Julie Ann Bertram
Special to the Tribune
Local author CC Legault, a 42-year-old elementary school teacher in Sturgeon Falls, has debuted her first novel Who Is Bobbie-Mae? set in the autumnal environment of West Nipissing and North Bay. “I’ve always felt a connection to the beauty of nature in general, but the rugged terrain and lakes that surround us here have an extra special place in my heart. I was born and raised in Sturgeon Falls and have many fond memories of swimming in the lakes, hiking in the forests, and picking berries. The fall is my favourite season which is why I chose to have my novel take place at that time of year,” Legault says.
The story explores “the relationship between our ‘self’ and our memories”, as the main character, Bobbie-Mae, regains consciousness after an accident but loses the last five years of her memory. Through reading her journals, reconnecting with her sister, and talking to a man she doesn’t remember, she pieces together who she was while also struggling to understand who she is now. Legault comments on the main themes and messages she aims to convey through the novel, “I wanted to explore themes such as sisterly love, romantic love and connection, parent-child relationships, coming of age in a small town, loss, and trauma, and most of all: the courage to be your true self. It was also important to me to include how powerful music and writing, particularly journals, can be.”
While writing, a few unexpected turns helped shape the final narrative. “The relationship between [two of the characters] evolved in a way that was different from what I had expected. I think that if your characters are well-established, they kind of guide you through each scene. So, in a way, even though it wasn’t what I had planned originally, there was never any other way for the story to unfold. I need my characters to feel like real people so that I can imagine them in each scene. I then write out a very rough outline for the plot that I add to as I’m writing.”
As a debut novelist, Legault faced a few challenges but persevered. The teacher, wife and mother of three had a lot to juggle even before adding a consistent writing schedule. “The biggest challenge for me was finding a good balance between life, relationships, responsibilities, and writing. I had to commit to writing regularly so that I stayed engaged with my story and characters. I wrote almost every day, usually at night when my children were in bed. Sometimes stayed up a bit too late! On the nights that I wasn’t feeling creative, I listened to music until the ideas started flowing again. It was important to me that the time I spent writing was enjoyable. I also found that writing was something that actually gave me energy, a place to voice my thoughts. It was liberating and fun,” she describes.
