Tag Archive for: Not as it Seems

Can a Police Procedural be a Cozy? by Marilyn Meredith

/in /by

In the true sense of a police procedural and the term cozy–probably not. However, I’ve had both my mystery series described in reviews as bordering on being cozy.

Though there is no tea drinking (to any extent) involved, neither series has any bad language (maybe a tiny bit in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series), all bedroom doors close, and the bloody stuff is kept to a minimum.

The real reason though, in my opinion, is because both series are set in small towns and revolve around family.

Rocky Bluff focuses on the police officers and what is going on with their families while they are solving murders and other crimes. The beach community is fictional and located between Ventura And Santa Barbara.

In my Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, Tempe, a Native American or Indian as she prefers to be called, lives and works in and around the mountain community of Bear Creek, located in the Southern Sierra. She is the resident deputy of Bear Creek and married to the minister of the community church. Through the years she’s been a widowed mother of a teen, met and married Pastor Hutch, and solved many crimes while keeping the peace, the drunks off the road, and from time to time, helping out at the nearby Indian reservation.

My next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, Seldom Traveled, is scheduled for August.

The latest Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery, A Crushing Death, has been out for awhile.

I’m now writing the next RBPD and planning the promotion for Seldom Traveled.

Not as it Seems the latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree is available now and Tempe is at the Central Coast to attend her son’s wedding.

Both books, and the rest of the series, are available as paper and e-books from all the usual places.

Marilyn Meredith aka F. M. Meredith

One of My Favorite Places in California by Marilyn Meredith

/in /by

This is a great shot of Morro Rock in Morro Bay. I’ve visited this area many times and always find something new to enjoy and love. Besides all the beautiful vistas, there are some great restaurants with fabulous seafood.

Here’s a photo taken through the window of one of the restaurants.

Because I love the area so much I decided to write a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery set in my favorite beach town. Most of the Crabtree mysteries are set in the mountains, much like where I live.
When her son who lives in Morro Bay plans his wedding there, of course Tempe and her husband, Hutch join in the festivities.

The tale spills over into the nearby towns including San Luis Obispo.

There is much Indian lore in the area–and of course much of it centers around the mystery itself.

Do any of the rest of you write about places that are special to your heart?

Marilyn

Busy, Busy, Busy

/in /by

Though I keep saying I’m going to slow down, it doesn’t seem to work out that way.

I’ve sent my next Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery to my publisher, and of course, the niggling thought is there, I better plan the promotion.

I’m also writing the next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery–and I need to really get busy on it.

Oh, and yes, Thanksgiving is coming. Everyone’s coming to my house this year–which includes a few more than usual. I cook the turkey, dressing and candied sweet potatoes fortunately others are bringing items. (I also cooked a turkey and made dressing for our church’s Thanksgiving potluck.)

I’ve been working on a promotion for a .99 cent Kindle book, more about that in December.

I’m the newsletter editor for two organizations–one is monthly, the other is due the end of the month.

I’ve been doing some holiday boutique sales where I can display and sell my books. I enjoy these because it’s a chance to actually talk with readers. And of course, promotion is a given.

Christmas is coming and books make wonderful gifts. I’ve always been thrilled to receive books since I was a kid.

And because it’s so near Thanksgiving, I have to say that I”m thankful that I am able to still do all these things at my age.

What is going on in  your lives? I know authors are always writing, but what else is filling your days?

Marilyn

Staying Organized

/in /by

That sounds good, doesn’t it?

I’m using that title because people are always saying that I’m organized. I don’t really think I am–but this is what I do to help me not forget.

I keep a paper calendar–a big one. It’s on my desk. I put everything on it, places I need to be and blogs that I”m going to be on. I check the calendar at night and again in the morning.

I always get out the clothes I’m going to wear the next day depending upon if I’m going somewhere or just working at home. I always get dressed because I never know when someone might stop by. (I have a big family and they tend to come over whenever they get an urge to do so.)

