Interview with Paige Dearth, Author of The Shooter’s Sister (Raven Ledger Duet: Book 1)

What perspectives or beliefs have you challenged with The Shooter’s Sister (Raven Ledger Duet: Book 1)?

These violent tragedies are mainly shown to us from two perspectives: the unfortunate and violated victims and the monster who murdered them. We see only what the media wants us to see. The victims should be front and center of these horrific events. I was watching a documentary on a school shooter (mainly their time in the courtroom) and the camera panned to his sister. I began to wonder how awful it would be to have a brother or sister who committed mass murder. We’ve all been betrayed by family and friends at some point in our lives, but imagine having to carry the shooter’s burden and hatred with you. Your sibling didn’t seem unstable or capable of doing something so egregious, thoughtless, and vindictive. The shooter’s family members are often as disgusted and bewildered as others in the community. But through insurmountable loss and sorrow, the victims’ families may find it difficult to empathize, I know it would be hard for me. The victims’ families want someone to be held accountable for the sudden loss of their loved one(s). In my opinion, that’s just human nature. It would seem only natural to place blame on the shooter’s family members. At times, these individuals become a target of hate and retribution. People, being people, need answers. I know I need them when something horrific happens in my life. We all want to understand why and how someone can commit a barbaric and vile act against innocent people. I’ve been in situations where I’ve been blamed for the sins of others. In my small world, I’ve dealt with narcissistic psychotics at home and in the workplace. I know what it’s like to be betrayed and decide whether to defend myself or move on. Raven Ledger shouldered all the burden of her brother’s horrible actions. She wasn’t able to grieve for her losses and she wasn’t able to forgive her brother. Like her, I understand the crushing weight of carrying someone else’s burden, mistake, and intentional misconduct.

What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?

I write about sensitive, controversial topics through storytelling. I find that real-life fiction is the best way to represent the themes. Even though personal experiences and characters are laced through every book I write, it’s important to write robust stories around my protagonists. I want to give readers a sense of time, place, and emotion. I intend to bring readers deep inside the story so they can see a situation from various points of view and feel what the characters are going through.

When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?

It was my imagination that saved me from the abuse I endured as a child. From a young age, I’ve been able to put myself in someone else’s head, pretending I had their life instead of my own. Through personal experiences and exposure to things happening around me, I’m able to go into those dark spaces and draw from the feelings of fear, isolation, and poverty. Then I draw upon my fleeting moments of happiness and contentment. My times of laughter and sorrow. The strong characters I write that help my protagonist are scripted of people I wish would have stepped in to help me—then and now. Loyalty is important to me and one of the hardest things to find in people.