My Writing Process
by Marilyn Meredith
 |
| The author at a writer's conference |
First
I should say that I am not an outliner. However, that doesn't mean that I don't
plan ahead.
Because
I'm writing a series, I know my main characters. I begin by thinking what kind
of crime Deputy Tempe Crabtree will have to solve--usually a murder. If a
murder, who will be the victim, the motive, and who had a motive--usually more
than one person.
At
the same time, I want something to be happening in Tempe's private life.
Sometimes it's a continuation of what was happening in the last book.
I
have a notebook where I start writing things such as character names and
descriptions and plot threads.
My
goal is always to come up with a first sentence that will hook the reader. Once
I have that I can usually start writing on the computer.
While
I'm writing, I continue keeping notes, especially what happens on each day. I
started doing this when an editor pointed out that I'd left out a day in
one of my manuscripts.
I
try to write five days a week and the best time for me is morning.
I
read each chapter to my critique group, and make changes and corrections the
following day. I consider that as my first edit.
Once
I've finished, I go through the whole book. I do the Word edit and
spell-check.
Next,
I send it off to the publisher and it is assigned to an editor. The edits may
come back to me a couple of times.
And
last of all is when the galley proof arrives--that one I print out and go over
carefully.
As
most authors know, no matter how many times a book is checked, a typo or two seem to slip into the printed
book. I think there are gremlins afoot that attack a book right before it goes
into print.
And
for those who often ask, I don't play music when I'm writing. As for what I
drink, I begin my day with Chai latte.
Marilyn
Blurb
for River Spirits:
While filming a movie on the Bear Creek Indian
Reservation, the film crew trespasses on sacred ground, threats are made
against the female stars, a missing woman is found by the Hairy Man, an actor
is murdered and Deputy Tempe Crabtree has no idea who is guilty. Once again,
the elusive and legendary Hairy Man plays an important role in this newest
Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery.
Bio:
Contest:
The winner will be the person who
comments on the most blog posts during my current tour.
He
or she can either have a character in my next book named after them, or choose
an earlier book in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series—either a paper book or
e-book.
Tomorrow you can find me hanging out with George
Cramer http://gdcramer.com/ and I’m talking
about taking a break—or not.
Links:
From the publisher, all formats:
For Kindle:
Amazon paperback:
For Nook
5 comments:
Thank you so much for hosting me today.
Marilyn, it was my pleasure. I loved your article AND your books!
Thank you, again, Jackie. You're a peach.
I like the part about the gremlins that attack right before books are published. I always see errors in every book. Some so minor most people won't find them, but even in books published by the giant publishers, there normally are a few. Either missing words or misspelled words. There might be grammar mistakes too, but grammar is not my big talent, so I don't catch those mistakes (unless big). Your tour looks like it's successful so far. Good going.
Thanks for stopping by, Linda. I, too, always find errors in my published books. My eyes just seem to bulge out of my head, and I wonder, "Why, or why, didn't I see that."
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