Ann Lambert–The process of writing Whale Fall

Ann Lambert–The process of writing Whale Fall

I have always, as a playwright and novelist been driven to write about social and political issues and where they intersect in our individual lives. I try to weave personal stories into a larger historical, political and cultural backdrop, hopefully in ways that deepen our experience through the juxtaposition of the personal and political– In The Birds That Stay, I explored family dysfunction, caring for our elderly and the need to face our past in order to heal.  In The Dogs of Winter, the injustice of homelessness, systemic racism, particularly in regards to the indigenous homeless, and sexual violence against women.

In Whale Fall, I really wanted to look at how we humans exploit and devour this planet like it was an endless source of material for our personal consumption with no regard to the future.  Our denial of this behaviour and our refusal to change is literally killing us. We are in a way, committing collective murder—so a murder mystery is an appropriate forum to explore this, don’t you think?  I believe that “genre” mystery books are a perfect way to look at urgent issues in a way that makes them understandable and accessible. 

The initial spark or inspiration for the book —or I guess the moment that brought me to Whale Fall really came from an experience I had about seven years ago. I was at a protest against the clear-cutting of a mountain near where I live in Ste. Lucie in the Laurentians—the beautiful region of Quebec where my books are set. The planned development was short-sighted and idiotic—and threatened to destroy a beloved nature preserve. Anyway—long story short—a very well-known environmental activist came to offer his support to our cause, and arrived to much noise and fanfare—in a helicopter.

I’m not sure why that struck me as so ironic—he is a busy man and had about 30 minutes to give us—but he seemed like any other celebrity dropping in, posing for a photo op and rushing off again. So…the seed of my new book planted itself. I saw a way into writing about climate change and environmental destruction while weaving it into a very personal story connected to Marie Russell, my protagonist and Romeo Leduc, my cop. I saw a way into writing about how people on either side of an issue become so polarized, each entirely committed to their own agenda and vilifying the other. I saw what happens when we as a species can’t agree to stop denying what is happening to us and work together to salvage what is left of this beautiful planet that is our only home. 

I guess this image stayed with me, because in between that time and now I wrote The Dogs of Winter. But I really knew I’d get back to my climate change book, and in the winter of 2021 I started it. The nuts and bolts process of writing Whale Fall was very similar to my other books. I get the main characters talking to me—usually on long walks in the woods with my dog, Lucy. Then I start working out the main plot and subplots. I record it on my voice memo on my phone, then transcribe it to my document later.

I also do a lot of research—I write pages and pages of notes in a beautiful leather-bound notebook I received from a close friend about 10 years ago. It is my talisman. As always, if anyone got a peek at my search history they would wonder what I am up to! I looked up things like: how do you sabotage a float plane to make it crash without anyone figuring it out? What animal could decapitate a racoon? I researched the Quakers of Nantucket—a group of pacifist, vegetarians who made fortunes off the voracious slaughter of whales. I read reams of material on environmental protection organizations, on the fake meat industry, on industrial mass agriculture, on the destruction of habitat the world over. It is one of my favorite parts of writing a new book–what I get to learn. 

Once I have the ending of the book in my head—I really need to visualize that last chapter–I’m ready to start writing. I write brief plot notes for each chapter on a big desk calendar in pencil. This is my map. It is essential. Then I try to write one chapter a week and I read each fresh chapter to my husband, David. He might ask a question or two, or point out if something is unclear; he is my number one collaborator. At the end of the day, I’ll go through the chapter a few times to tweak cliches or crappy writing, and then continue the next day. The big edit with my editor is after the first draft for me.

I wrote Whale Fall during Covid. I am very proud of that, as it was really hard to force myself to write. I felt like so many people did—frightened, discombobulated, disconnected. I struggled with the idea of pointlessness—there is a lethal pandemic assaulting the world, and what am I doing about it? Writing a murder mystery? If it has no meaning, why bother? This of course is the challenge of any writer at any time really, but Covid made it so much harder! I think many of us saw Covid as a metaphor: we humans are destroying this planet—and Mother Nature is getting her revenge. Well, Whale Fall is about love and revenge of the human and non-human kind. I hope its characters and the struggles they face resonate with my readers.

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Ann Lambert is the author of the Russell and Leduc Mystery series. The Birds That Stay (Second Story Press,  2019) was nominated for the Concordia Best First Book Prize; The Dogs of Winter (Second Story Press, 2020) was a finalist for the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence. Both were released as audiobooks,  narrated by Ann herself. She has been writing and directing for the stage and radio for thirty-five years. Her  plays have been performed in theatres in Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia. Lambert is the  former head of The Playwriting Program at the National Theatre School of Canada and was a teacher of  English literature at Dawson College for almost thirty years where she wrote, directed and produced shows.  Along with Alice Abracen, Laura Mitchell and Danielle Szydlowski, she is the co-founder of Theatre Ouest  End in Montreal, where she makes her home.

 

THE WHALE FALL

Marie Russell and Detective Roméo Leduc are finally getting married, but the joyous occasion is overshadowed by the unexpected arrival of Magnus Sørenson, renowned eco-warrior and Marie’s first great love. When Magnus’ plans for a dramatic environmental protest take a dark turn, Roméo and Marie are forced to abandon their honeymoon in the Laurentians in order to catch a killer, unearthing long-buried secrets along the way. Fast-paced and chilling, Whale Fall is a riveting tale of love, vengeance, and climate justice.

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Category: On Writing