Category Archives: Craft

What do YOU Need as a Writer?

Posted on March 10, 2015 by jpchoquette

Attending writing-related events proves fruitful in more ways than one. In addition to spending time with like-minded, creative people, you also learn more about the struggles and challenges that writers face. Do any of these sound familiar? The un-published author who … Continue reading →

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Overheard at Crime Bake

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Liz Mugavero

Our annual Crime Bake conference was just over a week ago, and we’re missing it already. We thought it would be fun to share a few highlights from the conversations, for those of you who missed it. And, so we can relive the … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences, Craft, Crime Bake, Event Recap, SinCNE, Writers, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creative Crop Circles–ala Joni Mitchell

Posted on October 14, 2014 by jpchoquette

Yesterday I was riding in the car and heard the most interesting idea: creative crop circles. There was a blurb on the radio and the phrase, coined by singer/artist/writer Joni Mitchell, is her definition of working creatively. When she feels … Continue reading →

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Goals: Set or Forget?

Posted on August 12, 2014 by jpchoquette

Are you a goal-setter or a goal-hater? Some people thrive on goals: clearly mapping out their short, mid and long-term goals for the next decade. Others like to let things happen without a lot of planning. There’s a plethora of information … Continue reading →

Posted in Craft, J.P. Choquette, Opinion, Writers, Writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Common Core Standards and YA Mystery Writing (and Reading!)

Posted on February 23, 2014 by bethkanellbooks

Yes, you read the title correctly — this post is about that monster of today’s headlines, the Common Core State Standards being implemented in schools across the country. Or rather, it’s not about the standards … but about the wild … Continue reading →

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Organization & Accountability (Or the Tedium of the Mundane)

Posted on February 11, 2014 by jpchoquette

Somehow when we picture ourselves as “real writers” or better yet, “bestselling authors,” the vision is one filled with glitz and glamour. Exciting parties. Titillating conversation with other wordsmiths. Champagne toasts over brie, whirlwind book tours, and readers discussing our … Continue reading →

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The Art of Persistence

Posted on January 7, 2014 by jpchoquette

In our toss aside, throw away, late-breaking-news world, the word persistence shows up somewhere between “tedium,” and “yawn.” But rather than focusing on the word’s lack of glitz and glamour, it’s important to remember the power it holds. “You don’t … Continue reading →

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Takeaways from YA panel at Crime Bake

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Lisa Haselton

During the New England Crime Bake conference a couple of weeks ago, I sat in on the panel titled “High School Murder: Writing the Young Adult Mystery.” Our own Julie Hennrikus moderated the panel that consisted of: Peter Abrahams (aka … Continue reading →

Posted in Beth Kanell, Book promotion, Conferences, Craft, Crime Bake, Event Recap, Lisa Haselton, Opinion, SinCNE, Writers, Young Adult | 1 Comment

Pacing – a Crime Bake master class with Paul Doiron

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Lisa Haselton

The New England Crime Bake mystery conference for 2013 may be over, but the lessons learned can still be shared. I took Paul Doiron‘s (dwohr-ohn’s) master class “The Art of Pacing: And Then What Happened?” on Friday night. The other … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences, Craft, Crime Bake, Event Recap, Lisa Haselton, Writing, Writing lessons | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

YA Mysteries: 5W’s and an H — How?

Posted on October 12, 2013 by bethkanellbooks

I used to think that the reason I couldn’t put a book down (it happens at least once a week!) was “I need to know what happens next.” Later, I decided it was “Because I care about the character.” Thanks … Continue reading →

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