Marilyn's Musings

Marilyn, Thank you for having me on your blog today! When I start a book, I always know how the murder victim has been killed. The next step in my building the story is to discover all I can about the method, the weapon, and what the body will look like. Luckily for me, I belong to several mystery groups and all of them have specialists in the medical, law enforcement, and legal fields. All I need to do is post a question on one of the loops and within a day or two, I have more information than I could find in days of searching the internet. My recent release Fatal Fall starts with an elderly woman at the bottom of the stairs.  She has COPD and uses oxygen. One of the puzzles is why she is at the bottom of the stairs and not her oxygen tank. As my detective searches the premises, he discovers her portable oxygen tank can’t be found. His first reasoning is because it has finger prints that would incriminate whoever forced her down the stairs. How does he know t

Exeter Library, 230 East Chestnut, Exeter, CA. Tuesday, June 27, 6:30 p.m. This library visit came about a totally different way. The librarian asked for local mystery writers--and of course I responded, as did my friend, Gloria Getman. Something most interesting has come out of this--the library has a book club and they chose to read the first book in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, Deadly Omen. I gave them the books, and the librarian told me to expect the book club members to ask questions about it. That should be fun. The only problem I see is that I've written so many since I wrote that book--and I believe my writing has improved substantially. Hopefully, one or two will buy one of the later books that I'll bring with me. I've always loved the cover, and it's all about an Indian Pow Wow. One of the Indians from our local reservation called me after he read it and told me I'd gotten all the Pow Wow stuff right.  Marilyn

My mystery series featuring Shirley Combs and Dr. Mary Watson is set in modern day Portland, Oregon. Shirley and Mary met at an EST-like Forum in Seattle and became fast friends when Shirley declared her dream of becoming the world's best detective, and Mary introduced herself. Several years have passed, and they are now working together in a downtown office with a receptionist named Lix. When they go to the Portland Police Bureau to consult -- or to gain information -- they frequently bring along a pink box of Voodoo Donuts. Readers are treated to the Pacific Northwest scenery, culture, and politics as they follow Shirley and Mary on yet another case. The first case to result in a novel  (The Hounding) involved the timber industry and the loss of old-growth forests. A rich heiress had declared she would use her money to save old growth, and she died a mysterious death. In the second book of the series (The Illustrious Client) the women are handed a case of a wealthy int

This is my year for library visits. I have many lined up. It all began with the Clovis Book Fair sponsored by the Book Barn and the Fresno Library. One of the librarians stopped by my table and asked if I'd like to speak at a library. I must've been the one most willing or exuberant, or who  knows why, but he emailed and asked me to go to several. I've already visited the first one. Another library speaking engagement came through the Central Coast Sisters in Crime group of which I am a member. I love going over to the coast, so I quickly agreed to be a part of a panel speaking about Writing a Best Seller. We will each be talking about different phases of writing and my main topic will be setting. And yes, I'll have handouts. I'll also touch on the fact that age has nothing whatsoever to do with writing. My fellow panelists are Diann Adamson and Cora Ramos. We will be at the Paso Robles Library, 1000 Spring St., Paso Robles on Saturday, June 24th

by Robert L. Bryan My latest book, Dark Knights , weaves together twenty years of funny cop stories to chronicle my career from patrol officer to captain.   Writing this book was fairly easy because of the dearth of available material to pick from.   After all, there is nothing quite like a cop’s sense of humor – or is there?    When I was almost finished with the book I let a non-cop friend read a chapter to get his feedback.   I know I am a bit biased, but I thought the chapter I gave him was hysterical.   I was somewhat stunned when he told me that he found the story disturbing and sadistic, but not the least bit funny   So   how does this dark, non-mainstream, gallows sense of humor develop?   Do police officers bring this anything goes propensity towards perverse humor with them to the job, or is it a byproduct of the job?   The answer lies in the emotional and psychological challenges of being a cop. Being a police officer is akin to constantly riding an emotiona

Am I the Only Crime Writer out There Addicted to Spider Solitaire? I can sit at my desk with the current mystery I’m working on open in one screen, and all too easily switch screens, and say that I’m going to allow myself only one game. Then two. And so it goes. I’m addicted. When I’m feeling generous to myself,  I call my obsession with Spider Solitaire a kind of thinking, plotting, planning, letting my mind run on idle while I think up the next brilliant twist in my new Santa Monica mystery.  But I know different. I’m addicted. Something about lining up the cards in an orderly row soothes me. After all, it’s not as if I feel the world is breathless with anticipation for my next mystery. My brain gets itchy and restless after I’ve focused down hard on writing. I’ve already twitched back and forth from my Facebook pages to Twitter to email just to see what’s going on. Like there’s ever anything going on with Twitter. In an effort to limit my Spider Sol

