Tag Archive for: Marilyn Meredith

My Love/Hate Relationship with Oscar by Marilyn Meredith

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I’ve been watching the TV broadcast of the Academy Awards since the first time they came on TV in glorious black and white.
My father worked for Paramount Studios while I was growing up and he had little respect for most of the movie actors. Despite that, our family went to the movies every Friday night to see a double feature.
As a kid I collected movie star photos and autographs. The best place to get them was at radio shows and catching the stars in the parking lot behind the theater where the broadcasts were made.
Things I remember about some of the earlier Academy Award shows (in no particular oder):
Edith Head almost always won for best costume design.
When the guy streaked across the stage at the Oscars–and charming David Niven handled it in elegant stride.
The  many times Bob Hope was the announcer.
(In my opinion, no one does it as well these days as those old timers.)
When Jack Palance did one-handed push-ups.
When Marlon Brando didn’t show up for his Oscar, sending an Indian woman in his place.
I saw these all, but only remember Sally Fields, “You love me, you really love me.”
And here’s the nominees for best picture for this year.

Nominees

Best Picture: American Sniper · Birdman · Boyhood · Grand Budapest Hotel · The Imitation Game · Selma
I’ve only seen The Grand Budapest Hotel, and didn’t much like it. Hope to see the others.
Best Supporting Actor: Robert Duvall · Ethan Hawke · Edward Norton · Mark Ruffalo · J.K. Simmons

Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette · Laura Dern · Keira Knightley · Emma Stone · Meryl Streep

I didn’t see most of these performances–except for Keira Knightleys and Meryl Streep’s in Into the Woods. Of course Meryl was wonderful–but I think the movie itself lacked something.
I usually catch-up on all the nominated movies eventually. Netflix makes it easy to do.
Through the years I’ve often been disappointed in who and what movie actually wins the Oscar–but who cares what I think? 
So, folks, what are your feelings about the Academy Awards and he nominees for this year?
Marilyn

The Neighborhood Bookstore

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As promised I’m giving my report on how my day at The Neighborhood Bookstore turned out.

This was not a real bookstore but a home with 8 authors setting up displays in different rooms of the house: in the open small office, the living room, a den, and another living room–that’s where I was with two others.

The kitchen saw the most action because that’s where the coffee, wine and various delicious snacks were available.

Every author promoted in her own way–and I know announcement were left at the local small theater, several libraries, given out at book clubs and writing groups, and of course announcements on Facebook and Twitter.

A sign that just said Book Store with an arrow was put on the corner of the main street and the one where the house was. Another at the other end, and one in front of the house.

Several people came because they saw the signs, a couple who were on a Christmas home tour and just decided to add the bookstore as an extra stop.

I shared a table with another author, and having my display rack worked out great.

A steady flow of people came in the open front door and flowed through the house from 12 to 5.

I was delighted to see old friends and met a lot of people.

And I’m sure you want to know how sales went–far better than many venues–I sold 25 books, maybe more because I wasn’t very good at keeping track.

We did have someone who took credit cards, so if folks didn’t want to pay in cash–most did–we could accept credit card sales.

One man–a fan of both series–came with a list of my books he and his wife already had, and he bought those they didn’t.

Another young man came in specifically looking for me because he loves my books and had seen that I would be at this event in a newspaper article. He bought two books he didn’t have anymore.

A woman I hadn’t seen for years came specifically to see me–and she bought two of my latest books.

People I didn’t know who loved mysteries bought a copy or two of my books.

Toward the end of the day, our hostess made a pot of soup, so between the wonderful snacks and the soup, we were well nourished.

It was a great day, and our hostess plans to do this again in the spring.

And that’s my report on the Neighborhood Bookstore.

Marilyn

Titles and Covers Too Similar? by Marilyn Meredith

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Frankly, I always thought it was a good thing that the covers in my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries are similar. And though my titles are all short, I hadn’t thought about any being too similar.

However, with my latest two books, it seems that both the titles and the cover are similar enough that I’ve  had one person tell me she already had a copy of one book when I knew she was referring to the one that came before ti.

The stories themselves are not similar at all.

The latest book is River Spirits.

The blurb for this book is:


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.


