New Days for Me by Marilyn Meredith

I'm switching to posting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays--and this is my first for this day.

Tomorrow hubby, daughter and I are headed off to Las Vegas--and no, not for the usual, no gambling or shows. This is the week for the Public Safety Writers Association's annual conference--and my favorite.

I'll be busy there as I'm one of the instructors for the pre-conference writing workshop and will be talking about writing descriptions of people and places. I'm also a moderator for a panel on and on one about point of view.

Both my hubby and my daughter work in the bookstore--and since it's at the back of the room where the conference is held they get to enjoy the speakers and the panels.

One presentation I'm really looking forward to is an inside view of the massacre at the concert in Vegas last year. A fireman who was at the conference and worked to save lives is one of the speakers. The other is a retired police officer who organized a place for all those working the crime scene to come for free food and drink People don't realize that where the concert was held was a crime scene and it took days for it to be completely investigated.

Another bit of news is some of my older Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries have been re-edited and will have new covers. The first in the series, Deadly Trail, has the first new cover.

The idea is to make them look more like those later in the series. This book was first published by a wonderful publisher who is no longer in business. Though the cover was nice it didn't fit with the new ones.

I'll see you again on the 4th Tuesday and share a bit about the conference.

Marilyn

Public Safety Writers Association Conference Short Report

What an amazing time!

It began with a pre-conference workshop. I gave a presentation on the Importance of Setting. Mike Black talked about other aspects of writing and Mar Preston had some other great insights. However, right away, Mike--the promotion chair and retired detective--had a problem to solve. One of the attendees had her wallet stolen before she checked into the hotel--but didn't discover it until after lunch. Mike spent a lot of time with her at security etc.--one credit card was used--but the next day the wallet was found. Good thing because, she'd flown to the conference--though all of us learned that if a police report is made, that will get you on an airplane.

Though the conference always has panels on writing, there are many on things like: Weapons, Fights, and Consequences, Wounds, Pure and Not so Simple, Team Building, Special Ops and Sting Operations, Investigations 101, Gunplay, Properly Portraying the Essentials of a Shooting.

The panelist were all experts: law enforcement etc.  The last panel had an actual replay of a 911 call, the dispatcher and the officer who responded to the call--a man with a gun. The officer was there and explained everything, he did a magnificent job.

Besides all that we had three featured speakers:

Ron Corbin who discussed Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design/

Jory Rosen who stepped in for his mother, Marcia Rosen, on the topic Marketing your Books--and everyone received a workbook.

Mar Preston spoke about Writing and Editing your Mystery.

Jory Rosen returned to give an amazing presentation on Pitching Your Book to Hollywood. A totally different approach from any I've heard before.

This is a small conference, only one track, and there is ample opportunity to get acquainted with the attendees.

This is my absolutely favorite conference and far more affordable then most.

Marilyn

While I was there, good friend Barbara Hodges took this photo of me and as you can see, I'm not longer dying my hair.

Starting a New Rocky Bluff P.D. Mystery

As I write this, I have four paragraphs on paper. I've come up with two new characters--the murder victim, one suspect, and a new police officer.

However, I have lots of ideas for what will happen with my ongoing characters in their lives--thanks to my writers' group. I asked them to brainstorm with me and since they know all the regular characters because they've listened to all the previous books, they came up with some great ideas.

What they suggested gave me an idea for the title and the overall theme of this particular book.

I feel good about where I'm going and I'm well on my way.

At the same time, I've sent the next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery off to the publisher, A Cold Death, and the editor has it in her hands, and the cover artist my idea for the cover. The publisher is shooting for an August release. We'll see.

Now I must get busy and write a chapter so I have something to read to  my critique group.

I'll have this week and a couple of days of next week to write--then I'm off to Las Vegas to the Public Safety Writers Association's annual conference. It's the only one I'm going to because we can easily drive there--or I should say my daughter can easily drive us there.

I'm one of the instructors for the pre-conference workshop, and I'll be a moderator for one panel and on another. I know so many people who attend this conference, both writers and law enforcement folks, it's like going to a family reunion.

And I have three library visits this month. I've really been enjoying these library visits.

How is your summer coming along--writing, reading, or otherwise?

