Amelia and Me
After thirty years of teaching, Heather Stemp retired and
wrote Amelia and Me so her grandchildren would know their roots and the
rich history of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. Late last year, AE spoke
with the scribe about her debut Young Adult novel.
“The process went something like this: oh my
God, Amelia Earhart flew out of Harbour Grace on her solo transatlantic flight;
oh my God, Uncle Harry was the air strip supervisor; oh my God, Amelia rested
at Aunt Rose’s Hotel; and Aunt Ginny (the main character in the book) met
Amelia at the hotel and made her soup for the flight; etc.”
What motivated/inspired you to write this book?
HS: What motivated me to write this book was a sense of family history. My father died in 1993 and my aunt died in 2001. She was the last of the Ross’ from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. As the eldest of four children, I knew more of the family stories than my brother and sisters. If I didn’t write them down, they’d be lost forever. This book is for my children and grandchildren so that they will know their roots.
Did the work come
together quickly or did you really need to work at it?
HS: Because the book began as a family history, it
took some time and a lot of hard work to turn it into historical fiction. I did some of my early research at the
National Archives in Ottawa and in the Provincial Archives in St. John’s. At that time, I was searching for family
information in the form of documents and old photographs. It was when I discovered my family connection
to the early transatlantic flights from Harbour Grace that I began to see this
as a book.
I have taken a number of writing courses and from these experiences
the book has evolved into Amelia and Me.
The process went something like this: oh my God, Amelia Earhart flew out of
Harbour Grace on her solo transatlantic flight; oh my God, Uncle Harry was the
air strip supervisor; oh my God, Amelia rested at Aunt Rose’s Hotel; and Aunt
Ginny (the main character in the book) met Amelia at the hotel and made her
soup for the flight; etc. With this new knowledge, I returned to Newfoundland
many times to interview Ginny’s friends and relatives. I also made many more trips back to the
National and Provincial Archives. Some
of my other research was done in the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa,
the Railway Museum in St. John’s, and the Harbour Grace Museum.
When people ask how long it has taken me to write the book,
I find it hard to answer. The whole
process has taken 10 years but I’ve lost track of the point where the family
history focus ended and the book focus began.
What was the most
challenging aspect of the process?
HS: The most challenging aspect of the process was
learning how to write a book. As a
teacher, I knew how to do research, to keep notes, and to sit at a desk for
long periods of time. I didn’t know the
elements of writing a novel. I am much
better than I was when I started but I still have a lot to learn.
What was the most
rewarding part of the experience?
HS: This is a difficult question because there have
been a number of rewarding parts of this experience. I’d have to say the most rewarding part has
been the people I’ve met along the way.
Shannon Ryan from Memorial University is a mentor and friend. I consider his wife Margaret a friend as
well. The people I interviewed in
Riverhead and Harbour Grace also became friends. Because they were friends of Aunt Ginny’s and
could remember Amelia’s flight, they were quite elderly. Since most of them died before the book was
published, I consider it an honour to have known them. The people at Flanker
Press have also become friends. The book
also gave me the opportunity to reconnect with my family in Harbour Grace. I took my two sons, my daughters-in-law, and
my four grandchildren to the book launch in Harbour Grace. Now two more generations of family have made
connections. What could be more
rewarding than that!
What did you learn
during the process?
HS: I learned that a 68-year-old grandmother of four
can write a book if she’s stubborn enough.
What has the response to
the book been like so far?
HS: The response to the book has been very
good. It was written for middle grade readers,
9 to 12 year olds, and they seem to be enjoying it very much. What has surprised me is the number of adults
who have told me they love the book.
Parents and grandparents are reading it and buying it for their children
and grandchildren.
 |
| Author Heather Stemp |
What made you want to be
a writer?
HS: I was always a reader so I had a great respect
for writers. Being a writer was one of
those "wouldn't it be wonderful" thoughts that I had over the years.
I was always jotting down ideas on scraps of paper. While I was teaching, I
told myself I didn't have time to write. Retirement removed
that excuse so I finally had to face the reality – write or give up the idea.
As I mentioned previously, I started with a family history focus and the novel
grew from there.
Are they the same
reasons you do it today?
HS: I have more of a sense of my grandchildren
today. They're the reason I thought of the family history in the first place. I
write for them. I also write because it gives me a sense of satisfaction and
structure in my life.
Is your creative process
more one of inspiration or perspiration?
HS: Definitely perspiration!
In your estimation what
makes a good book?
HS: To me a good book is one that I think about
after I've finished reading it. Usually it is the characters I remember and
continue to think about. Themes and a strong sense of place will stick with me
as well.
What are your thoughts
on the state of literature in Atlantic Canada?
HS: I think literature in Atlantic Canada is amazing.
When I sent my manuscript to Flanker Press in St. John's, I was asked about my
familiarity with literature in Atlantic Canada. I was surprised to see how many
of my favorite authors were from here, for example, Alastair MacLeod, Michael Crummey,
Wayne Johnston, Bernice Morgan, Michael Winter, Donna Morrissey, Kevin Major,
L.M. Montgomery, Lisa Moore, and Ann-Marie Mac Donald.
Do you have any advice
for aspiring writers?
HS: Learn the craft of writing. I did so through
courses – some face to face and some online. Then don't give up. I can't count
the number of drafts I've written of Amelia
and Me. Write and then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite – with informative
feedback from a good source, for example, a writers group, a professional
association, or a mentor.
What's next on your
agenda?
HS: Amelia and Me is the first
book in a series. I'm currently working on the second book, which doesn't have
a title yet.
