I'm starting June with a guest blogger. Marilyn Meredith is a prolific #mystery author. If you haven't read one of her books, read her new one, End of the Trail, after you read her blog below. This is a #police procedural with heart. Let's hope this novel isn't the end of the trail for Marilyn's writing.
Right now, we are all experiencing something new. I’m not going to discuss the pandemic as such—I’ll leave the current event to Janet, my host, who is far more knowledgeable about such diseases.
Any author knows that what is going on now has changed what we can do to promote our books. We can’t go to bookstores to do talks and signings, and book fairs and conferences have been cancelled. What is left? Mainly social media and visiting blogs like this one.
There wasn’t even a hint of what was to come while I was writing End of the Trail, the latest in my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series. My main ideas for this book came from family—one from a distant relative living in a most unusual lifestyle, and another from a much closer member who is preparing for any coming huge disaster whether it be a biblical Armageddon or a war of some sort. (I have a huge family, and believe me, they are all different. You should hear their varied and controversial views on the pandemic!)
When I began writing I was able to attend the weekly meetings of my critique group and hear their suggestions and feelings about each chapter. Because they also write their corrections on the copies of the chapter I brought, I can use or not use what I want when I get home. And, of course, these in-person meetings have been cancelled.
Though I had plenty of time to write, it was hard to get motivated to do so. I really did want to finish, but as I was writing, I began to wonder if this might be the last book in the series. Was that really what I wanted to do?
Even now, with the book done and available on Amazon, I am not sure. In fact, I have a new idea bouncing around in my brain.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087SFTC6K/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588514254&sr=1-1
I hope it's not the last in this series. It's my favorite.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment, I'm unsure what I'm going to do. Have piles of other work, so it's kind of on a back burner.
ReplyDeleteI ordered this one and just got it last week. I haven't had time to read it yet, but I've enjoyed your other books a lot. You're a fantastic writer. I hope you're starting A New Trail. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, so much!
DeleteI know you'll start writing something cool. soon. Your brain is full of ideas.
ReplyDeleteYay! A new idea bouncing around in your brain means more Tempe!
ReplyDeleteI have to finish the new Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery I'm working on. So it will be a while before I decide. Maybe all the craziness in the world will be calmed by then.
ReplyDeleteWe are all adjusting to this new normal, right Marilyn. I am thankful it has given me more reading and writing time, but there were days I couldn't motivate myself to do. I totally understand where you are coming from.
ReplyDeleteI hope we will see more of Tempe. I love this series.
Wishing you the best,
Cheryl