Tuesday, December 4, 2012

About Miqui Sherwood



 Mystery author, Marilyn Meredith (on the right)
Though I’ve often put bits and pieces of people I know into my books, I’ve disguised them so well no one has ever recognized him or herself. In Raging Water I did something completely different.
 
A friend, who is also a big fan of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, had been asking me for quite some time to put her in one of my mysteries. She said, “I don’t care who I am, you can kill me off, make me the murderer, just make me a character.”  So I did.

Though I changed her name to Miqui, anyone who knows this person will recognize her. She’s the same age and has the same physical appearance—and personality. So much so, my friend said when she read the book she had to laugh sometimes at what the character said or did. She also said she didn’t realize I knew her so well. We’re not bosom buddies, in fact what we share in common is watching General Hospital, the soap opera (though I must confess, I sleep through most of the hour), a love of reading, and we do go to movies together sometimes to see ones her other friends can’t be bothered with: all the Harry Potter movies, the Twilight movies, Avatar.

Her two little dogs are in the book too, though when she read it she informed me I got them mixed up, wrong name for the type of dog. Oh well, they are still brave and actually save the day.

If you read Raging Water you’ll see that Miqui Sherwood plays a most important part. As to whether or not the character learned anything, I don’t think so. I think she’d be just as brave and foolhardy no matter what came along.

Raging Water Blurb: Deputy Tempe Crabtree’s investigation of the murder of two close friends is complicated when relentless rain turns Bear Creek into a raging river. Homes are inundatedand a mud slide blocks the only road out of Bear Creek stranding many—including the murderer.

http://tinyurl.com/9xp7642
 
I know there are some people who like to read a series in order, but let me reassure you that every book is complete. Though the characters grow through each book, the crime is always solved. . Here is the order of the books for anyone who wants to know: Deadly Trail, Deadly Omen, Unequally Yoked, Intervention, Wing Beat, Calling the Dead, Judgment Fire, Kindred Spirits, Dispel the Mist, Invisible Path, Bears With Us, Raging Water.
Bio: Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Raging Water from Mundania Press. Writing as F. M. Meredith, her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel us No Bells, the forth from Oak Tree Press. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and follow her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/
Marilyn borrows a lot from where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding area.
Do enter Marilyn’s giveaway contest for a copy of the previous Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, BEARS WITH US. Leave a comment and you're automatically entered. Include your email addy so she can get in touch with you should your name be selected at random. The winner will be announced on her blog (http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com) on December 11, 2012. Good luck!

9 comments:

  1. I really like the name Miqui! How fun to have a friend who's willing to let you bump her off in a book! Enjoyed the post.

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  2. Looking forward to seeing how you are going to portray me in your book. Like the new photo posted with this blog. Look forward to sending your books to friends this holiday.

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  3. Pat, thank you for having me. I also had a friend named Miqui and thought that name fit the character I turned my friend into.

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  4. As you already know, Marilyn, I really enjoyed Raging Water. I like the name Miqui, and don't know your friend, but for me, the name fit your fictional character. Always enjoy hearing from you.

    Madeline

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  5. Marilyn: What a great form of flattery for your friend. I've used inspiration from real people but never themselves. People think they recognized themselves but it is never been the person I've used.
    Wendy
    W.S. Gager on Writing

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  6. What a fun idea for a character. You obviously wrote her part well and she was pleased. Thank you for sharing a good idea.
    Marja McGraw

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  7. Hooray! My computer is finally working! It's been a problem all day. Finally paid someone to come up here and tend to it.

    You'll be in the next RBPD mystery, Jake, due out after the first of the year sometime.

    Wendy and Marja thanks for your comments. I was a little worried as to whether she would like what I did with her, but she loved it.

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  8. Can't wait to see who I will be in your next one since I won the last contest! What a hoot!

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