Local author returns to promote release of ninth book

BilliJo Doll said that in her newest book, "My eMpTy Life," she hopes to show people that just because Montana is a big state with a small population doesn't mean it's lacking in character.

The book is historical fiction, Doll said, and takes place in eastern Montana. She added that it opens with a certified nurse's assistant talking to an elderly lady in a nursing home around 2016 and asking if her life was empty or if she was satisfied with being a farmer's wife and living on the prairie.

"And the little old lady says, 'Oh honey, the prairie's not empty and my life wasn't either. Let me tell you about it,'" Doll added.

The story then flashes back to the 1920s and shifts to the early life of the elderly woman.

Doll added that this is her first foray into the realm of historical fiction.

"I've already gotten responses back - even from Europe, in the Netherlands - people wanting me to write another series," she said. "My first series was a sci-fi/war survival series. ... So I don't know, maybe I will."

The way the title is written is part of a joke, Doll said.

"Because so many people think it is empty," she added. "Havre is what, the sixth- or ninth-largest city in Montana and it has 9,000 people."

She said she wanted to let people know that Montana is not as bleak and cold as it's made out to be.

Doll received her first book contract in 2004 and her first book was released shortly after that. Before that, Doll worked for the government as a conservationist. She had been taking writing classes and had been retired from the government job for some time.

When she got her first contract, Doll said, she was surprised because she didn't expect to be offered a contract.

"I really, honestly, at the beginning did not think I would get a contract," Doll said. "And when they offered me a contract I didn't know what to do with it."

She said she began writing as a way to give young adults something different to read.

Doll said she had to do lots of research before writing this story.

"It's very accurate," she added. "Historical societies, museums, libraries, chamber of commerces from Sidney to Scoby to Glasgow. I mention a sheriff in there from Phillips County and that man truly was the sheriff in that period of time. The building of Fort Peck Dam is historically accurate."

In her research, Doll said, she found that a modern event held at Hungry Horse actually began during the time in which her book takes place. She added that she even got to speak with one of the last remaining founders as part of her research.

"I really, really enjoy research," Doll said. "Between that and just playing in my head coming up with the story."

The whole story, from concept to finish, took about three years, Doll said. She added that she took some time off when she was diagnosed with cancer last year. She also took two months off to recover from ankle replacement surgery.

Doll said she has an outline for her stories before she writes them, along with files for her characters. She added that sometimes her stories don't follow the outline that she has established.

"I was told as a kid, I had a very vivid imagination," Doll said.

Doll said she has included stories and characteristics from family and friends in her new book, but that over the years, she has included less and less of herself in her stories.

"I've also been told that fiction is reality altered and I live in an altered reality," Doll said. "So it's really easy for me to play with words and tell stories."

She said the most difficult part of writing is getting published. She added that, at the time she was trying to get her first book published, she had heard that the ratio was for every 1,000 books submitted to a publishing company only one or two would get published.

Doll said her newest book has sold more than 1,500 copies in the past couple of weeks.

She added that she would like to either finish another one of her stories or try and teach some writing workshops in the future.

"I think everybody has a story inside of them," Doll said.

She said she likes meeting and talking to people at book signings. She added that it's the connection that makes it really special.

She said she hopes her audience takes a good message away from "My eMpTy Life."

"I think everybody has an opportunity for a life well-lived," Doll said. "... Regardless of what pains happen in your life ... part of the takeaway is, you never go through alone. You may think you are totally alone, 100 percent you don't have anyone to turn to. Somebody will come into your life to help you out, give you a hand, whatever. We're never truly alone."