Tag Archives: writing tips

But We’re Really Spying on You

Posted on August 6, 2018 by mainecrimewriters

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 →

Posted in Kate's Posts, Uncategorized | Tagged Kate Flora, Maine Crime Writers, sensory exercises, writing, writing advice, writing craft, writing life, writing process, writing tips | 16 Comments

Writing tip: It’s okay to let some of your darlings live

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Maureen Milliken

If you’re a writer, if you’ve been to even one writing conference, you’ve heard it: Kill your darlings. The quote is from William Faulker, though sometimes it’s attributed to Stephen King, who was quoting Faulker. I once heard it attributed … Continue reading →

Posted in Maureen's Posts | Tagged kill your darlings, Maureen Milliken, writing tips | 2 Comments

The Pleasures and Perils of Sustaining a Long(ish)-Running Series

Posted on January 16, 2018 by kaitlynkathy

Kaitlyn Dunnett/Kathy Lynn Emerson here, author of the recently published X Marks the Scot, number eleven in the Liss MacCrimmon series. The first Liss MacCrimmon mystery, Kilt Dead, came out in August 2007. Once a series has been around for … Continue reading →

Posted in Kaitlyn's Posts | Tagged Diana Spaulding 1888 Quartet, Face Down Mysteries, Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kathy Lynn Emerson, Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries, long-running mystery series, Mistress Jaffrey Mysteries, writing tips | 8 Comments

Interview with Sylvie Kurtz

Posted on December 21, 2012 by kaitlynkathy

Please welcome New Hampshire writer Sylvie Kurtz to Maine Crime Writers. Sylvie graciously agreed to be interviewed here today. Kaitlyn Dunnett: You’ve written some twenty novels, varying from paranormals to the six-book Seekers series for Harlequin Intrigue to stand-alone novels … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blog | Tagged A Little Christmas Magic, Magie de Noel, psychological suspense, revising, Sylvie Kurtz, translations, workshops, writing tips | 1 Comment

Tips on Research: A Note on Dates

Posted on August 20, 2012 by kaitlynkathy

Something to keep in mind when doing research is that not every country used the same system of dating. In England, dates on official documents, at least those from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, tend to be recorded in terms … Continue reading →

Posted in Kaitlyn's Posts | Tagged calendars, datelines, How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, Kathy Lynn Emerson, writing tips | 4 Comments

Lovely Weather But Not for a Crime Writer

Posted on March 20, 2012 by mainecrimewriters

Hi. Gerry Boyle here. And not to rain on the early-spring-in-Maine parade but does this weather stink or what? I don’t mean just that when it’s sunny and 70 I’d rather be out raking the lawn than sitting in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Gerry's Posts | Tagged Brandon Blake, crime stories, crime writing, Gerry Boyle, Jack McMorrow Mysteries, Maine, Maine Crime Writers, maine mysteries, Port City Black and White, writing about weather, writing tips | 5 Comments

Block That Block

Posted on January 23, 2012 by mcwarchives

Hi, it’s Sarah Graves coming to you from Football Central, otherwise known as our house in Eastport, Maine. And today when so many blockers will be charging across TV screens, I thought I’d talk about that other kind of block. You … Continue reading →