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.)
