Rebecca P. McCray: Envisioned a world where cultural differences are valued

Welcome to Rebecca P. McCray! Her debut novel, The Journey of the Marked, tells the beginning of the epic Miyran Heir story. Currently, she resides in the western US, but has lived in various locations across the US and UK. Her interest in cultural anthropology contributed to the myriad of species and backgrounds incorporated into her new world. 

What brings your writing into focus-- the characters, the stories, the love of words? The characters drive my writing. I know my characters and love sharing the story through them. My book changes point of view with some frequency, which allows me to not only explore more than one personality, but tell the story from both sides of the conflict. 

How do you find time to write and do a demanding job? This is a tough one and definitely a reality. I wake early, so I can write before I go to work. Then, I try to write on the weekends. I have many readers eager for book two, which means this balance is important, and I’m finding ways to make it work. 

What inspired your latest book? First and foremost, I wanted the story to be fun. But the true inspiration comes from the following: I find cultural differences fascinating and enjoy traveling the world to learn about them. What I envisioned for this series is a world where such differences are not only respected, but valued. Regardless of ability or belief, an individual can contribute. However, as persecution and conflict are a part of life, I wanted to explore those, but in a different way, which you’ll see as the series evolves.

What do you think readers will like about your book? The excitement I hear from readers tend to center around two areas: the characters and the future. Many readers love Tip. He’s easy to understand and I think most of us can empathize with him. I know many respect Natal (see comment below) and find other characters interesting, as well. As for the future, I answered many questions in book one, but left a few key items open that need more story to be explained. I love hearing how anxious someone is to learn about a particular character or point in the book because it means the story really captured them.

If you could meet one of your characters, who would it be and where would you meet? Natal. Okay, yes, he’s one of the bad guys, but I find him respectable and intriguing. He believes in his cause, is very loyal, but is also willing to challenge authority or think outside of the box if he disagrees with something. If I’m being honest, there’s a little bit of “bad boy” attraction there, too. If I were to meet him, it would be somewhere well-lit with other people around — no back alleys for this one!

THE MIYRAN HEIR: On a distant planet, Eros thrives in the Human settlement he calls home. Raised to follow his grandfather's noble footsteps, he studies the details of each species that co-exists here. But when his sixteenth birthday arrives and he's called to fight, his life changes forever. Forced to abandon his home and relentlessly pursued by savage hunters, he joins forces with others, including a scrappy, street fighter named Kenrya, who loathes the planet's self-appointed rulers. As Eros faces perils that test his training and push the limits of his resolve, he and Kenrya must put aside their differences and learn to work together to survive. Discover this epic, dystopian adventure where an individual's unique abilities can change the course of the future.

Link (US): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GV3D7J6