Today
Marilyn Meredith is my guest author. This is a woman I consider a friend and
whose books I thoroughly enjoy. What’s an author’s life like? Marilyn is about
to tell you. Welcome, Marilyn!
The
Author’s Life—Mine
If you are an aspiring author, don’t expect to hear what
an exciting life I have, because for the most part it’s pretty normal.
In the beginning, the biggest milestone was getting
published the first time.
Long ago, when I knew mystery writing was the way I
wanted to go, I went to a small mystery writing conference in northern
California with many well-known mystery writers as instructors and attendees including
Mary Higgins Clark and Sue Grafton. Both were a big inspiration.
For many years, hubby and I attended many big and small mystery
conventions. We visited many parts of the country we’d never been to before,
cities in Texas, Oklahoma, Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, Texas, Virginia, and
one of our favorites, Omaha, Nebraska. We also met many famous authors, made
friends with some—and made friends with many not so famous authors.
Because I’m getting older, I’m not traveling quite as far
as I used to, flying isn’t that much fun anymore.
I’ve had the privilege of being a presenter at other
writing conferences and libraries, something I love doing. I’ve also been on
many panels with other mystery writers at libraries.
I belong to the Public Safety Writers Association and
served as the program chair for many years and now I’m the newsletter editor.
Through this group I’ve met and become friends with many law enforcement
professionals who’ve been great about answering questions and giving me ideas
for plots.
I also belong to three chapters of Sisters in Crime. I’m
most active with the nearest one, the San Joaquin chapter, though I do a lot of
events with the Central Coast group. I’ve participated in the Los Angeles Times
Book Festival with the L.A. chapter, and been on a couple of panels with
members.
One thing I’ve learned is that as much of the author’s
life is spent on promotion as on writing.
Hearing someone say, “I loved your book, when will the
next one be out?” is one of the rewards of being a writer.
Most of my relatives have never read any of my books.
Though I sit in front of my computer for a large chunk of
most days, I still have to do the laundry and cook most of our dinners. We have
a big family and I love spending time with them. I have other jobs outside of
the writing life.
Being an author, is just one part of my life.
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 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.
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://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/
Buy link: CLICK HERE
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 you can find me hanging out with Lesley Diehl at
http://lesleyadiehl.com/blog
She wants to know how real Tempe and Hutch are.
CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com
Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteYou are truly an inspiration to all writers! I don't know how you do all you do but I'm glad you do it because I love your books!
I just read "River Spirits" and it's another great Tempe Crabtree mystery.
Oh, I'm so glad you liked River Spirits, Patricia. As you know, once it's done and out--you always wonder. As for being an inspiration, thank you!
DeleteGreat post. Few people really believe our lives are as normal as theirs. But we have to cook, clean, hold down a job sometimes, and take the car in for servicing just like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are so right--we have to tend to everything everyone else does--and write and promote. Non-writers have no idea how much juggling we must do.
DeleteFirst, thank you, Marja for hosting me today. Marja and have met in person, more than once, and we are truly friends though we are in different states. Me, California, Marja, Arizona.
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure to have you here, Marilyn. You're one of my favorite friends and one of my favorite writers. What a combination!
DeleteI spend so much time on promotion, I have a hard time getting to the writing! Fortunately, my characters insist I write their stories. I know yours do, too.
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right, Lorna.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWell, you may be getting a little older as you say, but your energy level seems to be a high as a teenager's. Thirty-five books? Wow!
ReplyDeleteLesley, I wish my energy level was as high as it used to be, unfortunately, it's not. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteThirty-five published novels, that amazes me! I figure I'll be 125 before I achieve that pinnacle. I agree with the importance of promotion, and HATE most of it. Wishing you continued success.
ReplyDeleteThank you, S. L. I've been writing forever. Actually I like promoting, but not the time it takes away from writing.
DeleteI love, love the Tempe Crabtree series. And I have no idea if my relatives actually read my books but I think they do since I give them at least one every Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI don't give my books to relatives--I have a sister who buys a book each for her four kids and one for herself. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteMarilyn, this sounds like a series I'll want to read in order. Are all of them available in print and Kindle?
ReplyDeleteYes, the books are all available in both formats, and a few in audio. Thanks for asking, Susan!
DeleteInteresting post. I hope you're right about getting published being the hardest part since I found a publisher. Late in life, but found. I'm hoping the rest of this journey is a little easier. I am envious of your travels to writing conferences. You've got lots of good memories. I'm at the part in River Spirits where they've found a body. It is good. I got slammed with work at my day job this past week or I'd be further into it.
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda, glad you're enjoying the book so far. I really didn't get published until late in life--was a grandmother when I first got published.
DeleteMarilyn,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honest viewpoint about writing. I'm with S.L.--I don't like the promoting end, either. I'm glad to hear you say that most of your relatives don't read your stories--neither do mine! What's with that?? I wish you continued writing successes. May you enjoy the fruits of your labor!
~Carole Avila
Out of 4 kids,Carole, only one daughter reads my books, and only a couple of grands. Maybe they think they won't like the books. I don't know. I love writing, so I'll keep on doing it until I can't.
DeleteGreat blog post, Marilyn. Love the photo of you at the Sisters In Crime table. I'm also a member.
ReplyDeleteThis SinC group is about 3 hours away, but I've belonged to them since nearly the time they started. They have many events and are great about letting me know--and of course, they've all become good friends.
DeleteMarilyn is an inspiration for many. I haven't read all 35 books, but I've enjoyed those I have enough to want more.
ReplyDeleteNice to be in inspiration. Thank you. Always nice to hear that someone has read a book of mine--and I know you must feel the same way.
DeleteIt must be common for our kids to not read our books. Other relatives of mine have, though. I love your story, Marilyn. It sounds like mine, and I hope I can still have the same story when and if I ever have written 35 novels. Keep on writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joyce, for taking the time to read my post, and yep, I'll keep writing.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, thanks for the interesting post on this blog. I sat next to you at the Clovis Book Barn event last July 26 and enjoyed the conversation on that hot day. Thanks too for inviting me to the Sisters in Crime second Saturdays luncheon [even though I am a guy]. I may show up but it conflicts with another organization that meets then.
ReplyDeleteHey, Tim, nice to see you. We call the men in Sisters in Crime, Mister Sisters.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another interesting post with another of my favorites. Guess that makes me a Mister Sisters reader.
ReplyDelete