By Michael D. Wynne
Every time I go and meet with a new author to interview them for these “Author Profiles” columns, I try not to have any specific expectations of the author and try to be open to all that I see and hear. And this normally works out very well, as every author has unique features about them and has something useful and positive to contribute to the world as a whole with their books.
Today’s Author Profile is no different and further confirms my belief. Frances Boudreaux is not only a delightful lady to spend time with, but more importantly, she is incredibly talented, compassionate and creative in everything she does. Quite frankly, I wish I had a tenth of the talent that she and her well-respected and generous wood-working husband Ken have. (They together are the parents of 6 children and 14 grandchildren).
Although born in Texas while her father, then a pipeline worker, was working there, Frances calls the town of Ball her home. Raised in Ball, a graduate of Tioga High and later of Louisiana College (now LA Christian University), Frances at first planned to be a teacher. She was always inspired in life and her later writings by her beloved father.
“Watching my father read the Daily Town Talk every day,” Frances begins her story to me, “inspired me to read. He was quite the “newshound” and was prolific in writing “Letters to the Editor” to the Town Talk. My father always stood up for marginalized people.” This led Frances to wanting to graduate in Humanities with a “big emphasis” (as she puts it) in Art Education and English.
But life took her in different directions, all of which added to her background to write interesting books. After marrying, she had “exceptional” children and became heavily involved in their school activities, most notably the PTO.
As far as employment, her natural artistic talents started her in flower arranging, opening up “Franci Flowers” in
Ball. From there, she moved into the field of wanting to directly help people in suffering, first with Family Counseling, as a Volunteer Coordinator, and then as an advocate/counselor for battered women. She worked at the Food Bank as Director of the Good Food Project, finally retiring in 2023, when she began the second chapter of her life, painting oil and watercolor paintings and writing.
“My dad is the one who got me interested in writing,” Frances proudly says, “An idea comes to my mind and I just have to fully flesh it out in writing. This started back in high school, but I had to put it off until my life slowed down.”
This desire to need to write led her to her first book, “Where the Sun Don’t Shine and the Shadows Don’t Play.” This heart-touching book was a cathartic exercise for her because of her mother’s illness.
“I spent a lifetime wondering why she was a hoarder, why she abused us and abused my dad,” Frances shared, “Even though I studied about her condition, I never completely figured it out. But I thought writing would help me find peace.”
Frances’ most recent (2025) book, “A Saving Place,” continues with the theme of helping people. Frances says it is a story about Callie who was abused as a child, but unlike her first book, Callie’s outcome is more hopeful. The artwork in the book is astonishing and the formatting, with the assistance of Karen Riley Simmons, is delightful.
“I’ve come to believe as an adult that all children need a caring adult in their lives. My father was mine and I wanted to carry on his legacy to the children I come across to care and to love.”
Frances’ books are important works of art, self-help, and literature.
