The Maine Crime Writers
Author Archives: Brenda Buchanan
New England Crime Bake 2022 – History is Mystery
I’m just back from the New England Crime Bake, a three-day conference of crime writers from across the region, and have some highlights and photos to share. This year’s Guest of Honor was William Martin, the master of the historical … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged Alexia Gordon, BJ Magnani, Bracken MacLeod, Bruce Coffin, C. Michele Dorsey, Caitlin Wahrer, Chris Holm, Dana Cameron, Glede Brown Kabongo, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Julie Carrick Dalton, Kate Flora, Leslie Wheeler, Liv Constantine, Matt Cost, Maureen Milliken, New England Crime Bake, Nicole Asselin, Paul Tremblay, Peter Swanson, Richard Cass, Vaughn Hardacker, William Martin
4 Comments
The Poets Say It Best
On these suddenly truncated days when we strive to convince ourselves winter is not rounding the near corner, I’m comforted by poetry that honors this season of transition and all the metaphors it offers. Here are some of my favorites, … Continue reading
Writing Alone and Celebrating Community
I retreated to a lake in York County at the end of August, taking along my computer, comfy clothes and some food. My only job for a couple of days was to write, write some more, and talk about writing … Continue reading
My First: Nothing Racy. But It is Crafty.
In 2017, Brenda Buchanan invited me to send in a guest post. I am grateful to her and all our team over the years and, still getting better after some knee surgery, have been reading lots of our past work. … Continue reading
Posted in Sandra's Posts
Tagged advice, craft, Deadly Trespass, Maine Crime Writers, Sandra Neily, tips, writing
10 Comments
Roger Angell, Triggerman of Sweet Memories
In August, when we often spend some time Downeast, one of my traditions is to write about talented writers who have a connection to this beautiful part of Maine. The great Roger Angell, who died in May at the age … Continue reading
Salmon and Peas
I’m writing this on the Fourth of July, a day to think about both the founding and current state of our nation. Dinner will be salmon and peas, a culinary tradition I’ve adopted in adulthood. When I was a child, … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged EPA, Fourth of July, Maine Rivers, Presumpscot, salmon fishery
11 Comments
It’s All In The Name
We took a meander up the coast in mid-May hoping to spot warblers, but a weekend of dense fog turned us from birdwatchers to birdlisteners. It was fun all the same. Hiking through a coastal woodland with nature’s music as … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged Cannabis, coffee, Donuts, Route One, Signs
12 Comments
Rooting for Routine
Things have been a bit chaotic in my life this past month. In 2021 we learned the folly of waiting until spring to line up people to do things around the house that we can’t do ourselves. Covid-related materials shortages … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts
13 Comments
Help! I’m Wrestling with a Conundrum!
I’m grappling with a conundrum about point of view. Part of me loves writing in first person. Writing from the “I/we” perspective allows the main character’s personality to beam through. First person makes for an intimate bond between the reader … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts
Tagged crime fiction, first person, point of view, third person
16 Comments
Podcasts Galore
I spent a delightful hour or so this week talking writing with the amazing Julie Hennrikus, executive director of Sisters in Crime and the host of its terrific podcast. Julie’s a wonderful interviewer who drew me into discussions of my … Continue reading
Charlene D’Avanzo 
