Jeannette de Beauvoir 8/16/23 Jeannette de Beauvoir 8/16/23

Can Fiction Make a Difference?

One of the joys of reading is the opportunity to live alongside someone else for a time. Hear their thoughts. Be affected by their questions. Wonder why they did one thing and not another. And it’s nearly impossible to do that while still hating them as part of a group.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 6/4/23 Jeannette de Beauvoir 6/4/23

The Clock Is Ticking...

Ali’s in law enforcement. You don’t scream your head off in the middle of the night and not expect a reaction. I was probably lucky he hadn’t drawn a gun or something.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 5/8/23 Jeannette de Beauvoir 5/8/23

Art is on My Mind...

When I was wondering what context to give my protagonist Sydney’s next set of adventures, it occurred to me that I hadn’t yet explored the world of art.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 12/4/22 Jeannette de Beauvoir 12/4/22

Is AI the Beginning or the End?

I’m not worried—yet. AI can’t do what I can do—yet. Computers can’t just create stories in a void; instead, they’re given a massive number of exemplars—works that are similar to what the computer is tasked to create—which is then broken down into data. AI reads the data using statistical algorithms to recognize patterns and relationships.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 10/1/22 Jeannette de Beauvoir 10/1/22

Fiction in a Time of “Alternative Facts”

And I wonder, sometimes, if playing the fiction card relieves us—readers and writers alike—from the storyteller’s responsibility, the obligation to observe and reflect a culture, a society, a time.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 4/1/22 Jeannette de Beauvoir 4/1/22

Decluttering Your Writing Past

So, I decided, it’s time to clean out that folder. Trash the stuff that didn’t work then, doesn’t work now, will never in this lifetime even have a stab at working. It’s an interesting journey, back into the early days of my storing my work in bytes rather than paper pages, and some of it has not aged well.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 2/14/21 Jeannette de Beauvoir 2/14/21

Why Read About Murder?

We mystery readers really, really like to read about death. Suspicious deaths, orchestrated deaths, clever deaths, carefully planned deaths. What is up with that?

Jeannette de Beauvoir 12/14/20 Jeannette de Beauvoir 12/14/20

Do You Have Title Envy?

Most authors function perfectly well putting the story first, and that actually may be exactly the way it should be. Yet here I remain.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 6/6/20 Jeannette de Beauvoir 6/6/20

We Need Murder Mysteries More Than Ever Now

We love murder mysteries because they are redemptive, they give us hope, and help us move from fear to reassurance.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 4/4/20 Jeannette de Beauvoir 4/4/20

Sydney Riley’s Guide to Wine

These fruity red wines are delicious and easy to drink right away—and that’s what, for Sydney, good wine is all about: easy-drinking, food-loving wines that are perfect for everyday consumption.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 12/3/19 Jeannette de Beauvoir 12/3/19

Characters Who Are… Characters

The one thing I know I can do is keep some of it alive. Honor some of the people who lived and died here and whose lives were so meaningful to the town.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 11/16/19 Jeannette de Beauvoir 11/16/19

A Very Drafty First Draft

So here I am, doing a marathon—not running, but writing. It’s less fun than it sounds… and I’m aware that it doesn’t really sound like fun.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 10/29/19 Jeannette de Beauvoir 10/29/19

Interview with Sydney Riley

The off-season is slower, so we were able to catch up with her at The Canteen—one of her favorite eateries—and find out a little more about her.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 10/4/19 Jeannette de Beauvoir 10/4/19

Midwest Book Review Lauds A Killer Carnival!

“Packed with motive and heart-stopping moments and spiced by Sydney's irreverent wit and sense of humor, A Killer Carnival is mystery writing at its finest. It's especially recommended for prior readers, but is quite accessible to newcomers seeking superior stories, memorable characters, and fast-paced action.”

Jeannette de Beauvoir 9/3/19 Jeannette de Beauvoir 9/3/19

Welcome to my world

Ever wonder what writers’ desks look like? What inspires them? What keeps them in their chairs? Wonder no more: here’s where I work.

Jeannette de Beauvoir 8/27/19 Jeannette de Beauvoir 8/27/19

5 Things That Will Make You Fall In Love with Montréal

Martine LeDuc, the protagonist of my Montréal mystery series, is head over heels in love with Montréal—which is a good thing, since she’s the city’s PR director! Here are some reasons why Martine loves Montréal… and why you might, too.