Dale Ward's Blog, page 5
June 17, 2022
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Scroll through to find “Killing the Butterfly,” and other books too!
June 11, 2022
Dale Ward Interview
An interview with Killing the Butterfly author Dale Ward
What is the genre of Killing the Butterfly?
At its foundation it is a suspense thriller, but there are elements of psychological despair, as well as crime and crime fighting, and there are moments that I hope elicit a chuckle or two. But don’t read it for laughs – it takes place in a very dark time in the life of Patty. Most readers find it very dark, but I hope readers are able to discover escape – in more ways then one.
What is the book about?
Patty is a young woman who finds herself trapped in one abusive relationship after another. Unfortunately she finds herself verbally abused, emotionally abused, physically and sexually abused – surrounded by hurtful, evil people. She tries again and again to escape, but is continually knocked back down and her situation goes from bad to worse, ultimately finding herself a hostage to a cruel and violent boyfriend who forces her to join him on a crime spree across middle America. She sees herself as a butterfly, but one trapped in the web of life.
You mention her being trapped, and she has a real fear of not being able to get free.
Yes, this manifests itself in a phobia called merinthophobia – the fear of being bound, of being tied up and unable to escape. This fear has the power to completely immobilize her and causes her to entirely shut down. It’s a real fear she struggles with but needs to overcome. I find a bit of that in myself and cannot handle to have my movement restricted. I do not do well in an MRI test! Patty would not do very well either.
There’s a secondary plot involving William and Maggie. Why these two?
William is a middle-aged man that finds himself trapped as well. He finds himself stalled at a dead-end – several dead-ends, in fact, but his solution for escape is not a healthy choice – although it does play into any hope that Patty might have.
So the two plotlines intersect with each other?
Most definitely. It’s not a very friendly meeting, but it does have important ramifications. We never know how the people we meet can impact our lives – for good or bad. May the reader beware.
With your background in uplifting short films, this project seems rather dark and chilling. Why the switch?
I’m not sure it’s such of a big leap. Yes, this book shows an extremely dark side to life, but it is in showing the dark side that the light can shine. According to statistics, there are many people affected in one way or another by abusive relationships – people we sometimes come into contact with every day and it is unbeknownst to us. I hope the light shines through and reflects hope in the darkness. That’s my intent anyway. If readers connect with any of the trials of Patty, they should know that there are resources available to help them escape from this web that holds them bondage. I make resources available whenever I am involved in book appearances.
How did you come up with the story idea?
This story has been in the making for several years. I wrote the original idea for a creative writing class as a short story, and this story was the basis for one of my early short films called “The Trunk.” This story focused more on William and Maggie and less on Roy and Patty. I delved further into Patty and Roy’s background and expanded their story. I wanted to dig into what brought Roy and Patty to their meeting at the cabin, and I also explored the back stories of William and Maggie. It was at this point that I discovered the story was really about Patty and her struggles with life.
Who would really enjoy ready this book?
Anyone who enjoys psychological crime suspense thrillers! It’s a quick read so it’s great for a trip or some time at the beach. On a side note, since it involves the story of a young woman during her high school years through the years after graduation, young adults may find it of interest. But as one reviewer has said, “It is graphic and depicts adult themes including violence, abuse and child neglect/endangerment. Buckle up.” So young adults should be forewarned; however, unfortunately, many of them probably know someone in Patty’s shoes. Perhaps the book could help in some way.
What challenges did you face while writing this book?
Well, the subject matter was difficult to process and live with for so long. From a writing standpoint, I initially wrote it in first-person in a more nonlinear fashion. It was harder to follow in this form, so I ultimately went to third-person and told the story chronologically. And it was this version that was published by Black Rose Writing.
How were you able to get into the psyche of a nineteen-year-old female? That is not your demographic.
No, it is not! But I have known people who have lived through the grips of similar abuse. Patty is not based on a real-life person, but through my research and those I have known, I hope I have realistically portrayed the horrific struggles of this character. People have commented that the book described the unfortunate reality based on their experiences. I hate to hear this, but it leads me to believe that Patty is authentic. On the other hand, some of the experiences of Roy and William are things that I have lived through. It’s up to the reader to figure out which ones – although I’ll never admit to any of them.
Are you planning on writing more books?