Marilyn

Talking about the Importance of Setting at the Paso Robles Library

Yes, it's Time to Plan Some Promotion

I've sent the latest Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery off to the publisher. Another publisher is filling in for Oak Tree Press.

The title is Unresolved. The mystery is solved, but others things are left unresolved.

The cover designer has been in touch with me with a great idea, I'm eager to see what he comes up with.

And yes, as Linda Thorne mentioned in a comment in my last post, I need to start planning a blog tour, but I have to wait until I learn a publication date.

I do have several appearance coming up--I take advantage of any opportunity.

The first one is a big author book fair at the Sierra Vista Mall in Clovis, this Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The following Saturday, March 18, I'll be sharing Writing Tips with the Tulare-Kings Writers at 10 a.m. in the Blue Room at the big Visalia Library on Oak Street.

I have been busy as usual--I attended the PSWA Board Meeting and Retreat for 3 days in Ventura. We are going to have a wonderful conference this year--believe me, it is also the least expensive writers conference going and there's a before the conference writing workshop also inexpensive. This is my favorite conference of all. You get to meet and network with personnel from all areas of public safety (law enforcement, fire, dispatching, etc.) and mystery writers are welcome. If you want to be on a panel, you just have to say so.

http://policewriter.com/ and click on conference.

Oh, and I do have a life beyond writing and promoting. Had a great visit with all three of my daughters while in Ventura.

I've been doing some reading for pleasure.

And I've attended the San Joaquin chapter of Sisters in Crime latest meeting.

There's much, much more, but if you follow me on Facebook, you already know what I've been doing.

Our three girls, hubby and me.

Marilyn

Facts About a Homicide Investigation from PSWA Conference

One of the most interesting panels at the PSWA conference was titled Anatomy of Murder. The panelists all had a lot of experiences to share.

One of the homicide detectives said there are often too many cops at the scene touching things they shouldn't The detectives must keep track of all the people there and must write down everything. Lots of sirens and lights add to the confusion.

A Public Information Officer said that cops are employees--and people. Investigations take a long time. The lead detective knows the most. Often staffing conflicts occur.

A former CSI agents said that all the TV shows get it wrong. Everyone, including the CSI must wait for the coroner before anything can be done. CSI does no interviewing of suspects.

An ER doctor said no ER doc follows the patient into surgery.

An undercover cop said we're all vulnerable. Things are never clean. The human element is always there. Trauma affects everyone. Cops won't even remember how many bullets were fired. There is such a sense of chaos during a shooting, often can't remember the chronological order of what happened.

Another retired detective said the current atmosphere is difficult. The precinct where he worked didn't have nearly as many cars as needed. The work load is terrible. Good officers don't have needed equipment.

And here's more comments:

Most of what ou see on TV is not realistic.

Cadaver dogs can locate bodies and body parts.

All evidence take a long time to get results on. DNA close to a year. Ballistics 6 weeks or more.

During an autopsy no one eats in the room.

Hearing this kind of information that I love about the PSWA conference.

Marilyn

Coming soon:

Just Home from the PSWA Conference! by Marilyn Meredith

What a great conference! Loved seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

We had a Pre-Conference Writer's Workshop--first time we've done this. I was one of the instructors and my impressions was that it was helpful.

These are the types of people who attend: a handful of mystery writers, cops from various locations, still on th4 job and retired, a couple of publishers and several editors, screen writers, published and unpublished writers in many genres, homicide detectives, a search and rescue dog handler, bio-terrorism experts, military veterans, undercover cops, those who once were FBI and worked various investigations. SWAT team members, a public relations consultant, a retired biology professor, vice detectives, active and retired fire people, a forensic scientist, and public relations person, and the editor of PoliceOne.com. Such a wealth of information these folks shared.

Like most mystery cons we had great panels with all kinds of public safety topics and writing topics.

Every year I don't see how it could get better, but it always does.

We'll meet again next year at the same time and place--Orleans hotel and casino in the conference center. So do consider it.

Marilyn

(I was just headed back to my seat after taking a photo of a panel.)

Planning for Writing Conferences? My Favorite

http://www.policewriter.com

First off, I have to confess I have a vested interest in this particular conference because I'm the program chair.

The Public Safety Writers Association's annual conference is from July 14-17 at the Orleans Hotel in July. Yep, July. The time of year makes for low hotel rates.

