The Maine Crime Writers
Author Archives: Maureen Milliken
Easy fast and no-brainer top writing tips for all writers
Hi, all! I was asked just the other day for some “writing tips,” so it seemed like a good time to reprise this classic from a couple years ago. And also, in the spirit of Tip Number 1, I have … Continue reading
New England Crime Bake should be on every writer’s calendar
Like all writers, I’m often asked by aspiring writers about how to get started, as well as many other “how to” things (get published, get an agent, punctuate a clause… you name it). The number one thing I always suggest, … Continue reading
Joyce? Wordsworth? They’re just like us!
For several years, I was a judge in nationwide self-published book contest. I was a first-tier judge, which meant I read a hundred or more books, sending one for every batch of 25 back to the next tier. Duties included … Continue reading
Posted in Maureen's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged James Joyce, Museum of Literature in Ireland, Wordsworth, writing
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Should you read a mystery series in order? The answer is…
Hi all! In true Maine Crime Writers fashion I’m reprising a relevant column since it’s July, and as much as I’d love to say I’m on vacation, I’m actually scrambling to get a ton of work on so I can … Continue reading
Some questions and answers for writers about how to get started
I was chatting with a neighbor the other day, and it turns out she’s been working on a book for several years, but is stuck and wondering where she can get support, information, resources, etc. In short, shes wanted to … Continue reading
When it comes to writing, or life, channel a little Bart Simpson
I’ve had an urge for quite a while to start an Instagram account that has photos of towns in Maine named after the world’s great cities. The idea of Athens, Rome, Vienna and more translated to tiny towns with dirt … Continue reading
Don’t be afraid of the nuts and bolts of writing
I was giving an author talk a couple years ago, answering the usual questions about my process, when I got an odd response: “Isn’t that cheating?” I was, if I remember right, describing how I used a big calendar to … Continue reading
The writing process: getting stuck on the detals
As we know, writers are frequently asked where they get their ideas. As we also know, and have discussed extensively on this blog, the answer is varied and endless. After years of being asked it, I have a fairly concise … Continue reading
A reminder from the Maine Crime Writers
Hey readers! A reminder now that it’s getting warmer out, theoretically, to let your friends know about the Maine Crime Writers daily blog posts, Facebook page and our panels of authors, who are happy to appear at your local library. … Continue reading
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A name by any other name would be a giant pain in the…
One aspect of writing that readers may not realize is a huge pain in the … um, neck, is naming characters. It seems like it would be an obvious and easy thing, doesn’t it? Certainly easier than figuring out a … Continue reading
Charlene D’Avanzo 
