Eight books, two short stories, and seven years later - What I Know For Sure
by Cerece Rennie Murphy
When it comes out on October 5, 2019, The Wolf Queen: The Promise of Aferi, will be my eighth book and my tenth published work. I have released at least one story every year since 2012. Looking back it's kind of stunning. When I decided to publish my first book seven years ago, I don't know if I thought I would make it this far. I had no idea what writing and publishing stories would truly require. The long nights. The focus. The unflinching commitment to character, to the process - no matter what. To finish and finish again and finish again.
Recently, I was on a writers panel and a young man asked how to navigate the inevitable fear and doubt that comes from trying to tell a story well. "Sometimes, I just feel like a failure. The process is so emotional, so personal," he confessed.
The other panelists gave some really good strategies for coping with doubt. But when it was my turn, I told him what I tell myself everytime the fear creeps in.
"So
what?" I said. "So what if your stuff sucks. Write anyway. Write until
you finish your first draft, then find an editor who can help you make
it the best that it can be."
Some people laughed. Some people frowned. Some people nodded because they got it. Writing doesn't always feel like running through a field of flowers. Most of the time, it's just hard work. The most consistent reward you get from it is the joy of doing what you love, but the act itself can often be grueling.
And that is just fine because the absolute truth is you don't have to be perfect to write. You just have to be willing to sit with the discomfort of doubt and fear long enough to finish what you start, then work to make it better.
That's the secret. That's it and that's all. You don't have to be a magical being. You just have to be determine and committed not to give up.
It's not exactly sexy, but for those of you who have a story in your heart, I hope it's a comfort to you to know that as a busy woman with a family, two young children, a hectic life, a growing small business, and dreams to spare, that you can follow your dream, too.
And that courage, that little hope inside you, is all the magic you need.
Cerece Rennie Murphy fell in love with science fiction at the age of
seven, watching “Empire Strikes Back” at the Uptown Theater in
Washington, D.C., with her sister and mom. It’s a love affair that has
grown ever since. As an ardent fan of John Donne, Alice Walker, Kurt
Vonnegut and Alexander Pope from an early age, Cerece began exploring
her own creative writing through poetry. She earned her master’s degrees
in social work and international relations at Boston College and Johns
Hopkins School for Advance International Studies, respectively, and
built a rewarding 15-year career in program development, management and
fundraising in the community and international development arenas – all
while appreciating the stories of human connection told in science
fiction through works like Octavia Butler’s “Wild Seed,” Frank Herbert’s
“Dune” and “The X-Files.” In 2011, Cerece experienced her own
supernatural event – a vision of her first science fiction story.
Shortly after, she began developing and writing what would become the
bestselling Order of the Seers trilogy. Order of the Seers was selected
as one of The Best Kindle Books of 2014 by Digital Book Today. To
date, Mrs. Murphy has published nine speculative fiction novels, short
stories, and children’s books.
In addition to working on the 3rd book in the award-winning Ellis and The Magic Mirror children’s book series with her son and releasing her 5th adult novel, The Wolf Queen, Mrs. Murphy has launched NARAZU, an online platform designed to deliver the best in indie sci-fi content and comic culture to the fans who love it most. You can visit the new site at www.narazu.com. Her current writing projects include the second book in The Wolf Queen duology and plotting a science fiction thriller set in outer space. Mrs. Murphy lives and writes in her hometown of Washington, DC with her husband, two children and the family dog, Yoda.
Website: www.cerecerenniemurphy.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cerecermurphy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cerece-Rennie-Murphy-205753729546299/
Once great and powerful sorcerers, the Amasiti were hunted to the
brink of extinction by the Hir and his followers. For four hundred
years, their legacy faded from memory waiting for the hope of Aferi to
be renewed…
In the Land of Yet
At the edge of the Forbidden Forest
A young woman lives alone.
Forced to fend for herself after the brutal murder of her family, Ameenah Yemini has made a life for herself as a master tanner and farmer, only venturing into the world to earn her living then return to the safety and seclusion of her home.
Until a chance encounter brings her work to the attention of the powerful Hir
And her careful life begins to unravel.
Drawn to the hidden magic that lingers in everything she touches, the new Hir insists on having her for himself, using the people around her to force Ameenah into his grasp.
When she realizes that her greatest enemy may hold the key to a secret she thought lost to her forever, Ameenah is determined to reclaim her stolen past. But, at what cost? As an ancient power waits to be unleashed, Ameenah’s choices will make the difference between awakening a new magic or delivering it into the hands of evil.
B&N: https://tinyurl.com/y38gg5y8
Some people laughed. Some people frowned. Some people nodded because they got it. Writing doesn't always feel like running through a field of flowers. Most of the time, it's just hard work. The most consistent reward you get from it is the joy of doing what you love, but the act itself can often be grueling.
And that is just fine because the absolute truth is you don't have to be perfect to write. You just have to be willing to sit with the discomfort of doubt and fear long enough to finish what you start, then work to make it better.
That's the secret. That's it and that's all. You don't have to be a magical being. You just have to be determine and committed not to give up.
It's not exactly sexy, but for those of you who have a story in your heart, I hope it's a comfort to you to know that as a busy woman with a family, two young children, a hectic life, a growing small business, and dreams to spare, that you can follow your dream, too.
And that courage, that little hope inside you, is all the magic you need.
About the Author
In addition to working on the 3rd book in the award-winning Ellis and The Magic Mirror children’s book series with her son and releasing her 5th adult novel, The Wolf Queen, Mrs. Murphy has launched NARAZU, an online platform designed to deliver the best in indie sci-fi content and comic culture to the fans who love it most. You can visit the new site at www.narazu.com. Her current writing projects include the second book in The Wolf Queen duology and plotting a science fiction thriller set in outer space. Mrs. Murphy lives and writes in her hometown of Washington, DC with her husband, two children and the family dog, Yoda.
Website: www.cerecerenniemurphy.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cerecermurphy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cerece-Rennie-Murphy-205753729546299/
Inside the Book
Title: THE WOLF QUEEN: THE HOPE OF AFERI (Book 1)
Author: Cerece Rennie Murphy
Publisher: LionSky Publishing
Pages: 242
Genre: YA Fantasy
Author: Cerece Rennie Murphy
Publisher: LionSky Publishing
Pages: 242
Genre: YA Fantasy
BOOK BLURB:
In the Land of Yet
At the edge of the Forbidden Forest
A young woman lives alone.
Forced to fend for herself after the brutal murder of her family, Ameenah Yemini has made a life for herself as a master tanner and farmer, only venturing into the world to earn her living then return to the safety and seclusion of her home.
Until a chance encounter brings her work to the attention of the powerful Hir
And her careful life begins to unravel.
Drawn to the hidden magic that lingers in everything she touches, the new Hir insists on having her for himself, using the people around her to force Ameenah into his grasp.
When she realizes that her greatest enemy may hold the key to a secret she thought lost to her forever, Ameenah is determined to reclaim her stolen past. But, at what cost? As an ancient power waits to be unleashed, Ameenah’s choices will make the difference between awakening a new magic or delivering it into the hands of evil.
ORDER YOUR COPY:
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yxqrrsrzB&N: https://tinyurl.com/y38gg5y8
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