The Maine Crime Writers
Author Archives: Brenda Buchanan
When Do You Get Your Ideas?
It’s a classic question at author readings – where do you get your ideas? A better question, I think is when do you get your ideas? Where are you and what are you doing when your characters’ voices whisper in … Continue reading
My Holiday Book Bounty
I’m a fortunate woman for many reasons, not the least of which is that every holiday season, my family and friends present me a bounty of books to enjoy during the coming months. This year brought a boatload of wonderful … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
14 Comments
My Evergreen December Post
December 4, 2024: I love a good evergreen tree, and there’s a beauty tucked in our garage right now, hauled home today from our local holiday tree seller’s lot before tonight’s snow/sleet/rain. Inhaling that memory-evoking balsam scent inspired me to once … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged Balsam, birds, Christmas tree, holidays, lights, ornaments
8 Comments
Election Day Soundtrack
The first presidential election of my lifetime was in 1960, when John F. Kennedy was running against Richard Nixon. My blue collar family was comprised almost entirely of staunch Democrats, mostly Irish ones at that. Needless to say, in my … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged Election Day, Freedom, High Hopes, optimism
6 Comments
Here Comes Autumn, and Crime Bake
Brenda here, a bit freaked out that it’s October 4. How did we get here so fast? No two ways about it, the big seasonal shift is upon us. Apples are being picked, fall festivals are in full swing and … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged autumn, beauty, Gabino Iglesias, House of Bone and Rain, New England Crime Bake, sixteen counties
1 Comment
Fall’s Observable and Unobservable Mysteries
Fall is slipping in the door before summer has quite departed, wearing sensible shoes and socks as it ushers out its sandaled predecessor. Autumn is the most emotional seasonal transition for me, more than the start of a new year, … Continue reading
The Giant & The Hummingbird
Writers take many approaches to telling a story. We use words and pictures. First and third person narrators. Single and multiple points of view. Fact and fiction. There are endless ways to spin a tale. Recently I experienced (and truly, … Continue reading
Salmon and Peas Once Again
Hello dear blog readers, and happy Independence Day to you. It’s been a busy couple of weeks in my life so I’m following the footsteps of my colleague Kate Flora by re-running a favorite post today. This was written on … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged Democracy, EPA, Fourth of July., Maine Rivers, Presumpscot, salmon fishery
1 Comment
Ireland, Again
Last month I wrote about how happy we were to connect with my Fenton cousins who still make their home on the farm in County Kerry where my grandmother was raised, and how intrigued we were during a visit to … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged 14 Henrietta Street, Clifden, Dingle, Doolin, Dublin, Galway, Ireland, MoLI, music, pubs
14 Comments
Finding Family in Ireland
We’re recently back from a two-week trip to Ireland where we spent most of our time on the rural west coast. Winter there was cold, gray and wet, much like Maine, but spring was in full flower when we arrived … Continue reading
Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged Baile an Chotaigh, Dennis Fenton, Ireland, Kerry, Mayo
8 Comments
