well, for Mother's Day, I really wanted to get her one of her choosing. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been paying close attention to her, trying to determine if she has had her eye on anything in particular. It was a success, but I am left to wonder about her choice. Let me explain. She is in her 70's.

Looking back over the years, I can't recall her ever listening to Aerosmith, or any rock band for that matter. Likewise, rock and roll artists never really caught her attention. I think it may have something to do with American Idol. This season, the show has captured her attention for some reason and I think as a judge, Steven Tyler has captivated her.

While I haven't read the book, I did pick up a copy for her. When we spoke last, she told me that she was already on page 56. I asked her for a review so far.

Mom's Review

'He uses the "f" word a lot.'

Rock on, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Sun, 08 May 2011 16:31:00 +0000

Whatcha Readin' Wednesday: Mystery and Crime Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:49:00 +0000

This week, As a fan of the dime-dreadful writers and their litery descendents of the forties and fifties, I turn to the mystery/crime genre with Raymond Chandler's Playback.

Published in 1958, Playback follows protagonist Philip Marlowe along an unknown case trail. Once inside, the hard-boiled detective faces an unusual position, one which points to the possible need of turning against a client. Of all Chandler's novels, Playback was the only one never to have been filmed. On the big screen, Chandler's works are associated with names such as Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum, James Garner and Elliott Gould.

One of the characteristics I find most enjoyable, is Chandler's use of language and description. He applies simple vocabulary and adds a twist of humor. My favorites include, "The subject was as easy to spot as a kangaroo in a dinner jacket," or "The next hour was three hours long." My list could continue all day, but these gems are better discovered along the way.

A Closer Look At Faulkner

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:37:00 +0000

His name has been somewhere in the back of my mind and on my reading list for a couple of years now. He was mentioned by Stephen King as one of the handful of writers notoriously famous for a fondness of the adult beverage. He was also mentioned by Annie Wilkes in Stephen King's Misery, between rants about cockadoodie brats.

He's William Faulkner and a new memoir will show a side many are not familiar with. The April 2011 edition of Southern Living Magazine offers a glimpse into the author's human side. In The Last Living Faulkner, Dean Faulkner talks candidly about her uncle and provides a glimpse into her memoir. According to the article, Every Day by the Sun is a book that every Southerner should read, perhaps even before they read Faulkner himself.

In a wonderfully accessible prose, she shows William Faulkner as an uncle, a husband, a brother, a father. A man underneath all the mythos.

Source

A Whirlwind Week: The Second Rewrite

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:36:00 +0000

It is the only way to describe the week that is now behind. Whirlwind. One of my dictionaries defines the word as a destructive force or thing. I would not compare my use of the word with destructive. And I would not point to tumultuous, as offered in a second choice, for there has been a certain sense of order. My thoughts have spun like a top, alternating between deep thought, nervous excitement and peace.

My current project began as a thought in 2007, then a paragraph, followed by one page in 2009. Eventually, the nuts and bolts of the story were put together, with plenty of blank pages to allow for change. Along the way, there were days, weeks and even a couple of months where the pages remained untouched. Last year, those pages began to move and became a first rewrite. In places, the characters were thin as a sheet of tin. This was by no fault of their own, but my neglect in listening.

After time, patience and an allowance for more living on my part, the second rewrite is underway. I have often heard talk of characters taking over and as a writer, finding your way into a new partition. I can only feel blessed in that, after a whirlwind of a week, I can now verify that this is true.

New Feature: Whatcha Readin' Wednesday?

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:06:00 +0000

With so many great books out, I have held the thought of passing on my favorite finds and asking you for yours. In order to avoid random posts, Whatcha Readin' Wednesday has come to life. This week, I have been reading Townie, by Andre Dubus III.

"The best first-person account of an author's life I have ever read. I sincerely believe Andre Dubus III may be the best writer in America. His talent is enormous. No one who reads this book will ever forget it."

-- James Lee Burke

I first became drawn to his work, following House of Sand and Fog. The novel led to a movie by the same name, with a brilliant performance by Sir Ben Kingsley. He has another novel, The Garden of Last Days, which I have on hand as well.

I can tell you that Dubus has definitely been one of my biggest inspirations. He is also the reason I now write every single day.

And now, it's your turn. What are you reading?