The book right before this one is:

The blurb for this one is:




Ghost hunters stumble upon
a murdered teen in a haunted house. Deputy Tempe Crabtree’s investigation pulls
her into a whirlwind of restless spirits, good and evil, intertwined with the past
and the present, and demons and angels at war.


The mysteries are very different despite both titles having a similar word in them: Spirits and Spirit.


I’ve been fortunate to have the same artist design most of the covers so they all have a similar style, but I really think if there is a problem, it might be with the titles. 


When both books are on display side-by-side, no one seems to even mention the resemblance.


Readers, what do you think?


Writers, have you ever had a problem like this?


Marilyn

A New Type of Book Event by Marilyn Meredith

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Recently I received an email from a woman in a neighboring city who is planning a book event in her home. She mentioned the writers she’d invited and asked if I’d like to be a part of what she and another author were planning.

Of course I said yes.

The plan is that there will be advertising in the local newspaper and cards about the event spread around the city and the various towns we writers come from.

On the day of the event, she’ll have a banner in her front yard that says, Neighborhood Book Store.

Inside her lovely home, the authors will be situated in various rooms in her house–there are many.

Because I can’t attend the meeting she’s having with the various authors, I stopped by to meet her and see her home.

In her large kitchen will be wine and snacks which we writers will bring. A couple of husbands will supervise this part.

The event will be held the first weekend in December and sounds like a lot of fun. Whether we’ll have many customers remains to be seen.

Has anyone tried anything like this?

Too, too busy! by Marilyn Meredith

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Here I am, an old lady, retired from several jobs over the years–now I’m just supposed to be a writer.

However, I’m still doing some consulting for folks who are either in the residential care business or want to be. For the first mentioned, I do a monthly newsletter, attend their organization’s meetings, and answer questions via phone. (I used to teach various subjects to these same people and have become somewhat of an expert on regulations.)

For the folks who want to get into the business, I write program designs. Sometimes that is a fairly easy prospect–at others so complicated I wish I’d charged double my going fee.

The only reason I’m mentioning both, is because it seems this is the time of the year when I’m being asked to do a record amount of these things. What I really need to be doing is working on my next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery. It should have already been finished and sent to the publisher. Fortunately, she’s moved the publishing date a couple of months away from the original one.

And of course, I’m in the throes of promoting my next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, River Spirits. On November 1st, I embark on a virtual book tour. Here is the first two week’s schedule in case you are interested in following along.

Nothing ever happens without problems, so instead of beginning on Nov. 1, I have two posts on November 2nd.

Nov. 2    http://judys-stew.blogspot.com                   
Coming Up With a
Title
Nov. 2    http://lindathorne.com/
The Bumpy Road of
Publication for the Tempe Crabtree Series
Nov. 3.   http://wordmuseum.com/
Where Deputy Tempe
Crabtree Came From
Nov. 4    http://Susanvankirk.com   
The Setting for the Deputy Tempe
Crabtree Series
Nov. 5   http://gumbojustice.blogspot.com/
Indians or Native
Americans
Nov. 6   http://livevicarrieous.com 
A Few Questions and Answers
Nov. 7  History of the Indians I Borrow From
http://jrlindermuth.blogspot.com/
Nov. 8 http://drusbookmusing.blogspot.com 
A Day in the Life of Kate Eileen
Shannon
Nov. 9. http://mmgornell.wordpress.com/ 
My Relationship with Tempe
Crabtree
Nov. 10 http://pat.wrtersforum.blogspot.com/  
How Tempe Got Her
Name
Nov. 11   http://lornacollins-author.blogspot.com/ Where My Inspiration Comes From (after
writing so many books}
Nov. 12  http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com/  
How Long Will the
Series Continue?
Nov. 13  http://murderousmusings.blogspot.com/  
My Writing Process
Nov. 14 http://gdcramer.com gdcramer@msn.com 
Why it’s Okay
to Take a Break from Writing
Nov. 15   http://www.marywelk.com/  
The Supportive
Mystery Writing Community
Nov. 16 http://crimewriters.blogspot.com 
Where I Get My Energey
Nov 17 http://jwillsbooks.com/ 
Avoiding the Jessica
Fletcher Syndrome

Nov. 18 http://bookbrowsing.wordpress.com    Promotion Tips

Blurb
for 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 star, 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.

Bio:
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.

