I’m Shelby Carleton!

I LOVE writing, especially writing for the medium of video games. Their interactivity makes storytelling extremely compelling - allowing players to fully and completely step into the role of their character.

You watch films.

You read books.

You play games.

When I write for games, I think of the interactive element first! It’s not just about what makes a good story, but how a good story plays.

I write stories for the audience I hope to have - one who is kind, empathetic, and who maybe doesn’t skip cutscenes (though I admit I’ve skipped a cutscene or two in my day). Whether players love narrative as much as I do, or not, they’re in for an awesome story either way.

When I’m not writing games, I’m playing them! Or you’ll find me reading, or writing something you can’t play, like short fiction or a screenplay. My favourite food is potato chips (specifically the All Dressed flavour that’s devestatingly confined to Canada), and my favourite novel is Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (you should check it out if you haven’t already)!

I live in the Bay Area with my partner, and one very small kinda-rat-like dog.