A Wake for the Dreamland: The Stories behind the Story

If you’ve landed here, I hope you’ll stay for a few minutes. You may wonder why I’m sharing a 25-minute documentary in the Journal section of my website. Think of it as a video journal. I’ve always wanted something to visually encapsulate the journey of my book from the brain to the bookshelf and beyond. And why have I wanted to do that?  At every bookclub I’ve attended, this is one of the questions I’m always asked. I could have posted photos of the banker's boxes of research and transcripts of recorded interviews with my favourite Veteran. I could have written a big ol’ Foreword ot Afterword for the book, but, for now, this will have to do. If I could only add one more remark to the documentary, it would be this: I never set out to be a ‘career’ writer. I truly believe, through whatever stars aligned to make it happen, I was ‘called’ to tell this story. People ask when I’m going to write another book. You have to understand that I put my whole heart into this one. One doesn’t just grow another heart so… 

From The Clio Project: Chronicling oIder women artists:

I am honoured to have worked alongside Laurel Deedrick-Mayne, 65, in Edmonton to assist her in the telling of the origins, research (and deep bonds with veterans!), writing, publication and reception of her vital novel, A Wake for the Dreamland, a book that surrounds the fates of friends before, during and after the Second World War. Here is a synopsis of the novel: "Friends William, Robert, and Annie are on the cusp of adulthood while the world is on the brink of war. It is a Canadian summer in 1939 and Robert and Annie’s love has blossomed, even as the inevitability of the boys joining up means separation and the first of many losses. Fearing he might not return, Robert makes William promise to take care of Annie. Every arena of their lives is infiltrated by the war, from the home front to the underground of queer London to the bloody battlefields of Italy. Even in the aftermath, in the shadow of The Dreamland, these friends fight their own inner battles to have faith in their right to love and be loved, to honour their promises and ultimately find their way “home.” This documentary begins in a spaghetti aisle, heads over to the archives and ends with a mini-interview at Audreys Books to recount the journey and to hear words of inspiration. Throughout, we have readings from Laurel, along with the words of a reader who recites from the start and close of the novel. A commemoration of a challenging and beautiful time of creation.