Marissa Shrock: author of the YA dystopian The First Principle

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Nickname: Mar, HaHa

Genre: Young Adult

Personal Philosophy: Trust God always.

Fave Scripture (& why): Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

This verse is my favorite because waiting on God is an important lesson I’ve had to learn. Though I didn’t have to wait as long as some to be published, I’m having to wait much longer than I ever imagined for God to bring the right man into my life to be my husband. When nothing seems to be happening, this verse reminds me I’m waiting on God to work things out in his time.

Fave Quote: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’” Ronald Reagan

In high school I was a…music nerd. I played the piano, sang in show choir, had roles in musicals, and performed in a chamber music ensemble.

Marissa in high school

Thanks for signing in, Marissa!

I really enjoyed The First Principle and I’m excited to introduce it and you to our readers. From the back of the book:

In the not-too-distant future, the United Regions of America has formed. Governors hold territories instead of states, and while Washington, DC, is gone, the government has more control than ever before. For fifteen-year-old Vivica Wilkins, the daughter of a governor, this is life as usual. High school seems pretty much the same–until one day, that controlling power steps right through the door during study hall.

When Vivica speaks out to defend her pregnant friend against the harsh treatment of Population Management Officer Marina Ward, she has no idea she’s sowing the seeds of a revolution in her own life. But it isn’t long before she discovers her own illegal pregnancy. Now she has to decide whether to get the mandatory abortion–or follow her heart, try to keep the baby, and possibly ruin her mother’s chances at becoming president.

LG: Whom did you have in mind when you wrote The First Principle?

MS: My target audience is teenage girls who enjoy dystopian fiction with strong female protagonists.

LG: What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

MS: While I hope they enjoy and remember the story, I ultimately hope they recognize Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

LG: Which character is most like you and why?

MS: In some ways Vivica is like me, though I’m not as tough or as smart as she is. Like me, she tries to hide her feelings but isn’t always successful.

LG: If you could meet one of your characters in real life, which one would it be and what would you do together?

MS: I’d meet Vivica, and I’d have her teach me some of her computer skills. I don’t need to know how to be a hacker like she is, but maybe she could help me be a bit more tech savvy.

Marissa – thanks so much for taking the time out to come by and talk to us today. I’m looking forward to the sequel to The First Principle. 

HEAD OVER TO MY BLOG TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MARISSA, CATCH AN EXCERPT FROM HER NOVEL, AND ENTER TO WIN A FREE COPY!

FOR OUR READERS: Is a book that talks about abortion and teenage pregnancy too gritty for you? Do you think any subjects should be off-limits for Christian fiction?