Author Archives: Sandra Neily

About Sandra Neily

Sandy’s novel “Deadly Trespass” received a Mystery Writers of America award, was named a national finalist in the Women’s Fiction Writers Association “Rising Star” contest, a finalist in the Mslexia international novel competition, a runner- up in Maine’s Joy of the Pen competition, and recently, an international SPR fiction finalist. Sandy lives in the woods of Maine and says she’d rather be “fly fishing cold streams, skiing remote trails, paddling near loons, or just generally out there—unless I’m sharing vanishing worlds with my readers. "

Paying Attention To Flowers And Stones, And …

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily here:  Sharing a wildflower fiesta with readers. I’m sharing many (but not all) of the flowers I found in a one hour walk in uncut fields at the ski area north of Greenville.       The last … Continue reading →

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“Lumpy, Aged, and Wrinkled Bodies”

Posted on July 20, 2023 by Sandra Neily

“They did not know that lumpy, aged, and wrinkled bodies were as needy as their own young, firm ones, that love was not to be tossed away carelessly . . .” Sandra Neily here: Today, I want to explore (just … Continue reading →

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Seduced to the Natural World

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily here. We need nature writing. We need it now more than ever: need to be seduced into the natural world: need to savor what remains or take direction toward finding new landscapes and experiences. We need to manage … Continue reading →

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Advice from ‘Butt In The Chair’ Experts

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily Here; I needed someone wise in my ear this month and a few words of inspiration. Found some! From Joe Fassler’s interviewing 150 writers: First Sentence “The first line must convince me that it somehow embodies the entire … Continue reading →

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A Dog Vacation (It’s Mud Season)

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily : Raven’s vaca post is all ready to share.  She (my dog) is partial mostly to pictures. Below, I comment on “Middlemarch,” C.J. Box and hot moments, and confess an edit.  Raven here:           … Continue reading →

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Success: Ruin Meals. Write 5th Grade Prose.

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily here: This post is about simple food and simple writing. Both, easily digestible. Author Louise Penny has ruined me for any restaurant or pub memories I used to cherish. What’s more, she may have ruined every attempt to … Continue reading →

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Pithy. Pithy. Pithy! (am so eager for more of it …)

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Sandra Neily

  Sandra Neily here: Are you, like me, pining for the world to get a bit more … Pithy? A pithy phrase or statement is brief but full of substance and meaning. It often feels like a shot of truth. (I don’t … Continue reading →

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On Ignoring Private Property Signs … and More

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily here: With a bit of everything: recent lines from book #3, some great Maine winter events to join that fit into the spirit emerging in my novel, and a repeat, by request. ********* (In novel #3, “Deadly Assault,” … Continue reading →

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Never, Ever … Buy or Eat the Big, Tasteless Ones

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily here. My family and friends have given me a reputation for quick or novel fixes to create strategies that add “yum!” to food. My sisters still call me in the middle of gravy-making as that’s always a daunting … Continue reading →

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“A Mother Moose Won’t Stop Until She Gets You”

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Sandra Neily

Sandy Interviews Wildlife Biologist Ron Joseph on his upcoming book. (I updated this post with a recent Maine Calling interview and book buying links in June, 2023.) I got to know Ron Joseph when he was the wildlife biologist stationed … Continue reading →

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