Sylvia Dickey Smith

Ellen Byerrum says: "The women I remember in my life, as well as in my favorite books, have all been strong characters. They are louder, faster funnier. They are interesting, aggravating, fascinating, infuriating. They engage you.They are bold and brave and unforgettable. They take risks, they forge ahead while others stay put in their comfort.  How could I not write about strong women?  Simply put, strong women are more interesting.  I love the saying, "Well-behaved women don't make history." Well, strong women do make history whether they are queens, ordinary women who act in extraordinary ways, or Old West madams who fight duels with other ladies of the night. When I write about Lacey Smithsonian, my reluctant fashion-reporting sleuth, I love it when she surprises me with what she sees, and does, and says. She forces me to learn about new subjects with each book. And even better, because of her, I have met some wonderful readers and writers. She has broadened my horizons.