Interview with mystery author Marilyn Meredith

Mystery author Marilyn Meredith is here today. She has a new novel out, Raging Water, and is running a contest for a lucky commentor's name to be used in one of her upcoming books. It's winner's choice on which series to be included in.

Read on!

Bio: 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 novelm No Bells, is the fourth 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.

Welcome, Marilyn. Please tell us about your current release, Raging Water.

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.

What inspired you to write this book?

Two women who attended our church were found dead on the same morning in their own homes. The deputy (in our county a deputy sheriff is also a deputy coroner and can pronounce someone dead) who discovered the bodies did not do any investigation. No autopsy was done. There were some suspicious elements such as both women’s pain medications were missing. I decided to write their story. Of course there’s much more involved and it what I wrote has little basis in fact.

One of my friends, who is also a fan of Tempe, asked to be a character in the book. Not her name, just who she is. So I gave her an important part and used the essence of her personality. No, she’s not the murderer. Her dogs, with their names, are also in the story.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m finishing the edits of the next Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel, and about half way through the next Tempe which centers around ghosts, a haunted house, and young devil worshipers.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always known I could write, but the title was validated when I sold my first book in 1981.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like?  If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I try to write something every day—but it isn’t always on a book. When I’m doing a blog tour like this, a lot of my writing time is involved in answering interviews and thinking up topics for interesting blogs. When I’m working on a book, I do that first thing in the morning.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I have no problem being interrupted. I’m interrupted a lot. Family just walks in and knows where to find me. Hubby sits in the chair near my desk and stares until I ask what he wants. Once whoever has come in leaves, I go right back to what I was doing.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An artist and live in an attic and I planned to remain single. (This from someone who has been married 61 years and has 5 children,18 grands, and 13 great-grands.)

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Yes, I'm running a contest. The person who leaves comments on the most blogs will have his/her name used for a character in my next book—the winner can choose if you want it in a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery or a Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel.

Awesome, thanks, Marilyn. It's been a pleasure having you here. I hope you'll come back again when your next novel comes out!