Monday, October 21, 2019

Bones in the Attic

I'm thrilled to have author Marilyn Meredith (aka F.M. Meredith) as my guest today as part of her blog tour to promote her new book, "Bones in the Attic." I've been in awe of Marilyn for many years, amazed at all that she's done and all that she continues to do. She's truly an inspiration to all writers!



WHAT DRIVES WRITERS TO KEEP ON WRITING?
 by Marilyn Meredith

If you’re a best-selling author, the answer is evident. But what about all of those writers out there whose royalty checks might only be enough to buy a nice dinner?

And there are those like me who wrote for years for a publisher who went out of business, and despite all the promotion done for the latest books, the last years’ royalties were never paid? Unfortunately, there are many sad stories like that out there.

With the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, my publisher passed away—and no royalties had been paid for nearly two years. Fortunately, I have a new publisher, Aakenbaaken and Kent, who has taken on all the books in the series, including the latest, Bones in the Attic.

But the question is, after all this adversity, and there’s been more, why do I keep writing? I have several answers:
1.     I am a writer.
2.     I love to write—always have and I suspect, always will.
3.     In the case of my Rocky Bluff P.D. mysteries, I’ve had these characters living in my head for years. I want to know what’s going to happen to them next, and there’s only one way to find out, write another book.

Writing gives a certain satisfaction that I don’t get with any other activity. There are other factors that keep me going and here are some of them:
1.     When someone tells you or emails you to let you know he or she loved one of your books.
2.     Finding a new positive review on Amazon about one of your books.
3.     Being able to give talks to interested people about writing and why I wrote a particular book. (Writing conferences, libraries, writing and service clubs.)
4.     Meeting other writers and readers and sharing the love of books in person and on the Internet.
5.     Being a member of two chapters of Sisters in Crime and the Public Safety Writers Association.

I’m sure there are many more that I can’t think of at the moment. I hope other writers will add their reasons in the comments.
 

Blurb: The discovery of a skeleton, a welfare check on a senior citizen, and a wildfire challenge the Rocky Bluff P.D.


Bio: Marilyn Meredith, who writes the RBPD mystery series as F.M. Meredith, is the author of over 40 published books. She once lived in a small beach town much like Rocky Bluff, and has many relatives and friends in law enforcement.

And she’s a regular on these blogs:
4th Monday of the month: https://ladiesofmystery.com/

10 comments:

  1. Welcome, Marilyn! It's nice to have you back again. I'm looking forward to reading "Bones in the Attic."

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  2. Thank you for hosting me today, Pat. And I enjoyed writing this post.

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  3. Marilyn,

    Congrats on your new novel! I also have had a number of publishers who went out of business and it is very discouraging. However, like you, I keep on writing. It's something I need to do. Keep writing!

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    1. I've had publishers close the doors and two that died. But I keep on going! You've done well, Jacqueline, despite the bumps in the road.

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  4. I agree with all the reasons you gave, Marilyn. There are so many ideas out there that I can't NOT write. If I want to explore those ideas, there's no better way to do it than to write a book about it. I've found the writing community to be generous and supportive and it's wonderful to be part of such a giving group!

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    1. I love being around other writers--most of them anyway. There are a few who are a big prickly.

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  5. I agree with every reason you gave to write, Marilyn. I can't think of any reason not to write. : ) I left the publisher you spoke of a long time ago, and I never received my final royalties, so I can commiserate with you on that one. I love your books and I'm so glad you just keep them coming. Great post!

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  6. Thanks for the comments, Marja. This is not an easy business we're in--but we have to keep on writing, don't we?

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  7. Great post, Marilyn. I couldn't have put it better. Loved your latest.

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