Name Marissa Honeycutt
Age 37
Where are you from
Phoenix Metropolitan Area of Arizona, USA
A little about yourself, i.e. your education Family life etc.
I’ve been married for 10 and a half years. We have two boys, 6 & 8, and I recently started homeschooling the oldest. We might bring the younger one home soon too, but as he’s in Kindergarten right now, he’s doing good in regular school. I am one class away from my Bachelors in Accounting, but I’m debating if I want to go to work and use it, or just stay as I am and write and be a mom. I’m leaning towards the latter.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
Latest news… Hmmm… well, I’m getting ready to release Part 4, Ensnared, of my series The Life of Anna. I’ve been overwhelmed with the response to Part 3 and can’t wait to see what my readers think of Part 4.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing down Anna’s story, oh, maybe a year and a half ago. I’d been living in this fantasy world for about 6 months while I was sick and I became a huge hermit. I needed to get it out of my head and return to the ‘real world.’ I never, ever intended on publishing it. I just wrote it down for my own enjoyment. I really thought that if I shared it with anyone, people would be disgusted with what happened in my head and hate me. But then, slowly, I started sharing the story with a few people at a time, and it turned out that I had a gift for writing.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I suppose after Part 1 came out. The whole experience has been so surreal, that it still doesn’t really sink in that I’m a published author. Almost every day, I have someone contact me asking me when the next book is coming out. That sort of thing totally makes my day!
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
Like I said above, the actual need to write was because I needed to return to reality. The whole thing started with a dream about being kidnapped with Adam Savage from Mythbusters and kept morphing and evolving until Anna’s story finally was told.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m not sure about style. I’ve never taken a creative writing class or anything like that. Can’t even tell you what an adverb or the object of a sentence is. I write what I see in my head and by how I feel. I feel my character’s pain, especially the emotions. I just write and write until the story is done. I’ll write things that I have no real reason for, and then find out later what it means or what was happening behind the scenes. Characters just appear in the story. I search for their names until I find the one that ‘feels’ right.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
I wanted a title that would tell what the story was about. It really is about Anna and her life. Yes, there are other important characters, but it’s really about her.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I certainly learned a lesson while writing it, but I don’t know or expect my readers to necessarily ‘learn’ it. But what I learned was, bad things happen in life. Things that really suck that you wish would never have happened. I personally hate emotions. But if I can’t feel the bad stuff that happens, how can I expect to feel the good? I found a saying on Pintrest that says it succinctly… “The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain…”
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
It depends on your view of the world. 😉
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Anna’s though process is very much like my own, but I’ve never been abused or been a sex slave. Thankfully.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most?
I’ve been a reader since I was little, and I absorb everything. So, honestly, I’d have to say every book I’ve ever read has influenced me. I can’t pinpoint one particular book, though.
Fiona: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I’ve never read a book like mine, so I’m not really sure how to answer that.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Oh, so many books to read, so little time! I’m not really reading anything at the moment, but the next one on my list is “The Witness” by Vanessa Waltz.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
New authors… Hmm… I am interested in reading “Captive” by Olivia Storm. I guess I don’t always know who is new and who has been around for a while. I have several friends who are authors and try my best to read and support them, but they’ve all been around for a while.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
The Life of Anna series is my first and continuing project. Part 4 will be out in February and Part 5 will be out in April. I am really looking forward to working on something new, though. I feel I’ve been working on this forever! Lol. I love the story, but looking forward to other stuff.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My Facebook family. I’d be lost without them.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
I never did before, but things are going very well right now. I don’t how long my books will be successful, but I’ll take it as long as I can.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No. I’m happy with how it turned out. It’s a very complicated plot and making even tiny changes, has repercussions down the road.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I asked my parents and they said I’ve always been a good writer, though I never really thought about it before. I wrote a story about New Kids On The Block when I was in middle school, though. It kept me company because I was the school nerd and didn’t have many friends.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Part 4 of The Life of Anna is coming out in February, and it’s part of a series of 5 books. Here’s the beginning of that book:
(Two Years Later)
Anna felt herself rising to a stark and brutal level of consciousness, only dimly aware that she lay flat on her back in her own bed at the Manor.
With lucidity came a dull, aching pain that grew with each breath she drew.
Devin had taken Anna’s baby. A child conceived out of love with Alex. The last vestige of Alex she had clung to. And Devin took it. Again.
Again?
No. It couldn’t be Alex’s baby. Alex was dead. He’d been dead for so long…she didn’t know how long. He was dead. But then why did Devin say it was Alex’s baby and get her so upset?
