PHOTO: Marie Balustrade: Celebrated author and advocate, turning lived experiences into compelling stories that give a voice to the marginalized.
Fiction Inspired By Real-life Challenges
Through Wings At Dawn, Marie Balustrade addresses global issues like child trafficking, blending authentic experiences with storytelling to inspire readers while raising awareness about sensitive and often overlooked societal challenges.
Marie Balustrade is a storyteller unlike any other. Her journey from a life spent in development work to becoming a celebrated author has been nothing short of extraordinary. Born in the Philippines and raised across Kenya and Mexico, Marie’s diverse upbringing laid the foundation for the richly cultural landscapes of her novels. Seasoned by her experiences in India, Germany, and Thailand, she has not only lived among a variety of communities but has also carried their stories into her life’s purpose: writing.
After years of empowering others as a development worker, trainer, and literary translator, Marie discovered that writing and photography were two sides of the same coin—both integral to her expression and understanding of the world. Today, living in Portugal as a life coach and Reiki master, her life remains a testament to healing, creativity, and resilience.
Marie Balustrade masterfully transforms her real-world experiences into impactful, soul-stirring fiction that educates, empowers, and ignites meaningful conversations.
Marie’s latest novel, Wings At Dawn, is a shining example of her commitment to shining a light on the world’s most pressing issues. The book tells the story of trafficked children in Asia, a topic still shrouded in taboo and societal discomfort. For Marie, these narratives are not abstract concepts; they’re inspired by real people and communities she encountered during her 15 years working in development. “The 15 years I dedicated my life to development work are the source of my inspiration,” Marie shares. “I wanted to weave together fictional stories that mirrored real and contemporary social issues that I encountered along the way.”
Her writing process is, at its core, deeply authentic. Marie believes in crafting stories rooted in firsthand experiences, a standard she holds herself to with diligence. “I vowed never to write about something I didn’t have first-hand knowledge of or could go directly to the source,” she explains. Her work draws from a well of rich, personal interactions and insights gained from living among the communities she writes about. For Marie, this approach is not only the hallmark of a good storyteller but an ethical obligation for someone who seeks to create awareness and foster conversation through fiction.
Marie’s characters, much like her stories, are imbued with a level of detail and sensitivity that brings them to life. They are based on people she has met, their struggles and resilience offering the foundation for the depth and complexity present in her novels. “The characters in my book are based on people I met during my work and travels,” she says. “I wrote about Asia as an insider looking around, not an outsider looking in.” This perspective has allowed her to explore cultural nuances with profound authenticity.
One of the most striking elements of Marie’s work is her ability to balance the emotional weight of sensitive subjects, such as trafficking, with compelling storytelling and respect for the individuals behind the narratives. She notes that crafting such stories requires her to listen fully to the voices of the characters she creates. “A good storyteller finds a way to make you listen to the voice, the anguish in the words, without it being crude or overwhelming,” she says. It’s this thoughtful approach that captivates readers, making them deeply invested in her stories while opening their eyes to the complexities of social issues across the globe.
Creating awareness and fostering empathy are central to Marie’s mission as a writer. In Wings At Dawn, she skillfully confronts the urgent necessity of protecting children from exploitation while also offering a spark of hope. “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,” she explains. Her work illustrates that even in the most harrowing circumstances, there is the possibility of renewal, hope, and transformation.
For aspiring authors wanting to approach sensitive and complex subjects in their writing, Marie’s advice is refreshingly candid: “Never embark on such a project without in-depth research. Interview the victims, the first responders, the reporters, the politicians.” She emphasizes the value of total immersion in communities and personal engagement, pressing the importance of authenticity and compassion in crafting stories that resonate on a deep, human level.
Marie Balustrade not only writes to entertain but to stand as a literary activist—someone who uses her words to shed light into shadowed corners and to give a platform to the voiceless. Her ability to merge authenticity with artistry has positioned her as one of the most significant voices in contemporary fiction. Through her novels, she compels us to listen, to think, and most importantly, to care.
This interview was originally published in Reader’s House Magazine.
