http://www.jeffreyballen.com
Geri: At this point and time in your life, are you exactly where you want to be in
your writing endeavors?
Jeffrey: I will never be where I want to be in my writing endeavors. Hard work is
always ahead, no-matter what one seeks to excel at. If we are truly
committed to being the best we can be, we should die trying. You may see
an athlete reach the pinnacle of achievement, when the adoration of the
public, or the amount of a contract exceeds all other athletes. But, I am
sure we cannot walk where he walks and we are never privy to his
thoughts, for it is the greatest in their field, who feel they could have been
greater. I believe the best way to experience where I want to go as a
writer is to read what other writers have written. The writer who I love the
most comes to mind. Hemingway, his uphill battle to please himself as a
writer wore him out, even though he was hailed as the greatest of
American writers. For me, I will continue to make every novel I write, better
than the last. I will continue to follow my creative instinct to instill style that
is not comparable. Tall order, lofty goals, but worthy of getting up every
morning, and trying.
Geri: What are your goals for the future in your journey of writing?
Jeffrey: I want to write the final book in the trilogy of 'Gone Away.' The first
book takes the reader on a journey into the infinite second. I love
magical realism, because it allows me to write reality, but with twists
that could be real, yet magical to others. Magical realism tackles tough
subjects with purpose. It is not just serious fantasy as some publishers
have coined it. It is purposeful in its philosophical basis, by exposing
conditions that are currently degrading the idealism that is the
cornerstone of our culture, and civilization. Having said that, I want my
novels to be entertaining, but not without powerful themes.
Geri: Who has given you the most inspiration in your writing journey?
Jeffrey: My inspiration comes from my upbringing, for some gene or genes that
went bad, and put the pain in me that cannot settle down, or be
contented with what is. I am always searching for answers to questions,
as a means to sustain a state of torment. Torment is what makes me
write. Torment is what heightens my emotions, feeds my happiness,
and wallows with my sadness. I am complete when I feel happiness
that can only be appreciated to its fullest, because beneath it lays my
pain. This is what you will find in 'Gone Away.' As one Reviewer put it,
"Gone Away Into The Land is not a joy ride, but rather a journey into
the philosophical depths of what drives us as human beings!"
Geri: In the early stages of writing, what did you find to be the most challenging?
Jeffrey: To write well. Writing is a craft. It requires concentration, and practice.
It needs to be revised over-and-over, until the prose reads like poetry.
Semantics and careful selection of words, dialog that instills pictures,
better than narrative ever could. This is what challenges me the most.
Behind that is the challenge to discipline myself, to write everyday,
no-matter-what.
Geri: What would you consider to be the highlight of your writing career?
Jeffrey: I started a wood-working business over thirty years ago. I remember
saying to myself, "I know I've made it when someone I do not know
orders something from me and then after I have completed their
project, they feel comfortable, if not compelled to give my name out
to a friend or relative." Such is getting reviews and comments from
people from all over the country, who have read my book and have
felt strongly enough about their experience to write a review, or write
to me through the myriad of channels available today. I thank every one
of them, from the bottom of my heart.
Geri: Thank you kindly for your time. It is a pleasure to have you back, and I
wish you much success.
Jeffrey: And, thank you Geri for interviewing me. Enjoy the journey, and fear
nothing, because there is nothing to fear.
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