January is Galloping Along

The days are flying by because I am so busy--and unfortunately not busy with working on my book.

In order to do other writing related things like attending writers conferences--this year I am only going to two: Writers of Kern's Spring Conference in Bakersfield and PSWA at the Orleans Hotel  in Vegas--I need to make extra money. Though I do earn some from my books, it is not enough for big expenses.

The way I do that is help people who want to open residential care homes for the elderly and those with mental impairments write program designs. Yes, it is writing, and a lot of work, but it helps pay for things I want to do.

Truly, I'd rather be working on my work in progress, another Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery. I'm about 3/4 of the way through. I have to make a major decision about it and the series itself.

In the last book, Spirit Wind, Tempe went to Tehachapi to help a ghost hunter, spend time in a haunted house, encountered a spirit, and was threatened twice by a murderer.

In the book I'm working on, Tempe is back in Bear Creek where she once again has an encounter with the legendary Hairy Man. Of course, there's a murder; and the suspects are few.

Darn, I'd like to get back to it, but I have other work to do.

Frustrated, yes I am a bit.

How is your January going?

Marilyn

Highlights from the PSWA Conference

For those of you who have no idea what the PSWA is all about, take a look at the website:
https://policewriter.com/

I've belonged to this group for years, ever since it was the Police Writers Club. I joined because I wanted to be where I could learn more about how cops operate. Now PSWA is open to mystery writers and every type of public safety person such as FBI, Police Dispatchers, SWAT team members, military, dog handler, doctors, nurses, firepersons, scientists, private detectives, postal inspector, prison warden, parole and probation, newspaper reporter, medic/crisis counselor, Department of Defense, CIA, every type of law enforcement as well as editors and publishers.

The conference had a good mix of writing and law enforcement topics. Here is the list:

Featured Speaker: John Schembra on Pursuit/Emergency Response Driving--Getting it Right
Panel--The Truth is Out There. Writers discussed legends and scientific information used in their stories.
Panel--The Short and Long of it--All About Anthologies.
Featured Speaker: Mysti Berry on Focusing your Story on the Dramatic Question.
Panel--Media Promotion and Press Releases
Panel--Telling You Where to Go--All About Police Dispatchers.
Featured Speaker: Dave Freedland--Topic: SWAT Concepts for the Patrol Officer
Panel--Publishers ' Croner
Featured Speaker: Michael A. Black--The Battle Between Showing and Telling
Panel--The Author and Editor Relationship
Panel--Writing Historicals
Panel--Writing Action Scenes
Panel--Gathering the Evidence
Panel--Keeping Order and Preventing Discord
Panel--Perfecting Your Writing

Excellent conference-I learned a lot from everything, and yes, I will use some in future books.
One big thing from those who work in law enforcement--what they show in TV and movies is often far from how things are really done.

The most entertaining was the radio show put on Friday at the end of the day--volunteers from the conference were the stars.

My favorite of all, seeing old friends and making new ones. One highlight, one of the authors grew up in Springville CA (where I live.) Reading his book now and it's outstanding.

This is the most affordable conference (including the hotel).

Marilyn

Happy 2015! Any Big Plans? Marilyn Meredith

No one really knows what the future holds, but we still make plans.

I'll have a new Rocky Bluff P.D. coming out in March, Violent Departures. (Or at least that's the plan.) Because of that I'm also beginning to arrange a blog tour for April. Anyone interested in hosting me?

So far, except for the Public Safety Writers Association's conference in July, I really haven't scheduled any other cons to attend. The main reason for this is traveling isn't as easy as it used to be.
I am going to be presenting at the PSWA conference, my topic? Avoid All the Mistakes I've Made. (And there's been a-plenty.) I hope it will be amusing and helpful.

As for other in-person events, I'm hoping to be asked to join with the Central Coast Sisters in Crime in some of their plans.

We're supposed to have another Neighborhood Bookstore in the spring.

On my own blog, http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/ January is filled with visiting authors. I hope some of you will stop by and see who will be stopping by.

I will periodically be posting teasers about Violent Departures on my blog.

While all this is going on I'll be writing my next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery--no title as yet, though the plot is coming along nicely.

As for my private life I already have doctor appointments, relatives to visit and visiting me, and all the things I do regularly from teaching Sunday School, attending church, getting to as many of the San Joaquin Sisters in Crime meetings as possible, (that's the closest chapter though takes nearly 2 hours to get there), writing my personal month newsletter, and writing and editing two others.

There's more--but that's certainly enough to give you an idea.

What are you plans for 2015?

Marilyn

Frustrating Stuff

In September I'm going to be an instructor for the Central Coast Writing Conference at Cuesta College. I've been asked to give to classes, one on Mystery Writing 101A and the other on Setting. I'm looking forward to it. This is a conference I've always wanted to attend, but awhile back I made up my mind I wouldn't go to any more writers conferences unless I was a presenter.

While over at the Morro Bay Library giving a joint presentation with several other writers I met the new chairman of the conference. She asked me if I planned to go. I gave her my new rule and guess what? Yep, she invited me to be on their line-up. I was thrilled. Not only is this a paying gig, it's a great conference with lots of good classes, a reception and a party at the end of the conference and it ties in with the Central Coast Book Festival the following day.

So why am I frustrated? Their publicity on the Cuesta College website hasn't really been updated since last year's conference. Though the date has changed, the speakers and schedule are from 2010. The reason is the serious illness of the person who takes care of the website. That's a shame, of course. My frustration comes from the fact that I'd love to help promote the conference, but I can't until they solve their website problem.

Hopefully they have a following who always attends the conference, because my personal opinion is it's a bit late to not have everything ready for attendees to see what's offered and to get registered.

Because I'm heavily involved with the planning and promotion of the PSWA conference http://policewriter.com I can tell you that the website information is correct. The main presenters are up on the blog. There will be panels for authors to be on, but that won't be finalized until June 1. We're already had more registrations than last year--and because we're small without any monetary backing, everyone pays to come--even the main speakers.

As soon as I know the website really is updated, I'll give you the webpage site. Not only is this a good writing conference, it is in a great location. If you've never been to the San Luis Obispo area, it's beautiful. Located close to the Central California Coast you can be sure of ocean breezes, and it's near Morro Bay, a unique coastal town right on the water.

Here's to writing conferences--I always learn something new and come back ready to write.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com