Q and A – Author J.O. Ballance

Q: What inspired the author to become a writer?

A: I will be straightforward: I have never aspired to be a writer. I had a story, and I acted upon it. As I typed, the words effortlessly flowed from my mind to my hands. It was as if someone else were controlling my consciousness, and the more I typed, the more excited I became about writing.

Writing has allowed me to express myself without burdening others with my problems when I have found myself in a melancholy place over the years. Writing precisely what I felt at the time was highly therapeutic. As absurd as it may sound, I have discovered that I am incredibly inventive when my life travels down melancholy alley. Although I never considered becoming an author, I am pleased I didn't give up, as I can now call myself an author.

Q: How would you describe the author's writing style?

A: My writing style is descriptive because I can use thought-provoking, emotive language to immerse readers in an intangible experience, allowing them to connect with and identify with each character's emotions.

Q: Did the author face any challenges or obstacles in their writing career?

A: As a first-time author, finishing the novel was the most challenging decision I had to make. If I had known that composing a fictional story would present so many obstacles, I would not have undertaken this task. Nonetheless, with the encouragement and assistance of family and friends, I surmounted numerous obstacles and completed my first piece of artwork. As writing is an expression that allows others to experience life momentarily and emotionally through the writer's words, it is akin to painting an image.

Q: What themes or subjects does the author often explore in their works?

A: As this is my first endeavor at drafting a fiction novel, I had no particular theme in mind. I wrote based on my emotional state at the time. This endeavor gave rise to many emotions throughout the writing process, including happiness, disappointment, sadness, liberation, fear, and love.

Q: Does the author have a specific writing routine or process?

A: Yes, my routine included taking my 3-year-old Rottweiler, Blu Infinity, to daycare to complete this novel. After I returned home, I prepared breakfast, sat at the kitchen table with my food, turned on my computer, inserted my earbuds, and watched videos on YouTube while I ate. After breakfast, I prepared my work area, selected Lofi music on YouTube, inserted my earbuds, tuned out the world and wrote for a minimum of six hours, Monday through Friday.

Q: How has the author evolved as a writer over the course of their career?

A: Throughout this journey, I learned that if I set my mind to accomplishing an impossible task, I should not restrict myself as constraints can confine me to a square box with no apertures of opportunity. Thanks to expanding my imagination, I could see beyond the computer screen's black-and-white text and enter a fictional world that brought me immense joy.

Q: What advice or message does the author often share with aspiring writers?

A: As a new author, I advise aspiring writers not to be frightened of failure. If God has placed a story in your heart, act on faith and write without worrying about what others will think. Never permit another person or persons to prevent you from achieving your goals.

Q: When did you decide that you wanted to draft a book?

A: Before my June 2021 retirement from the Department of Defense, I purchased a motorhome to live and travel with my companion, Blu Infinity. Before my trip, I sat at the kitchen table, deleting obsolete computer files. As I combed through the files, I discovered the draft of this story. As I read the narrative, I decided to suspend my travel, and three months later, I had written more than 63,000-word draft. That was merely the beginning, and two years later, I completed my first fiction novel.

Q: Why did you decide to write the book that you wrote?

A:  Even though the topic of infidelity in relationships is not novel, I felt compelled to tell this story to the general public in the hope that women would stop being judgmental or opinionated when a woman grapples with infidelity. When infidelity enters a relationship, its demise begins; as women, we should be compassionate, slow to express our opinion and provide a safe space for her to share her truth. When a woman unburdens her heart, she typically wants the individual she has chosen to listen and not interrupt with their own stories because the moment is about her.

It is essential that we learn to assess the situation, attend to what is being said, and offer an opinion only if the individual requests one. There is always a time and a place for advice, but it cannot be your time.

As infidelity affects all of us, I trust that Michelle's journey will help women around the globe. There is no reason whatsoever for a woman to endure suffering in secrecy. We cannot stop infidelity, but if we learn to stand together and cease despising what another woman possesses, then and only then can change occur.

Q: What do you want your audience to get out of reading your book?

A: I like the readers to enjoy reading or listening to the book. If, in the end, they can assist another woman or themselves in leaving an unhealthy relationship, then the time I spent drafting this novel and overcoming its many obstacles was well worth it.