Oh, and I didn’t mention, I have a bunch of kids, grandkids and great grands I like to spend time with too.

Marilyn


When Will I Stop Writing? by Marilyn Meredith

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This question has been discussed recently on the DorothyL list. And to be perfectly honest, I’ve had people ask me that question too. Probably because I am old.

Yes, I’m the ancient one of this group. I’ve been around since the beginning of this blog. I’ve been writing nearly all my life, but didn’t get published until 1982 and yes, I was already a grandmother then.

So, now, onto the answer of my question. I can’t imagine not writing. As long as I’m able to sit in front of my computer and new ideas pop into my head I’ll be writing.

One of the reasons I keep on is because the only way for me to find out what is happening to the characters I’ve created is to write the next book.

In the case of Deputy Tempe Crabtree, who is also getting older–though certainly at a slower rate than I am–I want to know when she might consider retiring from the sheriff’s department. And when she does, what will she do next? Will she remain in the small mountain community of Bear Creek or move somewhere else? If she moves, will that mean the end of her interacting with the Indians on the Bear Creek Reservation?

I’d also like to know more about her son, Blair, now that he’s working for the Morro Bay Fire Department. And of course there’s her husband, Pastor Hutch. Moving would mean Hutch giving up his church. Would there be another in his future.

And I’ve got a whole other series about the Rocky Bluff P.D. Those characters are aging much slower than I am, though there have been major changes in nearly everyone’s lives. Am I ready to quit writing about them? Not in the near future, in fact I’m nearing the end of the next book.

I also enjoy the other things that go along with writing. I like interacting with my readers. I enjoy some of the promoting that’s expected. I have cut down a bit on some of the in-person events that I do. I only participate in book and craft fairs where I don’t have to put up a tent and haul a table and chairs. I’ve cut down on the mystery and writers cons if they are too difficult for me to get to–and frankly, I miss seeing the people who attend.

For me writing is a part of who I am, so while I’m still of sound mind I’ll continue.

My latest, of course is in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series: River Spirits.

It’s available in all formats from the publisher at http://mundania.com/  and all the usual places.

Marilyn

In-Person Book Events and Life

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Though I didn’t set out to do many in-person book related events, I have quite a full schedule for the rest of the year.

The last weekend in July, I participated with three other authors at an afternoon of booksigning and discussion at a book store in another city. (We have no bookstores close by.)

On the first Saturday of August, I”ll be joining other mystery writers at the San Joaquin chapter of Sisters in Crime.

August 9th, I’ll be over at the coast at the Nipomo Library’s book and craft fair. I’ve done this event for several years. A fun one because I have so many friends who participate.

September 10th, I’m headed to Southern California to be on a panel with other mystery writers from the Los Angeles chapter of Sisters in Crime at the Burbank Library.

October 11th will find me in Oak Tree Press’s booth at the Art Fair in Visalia.

We’ll be heading north to Manteca for the Great Valley Book Fair on October 18th.

In November, the 7th and 8th, I’ll have my books on display and for sale with the Porterville Art Association’s Christmas Boutique at the Porterville Gallery.

In the meantime, I’ve been having fun with my great-grands.

Julius sees the big dinosaurs for the first time.

Great-grandson Julius, just turned 3, loves dinosaurs and has a collection of little ones. His grandparents took him to a dinosaur display of big ones that moved and roared. He wasn’t quite sure if he liked them or not. 
Lot of pictures were taken and he told me about each dinosaur and their names. Soon after this, he got a haircut.

We are expecting another great-grand this month. She’ll join her sister who is almost 2. That will make the count 14 of the great-grands, with #15 arriving in September.

Having a big family is a blessed distraction. I know not many get the privilege of knowing their great-grands.

And that brings you up-to-date with me.

I did know my great-grandmother, and she lived until I was 12. She seemed very old to me, so I suspect I seem very old to all these youngsters.

Marilyn

Why Do I Keep on Writing?

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That’s a good question, one I must ask myself periodically.

I spend a good percentage of each day in front of my computer either working on a new book, editing, or promoting whichever book is out now.  And guess what? I don’t make much money. And what I do make is spent on promotion.

No, my publishers do not send me out on book tours, though they both do some promotion, the greater share is up to me. I’m the one who arranges my in-person events and does the majority of the on-line promotion.

