The Maine Crime Writers
Author Archives: Allison Keeton
No Excuses
In talking to fellow writers this summer, I’ve been hearing a pattern of reasons why people can’t write that sound similar to why people can’t do other things, like exercise. It’s summer. I have company. It’s too hot. I’m stuck. … Continue reading
Stop Making the Police the Villain: Writing Better Amateur Sleuth Mysteries
I’m back this month still talking about amateur sleuths. This time I want to hone in on one of the biggest challenges in writing an amateur sleuth mystery: Why isn’t the police department solving the crime? It may be tempting … Continue reading
Posted in Allison's Posts
Tagged Allison Keeton, amateur sleuth, cozy mystery, Maine, Maine mystery
1 Comment
The Challenges of Writing an Amateur Sleuth Mystery
There are multiple subgenres of mysteries, such as police procedurals, private investigator mysteries, and legal mysteries. I, however, write “amateur sleuth” on the “cozy adjacent” spectrum, emphasizing community and relationships over violence. The most famous amateur sleuth is Miss Marple, … Continue reading
Posted in Allison's Posts
Tagged Agatha Christie, amateur sleuth, Maine, Maine mystery, midcoast maine, Miss Marple, Nancy Drew, writing challenge
4 Comments
Adverbs Are for Never
Time for another Writing Tip Wednesday. I’m sure you all have missed a grammatical post. Today, we’re going to talk about adverbs. What is an adverb? To me, an adverb modifies the action. Technically, it can modify a verb, an … Continue reading
GUEST BLOGGER, ELIZABETH DEWOLFE – The Accidental Crime Writer
The Accidental Crime Writer By Elizabeth DeWolfe I hadn’t intended to write about crime. A graduate school class on Women and the Law was as close as I got to nineteenth-century disorder. And while the subject of my first book, … Continue reading
Good Enough
I often hear my father’s voice in my head: “Good Enough.” It was one of his well-known sayings. When I was younger, I thought of it as not caring about the end result or being too tired to try harder. … Continue reading
Posted in Allison's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged cozy mystery, father knows best, good enough, midcoast maine, mystery writer, sage advice, wisdom
10 Comments
Where’d That Word Come From?
Writers love words, and the English language is a rich challenge. Like the United States, the English language is a melting pot. In my undergraduate years at UConn, despite being a Business major (to please my father by pursuing a … Continue reading
Posted in Allison's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged english, etymology, keeton, midcoast maine, mystery writer, word origins
7 Comments
“Writing Tip Wednesday”
Welcome to Writing Tip Wednesday! I’m still on a grammar kick. I was beginning to think I was “old-fashioned” in being a stickler for where the period or the comma went when using quotation marks, especially in seeing modern pieces … Continue reading
Posted in Allison's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged grammar, Maine writer, mystery writer, quotation marks
5 Comments
Don’t Take Your Grammar For Granted
I’ve always prided myself on my good grammar, even calling myself a Grammar Nerd as a kid. I excelled in English classes throughout my school years, and I’ve always enjoyed editing as much as creative writing. So, when my first … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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