The Deadly Sea
Fishing is the most dangerous occupation in the world: in
Atlantic Canada, an average of one person dies every month while working at
sea. The Deadly Sea, by bestselling author Jim Wellman,
contains twenty-five stories about men and women who work in the Atlantic
Canadian fishing industry, ranging from biographies of professionals to tales
of tragedy at sea. Recently we spoke with Wellman about the book.
What
inspired you to become a writer?
Mostly, I’ve written about accidents at sea involving
inshore fishing people. They are hard working people trying to earn a living in
extremely harsh conditions in the deadliest industry in North America. On
average, one fisherman dies every month in Atlantic Canada. They are the
fishermen of small boats and, other than a short story on the evening news, not
much is known about what happened to them or who they were. I write their
stories for a fisheries magazine called the Navigator and then later I rewrite
and publish them in book form. I do that in hopes of keeping their memory alive
and never forgotten. I also write profiles of marine people. Newfoundland and
Labrador, along with the rest of Atlantic Canada, is full of fascinating people
of the sea. They are the stories. I simply listen to them tell their stories
and do my best to assemble it.
Are
they the same reasons you do it today?
Yes. I am the son of a schooner captain on the
northeast coast of Newfoundland and then in my professional life hosted
Fisheries Broadcast on CBC Radio for 15 years. After taking an early retirement
from the CBC I became a contributor to Navigator. I later became the magazine’s
managing editor. So, I have long associated with fishing and marine people and
developed a very deep affinity to them. Writing about them is both a privilege
and a joy.
What
are the challenges of the profession?
Writing about tragedy is challenging for several
reasons, especially the need for attention to detail. When family members and
friends of those lost fishermen read my stories, they scrutinize every word
intensely because of the highly personal attachment to the accident. Getting it
right is absolutely crucial.
What are the rewards?
It may sound odd but writing about the loss of
fishermen is very rewarding. Although I’m asking people to tell me about the
most horrific periods of their lives, they truly appreciate having the story of
their husband, father, brother, son etc. kept alive.
Years ago, it was customary to try and shelter
loved ones, especially children, from the details of hat happened. While it was
well intentioned, the effect of hiding reality has often left close family
members in the dark for years and many times, they hear the story for the first
time through reading my books. In many cases, they start discussing the tragedy
among themselves for the first time and, almost without exception, they tell me
that helps them find a higher level of closure. And for that, they are
extremely grateful. So, yes, that is very rewarding.
How
have you grown as a writer over time?
I’ve never considered myself a great writer but
rather, a good listener and let the people tell their own stories. I try my
best to put it together for them the way they would like to have it told. Like
any craft, the more you do, the more you learn and education in any form
contributes to “growth.”
Is your
creative process more 'inspirational' or 'perspirational'?
Definitely inspirational because the people I write
about are inspiring. In my profile articles, I write mostly about ordinary men
and women who work in the marine industries. People often tell me they are
puzzled by my interest in them because they don’t feel worthy of publication –
that they are just a “nobody.” When I tell them that my profiles highlight that
ordinary people are indeed very important- and for me – they are far more
interesting than those of white collars, wealth or fame. After reading about
themselves, they get a big kick out of suddenly feeling like a “somebody.”
What makes a good book?
One that is written honestly, and with compassion.
What
motivated you to put The Deadly Sea together?
My writing about sea people, whether those lost at
sea or people working or retired from the marine industry is an ongoing
process. I write one of each category for the Navigator magazine every month
and publish them in book form every other year. So, it’s a continual work in
progress.
What
did you learn during the process?
With The Deadly Sea and my previous books it’s a
constant evolution of learning more about the people who make a living on or
near the sea. And, the more I lean the more fascinating those people are to me,
How did
you feel when the book was completed?
Because it’s the most recent in my series of eight
books about sea people, I always feel amazed that after all that writing, I
haven’t even scratched the surface of the number of tragedies still not written
about. And, of course, the endless line of people whose lives are wonderful
stories never cease to amaze. So, at the end of The Deadly Sea, it struck home
that I won’t live long enough to tell as many of those stories as I would like,
even if I write for another 10 years or more.
What
has the response been like so far from those that have read it?
Excellent response. It is truly humbling.
What
are your thoughts on the state of Newfoundland literature today?
It’s alive and well. Newfoundlanders are natural
storytellers – its part of our culture. I grew up in a tiny outport community
and listening to old skippers spin yarns of bravery, intrigue and tragedy was
routine evening entertainment. Story telling is essentially what writing is all
about so it’s no wonder that even though we only have a small population, we
have an amazing number of writers, many of whom churn out a new book every
other year.
What's
next on your creative agenda?
I’m ready to submit another manuscript to my
publisher, Flanker Press, within a few months if they want it.
