A Gifted Multi-Cultural Writer

I'm not an effusive, demonstrative, terribly touchy-feely kinda gal… but I have an Enormous Capacity for LUV—of a LOTTA fellow crime writers. (You ladies and gents know who you are!)

Marilyn Meredith is one… her life is so different from mine… she is happily married to "Hubby"—with tons of kids, grand-kids, and even greats!!! And her professional CV is radically unlike mine—She is a product of the West Coast, which I've only visited scantily on business assignments.

But this gal exudes such a ton of warmth, sincerity and generosity—I can't help lovin' her! A Bunch—as our warm-hearted North Carolina colleague, Kaye Barley, would say!

I'm so impressed by this lady's knowledge of and sensitivity to the cultures of folks in her neck of the woods—the American Indian cum Mexican tribes… and their cultures and mores… she writes with such authority, sensitivity and passion—I'm deeply impressed!

Welcome, Marilyn, we are so honored to have you here! We LUV you!

Thelma Straw

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Where I Get My Energy

Me and Great-Granddaughter Jaslyn

Thelma asked me a question that I get from a lot of people, and it always makes me laugh—and wonder a bit.

Am I being asked that question because I’m old? I guess when you get to be my age people expect you to retire to the rocking chair. I don’t have a rocking chair, plus I’ve noticed that those who quit doing things when they get older don’t have much fun. And some of them don’t last as long as I have.

Okay, so I’ll reveal my big secret, and it doesn’t have anything to do with energy. I tend to poop out in the afternoon and often grab a nap—usually while watching something on TV.

My day begins around 4:15 or 4:30, the time I automatically wake. I’m not one to sit around in my p.j.s like I’ve heard some authors do—I always get dressed. Who knows what might come up during the day and I want to be ready for it.

My routine consists of Bible study, straightening the kitchen, fixing a cup of Chai latte, checking email, a quick look at Facebook and promoting whatever’s new on my blog. Once that’s done, I get busy with whatever book I’m working on. I usually do that for around three hours—but if I’m also doing the laundry or other chores, I’ll be up and down.

Being the mother of five, babysitting grandkids, raising two others at different times, and for over 20 years being the administrator of a residential care home, I am used to interruptions and don’t have any trouble getting back to what I’m doing.

To be honest, I have much less on my calendar than in earlier years. And I don’t accomplish nearly as much as I once did. I still do things the same way though—I make lists of what I want to accomplish each day and usually manage to do it. I’m never only writing a book.

There are some things I’ve really cut down on, the big one is flying to events. I used to love flying, but too often these days the time between flights is such that you almost need to run to make them in time. I’m not running anywhere anymore. Instead, I’m choosing to take part in events that are close enough to drive to—and there seems to be one or two a month.

What I don’t do is chat on the phone. I’ve never really liked to do that, I much prefer email or private messaging someone on Facebook. I seldom write letters anymore—though I do write and send get-well, birthday and anniversary cards and thank-you notes. I don’t do housework—instead I pay relatives who can use the extra money to do it. I don’t do much visiting either, except with family.

For fun, hubby and I love to go to the movies—but we’re picky about what we see—and we like to go out to eat. We make out-of-town events that have to do with writing into mini-vacations. I also play Bunco once a month with the church ladies, and do like to play games with family members, young and old.

I have no idea if this really answers the question, but it’s the best I can do.

Marilyn Meredith

Visit me at http://fictionforyou.com/
Blog: http://marilynmeredith.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.

From here I’m hopping over to see John Wills, a friend from Public Safety Writers Association. http://jwillsbooks.com/

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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.