So what do I get out of all this work?

1. I love to write. I enjoy visiting my characters and finding out what is going to happen to them next. The only way to do that is to write the next book. My writing is not confined to my novels, believe it or not, I get a kick out writing blog posts, like this one, and others where I guest.

2. I love meeting people and making new friends. Of course this happens at book events and at conferences and conventions. (Going to a mystery con is very much like attending a huge family reunion.) The Internet has given me the ability to make many new friends, many I’ve known now for a long time.

3. And of course my books have fans–fans that enjoy my books, have favorite characters, email me, read my newsletter and comment, fans that encourage me to write the next book.

4. Because of the conventions, conferences and places I’ve been invited to teach and speak, I’ve traveled many places I’d never have visited otherwise from the West Coast to the East Coast, many cities in-between, and Hawaii and Alaska.

5. I’ve learned how to do many things I might never have tried if it hadn’t been for my writing career from many computer skills to giving presentations and classes about books, writing and publishing. For ten years I taught writing for Writers Digest Schools, and I just recently retired from many years of being the program chair for the Public Safety Writers Association’s annual conference.

6. And most of all, I’ve met many challenges, grown as a writer and a person, and had a great time doing what I wanted to do.

Marilyn aka F. M. Meredith

Getting Back in the Groove

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The writing groove that is.

It’s never easy after the holidays, and this time it seems even harder than usual.

Because I was having all sorts of heart tests, had an angiogram scheduled that had to be put off for over a week because I caught the flu, had the test (which turned out much better than the doctor expected), and then it was time to decorate for Christmas. Frankly, I was still recovering from the procedure and being sick and had no energy.

Fortunately, daughter-in-law and granddaughter came to the rescue and did it for me–and then undecorated when the time came.

Besides our usual get-together with son, his wife, and his sons, their wives, his daughter and her hubby and two great-grands on Christmas Eve, we visited with daughter and all her family on Christmas Day. Also talked on the phone to our other two daughters.

Hubby and  have watched Netflix movies galore including series that we’ve missed, and gone to the theater to see two movies: Saving Mr. Banks and Frozen. Liked them both.

I have squeezed in some book promoting. Learned that another of my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries is now available on audio, from Amazon and iTunes. Bears With Us.

http://www.amazon.com/Bears-with-Us/dp/B00HHNE0AO/ref=sr_1_1_title_2_audd?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388253790&sr=1-1&keywords=Bears+With+Us

And yes, I’ve written a few pages in the next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series–but few is the key word here.

I really need to get with it because the critique group I belong to is starting up again and I always like to be a few chapters ahead.

As with every author, I have other commitments ahead. But I’ve always worked around them in the past, and I shall do it again.

If that sounds like a New Year’s resolution, well that’s as close as I’ll ever get to one.

The truth is, the older I get the harder it is to stick to a schedule–and time goes by much quicker than it did when I was younger.

Because the only way I’m going to find out what’s going on in Tempe Crabtree’s life, what crimes she’s going to solve, is to get into that writing groove–I will.

Marilyn Meredith

Christmas Greetings

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In the spirit of Christmas, I’m going to give a copy of one of my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries to one of the commenters on my post today. The person I choose at random may pick the following list of books. For the first time in ages, I actually have a print copy of each one.

I’ve listed them in order, earliest book to latest.

Deadly Trail
Deadly Omen
Unequally Yoked
Intervention
Wing Beat
Calling the Dead
Judgment Fire
Kindred Spirits
Dispel the Mist
Invisible Path
Bears With Us
Raging Water
Spirit Shapes

If you are unfamiliar with the series, Deputy Tempe Crabtree is a Native American resident deputy in the mountain community of Bear Creek in the Southern Sierra. She has a large area to patrol and it’s adjacent to the Bear Creek Indian Reservation. She’s married to the minister of the local church. The fact that she sometimes uses Indian rituals in order to help solve crimes has at times caused some friction in an otherwise happy marriage.

Through the years she’s learned more and more about her ethnic heritage usually through the tutoring of Nick Two John who runs the Bear Creek Inn with his significant other.

This is a great opportunity for someone to get acquainted with Tempe and Bear Creek.

Marilyn

To learn more about each book visit http://fictionforyou.com/

Or check them out on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or other Internet booksellers.