Made It Moment: Marilyn Meredith
Marilyn Meredith wrote a novel that has a particularly unusual twist on one of my favorite themes in literature–the evil child, or bad seed–and I just had to ask her to write a Moment for my blog. Here it is below–and may many more readers find something in Marilyn’s impressive canon to get hooked on!
To tell you the truth, I’m not sure I have “made it.” What I do know is that I am content with the fact that I’ve had nearly thirty of my books published and many have received great reviews and a few even earned an award. I love being an author and that has to count for a lot in the “made it” equation.
Because I write two mystery series, both about law enforcement, I often have people ask what my connection to law enforcement is. No, I’ve never been a cop, not even close, but my fascination started early in my life because of an uncle who was a motorcycle cop. The first home we owned was in a neighborhood full of policemen and their families and we “coffee-ed” and partied together. When my son-in-law became a police officer he further piqued my interest with all of his stories. I went on a ride-along with him, and later on with others, including a female officer, single mom who shared many of her problems.
From all this came the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series with Dispel the Mist being the latest. In the Rocky Bluff P.D. series my goal has been to show how the job affects the family and what is going on with the family affects the job. An Axe to Grind will be out toward the end of January. For those who have been following Stacey Wilbur’s romance with Detective Doug Milligan should enjoy this story though I do want to point out, that I write each book as a stand-alone even though the characters are on-going so it doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the previous one.
Marilyn Meredith is the author of two mystery series. She has been one of the first authors to embrace e-publishing and has several books that are available in both e-format and trade paperback.
As a writing teacher, Marilyn has been a featured speaker at several writers’ conferences, including the Public Safety Writers Conference. Please contact her and learn more at her website.
I’m always impressed by mystery writers — writing mystery is a special skill. Nice to read about your success, Marilyn!
Comment by Judy — March 8, 2010 @ 8:29 am
I used to work 911 dispatch (boy, is that stressful!) and I was fascinated by the community of law enforcement. Such wonderful caring people–under so much tension and stress. It’s an intriguing world and they are the unsung heroes. Kudos to you for writing about them! I love how cute & modest you are, saying you never felt like you “made it” yet. It’s hard, as a creator, to ever really feel that, I think. But if you’re getting good reviews and connecting with readers, you’ve made it! Definitely.
Comment by SapphireSavvy — March 8, 2010 @ 9:50 am
Thank you so very much for having me today. I think those who have “made it” are the Mary Higgins Clarks of the mystery writing world. I love writing and I particularly love those who read my work and enjoy it.
Marilyn
Comment by Marilyn Meredith — March 8, 2010 @ 9:56 am
I have had the pleasure of working with Marilyn for a couple of years now. She never ceases to amaze me with all she can get done.
I’m not sure which of her two series I like best, but I knew I had to own them all once I started reading.
Best of luck with this latest book, Marilyn. You know how much I love it!
Cheryl
Comment by Cheryl Malandrinos — March 8, 2010 @ 1:36 pm
Very interesting, Marilyn! (and thank you Jenny for hosting)–I am trying my hand at my first mystery as we speak (past books have been mostly suspense) and I love hearing about people’s experiences!
Comment by Hart — March 8, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
So happy to see all this traffic Marilyn’s post is getting–she deserves as wide an audience as possible. Hart, meet Marilyn, Marilyn, meet Hart. Judy writes wonderful women’s fiction and Sapphire top notch historicals, but Hart as she says, is in the midst of a very exciting mystery odyssey
And Cheryl–welcome to the site! So nice to meet a friend of Marilyn’s!
Comment by jenny — March 8, 2010 @ 2:01 pm
Oh, Marilyn, you absolutely nailed it. Does anyone ever know when they’ve “made it”? And wouldn’t it be rather awful to make it? What would one do then?
Donna Fletcher Crow
Comment by Donna Fletcher Crow — March 8, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
Thank you everyone for your comments. I really love writing, and find it challenging and fun to write two series since they are quite different from one another.
Marilyn
Comment by Marilyn Meredith — March 8, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
Thirty books publishes–WOW! I’m impressed. Good for you.
Heidi
Comment by Heidi M. Thomas — March 8, 2010 @ 6:19 pm
Marilyn: To me with one book out and another coming in June and you regularly do two books a year, “You have made it!” The biggest joy is just doing what you love! Thanks for a great post!
Wendy
Comment by W.S, Gager — March 8, 2010 @ 9:20 pm
Marilyn, loved your thoughts! Thank you. And Jenny, thank you for introducing Marilyn
Comment by Amy Deardon — March 15, 2010 @ 9:54 am
Thanks for coming back, Amy. Marilyn has some real gems, and a lot to say about this biz. I’m hoping to catch her at a conference (as soon as I can afford one, ie, as soon as I’ve made one nickel from this biz…)
Keep your eyes out, everyone! More Moments go up this week!
Comment by jenny milchman — March 15, 2010 @ 2:31 pm