Every Writer is thrilled to sit down with Abby Simpson, a talented Vancouver-based author and freelancer, as she celebrates the release of her captivating debut novel, The Dragon and the Butterfly (coming April 22, 2024), published by Lost Boys Press. With a degree in political science from Simon Fraser University, Abby brings a unique perspective to her writing, seamlessly weaving her passion for history and politics into the fabric of her storytelling.
Abby’s journey as a writer has been marked by her versatility and dedication to her craft. Her short fiction and insightful non-fiction commentary have graced the pages of notable publications such as Vamp Cat Magazine, Gestalt Media, and DeanBlundell.com, showcasing her ability to engage readers across various genres and platforms.
As we delve into the inspiration behind The Dragon and the Butterfly and explore Abby’s creative process, we invite you to join us for an enlightening conversation with a rising star in the literary world. Get ready to be inspired by Abby’s unwavering commitment to her art and her unique ability to infuse her stories with the richness of history and the intricacies of politics.
Every Writer: What inspired you to write The Dragon and the Butterfly?
Abby Simpson: I love jumping down research rabbit holes about historical events, eras, and people that interest me, and I read about Matilda of Flanders, the wife of William the Conqueror, and connected to her story in a way that made me want to write her story.
Every Writer: Can you tell us a bit about the main characters in your book?
Abby: Matilda “Maud” is intelligent, headstrong, and romantic, and her husband William is loyal, brash, and formidable. Together they’re an incredibly strong pair and their love conquered a country, and this is their story.
Every Writer: How long did it take you to complete the writing process for this novel?
Abby: Two years and then I probably picked at and edited it for another 12 months before it went to print and I physically could not edit any more words.
Every Writer: What themes do you explore in “The Dragon and the Butterfly”?
Abby: Love, war, politics, family, religion, and how the stories of the past have shaped our future, sometimes with unintended results. Nothing major/sarcasm.
Every Writer: Is there a particular message you hope readers will take away from your book?
Abby: I’d love people to realize that telling historical events we may know about already from perspectives the ancient chroniclers tended to ignore (the lives of women) is interesting AF.
Every Writer: How did you come up with the title for your novel?
Abby: Symbolism, but the idea was hatched from the chaos butterfly theory – the notion that a butterfly can flap its wings in one place and it sets off a chain reaction that leads to war halfway around the world. The old Wessex symbol, prior to the Norman conquest of England, was also a three-toed dragon called a wyvern.
Every Writer: Did you face any challenges while writing this book, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Abby: Writer’s block was real sometimes but this story interested me all the way to the end. I was just as excited to find out the ending as I hope readers will be, if that makes sense. If you don’t love your own story, it’s going to be harder to write it.
Every Writer: Are any of the characters or events in your book inspired by real-life experiences?
Abby: Literally all of them are real or based on someone real, except one character I based on indie author Dzintra Sullivan because I look up to her and like infusing people I like into good characters just as much as I “bury” people I don’t like in bad ones.
Every Writer: What makes “The Dragon and the Butterfly” unique compared to other books in its genre?
Abby: The female perspective, the blending of magical realism into historical events, and a love story that feels real and lived in and complex. It also strives to make histfic more accessible to people who might glaze over some elements of histfic – like long-winded scenic descriptions that take a whole page to describe. I wanted the story to be clearly historical fiction, but also with a little modern vibe at the same time.
Every Writer: Can you share a favorite quote or passage from your book?
Abby: When William told Maud “Over time, you became the sun. Every day the sun would rise and set, and I’d think of you” I fell for him myself!
Every Writer: Who are some of your favorite authors, and how have they influenced your writing?
Ms. Simpson: The Dragon and the Butterfly is my Philippa Gregory/Hilary Mantel/Ken Rutherfurd era. Epic scope, complex female protagonists, juicy drama.
Every Writer: What research did you conduct while writing this book?
Abby: All of it. Documentaries, deep-dives ending in 30 open browser tabs, etc. I read ancient texts and chronicles and infused those stories into The Dragon and the Butterfly, listened to historians, and became insufferable in my perceived knowledge of Queen Maud.
Every Writer: Are you planning any promotional events or book signings for the launch of “The Dragon and the Butterfly”?
Abby: I would love to but as an indie you have to sell books to make money to sell more books, so please buy my novel and then one day I’ll sign it in person. 🙂
Every Writer: You are part of the writing community on Twitter, how has it helped you in your writing career?
Abby: I met Ashley Hutchison and Chad Ryan of Lost Boys Press through Twitter, so without Twitter’s writing community this novel might still be looking for a publisher. The Twitter writing community quite literally changed my life.
Every Writer: Can you give us a hint about any future projects you’re working on?
Abby: Well, William and Maud had about ten kids, and they were dramatic at the best of times. I’ve already written a sequel (called The Cursed Daughter) that I hope one day will be published. As with real history, the story of William and Maud and their descendants is still being written one thousand years later, so there’s so much story in my head left to tell.
Every Writer: How do you balance your writing career with your personal life and other commitments?
Abby: I have a great job I do from home and no kids. Balance is not really an issue for me!
Every Writer: What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are working on their first novel?
Abby: As above, LOVE YOUR STORY as much or more than a reader might. Tell the story you want to tell, the way you want to tell it.
Every Writer: Are there any specific songs or playlists that you listened to while writing “The Dragon and the Butterfly”?
Abby: Not really. I tried some medieval lute playlists etc. but they weren’t quite hitting it so I ended up writing a lot of this novel in dead silence, listening to the characters’ voices interact in my head.
The Dragon and the Butterfly will be out April 22 from Lost Boys Press. You can catch up with Abby on Twitter at @abbythetweet, Instagram at abbythegram and TikTok at Abbythetik. We talked to Abby by email.
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