An Interview with Author Fiona Ballard about "Inscription"
- Apollo Imperium
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
We sat down for an interview with author Fiona Ballard to speak with her about her novel "Inscription". A novel about family separation, a wedding ring and a fight for an inheritance. We asked Ballard about her research into the topic, how long it took her to finish writing the book, herself, and more. Without further ado, let's get into the interview.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself! Who are you, how did you get into writing, which work of yours are you most proud of?
A: I grew up in a naval family. We lived in Portsmouth, Malaya and Dorset. As a child, I always had a vivid imagination. My nomadic lifestyle has played a significant role in shaping my writing themes. If someone had asked me what I planned to do once I’d retired from the NHS, I would have never replied. ‘Mm, I think I’m going to be an author.’ But the gift of a competition entry in 2018 changed the direction of my life, and so began my creative writing journey. To date, I have written five books and am halfway through the next novel.
Q: What’s the book about? Tell us where the story takes us.
A: Inscription - Samuel Gardiner is removed from his mother at birth. A solicitor contacts him with good news, so he starts digging into his past. Lies and retribution ensue, as he swoops in on his new family, causing mayhem, whilst filled with baffled resentment. What could be sweeter than to pit his step-brother and sisters against each other and carve out his own inheritance? They all owe it to him, don’t they? As he encircles the family searching for points of weakness, he focuses on his step-brother, Douglas. Inscription takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of an adult with a mysterious backdrop. The facts are all based on an inscription found on a wedding ring. As the best and worst of human behaviours emerge, they finally take their toll on fractured relationships. Who will arrive at the final destination victorious and who will fall by the wayside?
Q: What are the most important themes you wanted to get out into the world with this book? Did you struggle to incorporate them into the writing?
A: The removal of babies from underage mothers. Family loyalties. Status within a community.
Q: How long did it take you to write this book? Did you grow in your writing during this time?
A: Fourteen months.
Q: The usual question is, of course, why people should read your book. We’ll get to that later, but why would you read your book if you hadn’t written it?
A: I would be drawn in by the book cover. The Isle of Mull is in the background, and the ring bearing the inscription. I’d want to know what the significance of the dates meant.
Q: So… Why should people read your book?
A: People should read this book if they are interested in family relationships and how one mistake can threaten to disrupt family loyalties - is blood thicker than water? Nature versus nurture, does it exist?
Q: Are there any characters that you wrote parts of yourself into? Or did you detach yourself from the story to write from an entirely different perspective?
A: I detached myself from the characters, which I hope makes them more believable.
Q: Are there any scenes or plot points you cut out because they just didn’t work?
A: Yes, the subplot was about the protagonist’s brother and his horse during the war years.
Q: Where did you draw inspiration from, when you were looking for outside inspiration? Did you do a lot of research? Did you look for pictures with the right vibe?
A: My research was completed through family archives that generated the original plot. I used archive material from the two world wars. The history behind the Magdalene Laundries was invaluable for the finer details of the homes for unmarried mothers.
Q: Did you have alpha/beta readers? If so, what was the advice or comment that stuck out most to you, and helped you develop your story better?
A: Yes, I engaged beta readers. The beginning of the story was changed as a result.
Q: Are there any easter eggs in your story, or things that you’d only see if you read the book a second time?
A: No
Q: Rapid fire word association. One word (yes, you’re allowed more for titles) to describe your book for different topics. Here we go. 1: song, 2: different book, 3: color, 4: meal or food, 5: weather type, 6: environment (forest, cinema, kitchen, etc.), 7: mood.
A: 1: Living Doll 2: Inscription 3:Blue 4: Fry up 5:Stormy 6: Hills on Mull 7: Beatitude.
Q: Lastly, where can people find you and your book?
A: www.ballardsbookshelf.com / amazon.com / Troubadour Publishing
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