Why B*tches Get Stitches:
An Intimate Interview with Author & Graphic Designer, Timberlake

Graphic designed by Timberlake.

The scene is set in a quiet café on the upper east side of town with the smell of coffee beans all around…all around…all around. Okay, I’m lying but I wanted to build you a little bit of atmosphere for what you’re about to experience. This, indeed, shall be an interview like no other – an encounter like no other. Why, you ask? You are about to be introduced to one of NSYNC fan fiction’s most pivotal and fastest rising stars…and I say star because this woman can not be fit and contained in the tiny little box of being “just” an author. She is a movement.

Climb aboard.

Nikki: Mari, it's a pleasure to be sitting down with you for this interview. How are you feeling this evening?

Timberlake: I'm feeling good, Nik. It's a pleasure to be sitting down with you as well, darling.

Nikki: Dahling, I love it. You were my very first choice for the lead off interview here at E2. Your writing is top notch, girl. I talk to tons of people and I swear all of them have mentioned your stories at least twice in the past month. What's your secret?

Timberlake: Wow, top notch, eh? lol. First of all, I love everyone who told you that, lol. Second of all, I don't really have a secret. I just write whatever comes to mind and hopefully folks will like it.

Nikki: From all of the awards you've collected I think it's safe to say the masses are liking it!

Timberlake: lol, I suppose it is, but it still amazes me whenever I get a review or a compliment, lol. I don't believe that my work is worthy of all the attention its been getting.

Nikki: When you first started your writing what was behind it? Was it just something to pass the time or did you come upon something that made you stop and say, 'hey, I want to do that'?

Timberlake: It was actually a little bit of both. I came across an O-Town fan fic (I had this extremely retarded obsession with them when I was younger, lmao) that was written in such a way that I went 'whoa, let me try this shit out', lol. I was bored out of my mind also, so I thought I could finally do something creative with all my spare time rather than watching cartoons or sleeping, lol.

Nikki: Did you ever post your work on O-Town? If so, how did that fair online? What lead to the transition into NSYNC fanfiction for you?

Timberlake: I actually did post up some of my O-Town work online. This site called FictionPress or something like that. It did okay, actually. I was quite surprised that people took interest in it, lol. My writing isn't the best now, but then. . .It was really bad. I mean terrible, lmao. But I continued to write anyway. . . Until O-Town fell off the face of the planet and I finally saw how fine Justin Timberlake was, lol. Call me a shallow writer, but it's the truth, lol.

Nikki: You know, what? All I have to say about that is that if you so happen to fall out of love with Justin try falling in love with whomever I so happen to fall in love with as well. Grow with me, Mari! Grow with me!

Timberlake: lol. I'll try, I'll try, lol. I doubt I'll be falling out of love with Justin any time soon. That boy is too good to let go, lmao

Nikki: Out of all the stories that you've written about Justin to date which one holds that place in your heart and means the most to you?

Timberlake: Um. . . Love & Trust is my baby. It was the first Justin fanfic I wrote and it led to Alonsha and Justin mania, lmao.

Nikki: LMAO, how did that feel for you when you got all that love back from the readers and saw that they had really bonded with the characters that you had created?

Timberlake: Oh goodness, I can't even tell you how good it felt to get all the love and support from my readers. Knowing that I actually made people feel the pain, the love, the anger, and the sadness of my characters meant, and still means, so much to me.

Nikki: Are there any authors or stories out there today that have had the same effect on you that you have had on your readers?

Timberlake: Definitely. There are so many great authors and stories to choose from, but my personal favorites are The Bugs & Babs Series by Ms. Ashley, Crossing Paths by Christina (Teeny), gem by Markie, Joke's On You by Jessica (glitter15), Broken by Courtney (ialwayzbesingin), Complication/Velvet by Lisa (bogglethemind), and Tragic Kingdom by you, Ms. Nikki, lol.

Nikki: I'm just going to omit that last name and story from my recollection and move right along...lol...What was it about those stories or the writing styles of those authors that caught your attention as a reader?