Anna felt the fog of confusion smothering her mind. She was always confused these days. Some days Devin said Alex was alive. Other days, Devin said Alex was dead. Why did he confuse her? It was hard enough keeping hold of reality as it was. But when Devin bothered to speak to her, it got even more confusing.
Focus, Anna. Her inner voice sounded as weak as she felt, but she tried to comply, vaguely remembering back to a time when she could focus, when she was much stronger than she was now.
They’d just returned home from another Spring Gathering—her third, she thought. She’d been pregnant before they left. She was not pregnant now. Devin had told her before they left that it was Alex’s baby, and she’d believed him. She’d fought tooth and nail to keep him from taking it, but now it just seemed foolish. Alex had been dead for a long, long time.
Alex! The pain in her heart began again. She ran to the bathroom and tore open her relief cabinet of drugs.
It was empty.
“No!” she cried. “No!” She’d been a good girl. She’d done everything Devin had asked her to do. Why was he withholding her relief?
She ran to her bedroom door and pounded on it, screaming Devin’s name. She didn’t care if he came to punish her. She just needed him to come. Screaming his name always made him come. It made him mad.
But no one came. She pounded on the door until her fists were bruised and bleeding, and still no one came.
Devin always came when she screamed. Why not this time?
She curled up in a ball on her bed and sobbed. Where was everybody? She was a good girl. She tried very hard to be obedient. Why was he punishing her? What had she done wrong?
The only time Devin required her to be coherent was during the Spring Gatherings, and even then she wasn’t completely coherent. He didn’t take her to the Summer Gatherings anymore. He said she didn’t need to be there, so she stayed home and got high. He didn’t really need her at all, except for one thing: a baby in the spring. Anna didn’t understand why.
She didn’t remember much of the last two years, except avoiding thoughts of Alex. She hadn’t seen or spoken to anyone since she’d come home from Germany. Except Wilhelm. He came out every few months and visited with her. She didn’t like it when he came. He reminded her too much of Alex.
But when he left, she felt so lonely.
The drugs were seeping out of her system now and she couldn’t avoid thinking about Alex. She missed him. So much it hurt to breathe.
She looked at her right hand. Devin had made her take off her diamond rings, but made her wear her right hand wedding band. Every time she looked at it, pain stabbed her heart. She tried to take it off one time and Devin got so angry. It didn’t make any sense. Why would Devin want her to remember her dead husband?
Her hand was swollen from pounding on the door and it made the ring tight. Normally it was too loose; she’d lost a lot of weight over the last two years. She didn’t even like to look in the mirror now.
Tommy had been astonished when he saw her last week at the Gathering. She recalled the shock on his face and his concerned exclamation.
“You’ve gotten so thin! I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” she’d protested. She appreciated his concern, but she was fine.
Anna had been astounded to see Aaron at the Gathering. She couldn’t make herself speak to him, but saw him and Tommy talking a lot. Travis was there as well and the three of them seemed inseparable.
Life had changed a lot in the last two years. She rarely left her room, was rarely called upon to perform any sexual duties. Men just didn’t seem interested in her body without the curves; but Anna didn’t mind. Ian stayed with her several nights a week and that was all she needed. Devin only spent the night with her once in a while. If she’d been sober enough to care, she would have been hurt.
The door opened and she flipped over to see Maggie enter carrying a tray.
“Maggie!” she cried. “Where’s Devin?”
Maggie gave her a sympathetic look. “Master said that he would come see you after you ate.”
“Why is my cabinet empty?” Anna demanded.
Maggie’s eyes widened and she flinched at Anna’s sudden, mercurial demeanor. “Master said to take everything out while you were gone. I don’t know, Mistress.”
“I’m not hungry,” Anna huffed. If she couldn’t have her drugs, then she wouldn’t eat.
“Master said he wouldn’t come see you if you didn’t eat,” Maggie said quietly.
Anna narrowed her eyes at the tray of food. “Fine.”
She got up on shaky legs and walked to the table and began eating. Maggie left the room after watching her for a minute and Anna was left alone.
It was too quiet. She looked around for the remote for the TV and saw it on the nightstand. Anna sighed. She couldn’t reach it and didn’t have the energy to get up and get it. Maybe after she ate.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I can get lost in my world and my characters. I’m also a little OCD, so it’s hard to balance writing and family life. I’ve mostly been editing and for the last year, so I haven’t been writing anything new. That will change soon and I’ll have to relearn all over again.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Hmm. I have several favorites. I love AJ Adams because she’s dark like me and I really like the stories she comes up with. I also am a huge fan of KD Grace because, man! Can she write some kinky stuff!