Writing Essentials 101: Get Out and About

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:17:00 +0000

I survived Mardi Gras 2011 in New Orleans, while taking that crucial step we all must take from time to time. You know, to pry our little fingers away from the keyboard and pull our nose away from the reading and journey into the world around us.

I like New Orleans, because it is a great place to watch people. And this year, I was able to meet people from all over the world. There was a couple from New York, a young lady from Belgium, folks from Seattle and Russia.

In addition to learning about others, there were moments when personal truths became clear. Had I stayed home, those would have remained beneath the veil. My leather-bound journal I take everywhere now has new information to ponder over and my current project has been given new breath.

It is now safe to return behind my walls.

But, how about you? Have you had a break lately?

A Few Days In Hornets Nest with Richard Dawkins

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 04:22:00 +0000

I recently opened a copy of the 2006 nonfiction best-seller, The God Delusion, by British biologist Richard Dawkins. In doing so, or shall I say disclosing that fact to others, created a fire storm with some.

Dawkins takes on the idea of a supernatural creator, along with the belief of a personal God. The God Delusion contains four consciousness-raising messages. However, the book offers much more for those who enjoy a little deep-thinking every now and then. One very memorable passage was the following:

"The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully."

For me, Richard Dawkins presents a choice. It is a choice that is seldom offered and quite often, never accepted or allowed. In fact, the very mention of this book or posing a question will be received as an act of high treason to some. At this point, you will know if this book is right for you or not. If I had only one point to make, it is this. You do have a choice in the matter.

Intuos4 : My New Creative Toy of Choice

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:13:00 +0000

Are you wanting to create your own illustrations, sketches, doodles?

Putting A Muzzle On Mark Twain?

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 07:12:00 +0000

So, they really are going to revise the Mark Twain classics, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer? I overheard bits and pieces of the story on the news. And for those who may not have heard, here's the condensed version.

Both Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawer contain a certain "N" word, which is more commonly considered a racial slur today than I am sure it was when the manuscripts were written. NewSouth Books in Alabama, along with Twain scholar Alan Gribben are working on revised editions. These revisions would replace the "N" word with slave, in an effort to avoid offending readers.

My first thought was this. How long have the original versions been available? Of course, I did try and look at the issue from Gribben's perspective. I do understand his point of view. However, anyone familiar with Mark Twain understands that like most writers, Twain placed a great deal of importance on using the right word. The "N" word, at least in my world is not the right word. However, if all of the words that were offensive to me were taken away, I would miss out on the moments to really think about those words and where they are coming from. I tend to agree with another Twain scholar, professor Stephen Railton of the University of Virginia who considers the new version a terrible idea.

"The language depicts America's past, Railton said, and the revised book was not being true to the period in which Twain was writing. Railton has an unaltered version of "Huck Finn" coming out later this year that includes context for schools to explore racism and slavery in the book."

Your thoughts?

Full Article

The Strainer Effect

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 07:56:00 +0000

Ah, another year is upon us. And with all the unknown, but exciting possibilities for the brand new year, I always find myself taking a quick look in the rear-view mirror.

Last year, for the most part, was a rather interesting year. While many of the events were similar to those of previous ones, my focus and interpretation were not the same. Napolean Hill would refer to it as accurate thinking. I call it the strainer effect. It is funny how when you focus only on relevant facts that are in line with your ultimate goals, sifting out the rest of the garbage the world (including friends and relatives) throw your way, how productive (and peaceful) your life can become. It is not always an easy task and does require practice. What I find most disheartening, is the number of others that I can count on two hands who have learned to think the same way -- and just how many fingers (and hands) I have left over. Of course, most of those I am referring to are also guilty of using the most blasphemous phrase I have ever heard. "I do not read."

All in all, 2010 was pretty good. I ventured into a few new areas, without searching for reasons why I couldn’t or shouldn’t. I spent more time with family members, which is always good. As far as friends, I discovered a few new and even had to say to hell with a few. So, goodbye to another year and let’s look forward to the new one that is upon us. If you haven’t had a great year in a while, why not try for this year?

Project Story Creations : For The New Year

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:27:00 +0000

Project Story Creations was started in 2010, established by J. Carter Shelton, dedicated to promoting children's literacy by inspiring children to read. Our focus includes dreams, imagination, goals, confidence, diversity and education.



