I had the pleasure of interviewing Jacqui Murray to talk about her newest book, Survival of the Fittest. It’s Book 1 in her Crossroads series, part of the Man versus Nature saga.
It’s fascinating to learn how a writer approaches the development of characters and plot. I’m also interested in what inspires a person to write as it reveals what perspective motivates their narrative of the world. She was gracious about answering my questions. You’re going to find Jacqui’s responses intriguing.
Me: I’ve always been captivated by wondering about early man and how this small, physically inferior creature became so highly adaptable and successful. Why did you write a book in such a tiny genre niche?
Jacqui: Survival of the Fittest is written in the sub-genre of historic fiction called prehistoric fiction, a time before recorded history. There aren’t a lot of readers in this genre but they are devoted! Because the only records are rocks, world building has proven difficult but Xhosa (the heroine) really didn’t give me a choice. She nagged me to tell her story from my first page twenty years ago to my final draft.
Me: I love that – a character who tells you to write down her story. So of course, you obeyed.
Me: I’ve believed in God since I was a very small child and had no sense of the history of my faith. The more I studied and learned, the more my ideas about God matured, but my devotion has never wavered. So I’m totally excited about Survival of the Fittest as I believe it hints at a spiritual side to man. Is that accurate? I’d love to know how you discovered this nascent aspect of spiritual belief.
Jacqui: Scientists have no idea when man’s spirituality started. Because 850,000 years ago (when Xhosa lived) is considered prehistory—before any sort of recorded history was possible —there’s no way to tell. Survival of the Fittest offers one speculative theory of how that could have happened.
Me: I guess we will never know for certain, but you’re a deep thinker and your ideas are as likely to be close to the truth as any. I’m intrigued by your historical possibilities.
Most scientists believe Homo erectus couldn’t talk. How did Xhosa and her People communicate?
Jacqui: These early humans were highly intelligent for their day and possessed rich communication skills but rarely verbal. Most paleoanthropologists believe that the ‘speaking’ part of their brain wasn’t evolved enough for speech but there’s another reason: Talking is noisy as well as unnatural in nature which attracts attention. For these early humans, who were far from the alpha in the food chain, being noticed wasn’t good.
Instead, they communicated with gestures, facial expressions, movements, and all the body language we-all still use but rarely recognize. They talked to each other about everything necessary, just nonverbally.
Me: You present so many facets about why the development of speech was delayed while other human skills became sophisticated. What you suggest makes total sense, especially the need for silence and stealth in a predatory world.
In her own words, here’s a teaser about Jacqui’s book: Five tribes. One leader. A treacherous journey across three continents in search of a new home.
Me: Wow! A powerful bunch of numerical markers highlighting an exciting story.
Plot details to enchant you about Survival of the Fittest: Chased by a ruthless and powerful enemy, Xhosa flees with her People, leaving behind a certain life in her African homeland to search for an unknown future. She leads her People on a grueling journey through unknown and dangerous lands but on an escape path laid out years before by her father as a final desperate means to survival. She is joined by other homeless tribes–from Indonesia, China, South Africa, East Africa, and the Levant—all similarly forced by timeless events to find new lives. As they struggle to overcome treachery, lies, danger, tragedy, hidden secrets, and Nature herself, Xhosa must face the reality that this enemy doesn’t want her People’s land. He wants to destroy her.
Me: I’m wildly cheering on Xhosa. I want her to overcome these perilous obstacles. I can’t wait to find out if she’s successful, and if so, how she achieves finding a safe homeland. This is the kind of story that keeps me up at night because I can’t bear to put it down. Xhosa begged Jacqui to writer her story. Jacqui wrote a book that demands to be read.
Book information, In a nutshell:
Title and author: Survival of the Fittest
Series: Book 1 in the Crossroads series, part of the Man vs. Nature saga
Genre: Prehistoric fiction
Cover by: Damonza
Available at: Kindle US Kindle UK Kindle CA Kindle AU
It has been my pleasure to host Jacqui Murray and to discuss her newest novel. I wish her all success with this new book.
All images courtesy of Jacqui Murray
Comments on: "Jacqui Murray’s new book, Survival of the Fittest" (66)
Thanks so much for hosting me, Shari. You’ve been with me for much of this series with great advice every time I got stuck (remember Nature-as-a-character?). I look forward to chatting with your community.