I have a list of what needs to be done (also on paper) beside my computer. I add to it all the time. Crossing something that’s done off the list give me great satisfaction.

What I don’t do is housework. Fortunately, I have family members who need extra money who are willing to clean for me. I still do the laundry and cook most of the evening meals. We always have family members eating with us–and sometimes one of them will cook. I enjoy cooking and I don’t know how to cook for just two. (Hubby and I raised 5 kids and we always had guests for dinner-the kids’ friends or ours. Later, we owned and operated a home for 6 women with developmental disabilities and I fixed all the meals for them–and just like it’s always been, there were always extras around the table.

The older I get, the shorter the days seem to be and I don’t get quite as much accomplished as I once did. However, I still manage to write two books a year, do all the promotion they require, attend my weekly writers’ critique group, a Sister in Crime meeting when I can (I belong to three), participate in book events, teach a kids’ Sunday School class nearly every Sunday, do things with my family and when possible, sneak away for a day with my hubby (might just be doing errands, going to a movie, and nice restaurant meal.)

And yes, I do read whenever I get the chance, and hubby and I love to watch movies together in the evening.

That’s as organized as I am.

What tips do any of the rest of you have about staying organized?

Marilyn

I’m still promoting Not as it Seems.

In Person Events–Love ‘Em or Not?

/in /by

Recently I participated in the Central Coast Book and Author Festival held at Pismo Beach. I so looked forward to the cooler weather of the beach since it had been in the upper 90s where I live in the foothills.

Guess what? We arrived to the hottest day they’d had all summer–and it was even hotter the day of the festival.

This picture was taken before the event began, that’s me in the lower right hand corner. Fortunately my table was inside (still too warm in there, no air conditioning), but some poor authors had tables outside in the parking lot–a few with umbrellas, but many with no protection from the sun. The planners expected the typical cool overcast beach day.

My display, the banner was provided by the committee. They did everything right, but they had no control over the weather. Did it affect sales? I’m sure it did, those who browsed looked really hot.
Yes, I did sell some books, handed out many cards.

I also participated in panel which was held on the rooftop of the nearby hotel–and it was even hotter there. We did have umbrellas for shade, but it was still hot. People did come to hear what we had to say about Strong Characters.

Mara Purl was one of my fellow panelists, she’s a delight.

Despite the heat I had a great time. Many of my fellow Central Coast Sisters in Crime members were there, and the only time I get to see them is at events like this because I live about 3 hours away.

One of my Facebook friends that I’d never met in person before introduced himself and his friends–and treated me like a celebrity. That was fun.

We stayed at a lovely hotel on the beach.

We also did some sightseeing around the area. We had some delicious meals.

My latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery is set in this beach area.

http://www.amazon.com/Not-As-Seems-Marilyn-Meredith/dp/1606594486/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443103450&sr=1-1&keywords=not+as+it+seems+by+marilyn+meredith

My answer to the title question is, I love in-person events.  So much so I’ll be doing two more in October and another in November.

Marilyn

Some Mystery Related Influences from my Childhood

/in /by

Many mystery authors attribute reading Nancy Drew mysteries for the writing they do now. I also read Nancy Drew, but looking back, I believe many other things from my childhood had a greater influence on what I do today.

Most of you know I’m much older than all the rest of the contributors to this blog. I grew up during World War II–and when I was about 10 I was convinced I would be asked to be a spy if the enemy landed on our shores. I lived in Los Angeles and we had black-outs, air raid drills at school, and I was highly influenced by the newsreels at the movies.

As for movies, we went every Friday night and stayed for both features. The 2nd one was always a B movie usually about gangsters, but often a mystery. My parents never questioned whether anyting was appropriate for their daughter or her 5 year younger sister.

At home, I listened to the radio faithfully. Having my own radio (a Christmas present) in my room meant I heard nearly every episode of all the mystery shows: The Whistler, Suspense Theater, The Adventures of Sam Spade, The Shadow, Inner Sanctum.

