Author finishes book with a little help from her friends

Posted on 26. Nov, 2009 by Tim in A&E

RICHARD HINKSON
A&E REPORTER

Author Barbara Wall LaRocque was finally able to finish her father’s life’s work, with help from the Humber school of writers.

“I needed guidance and Humber helped me,” said LaRoque.

The retired registered nurse and part-time classical singer recently had her book, Wolfe Island: a Legacy in Stone, released in August of this year.

The book was started by her father, Charles Wall, with the intent of dispelling some of the myths of the island in Lake Ontario, near Kingston.

He started interviewing people as far back as the 30’s (some of whom were born in the 1800’s) but he died of cancer in 1993 before he could complete the book.

LaRocque said she had a strong motive to finish his work. “He felt like he let a lot of the people he interviewed down.”

LaRocque, in her 60s, decided to enrol in the school of writers in 2005 for a two-semester correspondence course after talking to a librarian who worked with her daughter; the librarian was also a published writer.

“I wanted to feel more confident with how I was writing,” LaRocque said.

Though LaRocque didn’t meet her instructor, author Alan Cumyn, in person, the lessons he taught weren’t lost on her.

“He was very inspiring,” La Rocque said. “I do know that I never would’ve proven the need for this to publishers had it not been for Alan’s help.”

Cumyn, who is now the first vice-chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada, spoke about how delighted he was when he learned the book was being published.

“It’s fantastic. I was very happy when Barb emailed me about it,” Cumyn said.

“It’s just a really interesting collaboration between father and daughter here.”

This comment is echoed by Ali Pennels, who is the senior publisher at Dundurn Press, the company that published LaRocque’s book.

“The story where she’s taken up the story on behalf of her father is just very compelling,” Pennels said.

“I think it just gives us a wonderful overview of a place that I actually never knew about,” said Pennels.

Wolfe Island: a Legacy in Stone is available at bookstores now.