Yes, as a matter of fact, I am currently working through two ideas and writing initial chapters. I am not sure which one will take form first. One is a stand-alone novel that deals again with crime and the psychological impacts that has on a young man and his family. His brother accidentally shoots a young girl. Horrible. Another dark place to explore. The other would be the first of a series revolving around a male professor and his police officer sister and how they solve crimes together. This idea seems to get me more excited at the moment, so it will probably launch first. But alas, no sequel to Killing the Butterfly (unless all the readers demand it! Let your voices be heard.)
June 9, 2022
Killing the Butterfly
Here are some thoughts from early reviewers of the book. Please add yours to the mix at:
. Thanks!
"I was hooked with Patty and Roys story. I kept hoping that she was gonna be somebody and have a good life. But Roy is an abusive butt that just wouldn’t let her go.""What do you get when you take a 19 year old girl who experienced a ton of trauma and give her an abusive boyfriend? More trauma. I was quickly sold on Patty and her story. I wanted the best for her, I wanted her to beat her dreams/recollections of childhood. I wanted her to succeed.""It was dark, thrilling, and heartbreaking all at the same time. I was on the edge of my seat and enjoying every word...""Wild: probably the best description I can give this book.""I 'hear' some of the fear and terror that was my life as a child.""It was a very quick read and I found that I didn’t want to put it down..."
May 16, 2022
Killing the Butterfly on BestThrillers!
“Killing the Butterfly” made the new release page on BestThrillers.com. https://bestthrillers.com/category/new-releases/
May 15, 2022
Drawing for free audiobook “Killing the Butterfly”
There are two free copies of “Killing the Butterfly” from Audible up for grabs! Comment or message me to get into the drawing. I’ll pick the two winners on Wednesday, June 18 at 7 pm CDT.
May 14, 2022
“Killing the Butterfly” releases May 19!
Less than one week from today! Preorder NOW and ONLY at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/thrillers/killingthebutterfly?rq=Killing%20the%20Butterfly
If you purchase the book prior to the publication date of May 19, 2022, please use the promo code: PREORDER2022 to receive a 15% discount. Thanks!
August 15, 2017
“Altar Egos” review
“Altar Egos,” a new movie coming out this fall, is about a good of a title for a picture as you’ll ever come across. It encapsalates not only the theme and setting, but touches on the subject, in fact, even the plot itself. Poor young Pastor John, played winningly by Robert Amaya, has inherited his church from his father, who endearingly pastored the church for years but fell sick and died. And his shoes are certainly gigantic ones to fill. Pastor John is up for the challenge, and he and his wife Betsy, played by Erin Bethea, have some great new ideas to enliven the church from its staid traditions, especially the tired Christmas pageant that has not changed in decades. But Mary, the elderly choir director (dourly played by Sallie Wanchisn), will have none of this foolish change. It’s the way it’s always been. She storms out, taking the choir with her, and they boycott the church. Thus, the first clash of egos…
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Pastor John has come up against a brick wall in Mary, and realizes she only respects the opinions of those of her generation. So what else can he do but have his son Jack (played by Max Morgan), a make-up expert, turn him into a geriatric version of himself – his alter ego. But this only opens himself up to information he may have been better off not having, and pride, egos, and identities clash until forgiveness can be the only path to healing and hope.
“Altar Egos” is a wonderful film the entirely family can enjoy, filled with laughs for all ages. The make-up is topnotch, and had it not have been, the film would have failed. But the geriatric makeover is excellent. There are issues of aging for those family members on the older side, as well as teen angst and dating woes for those on the younger side. Treat yourself and the family to an hour and a half of pleasure, and watch “Altar Egos.”
June 2, 2015
“Beyond the Mask” – hitting the theaters soon!
See it this week in a theatre near you!
“Beyond the Mask” is a handsome production. As a period piece set in 1775, the costumes and sets are spot on. Great work by Production Designer Nicholas Burns, as he cuts no corners and it is easy for the viewers to become transported in time back to the late 18th century.
The story revolves Will Reynolds (played by Andrew Cheney of “Seasons of Gray” fame), the leading mercenary and assassin for the British East India Company. Reynolds has just been double-crossed by Charles Kemp (John Rhys-Davies from “The Lord of the Rings”), one of the company’s supervisors, and is now on the run in the American Colonies. Working to redeem his name and win back the affections of Charlotte (Kara Killmer of “Chicago Fire”), the woman with whom he’s never been fully truthful, Will now hides behind a new mask in hopes of thwarting his former employer. As his past life closes in on him, Will must somehow gain the trust and the help of his beloved Charlotte – as well as Ben Franklin – while he races against time to defuse a plot of historical proportions.