This conference is for anyone writing fiction or non-fiction in the public safety fields (police, fire, ambulance, lawyers, FBI, CIA, etc.) and this includes mystery writers. We have speakers this year talking about all different phases of writing including screen writing, and lots of professionals in the field will be attending.

Because this is a small conference, we only have one track, so you don't have to choose between two things you want to see at the same time. If you want to be on a panel, you'll get to be on at least one. You can bring your books for sale and PSWA only takes 10% of sales.

You'll make friends that you can call on for research long after the conference is over.

And best of all, you'll have a great time while learning a lot.

Hope to see some of you there.

Though the date for the early bird rate is over--that is in the process of being extended until the end of March, so don't let that hold you back.

Marilyn

A SurpriseTribute

Recently we spent several days in Las Vegas at the PSWA conference. I've been the program chair for the conference for about five years now, but a member of PSWA much longer. The majority of the members are involved with or have been with law enforcement of some kind though membership is open to other branches of public safety (we have one fireman as a member) as well as anyone who writes non-fiction for fiction about the public safety fields. This of course, includes mystery.

After one of the lunches, my husband and I were called up to accept a plaque. This plaque was in honor of our son-in-law who had been killed in the line of duty. It was beautiful and included a rubbing of his name from the Police Memorial Wall in Las Vegas.

It's been about twenty years since Mike died. He inspired many of my Rocky Bluff P.D. mysteries. He loved to visit me and tell me about his adventures as a policeman. He was in the local P.D. for fifteen years, before he transferred to the Sheriff's Office in another county, becoming a deputy.

Needless to say, when hubby and I were presented with this plaque we both became teary-eyed. What a wonderful gesture for this group to do for us.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

Mystery Convention Time

The Edgars were this week and Malice Domestic this weekend, and I've been hearing all kinds of banter about both on Facebook and all the lists that I'm on. Obviously, I didn't go to either.

I've been to Malice twice and once to the Edgars. Enjoyed both, but living in a dinky place in the middle of California, traveling to the East coast can be a pain. I've decide that from now on, I'm only going to events that are easy to get to.

Having said that, the mystery convention I'm headed to next is Mayhem in the Midlands. It used to be an easier trip than it is now. Last year we were stranded in Denver overnight due to some weather and missing the only plane out of Denver to Bakersfield and there wasn't another the next day. We ended up flying to Fresno and having to ask a relative to pick us up there and drive us to Bakersfield airport to pick up our car.

This year, we're still coming back through Denver, but will be flying from there to San Francisco and then Bakersfield. (Haven't broken that news to my husband yet.)

We love Mayhem and Omaha so hope we have so much fun it won't matter that we're making this weird trip to get home. And I'm on two panels, moderating another, and doing an author chat with two others.

In June, it's the Public Safety Writers Conference which is a writers conference with a lot of speakers and panels geared toward the whole writing experience as well as writing mysteries. Because I'm in charge of the program, I'm a bit anxious but also looking forward to it. It's the only place where I can boss police officers, FBI men and others in the law enforcement field around. Kind of heady for an old lady.

I'm also planning on going to San Francisco in the fall to Bouchercon. A good friend asked me to be her roommate and I figured it was a sign that I ought to go. Bouchercons are always a bit overwhelming, but lots of fun.

What conventions/conferences to like to attend?

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

PSWA Conference

The photo is from this year's Public Safety Writers Conference on the last day and some of the people had already gone home. The reason I'm writing about it now is because plans are already underway for the conference in June from the 17th to the 20th at the Orleans hotel in Las Vegas.

We already have an impressive lineup of speakers and presenters:

Simon Wood who is going to tell us how to create suspense.
Michael A. Wood who will show us how to create a plot in one hour.
Michael Orenduff who, along with his artist wife, is going to show us what makes a good cover and what doesn't.
Joyce Spizer Foy is going to ask, "Is your Hero to Good and your Villain too Bad?"
Sunny Frazier is going to tell us, "How Much Sex is too Much."
And, Forensic Expert Steve Scarborough will be back but hasn't quite decided what new topic he will present.

That's just the beginning. We'll have panels for authors who'd like to be on one.

And yes, you can bring your books for sale.