Timberlake: LOL! Don't omit your name, Nik. You deserve the recognition. . . And those stories caught my eye because the first few lines got to me. Whether it was a line that made me laugh or a song that got me going, the words sparked my interest. Also because a majority of the stories are first person. I love being able to be in a characters head, knowing exactly how they're feeling in a moment, because half the time I can relate to it. Like if they're in an argument with someone, the author writes in such a way that you're like 'Yeah, I would've done that. . . That's exactly what I was thinking. . .' . I just get into it, lol.

Nikki: Are there any mainstream authors whose work you enjoy reading outside of fan fiction that you would recommend others to read?

Timberlake: I really enjoy books from Sharon Draper. She's the author of Tears of a Tiger. I recommend that book and every other book she's ever written, lol. The woman is a genius.

Nikki: *Makes mental note to look for book at Barnes & Nobles* Ooh! So what in your life do you feel you're most passionate about? Hopes? Dreams? Aspirations? I mean, besides world domination and marrying Justin Timberlake?

Timberlake: lol. . .what I'm most passionate about is life itself. To get through it without many regrets and to actually live life to the fullest is my dream. I want to experience it all. The love, pain, happiness and sadness, and hopefully come out as a better person in the end.

Nikki: Has there ever been a situation for you that you can think of that really pushed you to the limit but in the end pushed you to a new level of growth? *feels like Oprah*

Timberlake: lmao. . . I was about to say that was a very Oprah-like question, lol, but to answer the question, I have had a lot of situations like that. I'm young, but I've been through so much already. . .I don't want to get too into it, but growing up in a single parent home was hard when I was younger. My mom struggled to take care of my siblings and I while she was dealing with my father's drama. It was tough seeing my mom break down sometimes when things got too overwhelming. I had to step up and help out in any way that I could. . .I was bitter about it then, but now, I realize that it only made me stronger.

Nikki: Do you think having to step up and pick up the slack at times kind of forced you to mature a bit more quickly or view certain situations in a way others your age wouldn't?

Timberlake: Yeah, it did. I wasn't completely stripped of my childhood, but at the time, I knew that getting the bills paid ware much more important than getting a new pair of sneakers. And when other kids were wasting every penny they got for birthdays or Christmases on toys or food, I was giving every cent to my mom to get the gas bill paid.

Nikki: Coming from a situation like that, which I completely understand, do you think when you envision a family stucture for yourself that marriage could work and be great or is that more like a fairytale ideal for you? I just know a lot of young women that don't really believe it can work.

Timberlake: I think it's not so much the marriage itself that concerns me, it's finding the right guy. The experiences I had with the opposite sex combined with my childhood has left me rather guarded, so I'm worried that I might let the right one slip away because of my fear of getting hurt. But I hope that when he comes along, I'll be smart enough to know to let him in, lol. . . I don't neccessarily believe it'll be 'great' though. I mean, come on, it's marriage, lol. I answered the question, right?

Nikki: LMAO. Yes, I think you answered the question. In your stories do you strive to write what you think the ideal should be or something more realistic to your or people you know's situations?

Timberlake: I think I write in a more realistic sense. I don't want it to be all sugar coated or anything, and I believe my readers appreciate that, even though they get frustrated sometimes, lol because they want that 'happily ever after' stuff, lol.

Nikki: I think a lot of people appreciate that you're writing something real. Life's not always full of happy endings. I'm going to kind of ease into a different topic here. If it came down to a battle of the sexiest between Brad Pitt and Justin Timberlake who do you think would prevail and why?

Timberlake: Oh. . .that's a tough one, lol. Both men are the epitome of sexy, but I would have to say Justin. Why? Because he seems to be the entire package. He has that mama's boy persona and that whole sensitive side, singing about heart break and whatnot. . .but at the same time, he's telling a girl to cry a river and on stage rocking bodies, lol.

Nikki: LMAO!

