Jody Ballard is well known in the local community for her great energy and her many talents: mother, wife, therapist, artist, writer and more. Tempo sat down with her for a heart to heart conversation on her passion for writing…
Tell us the story of Jody Ballard
Moving here was entering a new section of the ‘life’s library.’ It is an understatement to say I am inquisitive and that I love to learn. I am also fascinated by human nature. I was raised by a Montana cowboy, so naturally I ride horses and remain passionate about the connection between man to his environment. I am a very happily married woman of 32 years and the mother of three happy, intelligent, curious, talented and loving children.
I try to stay focused of all aspects of my personal wellness. I am frequently introduced to friends as an artist/writer/psychologist with a tennis problem: I play tennis 2-3 days a week and adore the game. I have a very curious mind (yes I am sure we could use a double entendre here) that seeks out answers even to the most bizarre of questions. Currently I am educating myself about the GCC — everything and anything; language, culture, history, birds, pearl diving, local foods, Islam in comparison with other religions…
You write — why?
I write because I am a storyteller. I hope to entertain and to offer what might be thought provoking ideas for readers to consider. I write because fear does not stop me from writing, as it stops many people who have a story to tell. I write because I can.
They say the best advice for writers is to read. What do you read?
My hunger to read is insatiable. I believe this comes from a thirst for knowledge and my need to learn, to be provoked, and to look at the world from different perspectives. Therefore, I read novels (my favorite genre is historical novels), psychological journals, foreign policy magazines, cartoons, travel journals. I normally have two or three things I am reading at a time.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from life. I pay attention to people, interactions, nature, everything around me. All these things inform and inspire me. I listen intently to the stories of others, I find people fascinating and try to make my characters as intriguing to readers.
What is your writing process like?
I believe the research process of writing a novel is what started me on the path of writing. I love the research and had to stop myself at a certain point and begin to write. I am not a schooled creative writer so the learning curve on the science of this process has been straight up. I have to force myself to sit down and begin to write; it becomes a hypnotic process and I enjoy every minute. Once I begin and my mind is carried to another place, the sun can set, my husband can enter and leave the room many times, my phone rings and I hear it only in the distance — I am internally focused.
So it comes down to discipline?
Indeed. I write five days a week with a writer companion Seumas Gallacher in the lobby of the Beach Rotana. We meet and write daily for two hours, often discussing themes, character development, language, and practical issues such as marketing, fonts, distributions. It is a gift to have support in this process. We have welcomed many local authors to our corner and we gain insight and inspiration from them all.
Tell us about your upcoming books
My first book will focus on the legacy of an Emirati Grandfather. This is fascinating to me. I hope to use personal interviews. This book is inspired by Nabati poetry, the novels, The Age of Endurance and Rags to Riches, and the beauty of this country. I knew that in writing this book, I would be further educated about the UAE.
The second book will focus on a marriage which is being torn apart by infidelity; the question broached is: “Can a marriage survive infidelity?” We will watch a woman grapple with this question. I plan to write this book from her POV and the clinical notes of her therapist. Lucky me, I have worked this issue with couples for 30 years.
The quintessential obligatory question: any advice for aspiring writers?
Just write. Every day, and about anything. Writing is a skill requiring discipline, practice and courage.
Jody introduces her latest book “The Smell of Mud:”
“[I]n 1892 The Sherman Act was repealed by an act of congress. This stopped the subsidy of silver and caused the price of silver to plummet. In Granite Montana which is located three miles from where I call home, a thriving town of 3000 emptied in a matter of weeks. This provided a moment when everyone fighting for survival had an opportunity to change their lives. When forced into prostitution by tragic events or trafficking, people were forced to make life altering decisions quickly. How were these women able to stand back up when having fallen to the lowest place a woman can go. The story is essentially told from the diaries of the House Madam and the nice twist to the story is the voice of a contemporary 16 year old who is coming of age and the diaries filled with colorful stories and references help her frame her own relationships and sexuality.”
An excerpt from “The Smell of Mud”:
Today is Sunday, our only day of rest and all the young women in my house are sound asleep. They have become the joy of my life and the main focus of my efforts and energy. I love walking around the house, checking each room not as much for safety, but to gaze upon the innocence of their faces in sleep. They are all still children in their deepest slumber, hugging pillows, tucking hands between their legs for comfort or snuggling their cheeks into the cooler part of the mattress. Safe and secure, their bellies rise and fall slowly with deep breaths completely emptied of the weight and tensions of their lives. Their faces imbued with tranquility are void of sadness or fear.”
“The Smell of Mud” can be downloaded from Amazon.com.
By Ahmed Samir