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I haven’t travelled yet, but am hoping to in the future. I’m hoping to be selected to be an author at the LoveNVegas event in July. I have my PAs looking into a couple of other signings as well. As far as research goes, I travel by Google Maps quite a bit.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Me
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Editing out parts that people didn’t like.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Oh yes! I learned that there are other people out there as sick and twisted as I am. It’s a very comforting thought.
Also, that even though pain happens in life, good things happen too. If you can’t feel the bad, you won’t be able to feel the good.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Remember that your first draft is puking up your ideas. (Sorry if that makes someone sick.) Don’t worry about how it sounds or if it make sense. Just ‘puke’ everything out and then later you sort through and make sure it make sense.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I am so thankful for each and every one of you. I’d be nowhere without you and I NEVER want to forget that.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
I wish! No, but I’ve been reading my whole life. The first place I went when I got my drivers license at age 16 was the library. That says a lot!
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
Oh, lots of things. Silly movies. Silly jokes. I love FB memes and silly pictures. My kids. I LOVE to laugh
Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?
Is it terrible that I can’t think of anyone? I would love to meet some of my fans someday soon, though. J
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?
“Sick and Twisted, but Loved as she was”
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies, but I do enjoy coloring, watching Marvel Superhero movies and reading
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I LOVE Doctor Who. I really like BBC shows like The Fallen, The IT Crowd and The Paradise. Also Psych, White Collar and Leverage (I watch a lot of Netflix). The only movies I’ll pay to go see are Marvel Superhero movies and movies like The Hobbit.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Favorite color: purple
Food: chocolate mint anything J
Music: depends on my mood. I listen to classical and country mostly
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
I’m one class away from my bachelors in Accounting, so probably accounting
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
https://www.facebook.com/MarissaHoneycuttAuthor
https://marissahoneycutt.wordpress.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8306428.Marissa_Honeycutt
Here’s info on my books:
The Life of Anna, Part 1: Enslaved (FREE)
Anna’s entire life was scripted out before she was born by Devin Andersen, a man who doesn’t have her best interests in mind. She is to be a tool in his hands to gain ultimate power in the USA. No, not as the President, but as the man who controls the President.
Raised by an extremely abusive guardian, Anna was molded into the perfect sex slave for Devin’s use. Devin will use Anna’s unique gifts to control everyone around him and eventually take her gifts for himself.
When Devin took her for himself at the age of twelve, she had a vision of a man. A man who Devin was very interested in. But why? Why would Devin care about a little girl’s dreams?
Buy Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MYQBXU4
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MYQBXU4
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00MYQBXU4
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00MYQBXU4
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00MYQBXU4
B&N: http://bit.ly/1t2P5aq
Nook: http://bit.ly/1yxSIFW
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/472513
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1501048341
The Life of Anna, Part 2: Entwined
Anna has two masters, one she hardly knows, but who makes her feel safe, the other she’s known all her life and says he needs her.
Alex wants her to be free.
Devin demands her obedience.
As Anna takes her first steps into the world, into love, into friendship, she wonders if she will ever understand either of them.
Buy Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OIIK65E
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OIIK65E
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00OIIK65E
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00OIIK65E
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00OIIK65E
B&N: http://bit.ly/1yTo6AH
Nook: http://bit.ly/1AUHisS
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/484748
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1503041182
The Life of Anna, Part 3: Embraced
Devin has achieved his goal of becoming Chairman and all seems peaceful…until Devin performs an act of cruelty that pushes Anna to fight back for the first time in her life. Meanwhile, Alex is working hard to give her something that Devin can never take away.
As her Masters work around her, Anna must navigate a life she never wanted.
Buy Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QVMHJ6O
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QVMHJ6O
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00QVMHJ6O
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00QVMHJ6O
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00QVMHJ6O
B&N: http://bit.ly/1yTuBU5
Nook: http://bit.ly/1Cjxgps
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/500695
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1505633834
The Life of Anna, Part 4: Ensnared (release date Feb 13)
Everything Anna cared about is lost; the only thing left is Devin. She gives him all of herself, but even that seems too little.
As Anna realizes the truth of her Master’s desire, she must decide what it is that she truly wants.
Pre order links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1yKFEff
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1t0g7iK
Amazon DE: http://amzn.to/1t0g7iN
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1t0g7z3
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1yKFEvD
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1t0g9qW