The Maine Crime Writers
Category Archives: Allison’s Posts
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
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
Using the Feelings of a Memory
Last month, when I saw photographer April Morrison’s beautiful photograph of milkweed pods in snow, I was instantly brought back to my childhood. One fall, my mother, along with my sisters and me, collected dozens of dried out pods. She … Continue reading
Writing Tip Wednesday: Comp Titles? What’s that?
Ok, so Comp Titles, also known as Comparison Titles, are officially used in query letters once you’ve written your book and are seeking a literary agent or a small press. They are needed for the sales pitch, but I hope … Continue reading
The Return of Cabot Cove
Hollywood has been teasing that a new Murder, She Wrote is on its way this Christmas. The fandom write-ups have Jamie Lee Curtis playing Jessica Fletcher’s niece. AI-generated material also show Tom Selleck as the sheriff and George Clooney as … Continue reading
The Life of a Bookmark
First, thank you to the Maine Crime Writers blog for inviting me into the fold. I have been reading this blog from the moment I learned of it at the New England Crime Bake conference, many years ago. It is … Continue reading
Posted in Allison's Posts
Tagged Allison Keeton, author, book blog, bookmark, debut novel, imposter syndrome, Maine Crime Writers, Maine Crime Writers news, Maine mystery, Maine writer, midcoast maine, mystery series, mystery writer, mystery writers, New England Crime Bake, writer, writing
10 Comments