There is an early bird registration fee for anyone who signs up before October 31st. All the information should be appearing on the website this week:
http://www.publicsafetywriter.com

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

Forensic Tips and Other Stuff

The Public Safety Writers Association conference turned out wonderfully! I was in charge of the program--and like anything else, I wasn't sure how the speakers would be or how well they'd be received.

Steve Scarborough, who I'd met the year before, is a newly retired forensic expert who gave us some intriguing tidbits. I put them on my own personal blog, but think they are good enough to spread around a bit more:

Steve was wonderful. He's been an expert forensic witness on all kind of crimes. I'm just going to mention a few of the things he told us.

Forensic Evidence can narrow the leads and eliminate suspects.
Forensic facts can make your story come alive, but you need to be careful.

You should know the direction your story is going before you do the research.

Fingerprints are the most conclusive form of forensic evidence though Fingerprints and DNA should get equal billing.

It's hard to get fingerprints off of towels, the sofa, etc. metal and glass works better.

Ballistics evidence depends upon certain conditions of the bullet.

Other types of evidence are hair, fiber, glass fragments, ABO blood type, shoe prints.

Everything is circumstantial evidence except an eye witness.

What you must have is Means, Motive and Opportunity.

It's a myth that anything can be done--nothing is proven quickly, and some of the science seen on TV is make-believe.

You can't tell race or sex from fingerprints.

There is no such thing as a three point or four point match in fingerprints.

Detectives don't follow the evidence to the lab.

And the labs don't have everything they need in forensics. The smaller the place, the less they will have in the way of crime labs.

Steve was fantastic, worth the price of the conference. (And by the way, he had to pay to come too. Because it's such a small conference, all the speakers had to pay to come. Guess how much fun that is to explain when you're trying to get speakers. Despite that, we had other great speakers, Betty Webb for one, Sheila Lowe who is a forensic handwriting expert, and Joyce Spizer Foy who besides being a private eye has written screen plays and any number of exciting pursuits.)

In my books, the police officers use old-fashioned detective work--I never use much in the way of forensics, found it easier that way. Even had a reviewer say once that he suspected most police departments operated like my fictional Rocky Bluff P.D. using old-fashioned police work to find out the answers.

And as a P.S. I'm already planning for next year. If you'd like to be a speaker (writing information or as an expert) and don't mind paying your way, please do contact me.

Marilyn a.k.a. F. M. Meredith
http://fictionforyou.com

Heading Off to Another Conference

This Thursday evening is the beginning of the Public Safety Writers Association's conference: registration begins at 3 and the evening get-together at 6. Because I have the list of people coming along with their registration packets, I'll need to be there right away.

I'm always excited about this particular conference. I joined years ago when it was called the Police Writers Club. At the time, everyone who belonged was either and active or retired police officer. Since I was writing about law enforcement, I asked if I could join. Right away I began submitting articles for the newsletter. Their first conferences were in Virginia, then they moved to Reno. Hubby and I went to the two conferences there and began to make friends among the members. The next conference was held very soon after 9/11 in Orlando FL. Figuring it was probably one of the safest times to fly, we went.

We made more friends and had a great time. Unfortunately, something happened to the people who were organizing the conferences and everything went down hill for a couple of years. The group was reorganized under the new name of Public Safety Writers Association and a new board of directors.

We've now had three conferences in Las Vegas and the fourth is almost here. All the conferences have been small, but this year we doubled our numbers. We're still small, but we have outstanding presenters and people attending.

I'm looking forward to this one with real enthusiasm. Of course there will be snafus, there always are one or two--but I don't think it's going to matter.

It's easier to go to a conference when you aren't responsible for anything but getting there and maybe appearing on a panel or two. With this one, I'm responsible for a lot, but I'm not going to let that keep me from having the best darn time possible.

I'll give a full report when I get home. The first panel consisting of people in law enforcement and a lawyer is what bugs people the most about errors in books, movies and TV. That's going to be fun. We also have two forensic experts, the fabulous Betty Webb is giving a talk on what turns editors and agents off--as well as a keynote speech about her two mystery series. Joyce Spizer Foy is going to tell us how to go from book to celluloid. And of course we're got a panel with editors and a publisher, as well as one on promotion. There's more--but that's enough to pique your curiosity.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Marilyn
a.k.a. F. M. Meredith
http://fictionforyou.com