Make Books Online at Bookemon!	read	buy	send

Patience Refresher Course - Create A Children's Book

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:16:00 +0000

Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains...

Holiday Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 08:22:00 +0000

Missing In Action : Update

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:04:00 +0000

I have been a bad blogger, following a long stretch away from the blog. However, it has been a productive time. I have been working on my Everyone Has A Story Project, which I will be announcing soon. Since my last blog visit, I have been working on the illustrations. This has proven to be the most time consuming portion of the project, but also very rewarding. I have not forgotten about the blog and will be returning very soon.

Thanksgiving Holiday Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:15:00 +0000

Here's wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. I am sure I will have many things to write about following the celebrations. Remember, there are ideas everywhere!

Better Late Than Never - Freedom Writers Review

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:04:00 +0000

Just the other night, I had completed my 2,000 words for the day, my personal quota for my daily work on my book. The weather was unpleasant and my internet connection was down for awhile. So, I glanced over my movie collection to find something to kill the time.

I ran across Freedom Writers, which had been given to me at some point, but I had never watched. I guess it would be considered an old movie now, released in 2007? I do remember putting it aside after noticing Hillary Swank on the cover, assuming I would not like it. After Million Dollar Baby, I just didn't think I would care for another movie with Hillary Swank.

Well, after watching Freedom Writers, Hillary has won my renewed affection and helped provide a great story. Based on a true story from Long Beach, California, Freedom Writers is predictable (The Principal, Coach Carter), but where teacher Erin Gruwell ultimately leads the "unteachable" students from room 203 goes beyond prediction. It shows how good writing can often lead to more than just good reading. For the Long Beach students and teacher who inspired them, the story continues.

If you haven't seen the movie, put it on your "curl up on the couch" list. And check out the Freedom Writers website.

Need Motivation?

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:01:00 +0000

What Are Some Good Ways To Think of Book Ideas?

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 07:51:00 +0000

That is a question I am faced with almost daily, whenever someone new learns of my pursuits. Ah, the questions in life with no easy answers! However, I never brush anyone aside and try to offer some encouragement, even when no perfect answer exists. The last person to ask me was much younger than I, so with a little more living, I feel confident the waters will offer greater reflections.

Of course, it is worth giving strong thought to the genre, which in itself, can be difficult. Would you be interested in fiction or non-fiction? Maybe you have even considered a personal memoir? Literary Agent and Nonfiction Writing Consultant Michael Larson offers excellent points to consider in terms of memoirs and fiction vs. non-fiction. His advice can be found on the National Association of Memoir Writers Blog.

In this case, the question was referring to fiction. Here is my approach, although your results may vary. Think of your daily life and those around you, news you hear, or the many things you see. Reflect back as far as you can remember, recalling memories. No matter how insignificant you may think some memories are, with thought and consideration, any or all can lead to just the right idea. With that, allow yourself to let your imagination wander. Think of scenarios, recalling perhaps a personal situation or conflict you have had. Begin asking yourself "what if." Many writers have used the scenario situation very successfully.

On a recent travel excursion, I wandered into a quiet, cozy little spot for a coffee. It was a chilly night, so the gentle warmth of the corner fireplace was an inviting compliment to the coffee. Beneath the dim lights and above Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata from the piano, I talked with one of the servers. She was not an unattractive young lady. She said she was a small-town girl who ran off to the big city as fast as she could. She later revealed that it was her last night working there and she had been busy packing. When I asked why, the response stuck with me for some reason. "Some big things have needed to and are getting ready to change in my life."

Think about the few facts I mentioned about her. Think about what reason she gave for leaving. Combine the question what if? Can you see all of the possibilities?

And Now, Back To The Story

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 05:04:00 +0000

Well, now that Halloween has thankfully come and gone, I am back at the keyboard and back to the story. I say thankfully, in terms of the passing of Halloween, for reasons of my own. It was on Halloween, a few years back, when I was unexpectedly widowed. And it was only a few years before that, rather close to Halloween, when we had our first date. So, in a sense, it was our season.

It is true that life shows us how to go on somehow. And lives are never completely destroyed, they are merely changed. However, it would be pure fiction if I wrote of sailing through the holiday, seeing the decorations and costumes, being invited to Halloween parties, or even feeling the cool nightly breezes without some sadness and maybe, just maybe, a hint of resentment.

