The Maine Crime Writers
Charlene D’Avanzo www.charlenedavanzo.com
Kaitlyn Dunnett/Kathy Lynn Emerson
http://www.Darcyscott.net
Tag Archives: writing advice
A Cure for a Slow-Moving Plot: Add Conflict
Kaitlyn Dunnett/Kathy Lynn Emerson here, today writing about conflict. Most people aren’t crazy about encountering conflict in real life. It’s much more pleasant to avoid acrimonious clashes. But in fiction, especially mystery fiction, a plot without conflict is apt to … Continue reading
Writing Books We Actually Use
Today, we’re using our group post Wednesday to share some of the writing books and reference books we return to again and again. Not every book works for every writer. You have to try them out and see if the … Continue reading
The Duty of Writers: Pay No Attention to Duty
Charlene D’Avanzo: I haven’t been at this mystery writing business long, so now and then I seek the wisdom of veteran authors hoping their acumen will rub off. For some reason I’m often thirsty for literary inspiration at bedtime, so … Continue reading
A Writer’s Lunch: 7 writing exercises you can do at lunch
Kate Flora: I really wanted to teach a writing class this summer. Alas, the kind of six week class I like to teach didn’t fit MWPA’s needs. Still, today I found myself rummaging through the files, looking at some of … Continue reading
Posted in Kate's Posts
Tagged Kate Flora, writing advice, writing exercises, writing prompts
3 Comments
Let Me Share Some Bad Advice
Kate Flora: As we enter another writing year, and may be making New Year’s resolutions which include finally writing that book you’ve always dreamed of writing, I am here to help you along on your journey, by sharing pieces of advice … Continue reading
Posted in Kate's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged Kate Flora, writing advice, writing process, writing tips
19 Comments
Here’s to 2019
Dorothy Cannell: I had a wonderful Christmas and do not intend to dim the glow with New Year resolutions. Self-improvement is not tantalizing. It’s a slog that shouldn’t be turned into a holiday event, one that doesn’t even get the benefit … Continue reading
Seeing Like a Writer
Kate Flora: I was driving on the Maine turnpike last week and suddenly there appeared to be an explosion of squirrels trying to cross a six lane highway. It was something that I’d never seen before, and after the fourth squirrel, and … Continue reading
Posted in Kate's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged character description, character development, writing, writing advice
7 Comments
Can This Book Be Saved?
Kate Flora: As some of you aware, if you follow the blog, recently I’ve been conducting excavations in my files, looking at old manuscripts and remembering some of the adventures I had writing them. I have plenty of unpublished work. I … Continue reading
Posted in Kate's Posts, Uncategorized
Tagged Joe Burgess, Kate Flora, Maine, Maine Crime Writers, manuscript revision, writing, writing advice
1 Comment
Creating Drama
People often ask how I go about plotting my novels. How does one write a great thriller? Is there some trick to it? Well, as any mystery/thriller writer will tell you there is no trick. Creating a book that is … Continue reading
But We’re Really Spying on You
Kate Flora: Some years ago, I was speaking to a high school class about writing, and I was talking to them about how, as writers, we need to train ourselves to be observant. “You think you are here to watch me,” … Continue reading