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You’re very welcome, Jacqui, I’m pleased to promote your book here.
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great post, Sharon – you are lovely to support other writers. many congrats & well wishes, Jacqui – would love if you’d guest blog post for my site 🙂
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Thank you, Daal. I enjoy helping other writers.
As for Jacqui guest posting – Jacqui, are you listening?
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🙂
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Thanks for the good wishes, Da-al! Love your website–love dogs!
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❤
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Thank you for this wonderful interview Shari! I love everything Jacqui Murray writes and I can’t wait to read this novel. She can truly transport you into another world.
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She does transport readers to other worlds. Jacqui’s an imaginative writer who brings her stories to vivid life. Thanks for reading, Karen.
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How nice to chat, Karen. I’ve missed your wonderful insights into submittals. Thanks for dropping in!
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Sharon and Jacqui, I really enjoyed this easy flowing interview. You both sound relaxed and
comfortable together.
The interview is very interesting as it deals with many aspects where we can’t help but
wonder and imagine.
Cheers to you both
miriam
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Miriam, Jacqui is an outstanding writer who approaches her subject with intelligence and sensitivity. You intuited that wonder is a great part of her books.
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That we are. One of the few bloggers I know in the physical world! Thanks for visiting!
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Sharon, you’re a gifted interviewer – great questions and fascinating answers from Jacqui! It is such an unusual genre and story that I’ve wondered too why Jacqui would choose to write in this era. How touching to know that Xhosa would not leave her alone … nagging for the story to be written. And what a story it seems to be – I’m also cheering Xhosa on!
I’ve also wondered about the speech, and Jacqui’s answer is both articulate and intelligent.
Excellent and enlightening post, Shari! I’m even more eager than before to read Survival of the Fittest!
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Xhosa and her predecessor Lucy really would not let it go. I tried, knowing few are interested in this niche genre, but they prevailed. Of course they did!
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Well, Jacqui, I think you’re converting a lot of us towards this niche market – which is fantastic!😀 At this rate it will start edging towards mainstream!
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Thank you for this compliment, Annika. When I’m interested in the premise of a book, I also want to know about the inspiration and research undertaken by the writer to produce it. Jacqui was so kind to answer my questions. I really think you’re going to love the story.
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Great interview. Congrats on the new book, Jacqui! I’ve tweeted to my followers.
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Thanks, Jenna. And I so appreciate the sharing. Yay!
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Jenna, you’re a true partner in the writing world, and it’s very much appreciated.
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Jacqui – I know what it is like to have characters running around in your head making demands. I believe in this day and age books with strong female leaders like Xhosa are sorely needed. Best of luck on all of your writing endeavors.
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Thanks so much. I like checking out the websites of people who visit–you sound like a kick! That ‘About’ page–loved it.
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Jacqui, you’re absolutely right about Claremary P. Sweeney. My only complaint is that she doesn’t post on her blog often enough (she has a busy life) and I start missing her.
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Wow, sounds like a unique and fascinating read!
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Deb, you are right about that. It’s also suspenseful and that makes it a page turner.
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Much to my dismay, my muse would allow nothing traditional about this saga or trilogy. I tried and she batted me in the head!
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😀 (I’ve got friends like this – thank heaven!)
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Jacqui – you must change the covers on all your books and photo-shop your portrait on top of the characters bodies (at least the ones that are human). You are so much better looking than they are.
xxxx judy
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Isn’t she? And truly as beautiful in person as in photos. Also, a lovely personality.
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I look far too weak for the demands of these times, Judy. Sigh. And getting weaker I fear.
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Oh! This is such a lovely interview, Shari and Jacqui!! Being one of those few devoted fans for prehistoric fiction I’m always excited when a new novel comes out, especially since most books don’t touch human history this early. This way I get to do two things I really love – reading and learning at the same time. 😊
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I agree, Sarah. I’ve long been a fan of prehistory books, but Jacqui’s story is unique in that she’s gone back to the period before Homo Sapiens. She has a brain that wants to know all the possibilities.
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I don’t do a lot of interviews so I really had fun with this one. Shari’s clever with her take on the questions.
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I love that Jacqui made the hero of this story a woman.
