Monthly Archives: February 2013

The Chicken or the Egg? Character or Plot?

Posted on February 28, 2013 by mainecrimewriters

James Hayman: As I start my fourth novel, tentatively titled The Crossing, I’ve been thinking a lot more about the importance of McCabe’s character to the flow of the story. About how everything he does is driven by his sense … Continue reading →

Posted in Jim's Posts | Tagged Character, crime stories, crime writing, Darkness First, dennis lehane, James Hayman, Maine, Maine Crime Writers, maine mysteries, McCabe, mystery writers, mystery writing, plot, The Chill of Night | 6 Comments

Tips on Research: Painless Research

Posted on February 27, 2013 by kaitlynkathy

I know. I know. You just read one of my “Tips on Research” posts a couple of days ago. But Lea is under the weather, so you’re stuck with me again and another installment of my irregular series of posts on … Continue reading →

Posted in Kaitlyn's Posts | Tagged Elizabethan handwriting, Kathy Lynn Emerson, maps, research tips | Leave a comment

Three Types of Writers

Posted on February 25, 2013 by mcwarchives

Does anyone else have on their reference shelf a useful how-to book, published in 1986, titled Writing the Modern Mystery, by Barbara Norville? I’m not even sure where I found mine, but the other day I was flipping through it … Continue reading →

Posted in Vicki's Posts | Tagged barbara norville, Darby Farr Mysteries, mystery writers, mystery writing, Vicki Doudera, Writing the Modern Mystery | 12 Comments

And This is For the Title

Posted on February 24, 2013 by mainecrimewriters

Kieran Shields here, checking in for my first time on Maine Crime Writers. I haven’t written many blogs, essays, or anything of this sort. Whenever I do, I’m always troubled by the image of a tree falling in the woods, … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blog | Tagged A Study in Revenge, Kieran Shields, Salem, Salem Witch Trials, The Truth of All Things | 10 Comments

Tips on Research: Evaluating a Secondary Source

Posted on February 23, 2013 by kaitlynkathy

Welcome to the next installment of my irregular series of tips for writers. The material that follows is adapted from How To Write Killer Historical Mysteries: The Art and Adventure of Sleuthing Through the Past (Perseverance Press, 2008) by Kathy … Continue reading →

Posted in Kaitlyn's Posts | Tagged How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kathy Lynn Emerson, research, secondary sources, Who's Who of Tudor Women | Leave a comment

Inspired by Eliot Pattison

Posted on February 22, 2013 by mainecrimewriters

John here, filling in for another member who is on the road today. If you’ve ever played an old fashioned pinball machine, the random path the ball takes during a game is akin to the way circumstances lead us to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Carrying Place, Eliot Pattison, sounds | 1 Comment

Watch Your Language!

Posted on February 21, 2013 by mainecrimewriters

Kate Flora here, hoping I’ll write something today that will interest you. I had grand plans to continue my “little black book” series with a post about structure, but I was behind on my homework, it’s nearly time to start dinner, … Continue reading →

Posted in Kate's Posts | Tagged American Heritage Dictionary, Rodale's Synonym Finder, Thea Kozak mysteries | 2 Comments

It’s Time for the 2013 Cabin Fever Game

Posted on February 20, 2013 by mainecrimewriters

Reprising the Cabin Fever Quiz Pity those poor souls living in places like Arkansas and Mississippi, they’ve never experienced the unique phenomena known as Cabin Fever. If you’re a real Mainer or have lived here for any length of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Cabin Fever, Contests, Maine authors | 2 Comments

What Are You Waiting For?

Posted on February 19, 2013 by mainecrimewriters

This is a “ghost post” from John Clark’s late mother, A. Carman Clark, gardener, writer, newspaper columnist, role model: I’m skinny-dipping at dawn, disturbing the glass surface of the pond by rolling like a dolphin. Three loons glide out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blog | Tagged A.Carman Clark, Maine living | 8 Comments

First Drafts

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Barbara Ross

Hi. Barb here. I’ve written about beginnings and the faith I try to keep with my readers. Now I’ve started writing the first draft of my next Maine Clam Bake Mystery. First drafts are a struggle for me. Once I … Continue reading →