Empty
Cradle, Diana Walsh’s nightmare account of the kidnapping
of her infant daughter, has received two prestigious literary award
nominations; the Governor General’s Award for non-fiction & the Arthur
Ellis Prize for crime writing.
Anyone who has lived in Burlington long enough to
remember the kidnapping of a newborn infant from Joseph Brant hospital two days
before Christmas in 1993, may remember what they were doing when they heard the
news, as well as how they felt the following day to learn the child had been
returned to her parents. Stranger abduction in Canada is a rare occurrence, say authors of an RCMP study. "Each incident, however, tends to shock the nation," says author Marlene Dalley, of the National Missing Children Services.
This
may account partially for the growing popularity of Diana Walsh’s true crime
memoir, Empty Cradle, but a good
story doesn’t always guarantee a good book. “Walsh is more than a writer with an
interesting story to tell, she is a natural storyteller,” says Jim Shephard,
co-founder of Northshore Wordsmiths, our critique group where Walsh honed her
writing skills. “I’m not surprised to hear that so many groups are making Empty Cradle a book club selection,”
says Shephard, author of the P.E.Eyes
detective novel series.
While
there are still aspects of the event that Walsh finds too sensitive to discuss,
in Empty Cradle, she writes openly
and honestly about the most excruciating aspects of her ordeal. The public has
responded by buying the book—one tea room in Stoney Creek placed an immediate
order for 500 copies—and readers are sharing their own hurts with the author
through her website.
I sat down with Diana recently to quiz her about the
writing process.
Q: Why did you write Empty Cradle?
A: So many people over the years have wanted
to learn the details of my daughter’s kidnapping, but it was too difficult a
subject for me emotionally. By writing about it, I was able to give the story a
voice without feeling so vulnerable. I can now put the horror of those eleven
hours in perspective.
Q: In the book, you touch on the subject of
post traumatic memory loss. How did you deal with this as it relates to the
writing of your book?
A: Memory recovery is a gradual process. I
liken it to opening a filing cabinet. As you slowly open the drawer and remove
each file, you focus on individual sheets, and as you do, others fall into
place. That being said, I do have a complete 2 hr. blackout period. I don’t remember
anything about being moved from the crime scene to another location within the
hospital. And, of course, I have relied upon court records and other official
documents as well as family members to fill in some of the details.
Q: Your infant daughter was abducted from the
maternity ward of a hospital, a presumably safe environment. What advice would
you give to new parents?
A: Be empowered. Follow your instincts. We
have a transparent health care system and educational system. Be involved.
Q: Burlington is home to a number of
experienced and novice writers. What advice would you offer your colleagues?
A: Prioritize your time and fiercely protect
it. Do your research. Join a writers group.
Believe it can happen.
Northshore Wordsmiths member, Diana
Walsh, will be appearing at a Book Lovers Tea:
Date: April 6th, 2013
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: St. Matthew's Church126 Plains Rd. East, Burlington
Refreshments: First & Forever Cakes
