Three women inspired the character of Tempe.
When I first moved to the foothills of the Southern Sierra, I wrote personality pieces for the local newspaper. At the time the area had a female deputy sheriff and she seemed like the perfect candidate for an interview.
She agreed and told me all about the difficulties she faced as the only female in the department, as well as some of her adventures.
Later, I went on a ride-along with the only female officer on the Porterville Police Department. Again I heard about the difficulties of being the only female in a male dominated occupation as well as being a single mom. Because I rode with her from 10 to 6, she shared a lot with me.
Next, I met a beautiful Native American woman who grew up on the nearby Indian reservation.
Inspiration dawned–I would write a book about a female deputy sheriff who was an Indian with ties to the nearby reservation.
And what name should I give her? I borrowed my great-grandmother’s name, Tempe Crabtree. That sounded like the perfect name for my heroine. She is no longer with us to object, nor are any of her close relatives.
And that is how Deputy Tempe Crabtree came to be. And as I grew to know her, I knew I had to keep on writing about her and her adventures.
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.
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Marilyn’s Bio
Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty-five published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest River Spirits from Mundania Press. Marilyn is a member of three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. She lives in the foothills of the Sierra. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/
Contest
The winner will be the person who comments on the most blog posts during the 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.
My next stop is with Susan Van Kirk at http://susanvankirk.com/category/blog/ where I tell about the setting for the series.
Except for the typo–my mistake–in the third paragraph, the word begin should be being–this post looks wonderful. Thank you so much, Lori, for hosting me today.
Marilyn, you are welcome. I’ll pop into the post and fix that for you. It always amazes me how two or three people can look at a piece of writing and not catch a typo. I think our brains just see it the way it should be.
Hi Marilyn,
I love knowing this story about Deputy Tempe Crabtree’s name. I often wonder how authors choose the names they do and I sure like how this came about!
Thank you, Joan, you are such a great fan. My great-grandmother’s name just seemed perfect.
I didn’t know your character’s name came from your grandmother. I always thought it was a well-fitting name for your protagonist. It’s an easy name to remember too. Glad to see your blog tour is moving along well.
Thanks, Linda, yes, things are going well, so far.
Marilyn, I had no idea Tempe’s name was based on an actual person. And it’s a great one as well. Don’t count me in the contest as I’ve won previously. You certainly get around. Have fun with your current tour. Hugs, Paul (and Bob)
Paul, I am nearing the end of the book with Paul Fahey in it, I think you’ll have fun reading it.
I wondered how you came up with the name Tempe Crabtree for a Native American character. Interesting. Was Tempe short for something else?
Hi, Bonnie. Tempe stands for Temperance. EVeryone called her Tempe. I never met her, but wrote another book about her life–Two Ways West, unfortunately no longer available.
I really love to hear background on where an author
finds inspirations for locales and characters. This will
really make the Tempe Crabtree series of books come
alive for me.
Hi, Theresa, Tempe in my books seems like a real person to me.
I have always wondered where you got the name Tempe Crabtree. It fits your character perfectly and I think your great grandmother is honored. Anxious to read River Spirits. I have it on Kindle now.
Hi, Linda. I think the name fits my character too.
What a great name!
Hi, Nancy, I’m glad to see you found me.
Hi, Marilyn,
I followed your last blog tour, and I’m happy to be following another one. Congratulations on River Spirits! I love that you named your main character after your great-grandmother. I’m sure she would be honored.
Hi, I’m glad to see you again, hope you can find all the rest of the blogs–this tour seems to be plagued with problems.
Linda, I hope you’ll enjoy the story.
Marilyn, I’m jumping over to your blog tour spot today, to let you know 5 more posts came in on my blog from yesterday. They must’ve hit when I was at work or last night late. It is 2 hours earlier in California than here in Tennessee.
You may want to jump back to my blog and answer them. They said some nice things to you and about you.
I did go back to your blog, Linda, and took down the names and replied to everyone. Thanks for the head’s up.