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I agree, Jeanne. It was one of the first things that drew my attention to the book.
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Well of course! Who else could be creative enough to solve all these problems?
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This reminds me I still need to finish Born in a Treacherous Time!! I love pre-historic fiction, congrats Jacqui on your latest book! Off to check it out—thanks Shari!!
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I’m happy to promote Jacqui’s newest book. Glad you’ve also enjoyed Born in a Treacherous Time.
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So you haven’t gotten to the ending yet? Oh you have a surprise coming!
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No! This book got lost on my kindle during my research phase for my new class last year, and I’m grateful to be reminded. Can’t wait to dig in, Jacqui!
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I think Kindle lets you redownload. At least, that’s my understanding.
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Jacqui, congratulations on yet another awesome achievement. I got a sneak preview at Write On!, and now I’m looking forward to reading the final product. You are SO prolific it is amazing. Once again, Mazel Tov.
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Thanks, Chuck. This one kind of tumbled out of me. And way too long! Which is how it ended up a trilogy.
Talk soon again.
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Wow, this sounds like an exciting book! Thanks for sharing, Shari, and for asking insightful questions. Jacqui must have quite the imagination to come up with a novel set in a world that we know so little about. However, it’s probably the fact that she was able to mesh the few facts we DO know with the skills of world building to create a believable and thrilling amalgamation of the two that I find so very fascinating. I look forward to reading it.
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It was my pleasure to share Jacqui’s book, Nanette. You’re insightful about how she creates an unknown world that readers can completely believe – the power of a talented writer.
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Thanks, Nanette. You’ll recognize some of your suggestions in it, from our critique meetings. Hope all goes well with you.
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It’s wonderful to see Jacqui here. I really enjoyed this book! Thanks for the terrific interview, Sharon. It’s nice to meet you.
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It’s my pleasure to meet you as well, Jill. Jacqui’s newest book is outstanding and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
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So am I!
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thanks for visiting, Jill. I have had such a good time over here with Shari. Woot!
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And I’ve had so much fun meeting your fans, Jacqui. Woot woot!
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Shari, I love every word of your blog and am happy to find you again.
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And I’m glad to see you back here again, Pat. I’ve missed you.
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I really enjoyed Jacqui’s Born in a Treacherous Time, and I have Survival of the Fittest in my kindle. I can’t wait to dive in. A fascinating interview which reinforces my awe of how much research goes into these books. Thanks, Sharon and Jacqui!
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I agree, Diana, with your comment about the amount of research that went into this book. You might think that a writer could just make it all up because there aren’t any historical records. But I know that Jacqui undertook an education in prehistoric man and the life of the earth to lend an authentic hand to her story. It’s one of the qualities that I find so compelling about her books. Also, that I love reading stories about this era.
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Thanks, Diana. To me, it’s akin to developing a believable fantasy world, which you understand. There’s so little known about that long ago era.
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Hi Sharon and Jacqui – this was a delightful commentary – and fun to find out more about Jacqui’s thoughts … great idea to give us post about Jacqui’s approach to the aspects of this series. Thanks … cheers Hilary
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Thank you for visiting, Hilary. I’m always interested in what inspires writers and how they approach their craft. I could have asked another dozen related questions but I knew Jacqui was busy with writing and all the attendant tasks.
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I really liked these questions, Hilary. Shari’s a keeper as an interviewer!
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Jacqui, this was a really fun interview with a terrific writer.
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Shari – enjoying your blog. also want to tell jacqui that her book sounds fascinating – i love the imagination it takes to create a world we barely know from traces.
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Thank you, Sara – your kind comment means a lot to me.
Jacqui has researched a ton, but she’s also created what only a fertile imagination can draw.
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The research part was so fun. The third book in the trilogy is based in Gran Dolina, Spain. I know nothing about that area and am insanely eager to get started.
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Very cool – is this anywhere near the Altamira Caves? I can’t wait to find out, so please give me hint.
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Gran Dolina is a cave site in the Sierra de Atapuerca region of central Spain, approximately 15 kilometers from the town of Burgos. Is that by the Altamira Caves?
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I don’t think so. I think Altamira is on the most northern coast of Spain. But I know where you’re going to spend the next hour or so. 😀
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