The BAR*D Newsletter

August 2025

* BAR’D: a lighthearted combination of my initials, BAR, and a nod to the bards, those gifted with writing and delivering fine prose.

“Chatting” with hometown legend, Gordon Pinsent.

This life-sized bronze tribute to actor Gordon Pinsent was recently unveiled. He left Grand Falls as a young man (after attending school with my father), to become an actor on stage, television, and film. When asked why he decided to become an actor, Pinsent said, “Somebody had to do it; why not me?”

I’m inspired by his determination and passion.

Welcome

Thanks for joining me on this journey of writing and storytelling. Don’t hesitate to reach out with feedback, questions, or to simply say ‘Hello.’

As promised last month, in this newsletter I’ll share the highlights of our travel trifecta to Woody Point, Fogo Island, and Saint Pierre & Miquelon.

In section 1 – Status of My Manuscript, I ask for your feedback on my manuscript’s title.

Those of you who have been subscribers for a while know this newsletter is structured in four parts. It felt best to combine two parts in this edition so the layout this month is as follows:

1. Status of My Manuscript.

2. The Writing Life + Facts & Curiosities.

3. Writer in the Wild.

Status of My Manuscript

I’ve received detailed feedback and had discussions with a small group of writing colleagues (often called beta-readers) who spent precious summer hours reading my full manuscript then giving me their honest feedback. Thank you to those lovely folks (you know who you are and how much I appreciate you)!

I spent much of August considering their feedback, determining what resonated with me, and making adjustments to my manuscript. In addition to making corrections, adding details in some places and deleting superfluous words in others, their feedback prompted me to rearrange the order of the chapters. While not an easy undertaking, I feel it has made the story more engaging and easier to follow. Given this structural change, I need another fresh set of eyes on my manuscript.

I’ve spoken with several freelance editors and will soon decide which one I believe will make my manuscript shine the brightest. If all goes well, I’ll incorporate the editor’s feedback and be in a position to share my manuscript with literary agents by the end of the year.

It may surprise you to learn that while the author has a strong preference for the title of their work, it’s the publisher who ultimately makes the final decision; they’re the experts. That said, title is something that agents, publishers, and interested parties ask an aspiring author. Since the beginning, I’ve been using variations on the title, The Grandest Falls. While I like the wordplay using my hometown’s name, I often have to repeat it when telling people for the first time; that isn’t ideal. Recently, I’ve been considering the singular title Exploits. It’s the name of the mighty river flowing through Grand Falls which attracted Lord Northcliffe to this location given the hydroelectricity that could be generated for his mill. Exploits is also concise and easy to remember. The multiple meanings of the word also appeals to me.

So … please let me know which one you prefer:

(1) The Grandest Falls, or

(2) Exploits.

The Writing Life + Facts & Curiosities

I could fill several newsletters with stories, learnings, and photos of our recent trip. I’ll try to be brief here and expect I’ll return to some of these points in future newsletters.

I apologize for the name-dropping below – I dislike it when people do that – but I ask for your indulgence as these people have inspired and motivated me.

Woody Point Writers Festival

This is the 2nd year Brenda and I attended this literary and music festival. I didn’t expect the magic I felt last year to return, but it did. The stunning backdrop of Gros Morne National Park, the heritage building that holds only 200 people, the superb talent gathered (Ann Patchett, Kevin Barry, Linden MacIntyre, Shelley Wood, Angela Antle, Ed Robertson, Katherena Vermette, to name a few), together with an energetic audience made this six-day event feel like the best of summer camp.

I thanked Shelagh Rogers (name drop #1), for being the driving force behind this festival, now in its 21st year. I joked that it took a retired CBC radio legend from Winnipeg to help this Newfoundlander reconnect with his home and history. She shared my comment that evening as she introduced American literary powerhouse Ann Patchett (name drop #2). Both women emanate warmth, sincerity, and passion for their art and craft.

This conference has reinvigorated my passion to forge ahead with my writing. The key messages: it takes passion and persistence to be an author, and it’s important to tell the stories we carry.

With former CBC journalist Shelagh Rogers; with American novelist and staunch pro-Canada fan, Ann Patchett; and outside the Woody Point Heritage Theatre.

Fogo Island

As you know, my manuscript is inspired by my grandfather Rendell who was born on Fogo Island. My story starts there, so I wanted to visit again to ensure my writing authentically captures the setting. (I was barely a teenager the last time I was on Fogo.)

It’s one of those places you need to visit to appreciate and understand. What is most striking is the rugged and barren landscape which instils in its people, strength, determination, and respect for the environment. Rocks protruding from the earth are estimated to be 400 million years old. The Flat Earth Society figures that, if the earth is flat, one of the four corners is on Fogo Island. Brenda and I hiked up to that site, called Brimstone Head, where you must brace yourself given the winds.

I had the great pleasure of meeting with Zita Cobb (name drop #3) the inspirational founder, and energetic leader of the Shorefast Foundation which owns the celebrated Fogo Island Inn. Like Rogers and Patchett, Zita Cobb exudes passion and displays perseverance. Her mission is to maintain the culture and viability of small towns. While a tall order, I wouldn’t bet against her.

Ann Patchett was also on Fogo while we were there and was interviewed by Zita in front of a small group. (I assured Ms. Patchett we had made our plans before learning she was visiting Fogo too. I couldn’t let her think we were stalkers!)

I left Fogo brimming with pride, feeling more connected to this place, and inspired by what Zita and team are doing.

With Zita Cobb; at Brimstone Head; and from the roof of the Fogo Island Inn.

Saint Pierre & Miquelon

After an eventful visit to Fogo, we took two ferry rides; first to leave Fogo Island and the second to visit the French archipelago (8 islands), Saint Pierre & Miquelon (“SPM”).

Like Fogo, the people of SPM are warm, fiercely proud, and industrious. We were pleasantly surprised how tightly the 6,000 residents cling to their French culture and language, especially given the bombardment of media from Canada and the US. (SPM is ~20 kms off the south coast of Newfoundland.) We needed to resurrect our high school French often.

I discovered many historic similarities between the people of SPM and Newfoundand; both groups struggled to survive in a harsh environment and make a meager living from the cod fishery. And both groups were dependent upon, and governed by, the elite of Europe.

In addition to wanting to see SPM through adult eyes (my last visit was in the ‘80s), I wanted to research an idea for a future manuscript. I was fortunate to access the SPM archives and receive great assistance from one of the archivists.

After leaving SPM, and before boarding our last ferry ride back to NS, we visited St. John’s where I met a gentleman whose family has been part of the fabric of SPM for generations. He graciously showed me his vast collection of photos.

Stay tuned for more.

On the ferry to SPM; the SPM museum/archives; and SP, a colourful seaport town.

Writer in the Wild

While in St. John’s, I visited the Caribou Monument (photo below) which honours those who served in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during WWI.

The caribou is the emblem of the RNR. A similar monument is erected in Beaumont-Hamel, France, overlooking the battlefield where hundreds of Newfoundlanders lost their lives or were injured on July 1, 1916, including my grandfather.

I had the honour of visiting Beaumont-Hamel, France while in high school. I get chills each time I reflect on it.