Writing Two Series

The second half of this year I've been busy promoting Bears With Us the latest in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. At the same time, I've been reading chapters of the next book in the series, Thunder and Whirlwind, to my critique group. Once they've heard it all and given me their comments, I'll do another editing before sending it off to Mundania Press.

I'm also writing a new Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel--no title as yet, but I'm about 3/4 of the way through with it.

The very next one in that series will be out sometime after the first of the year from Oak Tree Press, and it's titled No Bells. For my readers who have been cheering Officer Gordon Butler on through all his trials and tribulations, this book focuses on him. One of the main characters also is named after a good friend. (Her daughter won a contest I was running. I'm anxious for her to read the book.)

Of course I'm still promoting Angel Lost too, the latest from Oak Tree Press. (Scroll down to see a review.)

Keeping all this straight isn't easy. I have to really think hard when I'm writing to get into the right place depending up on which book I'm working on.

With the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, the setting is usually in the mountains with lots of big trees, the smell of pines and cedars, in the winter wood smoke from fireplaces. Some books have scenes on the nearby Bear Creek Indian Reservation which is in a narrow valley with huge mountains on either side. Most of what happens in these books comes through Tempe's eyes. When I'm writing I visualize and feel everything as Tempe would.

Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series is set on the California coast in a small beach community between Ventura and Santa Barbara. The ocean, along with the fog that often comes to shore, play a part in what goes on. Though there are no mountains, the town is built on a sloping hillside that as it rises holds ranches and orange groves. On the northside, a bluff overlooking the ocean is the setting for the most expensive homes. These books focus on members of the RBPD and their families. When a crime happens it often affects the families as well as the police officers. The story is told from the POV of many different characters. One reviewer compared the series to an ongoing soap opera--and maybe he was right. This series I write under the name F. M. Meredith.

If you haven't yet become acquainted with either one of these series, I do hope you'll try one. It isn't necessary to start at the beginning with either one because each story is complete though many of the characters continue on through each one. Most are available as trade paperbacks and e-books in all the usual places.

Marilyn

Comments

Anonymous said…
I thoroughly enjoyed Bears With Us, Marilyn. Love Tempe and Hitch, and the writing...superb.

Your books are on my Christmas wish list, and if Santa doesn't bring them, I'll order them myself!
Thank you, Anne. Tempe and Hitch seem like real people to me.

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