FEATURED AUTHOR: MARCY MCKAY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Eleven-year-old Copper Daniels is homeless and alone. She spends her nights sleeping beneath the cemetery’s Warrior Angel statue for protection, and her days battling the mean streets of Remington, Texas, hell-bent on learning what happened the night her Mama disappeared. While Copper and her rag-tag group of friends uncover more questions than answers, only two things are certain – her Mama’s missing and someone’s trying to kill Copper.

In the tradition of The Lovely Bones and Room, Pennies from Burger Heaven tells a dark story through the eyes of a child. With wit and wisdom, Copper Daniels will steal your heart, as well as break it in two.

Awards for Pennies from Burger Heaven:
*2010 First Place – Writers’ League of Texas, Best Mainstream Novel Competition
*2010 First Place – Frontiers in Writing, Best Mainstream Novel Contest
*2010 Winner – Frontiers in Writing, Overall Best of Show

INTERVIEW WITH MARCY McKAY

Marcy, how did you get started writing?
I’ve always loved to read, but in 1995, a voice told me in a dream to write a book. I’ve been telling stories ever since.

What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
The secrets I discover about my characters that even I didn’t know I knew about them!

If you could only watch one television station for a year, what would it be?
I don’t watch much TV, but on the weekends I’ll watch the USA Network while folding the laundry (glamourous, I know). I can get going on a Law & Order SVU marathon that’s EMBARRASSING. Those shows give me nightmares; they’re especially heinous . . .

For what would you like to be remembered?
Making a difference.

What five things would you never want to live without?
1.    My Kindle (I still prefer print books, but my Kindle gives me access to almost any book on the planet).
2.    My Burt’s Bees chapstick (I’m kind addicted).
3.    My car radio. (Not Syrius XM, just good ol’ fashioned FM radio, with a DJ playing tunes I love. Reminds me of driving around in high school with my BFFs).
4.    Homemade Chocolate-chip cookies (soft and gooey ones).
5.    Naps (That’s not a “thing”, but I love ‘em anyway).

Naps totally count! Who would you want to narrate a film about your life?
Meryl Streep or Mickey Mouse, I’m not sure which.

3D movies are . . .
Kinda awesome, kinda distracting. It depends on the movie.

If you had a swear jar, would it be full?
Hell, no!

What do you love about where you live?
I love living in the Texas panhandle where the sky is wide and we enjoy four, real seasons. I love that it’s easy to drive to Dallas for awesome shopping or to New Mexico or Colorado to the mountains.

Do you write every day?
Yes, even just for 10 minutes. Otherwise, I feel grumpy and “off.”

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I’m an odd combination of the two called an ambivert. I love being around people and connecting with individuals, but afterwards I CRAVE solitude. I’m like a battery that shines bright, then must be recharged.

What is the most daring thing you've done?
Letting others read my writing. It feels like standing naked in front of a stadium full of people to judge you.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to write?
A story narrated by a drug addict. I had to find compassion in her, and not condemn her poor choices. I was shocked at how much I liked her at the end because I understood her, even though I disagreed with her lifestyle.


You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?
An Oompa Loompa. I want to give life advice through witty songs, and work in a chocolate factory.

That's excellent! When you put it that way, I want to be an Oompa Loompa too! How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
I once had a roommate in college tell me that after 9 p.m., I became “an inoperable wench.” I MUST get my rest. I strive for eight hours of sleep, but six is my bare minimum (otherwise, I’m still an inoperable wench).

Do you sweat the small stuff?
Not usually, but when I DO sweat the small stuff, I know that’s a sign I need to get still, get quiet, and get my priorities straight again.

If you had to choose a cliché about life, what would it be?
Life is what you make it.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on book #2 in the Burger Heaven series. It’s called Hell Bent and Heaven Bound.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marcy McKay knew she wanted to write stories the moment she read about Oompa Loompas in fourth grade. She’s an award-winning short-story author and copywriter, as well as a freelance journalist and the creator of Mudpie Writing blog. Her work has appeared in Writer’s Digest, The Write Practice, Write to Done, Positive Writer and Jane Friedman.com. Marcy lives in Texas with her husband and two teens, who all still like her . . . most of the time. McKay is a member of the Writers’ League of Texas and the Texas High Plains Writers.

 

Connect with Marcy:

Website  | Blog  |  
Facebook  |  
Twitter  |  
Goodreads 

Buy the book:
Amazon