Thoughts
I write a lot. Essays. Articles. Blog posts. All of them sharing what I’m thinking about. Maybe you think about these things, too.
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.
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.”
How Long is a Novel?
Don’t make yourself crazy. Take it one page at a time and try to reduce just that page. And then the next. And then the next.
The World's a Mystery: International Crime Fiction
Just think about the places you could travel via mystery! From the remote stretches of the Arctic to the tip of South Africa, there are crime-solvers poised to bring you into their space, their world, their culture.
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.
Everything I Know About Writing I Learned From Mary Stewart
Everything I know about writing I learned from Mary Stewart.
That’s a slight exaggeration, of course; but not as much as you’d think.
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.
Dealing with Muddle in the Middle of Your Fiction
To get from your beginning, rife with possibility and excitement, to your ending, a surprising yet inevitable conclusion that fulfills the hopes of your readers, you must traverse the dreaded muddle in the middle.
Judging a Book by its Cover
Others’ mileage will vary, of course. But I have all this on my mind today specifically as my publisher reveals the new cover for my new novel… and I’m already fretting about the next.
Art & Politics & Weight
Yes, it’s important to reflect and comment on and challenge people around reality, but it’s also important to imagine something better.
The Dreaded Apostrophe: A Quick Cheatsheet
There seem to be errant apostrophes everywhere one goes. Here’s an easy way to keep track of them!
“Don’t Know Much About History…”
We have to go back to the time we’re researching. Not what later scholars said about it. What the people who lived it said about it.
A Walden Retreat for Readers
If you’re a reader, then you’re a thoughtful person, and I always try to write about subjects that will help you think.
Travel the World!
One of the things I’ve always loved about books and reading is how you can explore places you’ll never actually visit; you can travel the world without leaving your favorite chair.
Lethal Alliances ... Published!
A master of suspense, de Beauvoir is renowned for creating authentic, compelling characters. Her nuanced, knowledgeable, and passionate portrayal of real-life individuals not only brings their stories to life but also reveals the machinations of a troubled time all too reminiscent of our own.
Opening Your Story
The first rule of opening a story is to start the way you mean to continue. Your first few sentences should capture the voice that you’ll be using to tell the rest of the story. They should also present a point of view, a hint of characterization, and the beginnings of your plot. The opening is what gives the reader direction and momentum.
The Wait’s Almost Over: Introducing Lethal Alliances!
Read about the passions and politics of medieval France in a tale rich with adventure, turmoil, and heartbreak.