Tag: Marilyn Meredith

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Writer's Notes

Guest Post, Research

by Marilyn Meredith, author of the Rocky Bluff PD mysteries and the Deputy Crabtree series

Violent DeparturesThonie asked me to write about what I do in the way of research for my writing.
Because I write police procedurals, I do have to do some research on the right way to do things. I often email police friends and ask them. I’ve even asked for one of them to share a particular type of crime—and I received lots of responses.
I like to read about certain crimes—especially murder—that might work for one of my Rocky Bluff P.D. mysteries. I often print out something I find online or clip a newspaper article that sounds like something I might use one day.
I’ve researched different ways to kill someone including poisons and unusual murder weapons.
Because my policeman son-in-law told me more than once, that it wasn’t like in movies and TV shows, in real life a police department is working on several crimes at a time, I like to collect different reports of unusual and mundane crimes that might work in one of my tales. (I’ve noticed TV shows are getting better at that, Blue Bloods is a good example.)
However, and I feel I must state this, I am writing fiction that I hope will entertain. You will not find a lot of forensic science in this series. Rocky Bluff is a small, underfunded and understaffed agency. Because of this, any forensic evidence is sent to the county. Most crimes that occur in Rocky Bluff are solved the old-fashioned way, by asking many questions, and putting the information together to come up with answers. The readers will learn right along with the characters and have a chance to see if they come up with the same solutions.
I have fun writing this series, creating the mystery, and I hope that my readers enjoy following along.

Marilyn Meredith on left
Marilyn Meredith
on left

F. M. aka Marilyn Meredith

 

Violent Departures:

College student, Veronica Randall, disappears from her car in her own driveway and everyone in the Rocky Bluff P.D. is looking for her. Detective Milligan and family move into a house that may be haunted. Officer Butler is assigned to train a new hire and faces several major challenges.
Bio:
F.M. Meredith, also known as Marilyn Meredith, is the author of over thirty published novels. Marilyn is a member of three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Besides having family members in law enforcement, she lived in a town much like Rocky Bluff with many police families as neighbors.

Contest:

Because it has been popular on my other blog tours, once again I’m offering the chance for the person who comments on the most blog posts during this tour to have a character named for him or her in the next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery.

Or if that doesn’t appeal, the person may choose one of the earlier books in the series—either a print book or Kindle copy.

Links:

Link to purchase book: Violent Departures

Webpage: http://fictionforyou.com/
Blog: http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/marilynmeredith
Tomorrow you can find me here: http://jrlindermuth.blogspot.com where I answered the question, “What’s Up Next?”

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Writer's Notes

Use (or Not) of Cop Talk

River Spirits

By Marilyn Meredith

 

 

After being friends with Thonie on the Internet, a fan of her blog, and having the same publisher, I had the privilege of meeting her at the PSWA Conference. She’s a delight.

She asked me to write about the use of cop talk in River Spirits.

The quick answer—there isn’t much.

The reason might be because most reviewers have categorized the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series as a cozy police procedural. Cozy because though some of the characters very well may swear—I don’t quote them, and I always shut the bedroom door. It is a police procedural in that Tempe is a deputy sheriff.

She is what is termed a resident deputy which means she lives in the area she serves and protects. In her case it’s the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding mountains (the Southern Sierra). Though the nearby Bear Creek Indian Reservation has its own tribal police force, she’s often called upon by the tribal police chief and the county detectives to assist if there is a murder on the rez. In both cases, it’s because Tempe is an Indian.

My Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery series contains a bit more cop talk, though not a lot because besides the crimes that must be solved, the books also focus on what’s going on in the police officers’ private lives. In that particular series, the police department is small and has limited resources. Most crimes are solved the old fashioned way—gathering evidence, finding suspects (or persons of interest) and witnesses, and asking lots of questions.

Though there isn’t a lot of cop talk in the Tempe series, there is always a mystery to solve. In River Spirits, along with a murder, an Indian legend plays an important part.

Marilyn

River Spirits
River Spirits

 River Spirits:

While filming a movie on the Bear Creek Indian Reservation, the film crew trespasses on sacred ground, threats are made against the female stars, a missing woman is found by the Hairy Man, an actor is murdered and Deputy Tempe Crabtree has no idea who is guilty. Once again, the elusive and legendary Hairy Man plays an important role in this newest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery.

Marilyn at Writers Festival
Marilyn at Writers Festival

Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty-five published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest River Spirits from Mundania Press. Marilyn is a member of three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. She lives in the foothills of the Sierra. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/

 

 

Contest: The winner will be the person who comments on the most blog posts during the tour.

He or she can either have a character in my next book named after them, or choose an earlier book in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series—either a paper book or e-book.

 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, enjoy the day.

On Friday you can find me at http://anastasiapollack.blogspot.com/

Below are links to places to find Marilyn’s work:

From the publisher, all formats:

http://mundania.com/book.php?title=River+Spirits

For Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/River-Spirits-Tempe-Crabtree-Book-ebook/dp/B00O3R83TQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412345856&sr=1-1&keywords=River+Spirits+by+Marilyn+Meredith

Amazon paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/River-Spirits-Marilyn-Meredith/dp/1606594117/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412900595&sr=1-1&keywords=river+spirits+by+marilyn+meredith

For Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/river-spirits-marilyn-meredith/1120425385?ean=2940150347090

 

Categories
Writer's Notes

A victory…from Las Vegas

By Thonie Hevron

I’m baaaack!

