When Tyrell Anderson would have reflections that stuck out to him, he would write his thoughts down.
“It started out as just things that I was thinking about that I didn’t feel comfortable sharing or posting on social media,” said Anderson, a Gary native. “But the more I was writing, the more I thought, ‘These should be shared.’”
Anderson, who is also an artist, photographer and preservation advocate, has written a new book, “Still Frames and Soundtracks,” that will be released Feb. 16. The book is a collection of Anderson’s daily reflections “shaped by music, discipline and lived experiences.”
“Some things I focus on are relationships and dealing with your own trials and tribulations,” Anderson said. “It more so focuses on the lines of recognizing patterns and what you do when you recognize those patterns and finding ways to move past those hurdles.”
Through the years, he has written down his thoughts, Anderson said, but about six months ago, he began reflecting on his notes and putting together “Still Frames and Soundtracks.”
The book is 420 pages, but passages are designed to be read one day at a time or at random, Anderson said, and he hopes it helps readers when they need guidance.
“It’s not a novel or anything like that,” he said. “It’s about a 4-by-6 pocket book, something you can toss in a bag and read on your lunch or read on the train.”
Art and music are typically his escape, Anderson said, and through the book, he references pieces that stood out to him and helped him along the way.
“I focus on those songs that I used on days when things were a little tough or if I had something to say and couldn’t find the right words,” he said. “I hope that can be a reference point and people can use music as an anchor for them when they’re feeling things that are difficult to navigate.”
Anderson’s wife, Candice Anderson, helped him edit “Still Frames and Soundtracks,” and she said it’s been special to watch him put it together and play a part in it as well.
It took Candice Anderson between 10 and 15 hours to edit the work, but she didn’t do it all in one sitting.
“He’s the love of my life,” she said. “Why would I tell him not to do this? Our family, we all support him, and I knew he had to do it because I knew it would be great.”
Candice Anderson said she loves the writing, but her favorite part is the photographs that Tyrell Anderson included. The photos are in black and white, and he took most of the photos, Candice Anderson said.
“It speaks to you,” she said. “I feel like the way he places each piece in between the months or passages, it feels very indicative of his next overcoming.”
In addition to his wife, Tyrell Anderson’s best friend Lori Gonzalez also helped edit the book. When Tyrell Anderson told her about the book, Gonzalez said she knew it was something that needed to be shared.
Tyrell Anderson told Gonzalez about the book about a month ago, and she edited it soon after. She was happy to be included in the process, Gonzalez said.
When reading “Still Frames and Soundtracks,” Gonzalez said she read multiple passages that made her think her kids, friends or other family would find it helpful.
“It’s not a self-help book,” Gonzalez said. “It makes you want to talk to the people around you, and it helps when you might need to be a little more grounded. … I told him that it feels like I’m talking to my friend when I read it.”
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com