Guest Post: Preparation for What Should be Next by Marilyn Meredith

Please welcome prolific mystery author Marilyn Meredith to the blog today…

Preparation for What Should be Next

In this case, I’m talking about what should be next in the Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery series. Though I’m not a traditional plotter, there are a few things I always think about for what really needs to go in the next mystery.

First, I’ll go back to see if I left anything hanging in the lives of the ongoing characters. The personal lives of my characters are as important as the mystery, and often they are intertwined. I’ll want to be sure to address anything that has as yet not been resolved, or pointed toward something new.

Often I’ve addressed issues that affect those who live in Rocky Bluff such as natural disasters, societal issues, and weather extremes of the area. Some have fit nicely into the plot, others added timely details, and in the case of weather, atmosphere. With a new book I’ll think about what people in general are having problems with, then which ones might be happening in a small beach town. Depending upon the time of year, could there be a natural disaster I haven’t already written about, or weather that would enhance the plot?

And now the biggie: Who am I going to kill off and how? What is this person like, and why would anyone do it—preferably three or more with motives and opportunity plus alibis, true or not.  As for the how—I’ve been given suggestions by the pediatrician in our writing group, and once when I asked for specific ideas on Facebook, over 100 “friends” responded with some great ideas.

Once I have most of the above decided upon, I start writing. I’ve learned over the years that the plot starts flowing once I’ve begun the writing. Once I’ve started ideas bombard me and I have to take notes so I don’t forget anything. I might not know exactly where I’m going, but the more I write the clearer it becomes.

What I’d like to know from fellow writers reading this, what is your strategy for writing? Do you plot the whole story out ahead of time? Or do you forge ahead in a manner similar to mine?

Marilyn, who writes the RBPD series as F. M. Meredith

Blurb: Too many people are telling lies: The husband of the murder victim and his secretary, the victim’s boss and co-workers in the day care center, her stalker, and Detective Milligan’s daughter.

Thank you, Kevin, for hosting me today.

My last stop on this blog tour is here: https://anastasiapollackblogspot.com where Detective Milligan is interviewed.

Marilyn Meredith ©2018

F. M. Meredith who is also known as Marilyn once lived in a beach town much like Rocky Bluff. She has many friends and relatives in law enforcement. She’s a member of MWA, 3 chapters of Sisters in Crime and serves on the PSWA Board.

Webpage: http://fictionforyou.com

Blog: https://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com

Facebook: Marilyn Meredith

Twitter: @marilynmeredith