My little Philco radio also picked up police calls–which I was forbidden to listen to, once my mom found out about them. However, I still listened to them at night–and I heard the reports when the Black Dahlia’s body was found. Gave me nightmares for weeks.

My family subscribed to three newspapers: The L.A. Times, The Herald Examiner and The Daily News. I don’t think my dad ever read them–but my mother did. The Daily News had the most gossip and “best” photos. The articles I remember most were about the Black Dahlia murder and also the murder of Lana Turner’s boyfriend–by her daughter. Any death reported in their pages always carried the lurid details and graphic photographs. I didn’t pay much attention to the other news, but devoured all the reports about murder.

And one last memory. One of my mother’s church friends murdered her husband. While he slept on the couch, she hit in in the head with an axe. I was young and don’t remember many details though I do know she was put into a mental institution. One more thing, I heard one of my mother’s friends say, “He was the most boring man I ever met. If I’d been married to him, I might have done the same thing.”

Okay, you other authors, any similar childhood memories influence you?

And readers, what happened in your childhood that might have influenced you to read mysteries?

Marilyn

P.S. Yes, I do use some of what I remember in my books–old and newer memories.

August is a Busy Month

/in /by

We have lots of family events to celebrate in August.

First one of come up is my eldest daughter’s wedding anniversary. She married her high school sweetheart who was going into the Army right away. (As it turned out, the Army discharged him honorable after discovering all his old motorcycle racing injuries.) They were married in the chapel on the Seabee base (Hubby was still active in the Seabees). Daughter made her wedding dress and some of the bridesmaids dresses. We had the reception in our family room and backyard and I prepared all the food. (Something I went on to do for all of my kids’ weddings.)

Next is the daughter’s birthday. She is now a grandmother of five. (Can’t believe it.)

My granddaughter’s hubby celebrated his 27th birhday a few days ago by going to the river (just up the hill where there’s a natural water slide) with his family to play, then back to our house for dinner and cake.

Next up is that granddaughter’s youngest turning one. The party was in the grands’ backyard–and yes, we went.

My birthday is this month too. No, I’m not going to tell you which one–I have trouble remembering which it is anyway. Don’t have anything special planned–they come around too quickly.

I’m also going to have the birth of a new book at the end of the month.

Not as it Seems is the latest in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. It’s set on the Central Coast of California–Morro Bay, Los Osos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, Nipomo, Tempe and her husband have gone to celebrat their son Blair’s wedding. Yes, there is a murder, and spirits, or course. It wouldn’t be a Tempe Crabtree mystery if spirits didn’t make an appearance.

Marilyn Meredith

A New Book is Coming

/in /by

My latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, Not as it Seems, is in the hands of the publisher and being edited. The cover is being designed by the same artist who has designed most of the previous ones–and I love her work.

So what’s next? All the authors know–get busy with the promotion.

So far I’ve planned a blog tour–a short one this time, 15 days in the last half of September. I’ve got all the hosts I need–one day I’ll be posting right here–now it’s time to write something unique and different about the book for each post. Hopefully, information that will tempt the blog reader to want to buy and read this latest mystery.

Yes, I’ll have a contest connected to the tour–once again the person who visits and comments  on the most blogs will have the opportunity to have a character in the next book named after him or her. I’ve been doing this with all my latest books and it’s been a popular contest.

I have some dates already set for book events– a couple of really big book festivals and some tentative plans for others.

I have yet to come up with an idea or venue for a book launch. We have no bookstores in or near our locale. Because this mystery is set in the Morro Bay area, I’m hoping to come up with a venue over in that area.

Of course I’ll be promoting on Facebook and Twitter, and I’m toying with the idea of offering one of the earlier Tempe’s free on Amazon–but that’s something I’ll ahve to work out with the publsiher.

That’s as far as I’ve gotten–no big book tours like some of my fellow authors do, not something I’ve ever done.

Fellow authors, what are your favorite promotion ideas?

Marilyn