The acting is strong in “Beyond the Mask.” As the rogue assassin turned masked super-hero, Andrew Cheney does a great job handling the romance and daring-do with equal aplomb. His Will Reynolds is very easy to root for; however, I did want to be able to identify with him better. This would have gotten me more involved with the action where and the story was headed. Kara Killmer as Charlotte plays through the ranges of emotions quite well, and John Rhys-Davies is quite delicious as the nemesis and bad guy. They all seem to be having a great time, and with all the action and adventure, it’s understandable why.
“Beyond the Mask” is not a history lesson in the least bit, but it is quite fun to play around in Revolutionary War times, and we get to meet Ben Franklin and even George Washington, both played well by Alan Madlane (Franklin) and John Arden McClure (Washington).
The best thing about this movie is the theme of “not being good enough—not measuring up.” What a great theme for a faith-based film. And the theme is handled admirably. You have the added theme of sacrificial love, again handled with great style. The only wish is that the filmmakers would have stopped here and let the audience connect the dots. This would have taken the film to a higher level. Instead they include a Sunday School moment that explains what just happened, and it really dumbs-down the film and makes the audience feel somewhat cheated and manipulated. Why faith-based films seem driven to this is one of the biggest strikes against faith-based films: please respect your audience and let them work out the details for themselves.
Overall, “Beyond the Mask” is a solid film. How can you go wrong with a historical romance full of action and adventure, with a masked superhero and an evil scientist thrown in to boot? Maybe “Beyond the Mask” tries to do too much in this regard, but it is fun entertainment, and isn’t that why we watch movies? Look beyond the few faults and enjoy “Beyond the Mask.”
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“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
May 8, 2015
Noble review
“Noble” tells the true story of Christina Noble who overcomes the harsh difficulties of her childhood in Ireland to discover her destiny on the streets of Saigon. It is a very smart film, a wonderfully artistic movie, and is highly recommended.
When this film and press materials first arrived in my inbox, I must admit I was not excited with the synopsis. It is not the type of movie I would gravitate toward, but how wrong I was. This is an excellent motion picture, and one of the best films I have seen this year.
“Noble” follows three segments of Christina Noble’s life. We first meet young Christina (Gloria Cramer Curtis) during her early childhood in Ireland where she struggles to survive without a mother or father, forced to live in an orphanage, abused and alone. The next Christina (Sarah Greene) we meet is the seventeen-year-old young lady struggling to survive in the early 1960s. She is homeless and attacked, but it is here where she receives a vision of living in Vietnam, a place she would never have considered, seemingly out of nowhere. Regardless, the strange vision has a huge impact on her and it becomes her focus, and Christina (Deirdre O’Kane) eventually journeys to Vietnam, where we find her in the 1980s helping abandoned children living on the streets. The film moves back and forth in time, and this nonlinear editing approach by Mags Arnold works wonderfully. You know it works when, as a viewer, you are not hoping to get back to one of the other stories, but each one is enjoyable in it own right.
The acting in “Noble” is flawless, not a missed beat in the film. The three Christina’s are fantastic, and it is easy to move from one to the other. And director Stephen Bradley should be commended on keeping everything consistent. Good support from the other characters, too, with a stand out performance by Ruth Negga as Christina’s firecracker friend Joan.
The set design of Cristina Casali is also splendid, and particularly fine is the early Ireland time period, which is reminiscence of something out of Dickens – creating a great atmosphere and mood. One of the most impressive features of “Noble” is the sharp cinematography by Trevor Forrest. His use of the jib is very artistic, but all of the shots are topnotch, with wonderful lighting, too. It is a very pretty film visually, but not at all pretentious. Great stylistic approach, and it is consistent throughout the film. Even the use of stock footage from the Vietnam War mixed with new shots during her dream sequence is dynamite. Now mix in smart writing and dialogue and you have a great film. Kudos to director/writer Stephen Bradley.
“Noble” is not a Christian family film. It includes mature subject matter including rape, child abuse, prostitution, and drunkenness. That said, it handles these with taste and discreetness, but this is a film more for the high-school student and not the middle-school one. There are several moments of spirituality and faith, most notably when Christina talks to God, complete with her doubts and anger – very realistically and not “in your face” at all. I like that “Noble” is not afraid to consider spirituality and faith.
“Noble” is a top-notch film – quality all around – and one of the best films I’ve seen this year. Check it out – it will surprise you and leave you wanting more.
���Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
with the Federal Trade Commission���s 16 CFR, Part 255: ���Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.���
