Interview: Marilyn Meredith, Author of Bears with Us

Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, many award winning, including the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series. Bears With Us is the latest release. Writing as F. M. Meredith, her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel is Angel Lost, the third from Oak Tree Press. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, Four chapters of Sisters in Crime, including the Central Coast chapter, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. She’s also a been an instructor at many writing conferences including the Maui Writers Retreat, Central Coast Writing Conference and many others.

Visit Marilyn online at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’m a wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. I’m also proud to say that I’ve had over 30 books published, but it wasn’t easy. I’ve had many rejections over the years but just kept learning more and more about the writing process — and mainly to keep on writing. Being a writer has given me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, readers and writers. I love sharing what I know with fledgling writers, especially at places like writers conferences. 

What made you first decide to become a writer?

Since I was a little girl I’ve been writing. I’m not sure when I decided that I’d like to make writing a career. In the beginning it was just creating the story — what to do with it after it was done came later. Satisfaction comes from the writing process itself — and, of course, seeing the final produce in print. Even better is the feeling when someone tells me they really enjoyed one of my books. 

Can you tell us about your latest book?

In Bears With Us Deputy Tempe Crabtree has her hands full when bears turn up in and around Bear Creek; a young teen commits suicide and his parents’ actions are suspicious; a prominent woman files a complaint against Tempe and her preacher husband Hutch; a love affair from long ago comes to light; and a woman suffering from dementia disappears. 

What inspired you to write it?

Bears With Us is the tenth book in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series. Because the characters in this series have become such a part of me, I’m also anxious to see what’s going to happen to them next. When my grandson, a police officer in Aspen, CO, started posting photos and comments about chasing bears out of people’s homes, my curiosity was piqued. I emailed him with lots of questions. The more I learned the more I knew that Tempe would be called upon to chase bears out of unusual places, and that the bear invasion would be an integral part of the plot. I always like to show that a resident deputy like Tempe has many, many challenges while on or off duty.

Article Author: Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Cheryl Malandrinos is a book reviewer, blogger, freelance writer and editor. Her first children's book, Little Shepherd, was published by Guardian Angel Publishing in 2010. She is also a member of the SCBWI. Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. …

Visit Cheryl C. Malandrinos's author page — Cheryl C. Malandrinos's Blog