1) Marissa, you wrote a book recently published by Kregel called The First Principle. Tell us a little about it if you would.
The First Principle is a futuristic story about a sixteen-year-old girl who must comply with her country’s mandatory pregnancy termination law for underage girls or fight to save her unborn child. But fighting means she must seek the help of a rebel organization that is plotting a revolution.
2) Why and how did you end up picking this topic?
One day I asked myself, What if there was a society that required underage girls to terminate their pregnancies? Would they all comply? What would happen if they rebelled? Of the story ideas I’d brainstormed at the time, it was the one that intrigued me most. I wanted to find the answers to my questions, so I started writing.
3) What do you think is the most important message out of your book, other than the message that babies are worth protecting?
I think John 14:6 is the most important message. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
4) The First Principle has some really strong moral themes which are always good to see, yet you chose to go further than just moral themes and actually incorporate the concept and reality of Christianity into this book, why?
My first goal was to write an intriguing story. However, a dystopian society that requires abortions of underage girls is bleak. Without the Christian characters who are committed to sharing the truth in the Bible, the story would be without hope, and that conflicts with my worldview.
5) When and how did you become a Christian?
I grew up with parents who modeled what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. When I was young, I accepted Christ as my Savior, but I made a public commitment the Easter I was thirteen. At that time I fully understood what it meant to know Jesus as my Savior, and I became serious about growing spiritually.
6) Do you think your worldview as a Christian played a role in how and why you wrote this book?
Absolutely. Every book is a billboard for the author’s worldview, so when someone with a biblical worldview writes a book, he or she can’t help but inject hope into the stories. This is one reason I dislike reading most secular fiction. In many cases the novels are well-crafted, but more often than not, there is a spiritual darkness and underlying despair that I find depressing.
7) What was the hardest part for you in writing this book?
Having a pregnant heroine was difficult. The pregnancy timeline had to be perfect and fit with the story.
8) If you could pass one piece of advice on to other Christian writers what would it be?
Ask God to show you his will for your life and stick to it. Don’t compare yourself to other writers or worry about what they’re doing except to learn from them.
If you are interested in buying this book you can click on the book title throughout this post or here to get to Marissa Shrock’s website at http://www.marissashrock.com/
When the rocks speak 
This is great! I enjoyed The First Principle and appreciate that Marissa included hope in her story. As she said, the conflict was bleak, but you walk away from this story encouraged and ready to stand up for what you believe in.