James Scott Byrnside's Blog

Fantôme Fatale When the Cross family arrives at Hawthorne House—an aging country estate in the far reaches of rural Connecticut—they expect a month of tedious appeasement. Their uncle, Nathan Cross, has grown eccentric with age, convinced that the land is haunted by the last Hawthorne, a woman who murdered her kin in a fit of… Continue reading Story 3 (in progress)

I’ve finished a solid draft of the second story. Looking back at my post announcing the story, I noticed that it took about one month to write. That makes me happy. It means I’ve done consistent work and my process of outlining has gone smoothly. I do have a few issues with the story. One… Continue reading November Update

I’m working abnormally fast. It took me less than three days to get a full outline and I’m already writing the story. Killer Pete took forever to outline and even longer to write. This one is flowing. I’ve learned to be happy for small, good things like having a story flow. Once again, I have… Continue reading Madmen Prefer Blondes Scene One

I previously said 1. I was going to take a break. 2. I was going to read. 3. My next story was going to be more intimate with fewer characters. So, what did I do? I outlined the second story of my new book. It’s got 12 characters and is complicated as hell. And my… Continue reading 2nd Story Update

I’ve had a few stuffy reads lately. Well regarded, well written, well mannered—well, well, well. And then, I read this pulpy, wild tale. It’s freeing. The novel teems with coincidences and improbable turns, yet they never feel arbitrary. Within Markham’s feverish style, these chance encounters take on the rhythm of a nightmare—events emerging and dissolving… Continue reading The Devil Drives (1932)

It took longer than expected, but I finally finished a solid draft of Killer Pete. I’m going to take a month-long break. I’m going to read, exercise, meditate…anything but write. Whenever an idea comes to me, I’ll make a note of it. The next story will have a smaller cast and more action. Pete is… Continue reading October update

In the summer of 1924, reclusive inventor Horace Cobb is found dead inside his fortress-like workshop. The door was locked from the inside, the windows sealed with iron, and no one could have entered or left. Yet Cobb lies shot through the heart—his killer apparently a six-foot automaton dressed as a cowboy, revolver still smoking… Continue reading Killer Pete

This blog has never been what you’d call “regular.” I’m an author, not a blogger, and the only real reason this thing exists is to share the occasional update or bit of news. Does that help build an audience? Absolutely not. Every now and then, I’ve also posted a review. And in the short, uneven… Continue reading Murder Mansion (no, not that one, the other one) 1928 — Herman Landon

Let’s hope this bad boy’s structual integrity survives one more reading. I hope to have an update about the newest story soon and maybe a review or two (gasp!) Hope all is well…

The brain can find any way to question the life choices of its vessel. You could be happily skipping down the street without a care in the world and your brain might suddenly shout, “Hey! What if you’re a low-life piece of garbage? Have you considered that possibility?” Things like that often creep into my… Continue reading George Langelaan, Marie-Louise von Franz, and Self-Doubt