Playwright parlays production into relatable novel
‘Forgotten’ already sold out its first printing
It’s been much longer than planned, and has taken a few different paths, but Altaire Gural’s “Forgotten” is finally hitting bookshelves.
The book, which has already sold out its first printing since its official release earlier this year, was actually an idea Gural had when she was 12.
“But like most 12-year-olds, I forgot it,” quipped Gural.
In a nutshell, “Forgotten” picks up where “Peter Pan” ends, answering the question what happens when the one boy who never wanted to grow up finally does, and the one girl he wanted to remember him has forgotten?
When the film “Hook,” starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman, was released in 1991, “Forgotten” was “remembered” but the novel remained on the back burner.
Ten years later, “Forgotten” nibbles at the edges of Gural’s creative mind, but is pushed aside once more. Another decade passes and this time the tale nibbles harder so Gural bites back and sets to writing.
When her daughter Anwen reads the first four chapters, she is captivated and begs it be turned into a play. By this point, Gural is working with Lindsay Little Theatre’s youth program, so the transition made perfect sense.
In 2014, “Forgotten” (the play) celebrated its debut on the Academy Theatre stage. The production captured international attention and has since been produced by schools and theatre troupes in Scotland, England, Australia, Canada and the United States.
But the book kept calling, so Gural decided to take a different approach; as a television series.
The idea was to use the show to springboard the book. The pitch worked and Gural began writing in earnest, focusing on her characters’ emotions, thoughts and traits.
When the book was finally finished, Gural opted to use independent publisher Bannister Press, owned by Kawartha Lakes author Sarah Walker.
“Sarah has been there the whole way. She’s always been so supportive, and I’ve always appreciated her insight,” said Gural, adding being part of the “cheerleaders and champions” Kawartha Lakes writers’ group the Outliers has been equally empowering.
“It has been the best experience. It’s been powerful. I know I wouldn’t had finished without them.”
Gural is now in the process of writing a followup to “Forgotten” — from the beginning she saw it as a trilogy — slated to come out in 2025. She continues to be buoyed by the positive response.
“I enjoy hearing how younger readers love the school parts, and older readers appreciate the love story,” said Gural.
“I love hearing how artistic directors who bought the book immediately went out and also bought the play so that they could then have their theatre companies perform it.
“And I’m excited that there is going to be a television incarnation. Every writer wants to make a difference. I hope I can too.”
“Forgotten” is currently available via bannisterpress.com and amazon.ca.