[2][3] Through personal interviews, public records, published accounts and deWilde's own words, McLean weaves her story from the time prior to his parents meeting through the aftermath and void left after his death.

As reported on the RememberingBrandon.net website, "McLean's 2012 interviews with deWilde's elusive widow, Janice Gero, illuminate the dark period of Brandon's life with a candor and honesty heretofore unknown.

'"[2] McLean's manuscript had been a completed work for more than two decades having been put in repose because Brandon, "...never reached the cult status of other dead stars like James Dean", according to agents and publishers.

About 75 important people in deWilde's life, some now deceased, contributed to the project including family members and friends, schoolmates, colleagues Paul Newman, Julie Harris, Patrick Wayne, Patricia Neal, Chuck Connors, Helen Hayes and others.

[2] A combination of events in 2011 persuaded her to revive the project, including "an explosion" of information and worldwide interest on the internet, the encouragement from her daughter, Jackie Lee, a college senior and writer, and in 2012 finally locating and conducting a series of interviews with deWilde's widow.