Author Archives: Maureen Milliken

About Maureen Milliken

Maureen Milliken is the author of the Bernie O’Dea mystery series. Follow her on Twitter at @mmilliken47 and like her Facebook page at Maureen Milliken mysteries. Sign up for email updates at maureenmilliken.com. She hosts the podcast Crime&Stuff with her sister Rebecca Milliken.

Crimebake, First 24 hours: Led Zeppelin, Writing a Bestseller, and Being a Writer

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Good news, making luck and some lessons for writers

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

One lesson for all writers — a crummy title means no one will read. No title is a disaster. Blame it on coffee and a dog who wants to walk, but I’m publishing this again. This time with a title. … Continue reading →

Posted in Beth Kanell, Blog Summary, Craft, Crime Bake, Lisa Haselton, Maureen Milliken, Member News, Of Interest, SinCNE, Uncategorized, Writers, Writing, Writing lessons, Writing resources, Young Adult | 1 Comment

What’s in a name? A lot, actually

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

Several months ago there was a story on the journalism news circuit about a young reporter for a Connecticut newspaper who was fired for making up names. He got caught when his editor started looking the names up of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Craft, Maureen Milliken, Writers, Writing, Writing lessons, Writing resources | 4 Comments

When will there be good news, Sisters?

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

One of my favorite mystery book titles is Kate Atkinson’s “When Will There Be Good News?” It’s a good book. I highly recommend it. That line has been going through my head recently as I prepare to post a “good … Continue reading →

Posted in Member News, Members, Of Interest, SinCNE, Writers, Writing | 1 Comment

Elmore Leonard’s gone, but his work, and his writing tips, live on.

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

Several years ago, someone gave me a neat little book, “Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing.” In true Leonard fashion, it’s spare, unfluffy and packs a punch. I’ve been a fan of Leonard for years, most recently of the TV … Continue reading →

Posted in Craft, Maureen Milliken, Of Interest, Writers, Writing, Writing lessons, Writing resources | 1 Comment

Writers: Keep your brain — and your ears — open

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

Some time I ago, I wrote on this blog about where writers get their ideas. The upshot was, ideas are everywhere. (Where do writers get their ideas? If you have to ask…) This became hugely clear to me recently when … Continue reading →

Posted in Craft, Maureen Milliken, Uncategorized, Writers, Writing, Writing lessons | 1 Comment

Crime Bake changing up ‘Meet the Agents’ with Page One critiques

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

One of the most popular panels as Crime Bake every year is the Saturday afternoon “Meet the Agents” panel. The panels usually play to a packed room. Make that two packed rooms. And it’s no wonder — every writer who … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences, Craft, Crime Bake, Of Interest, SinCNE, Writers | Leave a comment

Revision, Writin’ and Crime Bake: What More Could We Want?

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

Summer may be vacation time, but writers know that there’s really no such thing as a vacation when there are words that must be put on paper. Pen, Ink & Crimes was no exception this past month, thanks greatly to … Continue reading →

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Revision is Writing II: It’s also required and relentless (and that’s writing, too)

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

Recently Beth Kanell posted an excellent piece here about how revision IS writing. It’s a great lesson for starting writers and, as I realized last week, a necessary reminder for old hands at it, too. Those of us who have … Continue reading →

Posted in Beth Kanell, Blog Summary, Craft, Maureen Milliken, Writers, Writing, Writing lessons | 4 Comments

Eat, listen and be happy

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

Very rarely do two such excellent things come together at the same time as they will Thursday night, when Walker Memorial Library in Westbrook, Maine, hosts “Cookies & Crime.” Yes, you read that right. Cookies. And Crime. What’s not to like? … Continue reading →