The Authorized Version

Donna: I am so happy to welcome Marilyn Meredith to "Deeds of Darkness; Deeds of Light: today. Marilyn and I first met sevral years ago on the mystery writers and readers loop DorothyL. Marilyn is one of the most active, prolific and generous writers in this very energetic group.

Marilyn, I know you keep up with family, are very active in your church and write at least two mystery series. Tell us more about yourself.

Marilyn: I'm also known as F.M. Meredith and am the author of over thirty published novels. I'm a member of three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Besides having family members in law enforcement, I've lived in a town much like Rocky Bluff with many police families as neighbors.

Donna: I was so impressed following Marilyn's blog tour for her most recent release, Violent Departures, book #11 in her Rocky Bluff P.D. series  that I asked her to tell us how she keeps up the pace at a time of life when most of her contemporaries must be retiring.

Marilyn: I love this question. I retired from over 20 years of owning and operating a facility (in my home) for six developmentally disabled women. I loved doing this—but while I did everything that was needed to keep the gals healthy and happy, I also wrote. I wrote when they went to work or their training program each day.

It’s no secret that I’m old—in fact I’ve had many jobs over the years from being a telephone operator to teaching in a pre-school for children with developmental disabilities, and various teaching jobs in day care centers. I had a Camp Fire Girls group for 10 years, and I served as PTA president four times as well as other offices while my five children were growing up. Many of these activities overlapped. 

Most of my contemporaries have retired (if they are still around), but I have no plans to retire from writing. I can’t imagine what I’d do with my time if I didn’t write. I’m not interested in belonging to any social or service groups, I already did that.  I am active in my church—still teach Sunday School to third through fifth graders, participate in women’s Bible study—and play Bunco with the church gals once a month. 

I’m still a member of several writing groups, and attend a weekly critique group which I consider my first editors. 

Yes, I’ve slowed down. I can’t accomplish nearly what I used to, but I am busy every day, either writing or promoting. And I have fun too. I’m blessed to still have my husband and he’s willing to go with me to some of my promotion events and we enjoy going to the movies and out to eat. I have a big family, and I think being around so many young people helps me stay young.

Donna: Ah, I'm sure that's a key element, Marilyn. My mother always said being around young people kept her young, and I'm finding that to be true, too.  

Well, as a sister writer who has also carried on well beyond "retirement age"—whatever that is— you can see why Marilyn is an inspiration to me.

Mariyn, tell us about Violent Departures.

Marilyn: College student, Veronica Randall, disappears from her car in her own driveway, everyone in the Rocky Bluff P.D. is looking for her. Detective Milligan and family move into a house that may be haunted. Officer Butler is assigned to train a new hire and faces several major challenges.

Donna: In other words, there's never a dull moment— which sounds a lot like your life, Marilyn. Thank you so much for joining us today, I hope my readers are as inspired as I am. Tell us where we can find more about you onthe web.

Marilyn: I love to hear from readers. Please look me up:

Webpage: http://fictionforyou.com/

Blog: http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/marilynmeredith