Eight Questions: D. Allen Rutherford

 


As promised before, we are closing out June with an interview by D. Allen Rutherford, former army officer, international technology consultant and science teacher. He is the author of the Wargs Trilogy, and his words speak for themselves, so, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen here he is...

Coyote: What kind(s) of books do you read? Do you have any favorites?

D Allen Rutherford: I mostly read fantasy and science fiction novels. Occasionally, I will read historical fiction and paranormal thrillers. There are many authors/novels that I’ve read over the years that I’ve liked; too many to list here. That being said, H.G. Wells would probably be at the top of my favorites list.  However, a few of the more recent ones that I truly enjoyed are: “Rys Rising” by Tracy Falbe, “The Archer’s Son” by M.E. Hubbs, “Forged in Death” by Jim Melvin, “Angels Blood” by Sallyann Phillips, “Shadowland” by C.M. Gray.

Coyote: If you weren’t writing books, what would you be doing with that time and energy instead? Why?

 D Allen Rutherford: I generally have to keep busy doing something. I consider myself semi-retired (former international consultant). It’s hard for me sit around and do absolutely nothing. I do enjoy a couple of hobbies such as fishing. I couple of years ago I got back into fly fishing and recently I’ve taken up the hobby of tying my own flies. I enjoy the challenge of fly fishing and the joy of being able to catch a fish on a fly that I created on my bench.

Coyote: What first inspired your writing of The Wargs Trilogy? How did the project begin?

D Allen Rutherford: When I watch or read science fiction, fantasy, or paranormal type movies/novels, I enjoy the connection to fundamentally sound scientific principles. This keeps me grounded in the story and gives me a feeling that whatever is being presented is possible, if not probable. Hence, I was watching a werewolf movie that pretended to be a “Modern” adaptation of the stereotypical werewolf myth/legend. I was a bit disappointed at the lack of imagination in bringing the werewolf “to life” in a modern setting. Shortly after watching that movie, I happened across a YouTube video highlighting the current scientific advances in transgenics and the experimentation with creating human-animal hybrids. Afterwards, I researched transgenics in more detail and started looking for a scientific foundation that could make it possible for someone to create a human-animal hybrid that, in essence, would be a real-live werewolf. Surprisingly, the science was there and not only was is possible, there were labs around the world actually creating human-animal hybrids. This sparked the idea for writing novel incorporating this fringe science into a real-to-life story.

As I began doing more in-depth research into the science of transgenics and human-animal hybrids, several moral and ethical issues came to light. Looking into the moral and ethical debates surrounding transgenics and human-animal hybrids revealed a wealth of ideas from which I used to develop the multiple layers within the storyline of the Wargs Trilogy.

Coyote: Tell us a little about the story.

D Allen Rutherford: The Wargs Trilogy is a modern-day, Sci-Fi Thriller that follows the exploits of Dr. Mathew Kershaw in a remote valley in north central Idaho. Dr. Kershaw, is crypto zoologist on a quest to find a cryptid wolf species that he believes may exist in the wilderness regions of the pacific northwest. His quest is driven by a belief that many of the old Native American myths and legends were derived from some strange and unusual animals that once existed and may still be found in the wilderness regions. Responding to a request from an old college friend, Matt reluctantly agrees to investigate a wolf attack on a forest ranger. However, after talking to the ranger and hearing details of the unusual attack and the detailed description of the strange and abnormally large wolves, Matt is encouraged at the prospect of finding his long sought after cryptid wolf species,. Upon his arrival in Misty Hollow, he quickly gets the feeling that there is something not quite right when he encounters resistance to his presence and a reluctance from the locals to aid him in his investigation. He soon finds himself in a fight for survival when he becomes an unwitting player in a struggle between the people of Misty Hollow and a terrible and vicious predator from the wilderness region. Layered in mystery, suspense, love, tragedy, and betrayal, the story takes you into a real-to-life world of transgenic human-animal hybrids and forces that will go to great lengths to control and exploit the Curse of Misty Hollow.

Coyote: What are some of the recurring themes of your work, and why are they important to you?

D Allen Rutherford: I like to build stories around controversial topics in science and history, bringing to the forefront, moral and ethical issues that surround the central theme of my stories. Particularly in leading edge science, there are usually supporters and detractors who wage a war over moral and ethical issues. Most people have a hard time relating to the arguments proffered by either side. I like to take the argument out of the nebulous realm of the lab and the media and put it into real-to-life stories where the reader can relate to the impact of the science and related issues.

Coyote: In The Wargs Trilogy, the concept of scientific ethics plays a major role. Specifically, the plot centers around the practice of transgenics. In addition, your tale questions the effectiveness of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity enacted in 2003. Is there anything you would like for readers to take away from your work regarding these subjects, or specific questions you’re hoping to raise?

D Allen Rutherford: As I mentioned earlier, I hope the reader will walk away with a clearer understanding that science is has few constraints upon it. I’m not opposed to advances in scientific research. However, many scientist tend to set aside moral and ethical concerns in favor of achieving the next great break-through. Much like the atomic research and nuclear testing done in the mid-1940s and decades afterwards. The science outpaced our understanding of the inherent dangers imposed by that science. History is now littered with tragic examples of a science unleashed before we truly understood its potential and inherent risks.

In the Wargs Trilogy, I created a scenario that highlights just one potential hazard of a run-away research program. Recently, there have been initiatives taken by a few politicians who are seeking to imposed strict and enforceable constraints on transgenic research – specifically, they are insisting that the research not be allowed progress into the realm of actually creating human-animal chimera. Can you imagine a true human-animal hybrid that would be possess human cognitive intelligence but lacking a soul or conscience.

Coyote: If The Wargs Trilogy were to become a movie or cable series, who would you like to see play what characters, and why?

D Allen Rutherford: What author has not imagined his novel being made into a movie or series, then sat back and pondered which actor/actress would be best suited for the key roles. Given that the Wargs Trilogy is heavily influenced by Native American folklore and to some extent its culture, I would hope that many of the actors/actress would be from among the many (and often lessor known) Native American actors/actresses. It’s hard for me to name anyone particular actor/actress to any of the characters in my novel. I would be more interested to hear from readers who they pictured in their minds when reading the novel.

Coyote: Is there anything else you would like to say in closing?

D Allen Rutherford: Although I like writing stories that are interesting, exciting, and mind-bending. I ultimately want to write novels that people enjoy reading. Therefore, I love hearing comments from readers about who their favorite character is, what they liked, did not like, and what they would like for me to write about in the future.


D. Allen Rutherford is a former army officer and a retired international technology consultant with a B.S. and Masters degree. Settling down in central Arkansas, D. Allen taught a year as an adjunct professor and three years as a science teacher in secondary education before deciding to devote his time and energy to writing science and historical fiction novels.

Combining his interest in science with his love of writing, D. Allen attempts to create science fiction novels that blur the line between modern science and science fiction. Layered within his stories are issues associated with controversial scientific research, leaving the reader to wonder, "is this really possible," opening the doors to moral and ethical debate.

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