Timberlake: Justin also has the 'old soul' vibe coming from him. He's wise and has his priorities straight, but he's still a goof ball who would put on an omlet outfit just to get a few laughs, lol. And did I mention how fine he was???? LOL!

Nikki: How do you feel about bitch fits and are they justified? Have you ever had one?

Timberlake: I think a bitch fit is a woman's way of really getting her point across because people just don't know how to listen nowadays. I know we're suppose to be patient, but like every human being on this earth, there's only so much we can take before something must be done, lol. Are they justifed? Hell yes! LOL! And of course I had one. .. Shit, I had a couple. ..lol. But I won't get into that. . .

Nikki: We'll save that for another conversation then? LOL. What are your true feelings on Justin Timberlake's relationship with Cameron Diaz? In comparison to his past relationship with Britney Spears?

Timberlake: In all honesty, I couldn't care less, lol. Justin will date who he wants regardless of how I feel, but based off what I've heard them say about where they see their lives going, I don't think they'll last. Cameron's always been a free spirit, and has always said that marriage and having kids isn't something she sees happening. However, Justin has said marriage and kids is something he definitely wants in the future. . . But who knows? Maybe their feelings have changed during the course of their relationship.

The whole J & B thing was so hyped up. I hated the attention they were getting because everybody thought they were so perfect and blah, blah, blah. . . But really, what relationship is perfect? If anything, I thought they weren't really happy together because things seemed just too good to be true. . . The world really put a lot of pressure on them, I think.

Nikki: I like your spin on it. Okay, this question is for shits and giggles. If you were invited to an exclusive Hollywood soiree and woke up the next morning between Ashley of O-Town and Justin of NSYNC what ould be the first thing you would think? What would you do?

Timberlake: Wow. . . I would have a heart attack, first of all, LMAO! What would I think???? I think we all know what I would've been thinking. . . 'HELL YES!' LOL! I kid, I kid. . .lol. I'd probably be thinking 'oh my god. . . what did I do?' and then I'd run out of there, lmao. I'd be really upset, to be honest. I know they're hot and everything, but I don't get down like that, LMAO! I would definitely get tested for something because Lord knows they're manwhores, lmao.

Nikki: *Falls out of chair laughing* I was expecting more of a look down and check for panties reaction but that's classic! If you were president for a day what would be on your personal agenda?

Timberlake: Getting the budget fixed. I think the money the nation has is distributed unfairly. I think a lot of people are overpayed (i.e. celebrities) so I would definitely cut that down and use that money to help out other countries. America has so much and I honestly believe we could give more than we do already.

Nikki: Remind me to vote for you when you run, okay? What's your favorite movie? Song? Who is your favorite actor? Actress? Your hero?

Timberlake: My favorite movie. .. I don't really have one, lol. But some of my favorites are the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Shawshank Redemption, Waiting To Exhale, Unfaithful, The Color Purple, Seven, White Chicks, etc. . . My favorite song is the same deal, lol. I love anything by John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Destiny's Child, India Arie, Amel Larriuex, Jill Scott, Fall Out Boy, Rihanna, D'angelo, etc. . . My favorite actors are. . . Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Johnny Depp, and Tim Robbins. My favorite actresses are. . . Kimberly Elise, Halle Barry, America Ferrera, and Kierra Knightly. My hero is. . . Jesus. Honestly. He was a divine man who I truly admire. I wish I could live like him and think the way he did and the way he still does.

Nikki: Mari...that's just...awesome, dude. Let me see here. Two more questions for ya. If you could title the movie of your life what would it be called and who would you like to portray you in the film?

Timberlake: That's a very good question. . . I would probably call it Ebb & Flow. . . I don't really know who I would want to play me. . . Probaby America Ferrera. . . but she's Hispanic, so I don't if that would work, lmao!

Nikki: Parting words?

Timberlake: Parting words are suppose to be wise and 'don't do drugs' but I don't have anything left to say, but thank you for interviewing me, Nik. Thanks to all of you that read and thanks for all the love and support I've gotten so far. I'm truly humbled by the kindness of you all.