Car here. This is a series of interviews I’m doing for my author, Rebekah Webb, for the participants of the 2016 Brain to Books Cyber Convention. (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/154267-brain-to-books-cyber-convention-2016) Since I only interview inanimate objects, I have used the power of booze and lack of sleep to transform my interviewees into assorted objects of their choice.
Today I am going to interview a sword named Rebecca P. McCray. When she isn’t fighting in battles, protecting the innocent or sharpening herself on whetstones, she’s an author of fusion of science fiction and fantasy.
Book: The Journey of the Marked www.smarturl.it/journeyofthemarked
Blurb: The mark means honor. The mark invites death.
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-exist here. But when the mark appears, he’s called to fight, which changes his life forever.
Forced to abandon his home, the mark makes him the hunted. He’s attacked the night he arrives in the city. A tough, street fighter named Kenrya saves his life. When they join others on the same journey, her cynical attitude drives a wedge between the group.
Given the perils facing them, can they put aside their differences and trust each other long enough to survive?
Discover this epic adventure where an individual’s unique abilities can change the course of the future.
Summary: The heart of the story is about valuing differences. The planet is a safe haven for refugee species, so a variety of different species with various abilities have settled there. One species is attempting to take over and is willing to do so at any cost including the destruction of all others on the planet. The five sixteen-year-olds at the heart of the story (each a different species) have been marked to join the fight against the problematic species. The story follows their journey to a training camp and the perils they face along the way.
Bio: Rebecca P. McCray is a financial consultant by day and fantasy world-builder by night. Her debut novel, The Journey of the Marked, was a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. She enjoys building out a world that is a cross between high-fantasy and gritty sci-fi and plans to publish the second novel in the series in the first half of 2016.
Links:
What made you start writing? As a sword, I bet your writing is sharp and was forged in your childhood, or rather your undefined lump of metalhood.
During my early years, I remember being awed by a double-edged sword and the captivating stories he told about each drop of blood on his blade. He just knew how to slay his audience. But, my real inspiration started with a spark during my molten development stage and from there, my swordsmith guided me to become the epic storyteller I am today.
How does a sword write? Do you prick the finger of your owner and use him as a mobile pen? Do you leap from your sheath and smash your hilt into a keyboard? Or is there another way to be able to put words to paper/screen?
Oh, it’s nothing as dramatic as that. Vibrations are the key. Depending on the speed and tone of my vibrations, my scribe is able to translate the stories into written word.
Do you hang out with other weapons and if so, what are they like?
I find so many other weapons dull, if I’m being honest. But, on occasion, there’s one with that rare gleam that just really knows how to slice through the monotony.
Tell us about your inspiration for The Journey of the Marked. Did it involve staring into the sun until the afterimages turned into an interesting story? That’s how I come up with interview questions.
There was a time when I faced opponents almost daily. My edges still sport remnants of the carnage. In more recent times, I’ve spent many days resting in the sheath and it gave me the chance to contemplate the ravages of war and how often people are treated unfairly simply because they’re different. My story highlights the value in differences and how each individual can contribute in his or her own way.
What made you choose to write a science fiction/fantasy novel? I always imagined swords writing military history.
There’s so much more flash with science fiction / fantasy and it gives me the freedom to create a new and fresh perspective of bladed weapons. With military history, one must be so rigid, so confined to one’s position. I wanted to forge a new direction.
Is it true that swords are sharp witted and into heavy metal?
As mentioned above, some are sharp, but some are quite dull. It’s all in the honing. As for the second part of your question, that’s something of a stereotype. I’m really more of a glam-metal type.
Is there a special sword in your life? Or are you currently unattached?
Why would I bind myself at this stage in my life? I mean, look at me. I’m sleek and smooth. Now sometime down the road, maybe there’ll be a special broadsword in my life and we’ll have a few little daggers. Of course, he would have to be a real cut-up, but together, we could hack our way through any obstacles.
What else have you wrote and have you ever been used to chop wood by someone who couldn’t tell you apart from an axe?
There was this crazy witch one time that stole me from my fighter. Apparently she needed something to stir her brew. I still cringe every time I smell thistle. As for writing, I’m currently working on my second book and plan to publish it this year.
What hobbies do you have? Do you double as one of those really sharp knives that cut through cans in infomercials?
I lead a group of dagger scouts in my free time. They earn hilt jewels by accomplishing tasks like sharpening their edges without modern technology.
Do you have any advice for young swords out there who might want to try their hand at writing?
Writing takes dedication and perseverance. Just like preparing for any battle, you have to push ahead and believe in your abilities. Seek help from others when you falter and always keep yourself polished and sharp.
Cartopia 
Thanks for the interview. Really enjoyed it.