The Maine Crime Writers
Tag Archives: Maine
How Research Changed My Story
I had the honor of lobstering this summer with a friend who hauls 120 traps a day, six days a week. I met him at the harbor at 3:30 in the morning, and we returned at 4:30 in the afternoon, … Continue reading
Posted in Allison's Posts
Tagged amateur sleuth, book research, books, lobster, lobster boat, lobster roll, lobstering, Maine, midcoast maine, mysteries, mystery writer, research
15 Comments
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
My Vacation Reading Plan: Part Deux
Last month I wrote about some of the books I’ll be bringing on vacation, when my mornings are spent writing and the rest of each day is a mix of swimming, reading, hiking, reading, eating blueberry pie and reading. If … Continue reading
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
Dressing it Maine
John Clark considering an aspect of fiction that I find quite intriguing-smells and sounds. Aside from their ability to set or frame a scene in a story, they can do other things like help the reader to sense a mood, … Continue reading
It’s Mainely a Maine Thing
By Kait Carson One of the many things I love about Maine is that it’s seasonal. We have a minimum of seven, with variations on each theme: Mud, Spring, Black Fly, Summer, Summer in the desert without the breeze, Autumn, … Continue reading
Gratitude
I love it when my turn to blog straddles the November and December holidays. Though it’s dark early and cold often, this time of year puts me in a grateful mood, something to celebrate in these times. It’s easier to … Continue reading
Small Town, Fact or Fiction
Living in a small town while writing about a small town has its challenges. The questions and concerns about my novel swing from “Am I in it?” to “Where did this take place?” — and the inquiries have been pouring … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Allison Keeton, Blaze Orange, friend, Maine, Maine Crime Writers, maine mysteries, midcoast maine, mystery writers, mystery writing, novel, small town
6 Comments
