My Goldilocks Paradigm For me, one of the major challenges in writing historical fiction is balancing my intellectual need to stay true to the facts of the real-life events that inspire my stories with my desire to write page-turning novels that are relatable to audiences today. Often I find myself walking this treacherous path of […]
Category Archives: Writing Advice
The Haunting Shadows Between Life and Death: A Halloween Reflection with Sharon Virts
As the autumn chill sets in and the shadows lengthen, there’s something in the air that stirs a deep sense of mystery and foreboding. Halloween, the season of fright and intrigue, is the perfect time to delve into the darker corners of our imaginations, where the lines between life and death blur, and the monsters […]
The Art of Questioning
Digging Deeper into the Characters of Our Past As a historical fiction author, the heart of my craft lies not just in recounting tales from the past but in reviving the characters who lived through these times. Whether I’m weaving narratives of honor and deceit in Masque of Honor or exploring themes of murder and […]
Edgar Allan Poe: Shaping the Shadows of Modern Mystery
When we trace the lineage of modern mystery fiction, few names loom as large and as enigmatic as Edgar Allan Poe. His contributions to the genre not only established foundational principles but also introduced elements that continue to influence writers and captivate readers today. As a historical fiction author who has always been fascinated by […]
The Unexpected Heroes in Historical Fiction
As a historical fiction author, my characters are not just figments of my imagination—they are the heart and soul of my narratives, and sometimes, they have minds of their own. Often, I begin writing with a clear outline of who my characters are and the roles they will play. However, the creative process is full […]
Unveiling the Dark Side of Fiction: How I Created the Character of Emily Lloyd in Veil of Doubt
Creating a female serial killer character is a challenging endeavor for any writer. It involves delving into the darkest corners of the human psyche, exploring motivations, and building a multi-dimensional character that captivates and terrifies readers in equal measure. Emily Lloyd’s character in Veil of Doubt, has depth, complexity, and contradiction. I wrote her to […]
Unveiling the Past: Research Methods for Crafting a Historical Legal Thriller with 1800s Medical Forensics as Evidence
When writing a historical fiction novel, the task of weaving an enthralling legal thriller set in the 1800s demands more than just literary prowess; it requires meticulous research to authentically recreate the era’s legal system and medical forensics. Transporting readers to a bygone era, where justice was sought through intricate legal battles and emerging medical […]
Book Review: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
For my book club, I will be choosing current titles (2019 and 2020 as released) to read, review and recommend. Initially I had picked The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates to launch my book club, but after reading it, I was largely unimpressed. So, I scoured the reviews and selected The Dutch House, by Ann […]
Clarity
There comes a point in the creative process where you just need to get away from the work. I didn’t realize how important that was until this weekend. Scott and I spent the weekend in New Orleans at Emeril Lagasse’s Carnivale du Vin, a weekend charity event supporting underserved youth. We met new friends and […]
Holed Up in the Tower
I’ve spent the past three days holed up in the Tower. Not that tower! But the Tower at our property on Bald Head Island! When my husband and I decided to build our dream house at the beach four years ago, we had fancied something on the beach. But that soon changed when we considered […]
