Intimate Conversation with Cerece Rennie Murphy

Cerece Rennie Murphy lives and writes just outside of her hometown of Washington, DC. In addition to completing the Order of the Seers trilogy, Mrs. Murphy is also developing a children’s book series titled Enchanted: 5 Tales of Magic in the Everyday and a book on understanding marriage/relationship advice for single women entitled More than the Ring.  To learn more about the author and her upcoming projects, visit her website at www.crmurphybooks.com.

I am as surprised as anyone that I am a sci-fi/speculative fiction writer.  I have loved the genre from since I was a little girl watching Star Wars on the big screen, but I never thought I could be a writer, much less a science fiction writer.  But one day, while washing the dishes I got this vision of a man walking towards me.  He had a cataract-like film over his eyes with ash blonde hair and dark skin.  Immediately, I knew his name was Marcus and that he was a Seer.  Literally within minutes I had this whole world running through my mind and I just knew I wouldn’t let it go.  I didn’t even know if I could write the story that was in my head, but I never doubted that I would try.  To me, the story of the Seers is a gift.  One I am privileged to tell.

As far as advancing the call for writing in this genre, I don’t know that I have done that.  There are a ton of talented authors in this genre and I am happy to be among them.  But if seeing my work and hearing my story can convince someone who is wavering in their own desire to write to jump in the ring then I am even more honored to be in the position that I am.

My sister Monica and my friend Trice Hickman.  From since I was a teenager, my oldest sister, Monica, has been telling me that I could write.  She was the first person that I ever let read my poems and I know her encouragement helped me believe that somewhere in me was the ability to write these stories.  My other big influence was and continues to be Trice Hickman.  When I called Trice and told her about this story idea that I had, she was so excited.  Immediately, she said “You’re writing a book!”  I told her that I hadn’t even written down the first word and she said “Oh, that doesn’t matter.  You’re going to write a book!” Watching the sheer determination and professionalism with which she has approached the artistry and business of becoming an author is truly awe-inspiring.

The first book in the Order of the Seers trilogy is about a group of people who can see the future and are enslaved for that ability.  The story takes you on the journey of how they escape the organization that seeks to exploit them, regain their strength and ultimately fight back.  The characters in Order of the Seers are struggling to understand who they are given the extraordinary gifts and situations that they have been forced into.  And you see them make some incredible discoveries about life and love as they grow to accept themselves and their abilities.

With the sequel, The Red Order, they take that knowledge further.  Now that they understand who they are, the Seers really show you what they can do with that awareness.  And all your favorites from the first book are back, Liam and Alessandra, Lilli and Joel, Maura, Tess, Katia and Eric.  I think you get to know them a lot better in this book and watch them come together as family with a mission.  But unlike in the first book, when they were just fighting for their own survival, each of them understands that they are playing a vital role in something far greater than themselves.   You also get to know our villains a lot better in The Red Order, which I think is really fun.  If you thought Crane was despicable in Order of the Seers, just wait!  His true colors come out in full force in The Red Order.

As for favorites, I have to say that I love the Seers.  Liam and Joel are my favorites in this book because their sacrifices are so profound, but I think that is true of almost every character in these books.

I think at its core, these books are about discovering and realizing your own potential and it’s interesting because I didn’t know that when I started writing the books.  It was only later that I could see my own struggle to understand myself written between the lines of the page.  I think all of us are told who we are – by our parents, our bosses, our communities.  Sometimes those opinions are right, but not often.  I think it is our work as human beings to find out who we truly are and distinguish between our true selves and who people say we are.  Often we are limited by other people’s perceptions of us.  Their perspective defines what we believe we can and cannot do.  But the real question is always who are you, purely, truly.  I think the answer to that question opens up infinite potential in each of us.  Answering that question for myself has been a decade long journey and I am still on that path.  But I have noticed that the clearer I am about the answer, the more I am capable of.

First and foremost, I would like them to enjoy the story.  I hope that it provides whatever escape or entertainment they are seeking from it.  But ultimately, I hope they close these books, look in the mirror and ask themselves, what am I capable of?  I would love for the readers of the Order of the Seers trilogy to become really curious about the difference between what they believe about themselves and what is actually true.  I hope they begin to rattle the lock of their own perception.

As a writer, my goal is very simple – to be true to the story that I am trying to tell.  What that means for me is keeping in the mindset that allows me to override my own baggage about what I want to say, or am afraid to say and just tell the story.  With all of the stories I have in my head, I don’t feel like the originator.  I feel like each story line is a gift given to me for the purpose of telling.  I chose each word in hopes of being worthy enough to tell the story as it needs to be told.  If I have done that, then it is a success.  If I do that, I believe the story will do the rest – reach who it needs to reach, inspire who it needs to inspire.  For me, the story itself is illuminating, inspiring, educational and entertaining.  My part is simply to write the story so that its essence can shine through to the heart that needs it.

I am very excited about the June 18, 2013 release of The Red Order.  The book will be available on Amazon and BN.com as well as your local bookstore (though they may have to order it for you J) in both paperback and ebook format.  Then, starting at the end of May, I will be attending a number of sci-fi/comic conventions in Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York, so please visit my website at www.crmurphybooks.com to find out the latest information on my appearances and upcoming projects.  Links to the Order of the Seers Facebook page can be accessed from my website.  I am also on Twitter at @cerecermurphy or you can always email me at cerecemurphy@gmail.com

Thank you, Ella and all the Black Pearl Magazine readers.  It has been a pleasure!