This was my first trip to Sin City. It won’t be my last. Although the glaring grandeur had little appeal for me, I will say I thought it fun to cruise down the Strip. However, because I was tired, I was more than ready to be at the hotel. Silly me, I’d gone cheap and hired a shuttle instead of a cab. Live and learn.

The truth is that I only booked this trip for a Public Safety Writer’s Association Conference.  Vegas has zero appeal to me. Give me a redwood grove or a sandy Southern California beach any day. I’d submitted my unpublished manuscript, Intent to Hold to their annual writing contest. In 2012, I’d submitted and won third place for By Force or Fear. I was hoping history would repeat itself for Intent to Hold.

At the conference, I met many with whom I’ve corresponded through the years. Meeting people in person after developing an online relationship can cause some shifts in perspective. Thankfully, they were all very positive shifts. I met some terrific people.

During the months before the conference, the call for help went out from conference chair Michael A. Black. Like a dummy, I volunteered. While I used to hate getting in front of people, I’ve made strides in getting over the fear. Knowing that

Dialog and setting panel PSWA Conference, Orleans Hotel-Casino, Las Vegas July 2014 photo by Marilyn Meredith
Dialog and setting panel PSWA Conference at the Orleans Hotel-Casino, Las Vegas – July 2014   Photo by Marilyn Meredith

 

 

I’d have to speak in front of people to sell my books nudged me onward. Two years ago, I volunteered to co-chair the Redwood Writers Conference in April of 2014, to help de-sensitize myself. Month after month, I got up in front of the general membership and announced conference news. When that day came, I was a little nervous but my co-chair Sandy Baker was super-supportive and all went well. Here’s how PSWA shook out: I was a “contestant” on CSI-Jeopardy, a game played twice every day except the last (only once). I clowned my way to a pithy third but had a lot of fun. I sat on a panel of five discussing setting and dialog. Then, I was the moderator of a panel on wounds and forensics. Since I know nothing about the topic, I contacted the panelists in advance and culled questions from them. A well-rounded and very knowledgeable group that included an EMS/fire training consultant, and ER doc, a forensic scientist, a psychologist, a biology professor…and me!

Pic is a little fuzzy but you get the idea.
Pic is a little fuzzy but you get the idea.

Thank God, I only had to ask the questions.

The crowd was so responsive and attentive that we all had fun. In fact, when our time was up, many said they wanted more time with the panel. I’d say that was a success. Success for the panelists, audience, and me. I didn’t faint! In fact, I got one glowing compliment on my presentation voice.

And, I won third place for unpublished novel award for Intent to Hold. History did repeat.

I’ll be back in Vegas next year, only I’m bringing my hubby next time.

 

Categories
Writer's Notes

By Force or Fear

By Force or Fear
By Force or Fear

This will be the briefest of posts, but one I take immense delight in making public. I just received a publishing contract from Oak Tree Books for my first (self-published) book, BY FORCE OR FEAR. I have taken it off Amazon and will be sprucing it up–maybe even a new cover–for re-release in e-book and paperback. I hope to launch it with as much fanfare as possible and will let the world know when it is available.

 

Be sure to check in on April 1st–yes, Tuesday, April Fool’s Day for an interview with Marilyn Meredith, author Murder in the Worst Degree, the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries and the Rocky Bluff PD series.

Categories
Writer's Notes

Guest Post: Marilyn Meredith

Coming up With Titles

By author Marilyn Meredith

Marilyn’s blog can be found at Marilyn’s Musings.

Sometimes I know the title before I write the book. At other times I flounder while trying to find the perfect title.

 
For my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries, Tempe is a Native American, I often find an Indian legend or saying by an Indian and use some part of that. Dispel the Mist, Invisible Path, Wing Beat all came about that way. The one I’m working on now, Spirit Shapes also came from a quote. Of course they have something to do with the story too. 
 
Raging Water by Marilyn Meredith
Raging Water by Marilyn Meredith
The latest in that series, Raging Water, is a reference to what happens to Bear Creek when a huge storm strikes. I had to ask for help from my writer’s group for that title.
 
 
Sometimes the title strikes me immediately, even before I start to write–at other times I flounder.
 
With the Rocky Bluff series, a first title came easy.
 
Final Respects revolves around the death of a much-loved policeman, a mortuary and a funeral–the title was perfect.
 
Bad Tidings refers to the bad news police officers often have to deliver–and there is plenty in this book.
 
In Fringe Benefits a not so good police officer takes advantage of his job.
 
Smell of Death was the perfect title for this mystery centering on multiple murders.
 
Because No Sanctuary is about two churches, the ministers, their wives and the people who attend, this was the perfect title.
 
An Axe to Grind fit the murder weapon and motive.
 
Angel Lost has a double reference which becomes apparent when you read the story.
 
The reason for calling this next one No Bells doesn’t become apparent until near the end.
 
Dangerous Impulses by Marilyn Meredith
Dangerous Impulses by Marilyn Meredith
I had one heck of a time coming up with the title for Dangerous Impulses and one of the members of my critique group provided this one.
 
And for the one I’m writing now, a friend gave me the title which triggered the plot line. I’ve only written 5 chapters so I’ll wait a bit to reveal the title.
 
Remember, titles can’t be copyrighted, and often there is more than one book with the same title–sometimes they even come a around the same time.
 
I do always check Amazon for titles I’m considering.
 
How do you come up with a title for your books?
 
Marilyn