One day, optometrist Jennifer Jabaley walked into her exam room and heard two teenagers talking about how they should make a voodoo doll of an ex-boyfriend. Dr. Jabaley quickly scribbled a note about it. From this, she crafted a voodoo scene that ended up in her new young adult novel, “Crush Control.”
A mother of two and part-time optometrist at Eyeworks in Cartersville, Ga., Dr. Jabaley also moonlights as an award-winning author in her spare time. In 2010, she was named the Georgia Author of the Year for Young Adult Fiction for her debut novel, “Lipstick Apology.” The book follows a 16-year-old girl who loses both parents in a plane crash and is left with a mysterious note her mother wrote on a tray table with lipstick.
Jennifer Jabaley, O.D. and author
“I love that my quiet, creative writing time is balanced with a day job that puts me in constant connection with different people,” Dr. Jabaley says. “Not only does it fill a social need, but it serves as a schoolroom to witness actual people and their quirks and mannerisms—all things that eventually help shape my character development and dialogue.”
Why doesn’t she retire her phoropter and focus solely on her writing career? “If I were to become a full-time writer, I would miss the relationships I cultivated over the years,” she says. “Sure, I could practice anywhere, but for me, optometry is less about caring for eyes and more about taking care of the people whose eyes I’m checking.”
In fact, it was one of Dr. Jabaley’s longtime patients who strongly encouraged her to submit “Lipstick Apology” to the Georgia Writer’s Association annual author of the year contest. “Without her encouragement, I may never have pursued it,” Dr. Jabaley says.
She’s been touched by the amount of support she’s received from patients, colleagues and even fellow optometrists she’s never met. Many have reached out to her on her website with words of congratulations and inquiries about their own writing aspirations.
Dr. Jabaley followed up her debut young adult novel, "Lipstick Apology," with her latest release, "Crush Control" in June 2011.
It can be difficult to pursue outside interests while trying to keep up with an optometry career, Dr. Jabaley says, which is why she emphasizes the importance of utilizing every moment of the day—even time in the office.
“Notice your patients, find their quirks and listen to their stories because they often provide tons of inspiration,” she says. “You don’t need hours and hours of uninterrupted time; you just need determination and persistence.”
For more about her novels, visit
www.jenniferjabaley.com.
