Our interview today is with Cerece Rennie Murphy, author of the science fiction trilogy Order of the Seers (science fiction, 4.5 stars, 71 reviews) and its sequel, The Red Order. The final book in the Trilogy, titled, The Last Seer was released on September 30, 2014.
Before we get to the interview, a brief description of the Trilogy:
What would you do if you held infinite power in the palm of your hand? The Order of the Seers trilogy poses this question within a story that fuses action, mystery and romance into a science fiction adventure that keeps you at the edge of your seat.
Captured and enslaved for their extraordinary gift, a group of individuals, known as Seers, are forced to serve a ruthless world organization that uses the power of the Seers to exploit the ultimate advantage: knowing the future. While a brother and his Seer sister fight to evade the group that hunts them, an unlikely captured Seer plots his escape from within the organization and sets off a chain of events that will change the world.
The journey begins with Order of the Seers (Book I) and continues with The Red Order (Book II). The final chapter in the Order of the Seers trilogy, titled The Last Seer (Book III), will be released on September 30, 2014. Science fiction and action-adventure readers will enjoy this fast-paced thriller that will challenge your belief in the limits of human potential.
Author Interview with Cerece Rennie Murphy:
1) Where are you from? Tell us a little about yourself.
Well, first of all, thank you so much for the opportunity to speak with you. It’s an honor. I was born and raised in Washington, DC, which is an experience I can really appreciate now that I’m older. Growing up, I took all the museums and the history for granted, but now I know what a truly unique experience it was.
I like to say that I’m a part-time writer and a full-time wife and mom to our 2 young children. Our kids are 3 and 6 years old, so my husband and I are running around like crazy people most of the time. But it’s a life that I feel very blessed to live – to have what you love and do what you love for a living.
When I do have free time, I love to read, go for walks, watch Game of Thrones on DVD with my husband and eat large quantities of sugar. J
2) Tell us about your book?
The Order of the Seers trilogy is about a group of people who can see the future and are enslaved for that ability. The books follow the journey of the Seers as they escape the organization that seeks to exploit their gifts, reclaim their power and ultimately start fighting back. There’s lots of action, suspense and even a little romance in the books, but mostly they are about the ability that lies within each of us to do extraordinary things and change the world for the better. With each book, the stakes get higher for all of the characters, which just takes the action and suspense to a new level with each challenge they face. Books I and II are available now. Book III will be released on September 30, 2014.
3) Any plans for other series, or for an expansion of the Order of the Seers universe?
You know, I don’t see me continuing the Seers story in the near future. I feel like, for now at least, my part in their story is coming to a close, but I would love it if it could live on in some other form. Maybe as fan fiction or some other author could do a spin off. There are plenty of story possibilities; I just don’t have them in my head right now.
After the release of the 3rd book, I will continue working on a children’s book series called Enchanted: 5 Tales of Magic in the Everyday. I’m also working on a historical adventure with a twist that I think will be really interesting. And just about a month ago, I dreamt of a story for a space opera that I CAN NOT wait to get into and I still want to write a non-fiction book on understanding relationship and marriage advice for the single woman. To my surprise, it seems like this writing thing has really taken hold! I’m going to be busy for awhile.
4) What got you started in writing?
I have written poetry since I was about 11, but I never thought I would write anything longer than a few pages. Every time I got an idea for a story, I would tell myself that I didn’t have the attention span to be able to write a book. About 4 years ago, while I was washing the dishes, I suddenly had a vision of a man walking towards me. He had a cataract-like film over his eyes and ash blonde hair. I knew he could see the future and I knew he was enslaved for that ability. I knew he was given a drug to access his gift, which caused the strange look of his hair and eyes and I knew there were other Seers all over the world who were suffering the same fate. Over the next hour, the story just came to me. At the time, I didn’t know if I had the ability to write the story as I envisioned it, but I knew I would try.
5) How do you create your characters?
This may sound kind of spooky, but the characters just come to me. I don’t create them as much as try to understand them clearly, so that I can express their wants, thoughts and actions accurately. If I don’t understand how they feel or why they are doing what I see in my head, I ask them and they explain it to me. I know I sound insane, but I don’t have a better way of explaining it.
6) Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks?)
I only need four things to write: time, quiet, pen and paper. If I have those things, I can write anywhere.
7) How do you get your ideas for writing?
They just come to me. Inspiration can come from anywhere. I am planning a children’s book series based on my own experiences as a parent. My historical adventure novel really came out of a desire to see a movie that is like the story I am planning to write. Another book, I’m planning came to me in a dream.
I feel like what I do most of the time is just open myself up to the story and try to stay quiet enough to hear the characters voices as they come to me.
8) What do you like to read? Who are some of your favorite authors?
I read EVERYTHING! I’m someone who never really paid attention to genre. I’ll go to a bookstore, wander around, pick up a book and read the back. If I like the summary, I’ll buy it. I grew up reading mostly literary fiction, but I love science fiction, epic fantasy and a good thriller. I just read my first graphic novel a few months ago and really enjoyed it. Right now, I’m reading Only by Moonlight, a paranormal mystery by Lynn Emery. I’m also in the middle of Book 2 in the Game of Thrones series. After that, I’m planning to listen to Blind Man’s Bluff, which is a military thriller on audiobook and read a fantasy adventure called Taurus Moon: Magic and Mayhem in paperback.
My favorite writer is Toni Morrison because her writing is a feast for the senses. In terms of sci-fi, my 2 all-time favorites are Octavia Butler’s Wild Seed and Frank Herbert’s Dune. Both of those books blew my mind.
9) What would your advice be to aspiring authors in regards to writing?
1) Be open to the truth of the story, then tell it as best you can.
2) When you’re scared to death that you’re not good enough/it’s not good enough/no one will get/like your story, remember this – it’s not about you AT ALL. It’s about the characters and the story. They have chosen YOU to bring them to life and tell THEIR story (not yours). So get to work and save your freak-out for when you’ve finished writing. J By then, it will be well-earned.
10) Anything else you’d like to share?
Sure! If you would like to learn more about me and my upcoming projects, you can visit my website at www.cerecerenniemurphy.com. And thank you, Anthony, for the opportunity to speak with you and your readers. It has been a pleasure.
Social Media and Buy Links
Connect with Cerece Rennie Murphy: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Order of the Seers: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Order of the Seers: The Red Order: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Order of the Seers: The Last Seer: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
The post Author Interview #344: Order of the Seers by Cerece Rennie Murphy appeared first on Digital Book Today.
