Jean Ballard

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2023

Stories (4)

4 Stories

90 karma pts

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“Secrets of the Swampland” by Jean Ballard

Submitted to Contest #247

Content warning: gore to do with injury, body horror, mentions of snakes/snake attack Sevi pulled her scarf quickly to cover her face as if that would allow the guards to let her pass through the gates if she were discovered. Even at night, her linen clothing clung to her skin, the humidity of the swamplands forever unforgiving. The swamplands, a sinister and encroaching force, were not just a physical barrier but a symbol of the Rovnish government’s iron grip. They surrounded and encompassed Rovinia like a persistent shadow; their energy ...

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“Carousing in Your Arms” by Jean Ballard

Submitted to Contest #234

Evelynne darted her eyes back and forth at the people nearby and discreetly wiped the bit of drink she had spilled on the bartop without them being any the wiser. Moonlantern Bar was her happy place. She was best friends with the bartender and often came to keep her company and people-watch to see if she could find some inspiration for her writings. "You will not believe who I just saw walk in upstairs," Diana leaned down to tell her. Evelynne waited for her to say who, but Diana always needed dramatic pauses. "Aiden from high school!" The n...

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“Sight Unseen” by Jean Ballard

Submitted to Contest #210

I rolled over with a groan, sensing what was about to happen. Despite this, I jolted from the alarm clock blaring through the quiet of my room. After struggling to find my phone in the tangle of sheets, I finally silenced the unwelcome noise. As had become routine for the past three months of my life, and likely the lives of every other human being on the planet, I proceeded to fumble for the remote to my TV. I turned on the television, which emitted a brief crackle of static before the program appeared. My heart raced as the anchor's voice...

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“A Descent into Fate and Madness” by Jean Ballard

Submitted to Contest #206

The buzzing grew louder outside, as did the banging on the door. They didn’t have much time left. Eilidh had to act, she knew it, her people knew it. “M’lady, we must descend now,” her advisor, Nyella, urged. Eilidh nodded and looked to the hallway, where the entrance to the depths awaited. Eilidh had been afraid of the dark since she was a cognizant child. The few times she had been made to face the dark, she felt it changed her. Not in the way that fear either grows or diminishes with time, but in a way that made her feel she was not in co...

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Author bio

Longtime private writer with many worlds running amuck in my brain. Finally trying to overcome self-doubt and shyness to share my stories with whoever is kind enough to give them time. These said-stories are born from my neurodivergent mind and may draw inspiration from my experiences with autism, ADHD, anxiety of all forms, depression, PTSD, and prodromal schizophrenia.