The Terrible Journey of Frederick Dunglass

Abstract

The Terrible Journey of Frederick Dunglass came into being as a direct result of the CBC’s Radio Drama Workshop, held in the Spring of 1981 in Toronto, with follow-ups in various regions in December of that year. Writing, like any other profession can become habit-forming, and despite the fact that I had been writing radio plays for many years I discovered that I had become a little too set in my ways. Exposure to writers, producers, technicians and Richard Imison, head of the Script Department of the BBC, acted upon me like an overdue mental spring cleaning. The discovery of technical innovations opened up a new world of sound. Sitting in my little house on Random Island at five o’clock one morning, looking down over the water, it all came together. I have been waging war for years on creatures attacking my garden, and had just finished a stint of teaching first year university English. Further autobiographical comparisons may be made only at risk. Dunglass was a pure joy to write. I pray that it reads well. Above all, though, it should be heard.