“What has that got to do with mysteries or writing
mysteries?” you ask. Not usually much, but in the case of The Trash Harem actually
quite a bit. Not her birthday so much as my daughter herself. While talking
about life in the 55 plus gated community where she and her husband now live,
the title and the kernel of an idea for a new Deputy Tempe Crabtree was a part
of her description of their new life.
Daughter Dana has always been a fan of my Deputy
Tempe Crabtree mysteries. Before our latest visit to our daughter’s home, I’d
decided End of the Trail would be the last in the series. Many of my
readers thought it probably was too, though not everyone was happy about it.
While describing all the things they do, and
especially the habit our son-in-law has settled into, an idea for a new Tempe
mystery began forming. Once I mentioned it, Dana, and my other daughter, Lisa,
who was with us thought it was a great idea. We talked about it some, and Lisa
and I came up with some more ideas on the way home and I jotted them down in a
small tablet.
Once home and settled, I began thinking more about
the plot and the characters. When I write, the characters drive the plot, so I
began creating the people who would inhabit this tale—who they were, what they
looked like, their personalities and their importance.
From there the writing flowed. Of course there was
some research to do about things I wanted to include—but research these days
with the Internet is so much easier than it once was. I also sent a few emails
to Dana asking her questions about things I needed to know.
Of course the story took on some twists and turns I
hadn’t expected, but that’s what’s fun about writing.
 |
| Daughter Dana and her husband Mike |
Marilyn
Official Blurb:
Deputy Tempe Crabtree
has retired from her job in Bear Creek when friends, who once lived in Bear
Creek and attended Pastor Hutch’s church, ask her to visit them in Temecula.
The husband, Jonathan, is a suspect in what might be a murder case. The
retirement community includes many interesting characters, any of whom might
have had a better motive than Jonathan. There is also a connection to Earle
Stanley Gardner as well as the Pechanga Old Oak. What is a trash harem? You’ll
have to read the book to find out.
To purchase The Trash Harem
Marilyn Meredith’s Bio:
She is the author of over 40 published books
including the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, and writing as F. M.
Meredith, the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. She’s a member of two chapters of
Sisters in Crime and the Public Safety Writers Association.
Webpage: http://fictionforyou.com/
Blog: https://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.meredith
2 comments:
Another fun twist on ending a series. Glad you were open to more Tempe Crabtree mysteries!
Maybe this one is the end. I had so many problems with mistakes, typos and the like, in this one. About drive me crazy. Thanks for commenting. Thonie!
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