About
I began writing things down at the age of eleven, and I haven't stopped since. I have written far too many things that have gone unpublished, from very terrible horror novels in my teens, to comics during my time at Belhaven College until finally settling on cyberpunk science fiction after graduation. My first novel (Under the Amoral Bridge) is part of a larger series called The Bridge Chronicles, which I reveal in weekly updates on the blog at http://amoralbridge.blogspot.com. The Bridge Chronicles in turn is one slice of cohesive universe that began as a pen-and-paper roleplaying game.
I currently live with my beautiful wife and three very insane dogs in Mississippi, where I continue to write my novels and blog on my personal blog at http://gameangst.blogspot.com.
Divided against Yourselves (Spell Weaver)
Description
<h2>Taliesin Weaver thought that he had saved himself and his friends when he defeated the witch Ceridwen. He was wrong.</h2><h3><i>He always thought of evil as embodied in external threats that he could overcome in combat. Soon he will discover that the worst evil has been inside of him all along....</i></h3><p>Tal’s girlfriend is in a coma for which he holds himself responsible. A close friend, suffering from a past-life memory trauma similar to Tal's, is getting worse, not better. Morgan Le Fay is still lurking around and has an agenda Tal can’t figure out. Supernatural interruptions in his life are becoming more frequent, not less so, despite his expectations. In fact, Tal learns that something about his unique nature amplifies otherworldly forces in ways he never imagined were possible, ways that place at risk everyone close to him.</p><p>Tal and his allies must face everything from dead armies to dragons. As soon as they overcome one menace, another one is waiting for them. More people are depending on Tal than ever; he carries burdens few adults could face, let alone a sixteen-year-old like himself. Yet somehow Tal at first manages to handle everything the universe throws at him.</p><p>What Tal can’t handle is the discovery that a best friend, almost a brother, betrayed him, damaging Tal’s life beyond repair. For the first time, Tal feels a darkness within him, a darkness which he can only barely control...assuming he wants to. He’s no longer sure. Maybe there is something to be said for revenge, and even more to be said for taking what he wants. After all, he has the power...</p><p> </p><h2><u>Can Tal stop himself before he destroys everyone he has sworn he will protect? Scroll up to buy a copy and find out!</u></h2>
Story Behind The Book
The novel was originally released on the aforementioned blog in regular, serial installments. It was meant as a free showcase for my work to attract attention, but the main character of Artemis Bridge was so interesting, I decided to make a series around the character's life and called it The Bridge Chronicles. The second novel, The Know Circuit, is also available on the blog and will be published in paperback and ebook in early 2010.
Reviews
<p>"...well written and a joy to read, Ballard paints imaginative scenarios and environments"<br /><br />
"Ballard does a complete and thorough job of world building."<br /><br />
"It’s a great story, great characters (whether you like or dislike them personally, you still get involved with them) and has a great reading rhythm."</p>
