Marilyn
Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award
winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Raging Water from
Mundania Press. Writing as F. M.
Meredith, her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel is entitled, No Bells, the forth from Oak
Tree Press. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime,
Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of
America. Marilyn borrows a lot from
where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the
surrounding area.When you were a child, what did you want to "be" when you grew up?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I wrote stories, books, wrote and produced a magazine, wrote plays for the neighborhood kids to perform. However, becoming one didn’t really happen until all my children were nearly grown.
In what genre do you write? If you were to choose another genre, what would it be and why?
Right now I’m writing mysteries, but I’ve also written historical family sagas, Christian horror, psychological horror, romance with a supernatural touch so perhaps, if I had to try something new it would be thrillers.
What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
As part of the Authors in Schools program for Left Coast Crime in Alaska, I flew to Bethel and then rode in a Suburban on a frozen river to a small village called Kwithlik. Not only the most adventurous thing, it was also the scariest.
When I was a kid I did all sorts of adventurous things—but it was a different time. I lived in Los Angeles and went all over by myself, sometimes walking, sometimes on the streetcar.
What made you choose to write the particular novel(s) you have written?
When I began writing the first Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, I had no idea that it would turn into a long running series. One or two real incidents sometimes triggers the beginning of a real plot.
When I started Raging Water I knew two things that I was going to put in it, the mysterious deaths of two friends and a bad storm that causes Bear Creek to flood.
Who is one of your favorite authors?
William Kent Krueger. He usually includes some Native American lore in his books, but what I love the most is his wonderful descriptions of the settings.
Will you share a blurb from one of your books?
Raging Water Blurb:
Deputy Tempe Crabtree’s investigation of the murder of two close friends is complicated when relentless rain turns Bear Creek into a raging river. Homes are inundated and a mud slide blocks the only road out of Bear Creek stranding many—including the murderer.
I know there
are some people who like to read a series in order, but let me reassure you
that every book is complete. Though the characters grow through each book, the
crime is always solved. Here is the
order of the books for anyone who wants to know: Deadly Trail, Deadly
Omen, Unequally Yoked, Intervention, Wing Beat, Calling the Dead, Judgment
Fire, Kindred Spirits, Dispel the Mist, Invisible Path, Bears With Us, RagingWater.
Do enter my giveaway contest for a copy of the previous Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, BEARS WITH US. Leave a comment and you're automatically entered. Include your email addy so I can get in touch with you should your name be selected at random. The winner will be announced on my blog (http://marilynmeredith.
Do enter my giveaway contest for a copy of the previous Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, BEARS WITH US. Leave a comment and you're automatically entered. Include your email addy so I can get in touch with you should your name be selected at random. The winner will be announced on my blog (http://marilynmeredith.
For more
information on Marilyn Meredith and her novels, please visit her at http://fictionforyou.com
and follow her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/
Thank you for hosting me today. Loved your questions!
ReplyDeleteLearned even more about you, Marilyn. I can relate to your Kwithlik adventure. Although I grew up with four seasons it doesn't matter how many feet thick the ice is on a lake or river, I still can't shake the feeling I'm not supposed to be ON it! What's worse is when it begins to melt in the spring. Seeing water and slush beneath my soles terrifies me!
ReplyDeleteYour remembrances about younger days in LA, Marilyn, walking all over and taking the streetcar to be back to childhood days in Chicago. Went all over--never afraid. Different times. Loved your post, and like Anne says, learned more about you!
ReplyDeleteMadeline
I've also learned a lot about you, Marilyn, but Christian horror? That's one subgenre I'm not familiar with.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, the comment button on this post disappeared for me, no matter what I did it wouldn't come. I was going to make a copy of the page to have someone show me where it was, when I clicked on the page, lo and behold, it made a remarkable appearance.
ReplyDeleteAnne, I would never again ride in a car on that frozen river. I was truly scared.
ReplyDeleteI did have some adventures while riding the streetcar in L.A., some I never told my mom about or she wouldn't have let me keep doing it. We were lucky to have the freedom, weren't we Madeline.
Okay, Jean, I guess I made up the name for the genre. It's scary and Christian all at the same time.
I always wanted to be a writer, too. I think many writers catch the bug early or are born to do it.
ReplyDeleteCollin, I agree with you--except for those who think they can dash something off, put it on Kindle and get rich.
ReplyDelete