Throughout her life, Betty Lamarche Ryan has found herself deeply immersed in her family’s history. She cites her grandfather’s storytelling as her primary source of their past. “It was so interesting to just listen to the stories,” she said.

Lamarche Ryan resonated most with stories of her family’s faith and perseverance during the Second World War. As a writer, Lamarche Ryan had always wanted to catalogue these stories, but realized that . . .

many crucial details had faded over time.

She conceded to memory and decided to write a novel that reimagined her family’s history rather than retelling it.

On March 2, Lamarche Ryan self-published Under the Wartime Sun. Unlike her previous book, Waltham: A Gem in Pontiac History, Under the Wartime Sun is a work of historical fiction, a novel that portrays fictional characters in a real-life historical setting.

“I just turned it all into fiction because I wasn’t born then,” she said. “All I could do is go by memories of some things I was told.”

The book follows a Quebecois family as they navigate the economic hardships of the Second World War.

In search of better job opportunities, the family moves away from their small farm and opens a restaurant in Scarborough.

As the war continues, the family finds employment at a munitions plant, while their only son volunteers for the war. “It’s about the great faith the family had,” said Lamarche Ryan.

She began writing Under the Wartime Sun about two years ago, with her work on the novel accelerating over the past year. “I couldn’t put it down myself because I really thought it was flowing so nicely.”

Lamarche Ryan has written her entire life, but started taking it seriously in high school, where she developed an interest in storytelling and poetry.

“Of course, when you start reading about the great writers and the poets, you just get the bug, and then you really start writing.”

With faith as her greatest motivator, Lamarche Ryan has already started working on another novel, a potential prequel to Under the Wartime Sun.

“God helps those who help themselves,” she said. “You got to put your hand to the task. You can’t just sit back and expect him to do it all.”

Lamarche Ryan’s best advice to aspiring writers is to seize the moment. “If you have inspiration, do it.”

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