Robert Ballard

I am Robert Elias Ballard, married to Pearlie Jane (PJ) for 53 years. We live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina in the community of Zirconia, North Carolina in (Henderson County) along with our son, Gary. I am a retired blue collar worker having worked for General Electric Outdoor Lighting Systems for approximately 30 years, retiring in 2003.

I enjoy writing stories based on my childhood memories and those of the people I knew in and around the cotton mill village of Tuxedo, North Carolina where I grew up in the 1950's and 1960's.

If you like short reads with simple content about life experiences,

then you're sure to enjoy my books. My writing style is inspirational while some have a humorous twist. All are written in simple everyday language that is candid with a clean down to earth vernacular reflecting the roots and values from the mountains of Appalachia.

I suppose the greatest compliment a writer can receive is that folks appreciate and resonate with your writing. Many who have bought my books have swelled my head with their words of kindness, ie “I just couldn't put the book down.” One like Kelvin Johns from Raleigh, NC likens my writing to those of James Mitchner while others have called me from distant places who grew up in the little mill village of Tuxedo and expressed their appreciation for my writing a book about the area where they grew up, some with sad memories. Another lady told me my writings reminded her of the writings of Laura Ingles Wilder.

It has been my goal all along to preserve some of our local history and as well to share memories of others, in this I have already succeeded. My most recent books are small book I entitled Nostalgia and Memories. In this book I share some favorite memories of folks who have impacted my life, a little story inspired when my granddaughters saw an amazing rainbow. Other stories are historical snap shots on ancestors who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Although a short book readers will find a warm feeling a subtle humor they will easily resonate. Finally, my latest book is titled, Good Neighbor Club, A Community Bonded by Love and Respect.