Typically, writing about ordinary people with ordinary lives doesn't produce interesting fiction. To capture the attention of readers, authors may add extraordinary, futuristic, or supernatural elements to their writing. This is done to create a more entertaining and interesting story. W.D Valgardson does not add these elements to his writing but he transforms the lives of everyday ordinary people into interesting stories. He accomplishes this through his use of irony, his emphasis on conflicting cultures, and his portrayal of how people overwhelmed with emotion can act uncharacteristically. These three attributes of Valgardson's writing are prominent in his book of short stories titled Bloodflowers.
             Irony is a major attribute of Valgardson's writing. In both of the stories "Bloodflowers" and "An Act of Mercy," the use of irony leads to an unexpected fate for a character. In "Bloodflowers" the main character, Danny, moves to a secluded island and into a very superstitious community. Danny chooses to share a story of how a certain culture would sacrifice a man each year to conclude that year's misfortune. This choice comes back to haunt Danny when the island's misfortune continues unexpectedly. The people of the island find the solution to their problem in Danny's story and Danny is chosen as a sacrifice. An ironic death also occurs in "An Act of Mercy." A father who has been awful to his sons, Helgi and Neils, begs them to let him drown. The father wishes to die because if he were to live he would suffer for the rest of his life due to the injuries sustained during a storm. When Neils asks Helgi, "Would you do it for me?" Helgi's response is "Yes"... "But not for him." Helgi is admitting that he wants his father to suffer. During the act of rescuing his father Helgi dies. Normally saving someone would be a heroic act but he does it out of revenge. Therefore Helgi's death is in vain. The fact ...