To those who know me, let me apologize for the distance over the recent holiday. Also, let me apologize for the months ahead as I focus on the story. A definiteness of purpose is often misunderstood, taken personally out of context, or viewed as some sort of strange disconnect. I hope you will try and understand. I always recall what filmmaker Quentin Tarantino said in an interview with GQ Magazine:

"When I'm doing a movie, I'm not doing anything else. It's all about the movie. I don't have a wife. I don't have a kid. Nothing can get in my way. I've made a choice, so far, to go on this road alone. Because this is my time. This is my time to make movies."

Book Titles With Profanity Hitting Best Seller Lists Drawing Looks From More Than Readers

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 22:04:00 +0000

A couple of book covers have been catching eyes lately and not just those of readers. The books in question have even started to climb up the best-seller lists. One book, a children's picture book, is being criticized for using the word "jackass."

"One author says colorful titles sell. Another never dreamed his working title would end up on the cover of his book. And another maintains that the word for a male donkey isn't profane."

Full Story

It is an interesting issue. Until I ran across this story, I have seen the title of one of the books on many instances (and have never thought of it as obscene). In fact, it never even crossed my mind as a curse word. Does that make me a low-brow?

What's your opinion?

The Struggle: Perfectionism vs. Muse

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:38:00 +0000

"I'll get back to writing just as soon as I get these other things done. I'll get back to the book as soon as I get back to the house. Let me look through the dictionary and find the exact word. I can't finish this paragraph until I figure out what comes next. I didn't finish, because it just didn't sound right."

Do any of these ring a bell? Maybe even outside of writing? I can certainly relate, especially given my long-term struggle with perfection. Yes, I used the word struggle. Some would say, "but in our society, should we not strive for perfection?" That is a question that only you can answer for yourself. For me, I am learning to accept "perfectly imperfect." However, it has taken more than thirty years to get to this point and it's a continuous struggle.

I found a great blog posting by writer Sandy Ackers, Perfectionism: A Great Muse Strangler, where she shares her own struggle. She writes:

"I can see two particular ways in which it has hampered my creativity over the years: Needing my life to be in perfect order before I can really devote time to writing. And feeling my writing isn't good enough, because it's not perfect."

I like her take on it:

"If you want to create, you must create anyway. If you want to write or paint or sculpt or make music, you must write or paint or sculpt music in spite of everything." She points to Anne Dillard's quote from The Writing Life, "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

So, today, I have to ask myself and you, how are we spending our day?

Good Writing Includes Good Reading And Both Are Closer Than You Might Think

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 06:18:00 +0000

Good writing includes good reading. Searching for a good read and good writing? Both are closer than you might think and it doesn't require picking up the latest hot novel down at your local bookstore. As much as I love spending time at the bookstore, I often reach for writing that I already have nearby.

One such piece of writing I like to look at is The Book of Ecclesiastes. William Zinsser was the author who inspired me to look at Ecclesiastes in a new way. In his book On Writing Well, he not only points out the superb writing, but two of his most prized fundamentals, brevity and simplicity. He is not alone in having a certain fondness for this book. Ernest Hemingway turns to The Book of Ecclesiastes, as he begins The Sun Also Rises with my favorite passage.

"One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever ... The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to the place where he arose ... The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits....All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again."

--Ecclesiastes

Imagination Awakening - A Refresher Course

noreply@blogger.com (J.C. Shelton) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:18:00 +0000

It is one of the key ingredients in writing, especially when it comes to fiction. Of course, I am talking about imagination. If you are at all like me, you probably have days (many in my case), where life allows little time for the mind to find an escape. Lately, I have found my special time just before going to sleep at night. I found a little inspiration, by accident, while scanning a list of audio books.

The little gift that I found is The Natural Born Writer, by Robin Moore. The word writer was what caught my attention. However, after a closer look, I found much more than what I had expected. His focus is not a "how to" for writing, but a look at one of the most basic fundamentals that we often forget..imagination. The author, Robin Moore is very passionate about teaching the art of dreaming again. He is a gifted storyteller and his website outlines his unique talents.

If you want to give the audio book a listen, wait until you are at home. He conducts a few exercises on imagination, requiring you to close your eyes. There is almost a hypnotic tone, so probably not the best listening option while driving. A Natural Born Writer is definitely an audio book recommendation. It has helped me on those rough days over the keyboard.