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.
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.
Facebook: Marilyn
Meredith
Twitter:
@marilynmeredith
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