In
episode 216 of the “Meet the Thriller Author” podcast, host Alan Petersen interviews Marcie R. Rendon, an award-winning author, poet, and playwright, known for her Cash Blackbear mystery series. Rendon, an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation, discusses her latest novel, “
Broken Fields,” the fourth installment in the series, which delves into a rural murder mystery set in 1970s Minnesota.
Rendon shares her journey to writing crime novels, highlighting the inspiration behind her protagonist, Cash Blackbear, a character influenced by the powerful native women she knows. Despite initial struggles with writing crime fiction, Rendon found success with Cash Blackbear, a character who emerged naturally as a compelling force in her storytelling.
Throughout the conversation, Rendon touches on her diverse writing career, from children’s books to plays, and her background in criminal justice and American Indian studies, which she has drawn from to enrich her narratives. She also discusses the importance of addressing real-world issues, such as the foster care system and historical trauma of Indigenous People, in her work.
Rendon emphasizes the significance of intuition in her storytelling, a nod to her Ojibwe heritage, where dreams and gut feelings play a crucial role. She reflects on the growing awareness of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (
MMIW) crisis and its impact on her writing.
The interview provides insight into Rendon’s writing process, her commitment to portraying authentic experiences, and her dedication to crafting engaging crime novels. Petersen also shares his excitement about his own audiobook release, “The Basement,” available for pre-order on Audible.
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Show Notes and Transcription
Summary:
* Episode 216 features Marcie R. Rendon, an award-winning author, poet, and playwright, known for her Cash Blackbear mystery series.
* Rendon is an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation, and her latest book in the series, “Broken Fields,” is set in rural 1970s Minnesota, featuring cultural depth and a gripping murder mystery.
* The series protagonist, Cash Blackbear, is inspired by the resilient native women that Rendon knows, embodying characteristics like intuition and strength.
* Rendon has experience writing in diverse fields, including plays and children’s books, and she emphasizes writing what she knows from her life as a Native American in Minnesota.
* She discusses the importance of intuitive abilities in her characters, drawing from cultural beliefs in listening to dreams and gut instincts.
* Rendon highlights real-world issues like farm labor abuse and ...
