Author Archives: Lea Wait

About Lea Wait

I write mysteries - the Mainely Needlepoint, Shadows Antique Print and, coming in June of 2018, the Maine Murder mysteries (under the name Cornelia Kidd.) When I was single I was an adoption advocate and adopted my four daughters. Now my mysteries and novels for young people are about people searching for love, acceptance, and a place to call home. My website is http://www.leawait.com To be on my mailing list, send me a note at leawait@roadrunner.com

Married to an Artist

    I’d known Bob for about 35 years when he moved to Maine to be with me. We were married a few months later. During those 35 years he’d been a speechwriter, film producer, public relations/media relations expert and consultant … Continue reading

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Mystery. It’s Everywhere.

Today’s guest at Maine Crime Writers is YA author Robin McCready, whose first mystery for teens (BURIED) won an Edgar and whose second, A LIE FOR A LIE,  was just published.  Welcome to Maine Crime Writers, Robin! I love rules and … Continue reading

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“What Am I Really Writing About?”

Lea Wait, here, thinking about personal passions and interests and how they can become themes, in life and in writing. As a child I was fascinated by books (often set in the nineteenth century) about orphans who found caring homes. … Continue reading

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Where Do Ideas Come From?

Over the past sixteen years I’ve made a lot of appearances as an author. I’ve spoken to kindergarten students and senior citizens, other writers and “pre-published” authors, library patrons, school groups, conferences, festivals …. a lot of people, in a … Continue reading

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When do ideas come? Encouraging the Muse

Agatha Christie once famously wrote that she got her best ideas while washing the dishes. I’ve heard other authors swear by long walks or dreams. Me? My muse is shy. She only appears when I’m alone, in a quiet place, doing and thinking … Continue reading

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The Meaning of a Dining Room Table

As many of you know, I am a fourth generation antique dealer. I was taught, by example and explanation, to value possessions not only because they were functional, but because they had been well designed and crafted. That, for example, furniture … Continue reading

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May Sarton … Inspiration

I hardly ever sit still without being haunted by the “undone.” I often feel exhausted, but it isn’t my work that tires (work is rest); it is the effort of pushing away the lives and needs of others before I can … Continue reading

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Books I’ve Read Recently

Happy January! Unlike several of my Maine Crime Writers colleagues who’ve escaped to other climes, I’m still in Maine. Yes, it’s cold, on many days. Yes, there’s been snow on the ground for a month now — although very little, compared … Continue reading

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Living the Dream: The Writers’ Life

Authors write. No doubt about it. But in today’s world we also blog, speak at conferences, bookstores, libraries and schools, post on social media, send newsletters or notes to fans, and appear in venues as varied as 2500 person auditoriums … Continue reading

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Gardens Aglow in Boothbay, Maine

One of the newest – and most popular – sites to visit in Maine is the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (http://www.MaineGardens.org) in Boothbay. Opened in 2007, the garden’s 270 acres of tidal shoreland include a children’s garden (complete with references to … Continue reading

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