A Journey From Development Worker To Literary Activist
Marie Balustrade, author of Wings At Dawn, discusses transforming real-world experiences into fiction, addressing social issues like child trafficking, and inspiring readers to engage deeply with complex, sensitive topics.
Marie Balustrade is a luminous force in contemporary literature, bringing the rawness of reality to her beautifully crafted narratives. Her awe-inspiring journey—from the bustling streets of the Philippines to the cultural landscapes of Kenya, Mexico, and Asia—has shaped her unique voice as both a writer and a humanist. As a development worker, literary translator, and photographer, Marie embodies a rare fusion of empathy, artistry, and insight, which permeates every word of her storytelling. It is this rich tapestry of experiences that lends authenticity to her poignant exploration of controversial and pressing social issues.
Her latest novel, Wings At Dawn, stands as both a beautiful and heart-wrenching testament to her dedication to voicing the silenced and exposing the unseen. Tackling the harrowing plight of trafficked children in Asia, Marie delivers a narrative that is as compelling as it is compassionate, offering hope amidst unimaginable darkness. Her ability to translate real-world challenges into emotionally resonant fiction is unparalleled, and her work consistently invites readers to think deeply, feel profoundly, and engage critically with the world around them.
Marie’s literary activism is not only an inspiration to aspiring authors but also a call to action for us all. Her stories, rich in cultural nuance, vivid characterisation, and unflinching honesty, remind us of the power of words to ignite change. It is a privilege to feature Marie Balustrade in this month’s issue, and I am certain her words will resonate deeply with our readers, just as they have left an indelible mark on the global literary stage.
Marie Balustrade is a fearless storyteller whose authenticity and compassion transform sensitive topics into deeply moving and thought-provoking fiction.
What inspired you to write about such controversial and challenging social issues in your novels?
The 15 years I dedicated my life to development work are the source of my inspiration. I wanted to weave together fictional stories that mirrored real and contemporary social issues that I encountered along the way. Being a development worker exposes you to poverty, pain, hunger, despair, political and social unrest at the grassroots level, giving you insights into human nature that most people that live inside the glass palaces of corporate worlds don’t even want to see or know about.
This is a world governed by nature and challenged by human nature, all seeking to survive another day. One situation can be absorbed or reported in so many different ways, but if you listen to the different actors involved, you get a better grasp of the plight many communities are facing. I wanted to detach myself from the news and the anonymous case files, and bring to life the people and places that left a lasting impact on me and influenced many of my life choices.
How did your experiences as a development worker in Asia shape the characters and settings in your book?
The characters in my book are based on people I met during my work and travels. Having Asian roots, I had homecourt advantage in the exploration of cultural values and nuances, which means I wrote about Asia as an insider looking around, and not an outsider looking in.
I find great joy in observing details of human behaviour, how they use their talents or features to their advantage or manipulate others into submission. I became a development worker in order to serve the disadvantaged communities, empower the marginalised, and give a voice to those who had none, or were too afraid to speak up. This is exactly what my characters do, give the different groups they represent the opportunity to express their fears, terrors, tell their side of the story, and bring the taboo topics out into the open to create awareness.
What challenges did you face while translating your research into a fictional narrative?
Since I wrote based on personal experience and knew the emotional and thought processes of the people first hand, everything flowed naturally and fell into place as I got deeper into the novel. Half-way through the book I vowed never to write about something I didn’t have first-hand knowledge of or could go directly to the source. The whole point of being a literary activist is to create a platform for discussion, and that begins with authenticity.
What message or impact do you hope readers take away from “Wings At Dawn”?
Wings At Dawn addresses the plight of the trafficked children in Asia, and this is something people still hesitate to talk about or take seriously on different levels of society. We need to pay more attention to where our children are, who they interact with, and more importantly, teach them how to defend themselves against predators. Why wings at dawn? The unifying thread is that no matter how dark and terrifying the night can be, when dawn comes you can spread your wings and fly towards salvation.
How do you balance the emotional weight of the subject matter with the storytelling process?
It all boils down to understanding the culture, paying attention the details, and knowing your subjects so well that you create them with sensitivity, vulnerability and strength. There are a million and one ways to describe a kidnapping or torture and end up with a horrifyingly brutal and crude chapter. A good storyteller finds a way to make you listen to the voice, the anguish in the words, and even the cacophony of the market place without it being dull. By listening to the characters its more enthralling to visualise the movie in your mind.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to tackle sensitive and complex topics in their writing?
Never embark on such a project without in-depth research, and this means total immersion in the communities you want to write about. Interview the victims, the first responders, the reporters, the politicians. It will take time and a lot of negotiation to get your foot in the door, but the readers will be able to tell immediately whether you just skimmed the internet or write from personal experience. Authenticity and compassion make all the difference in this day and age when AI churns out books before we can even finish writing our names.
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