Creating A Buzz (Building A Platform) Branding yourself as an author—highlighting the types of books you write—can help you increase book sales. Create a campaign message and write a synopsis of your book tailored for marketing and PR activities in order to create buzz about your book. Author Branding Determine what distinguishes you as an author. Consider promoting yourself as an expert on a particular subject. For example, if you are a mystery writer, share information about police methods of a murder investigation or the science of forensics. Develop two or three speaking concepts that focus on a topic rather than just your book. Also, identify personal contacts who might refer you to potential speaking venues. Book Launch Start to execute your book marketing actions at least three to four months prior to publishing date. Determine the best day/time to have an in-person launch; consult bookstore owner. Invite people you know: friends and family, co-workers, the medi

Saturday, June 17, at 11 a.m., I'll be visiting the Gillis Library, 629 W. Dakota, Fresno CA. This is the first of a series of library visits. If you come--and hope some of your will--this is what some of what might happen. I'll introduce myself--hopefully I'll make some people laugh. Next, I'll want to learn how many in the audience are writers, and who are strictly readers. I'll tell about my two series--including about some of the books I brought with me. And I'll answer any questions anyone has about me, my books, or writing. The books I'll bring, will be the latest in both series, though I'll bring more of the Tempe books than the Rocky Bluff P.D. books. No, I won't be doing a reading as I don't really like to do those--or listen to them either. One exception, I probably will read the best first line in any of my books. If you are in the area, do come and visit me. This month, I'll also be going ov

Yes, it's done--but finished? No, there's a lot more to do. First, my critique group needs to hear the whole thing and give me there feedback. As with all my books, I need to start at the beginning and go through it, do some editing and rewriting. I don't have a title yet--need to come up with something, maybe my critique group can help there too. Once all that's done, I need to send it off to the publisher. It is very late, I usually have the latest Tempe Crabtree book sent off by this time--but a lot has happened to slow it down, and I must confess, I've slowed down too. I could blame it on the fact that I keep taking on other jobs--I'm in the throes of judging a writing contest, and agreed to do another--I've done both of these for several years. There's been lots of family activities too--and I enjoy those. Anyway, I'll accept the blame and just get busy. Marilyn

To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It's not promoted as a mystery or thriller--just a novel. The first half is definitely that as it explores the psyche of a woman named Rachel, her mother, and the father whom she's never known--not even his identity. Of course, the whole book is wonderfully written, literary, as are all Lehane's books. I was compelled to keep reading--though as I got into the second half--I read much faster. Because the whole story takes a turn around, becoming mysterious, sometimes outlandish, and definitely thrilling. There are so many twists and turns, at times it was hard to grasp. However, I was terribly disappointed by the ending--unless of course, Lehane plans to write a sequel. I read some of the reviews written by others on Amazon--most readers gave it five stars, some only one or two.  As for the writing, I'd give it five stars, for the complete story, I'm not sure. I'd

While imagining the protagonist of the Gilda Greco Mystery Series, I realized she could be my literary twin. In fact, I like to tell people that Gilda is 70 percent of me. As to how I came up with that particular number, let’s just say my well-honed left brain did all the work while vivid images and plot twists floated through my right brain. Here are some similarities: 1.       Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, Gilda and I lived in the Italian section of town. 2.       We love to read and could spend hours curled up with our favorite books. We have a special fondness for cozy mysteries. 3.       In school, we were high-achieving, happy nerds who majored in mathematics and then decided to pursue teaching careers. 4.       In spite of our mathematical knowledge of probability, we buy lottery tickets. Gilda hit the jackpot and won $19 million in Lotto 649. As for me, I’m still buying tickets and hoping! BTW...the probability of winning Lotto 649 is 1 in 13,9

We've had three big graduations this year-- and they are our great-grandchildren. Olivia Van Scoy graduated from high school in Temecula. In the photo she's with her cousins, Peyton, her aunt Genie (granddaughter) and Garrett. She is my oldest grandson's daughter. Of course they are both great-grands and moving through school and life far too quickly. The second graduation was from our great-granddaughter, Kay'Lee Meredith who graduated from 8th grade. She also gave the final speech. Kay'Lee is our youngest son's oldest granddaughter. She is in the blue dress in the front of the group photo--and that's everyone who came to the graduation, both sides of the family. And the third is Ethan Van Scoy, Olivia's little (only because he's younger than she, take a look at their photo below) brother also from the 8th grad. My, oh, my. And as the grow, we've had new great-grands and great-grands added to our family too.  

Anyone who follows me on Facebook knows what I do most of the time: Write Work on projects for others Put out two newsletters for organizations I belong to. Write my own newsletter Promoting my books whether on line or in person. Teach Sunday School and go to church Grocery shop and cook dinner (almost every p.m.) Though a lot of that is fun for me, I know it doesn't sound like fun to others.  Reading--I don't get to do enough of it anymore. My two great-granddaughters who share our home (with their parents) keep me entertained. They always want to know what I'm doing, and sometimes play school in my office--when I'm working here. Spending time with my big family--just visiting, birthdays, traveling to where some of the far away ones live. Going to an occasional movie with my hubby--or just sneaking away with him to have lunch, usually at the Thai Kitchen. Eating out anytime--meaning I don't have to cook. Going to the PSWA