Category Archives: Maureen Milliken

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

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

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

What my dad taught me about writing

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

Frequently on Fathers Day and Mothers Day, we’ll see pieces about the most important thing a parent taught the writer. I’ve always thought those were a little bogus — after all, every moment between a parent and child teaches the … Continue reading →

Posted in Craft, Editing, Maureen Milliken, Writers, Writing, Writing lessons | 2 Comments

Kate Flora’s award for Redemption best SINCNE news of the week

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Julie Hennrikus aka Julia Henry

Congratulations to Kate Flora, the 2013 Maine Literary Awards winner for Crime Fiction. (Redemption). Kate beat out some serious competition to be named the award winner May 31. Published by Five Star, “Redemption” is set in Portland, and is part … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards, Beth Kanell, Blog Summary, Craft, Kate Flora, Maureen Milliken, Member News, Members, Of Interest, SinCNE, Uncategorized, Writers, Writing | 1 Comment

Don’t write a clunker: Context and care vital, but often overlooked

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

In the space of less than 24 hours, I read two different writers refer to someone who is black as “colored.” The day before, I read another writer’s reference to a “black nurse” when there was no reason to mention … Continue reading →

Posted in Craft, Editing, Maureen Milliken, Of Interest, Opinion, Writers, Writing, Writing lessons | 3 Comments

Distraction dogging you? Do as dogs do

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

I was finally getting some gardening done this week, battling with my raised beds and bags of dirt and the broken wheelbarrow — it truly is a battle — when I had a writing epiphany. It didn’t have anything to … Continue reading →

Posted in Craft, Dogs, Maureen Milliken, Of Interest, Uncategorized, Writers, Writing, Writing lessons | 3 Comments

Don’t fall victim to Smurfette Syndrome in your writing

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Maureen Milliken

There was a nice interview in today’s Boston Globe G section with Geena Davis, who is on a campaign to generate more women’s roles in G and PG-rated movies. She’s noticed over the years that a lot of movies for … Continue reading →