The old Visitor House crouched at the edge of the woods like something half-forgotten. Cloudy windows, rafters lost in shadow, and brittle November light that died a few feet past the threshold gave the place the air of abandonment. It smelled faintly of dust and cold stone—an emptiness that made every footstep sound too loud.… Continue reading Fantôme Fatale first scene rough draft
As you can see, winter has arrived in Illinois. With it has come some changes to my writing. I had been doing the prep work for my third story (Fantome Fatale), when I suddenly realized that the isolated mansion/family curse scenario was being shoehorned into my impossible footprint ideas. Basically, I was trying to force… Continue reading December ’25 update
I've finished a solid draft of the second story. Looking back at my post announcing the idea, 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 it. One more… Continue reading November Update
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
I'm still working on the automaton story, temporarily titled Pistol Pete. It’s about an inventor who’s found dead inside a locked room—one that’s constantly watched. No one else is inside, so suspicion falls on the only possible culprit: his cowboy automaton. I've also been mulling over a second story about a multiple murderer. This killer… Continue reading July 24, 2025 Update
James Scott Byrnside 