Writers' Rituals – F. M. Meredith
The Mysterious Writing Habits of Crime Writers From Around the World
Are writers obsessive-compulsive? Overly superstitious? Or do habits and rituals provide security for writers who never know where the next idea, or the words to write it, will come from?
Searching for clues to the secrets of writing, Suite 101 has an exclusive interview with F. M. Meredith. F. M. (or Marilyn) Meredith writes the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series, the latest of which is No Sanctuary, and the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest of which is Kindred Spirits.
How much research and plotting do you do before you're ready to write a book?
With the Rocky Bluff P.D. series my plot and research are done rather simultaneoulsy as I try to figure out what kind of crimes will confront the cops of Rocky Bluff P.D. and how that will affect their private lives.
In the Deputy Tempe mystery series I research Native American legends that I can entwine into a mystery.
What hours do you devote to your writing and what time of day do you prefer to write?
I write at least four hours a day, mornings preferred, but if I'm on a roll, I might work in the evening.
Do you take breaks, and if so, what do you do during them?
Breaks are used for promo usually on the Net, reading emails, doing normal everyday things like the laundry. Usually once a week, hubby and I take a day off and go to the movies and out to eat.
Where do you write?
I have my office in my home. It has a great view of the mountains, right now covered with snow. I have to keep the curtains closed to be able to concentrate.
What do you write with?
Computer most definitely, though I do jot down notes with pen on paper.
...and why is that your preference?
I started out writing on paper and transferring to typewriter. The computer is a god-send as far as I'm concerned.
Describe what you like to keep within arm's reach while you're writing.
Phone, notes on book I'm writing, calendar and a cup of coffee.
Describe the things you can see when you look up from your writing.
All my writing books on my bookshelf, posters for various books of mine.
What was the first thing you wrote which was published?
Trail to Glory, an historical family saga based on my own family's genealogy.
What is your latest book?
No Sanctuary by F.M. Meredith, published by Oak Tree publishing,
Find out more about F. M. Meredith and her books, here.
Read about Peter May, Jane Finnis, Ruth Dudley Edwards and many other Writers' Rituals
Marilyn Meredith, F M Meredith
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No Sanctuary by F M Meredith
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