DIVERSITY & KIDS

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!) 

You know, just as there should be diversity in our school curriculum, there should be diversity at home.  Diversity is not just about race but also about broadening a child’s mind; introducing them to different cultures, foods, places and more.  Helping them to understand that there is something beyond what they see and hear each day. 

As a child of Jamaican parents, I learned early about cultural diversity. When I heard someone speak Patois (a Jamaican dialect), I always expected to see someone who looked like my parents when I turned around. I was nine years old when I discovered differently. 

My mother took me to a Caribbean market to pick up some groceries.  It was only in that type of market that you would find the ingredients popular to West Indian cuisine.  My mother just put the last of her items on the counter, when I heard a man say: “Dat will be twenty dolla and change ma’am.”  Imagine my shock when I looked up and saw the face of a Chinese man with a voice that sounded like my father’s. LOL!  I had enough sense to wait until we left the market, before I blurted out my question. “Mommy! Mommy!  Why dat Chinese man speakin’ Jamaican!?” (Being around my parents, I had a little accent of my own. J) She laughed and said, “Sher, Jamaican people come in all different shades and sizes.  The man you saw in the store is what we call a Chinese Jamaican.” 

A few years later during one of my trips to Jamaica, I met another fellow “yardie” who was white.  I was still tickled by the fact that this person was also a part of Jamaica’s colorful tapestry. 

As I was heavily immersed in everything Jamaican, I loved the country as if I was born there. I was exposed to all types of food. I had curried goat, oxtail, bammy (cassava), mango, soursop, peanut punch, sorrel you name it.  I loved the music. (Reggae, Dance Hall, Calypso etc.) Most of the children I grew up with were from families of Caribbean descent as well. There were families from Trinidad, Aruba, St. Lucia, Montserrat and even Guyana. My church was a melting pot of Caribbean islands.  Because of it, I had even more opportunities to be exposed to other cultures. 

Now that I am a parent, it gives me great pleasure to share my culture with my children.  I am no longer in New York and the Caribbean community in my state is not as vast as it is in the city. But it is my hope that my children will develop a greater appreciation for other cultures and a greater respect for the way others live their lives.  Who knows, perhaps the young one in your life will be able to do the same. 

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

 

S-

 

BEAUTY OF WORDS

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

The alphabet, twenty-six characters in all. Letters used to create the symphony of sounds that are brought together to give us WORDS.

When we gather those words together in a specific order we get sentences. And with those sentences, we create paragraphs. Using those paragraphs we begin to spin a tale.  And through that tale we find ways educate, enlighten and/or entertain. J

When you write, you manipulate words and bend them to your will.  You create a picture with words just as you create a picture through art.  This is where the beauty of words comes in. Some people are ridiculously skilled when it comes to the art of writing.  So much so, that these people, these “authors” actually get paid for it! LOL!  They twist, direct and finally position their words.  And once they are done, they are able to express emotions, describe places, help the deaf hear and the blind to see. This is a goal that writers strive for everyday!

When you write, do you truly appreciate how much power a word can have? Words like hate, love, fear; they are all capable of cutting you deeper than a knife and yet we use them in some shape or form each day.  Words are fearsome things and I have the greatest respect for them.  Just as I am mindful of what I say to another, I’m mindful of how I express myself to the world.

Words can start a romance, get you a job or even destroy your reputation.  Have you ever read a historical novel where the villain of the story starts a rumor and suddenly the main character has been shunned from the ton and society? Now he is destitute and stripped of his fortune. And he is looked upon as an outcast; barely tolerated by those whom he once called friends. Pitiful. LOL.

Let us not forget those amusing stories in the newspaper; where politicians find themselves in uncomfortable situations due to their poor choice of words.  One letter, one word, one sentence and  they’ve managed to offend a person, organization or even a community. Now they are backpedaling, trying (with no success) to repair what’s broken. All they can do is standby and watch as their political aspirations circle the drain.

If you are not proud of the prose you’ve created thus far, you should be.  You have crafted art through words.  You have allowed others to see the world through your eyes. And your journey like my own is not finished. When you re-read your story for the hundredth time, really look at it and tell me what you see.  Do you see the beauty in your words, as I have seen it in mine?  If so, drop me a line and share your thoughts!

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

S-

"WHY DO YOU WRITE?"

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

I have a story to share!

Once there was a young woman named Olivia. For years Olivia fought to be heard, to finally have her book published. The book was the best it could be.  Edited with a fine tooth comb and polished to perfection. To promote it, she created a blog, a Facebook page and she even went so far as to publish it on one of the more popular self-publishing websites.  Receiving a few bites, Olivia acquired a small fan base for her work.  She thought that her blog and FB page would be a big help in getting her the “right” kind of attention.  But after a while, she felt like she was losing momentum.  Four years passed with no real acknowledgment from an publisher or literary agent.

Queries were either ignored or denied.  Olivia heard things like, “Your story does not fall within the market we are currently pursuing.” or “Though your idea was a good one, your story did not hold our interest.” She tried to keep her head up.  Friends and family continued to support her. Keeping her enthusiasm going and skills sharp, Olivia published short stories and articles for small independent magazines. 

She started thinking, ‘Maybe I should re-write my story…’ As quickly as that idea crept up, it was immediately pushed down.  The characters Olivia created were like family.  Changing them would be like erasing their existence.  Too much work had gone into it and she refused to take that step.  Members of her writing group also continued to support her.  Her mentor, an English professor from a local university, asked her, “Where are you sending your queries? Have you thought about going outside the East Coast?”  ‘If only you knew,’ Olivia said to herself, ‘I’ve queried the West Coast, the UK and everywhere in between.’

***

The New Year was just days away and still she had no luck.  If Olivia was foolish enough to make writing her sole means of income, she would have been living on the street.  Everyday colorful envelopes would appear in her mailbox. Olivia was invited to a number of parties but she wasn’t in the mood for any of them. 

It was 10:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, when she heard a loud knocking sound coming from her door. “Olivia! I know you are in there. Open up!” Dragging herself from the couch, Olivia opened the door to her loud and rambunctious cousin Lorraine.  “Seriously, Liv do you really plan on bringing in the New Year like this? Depressed and alone, wrapped up in some old, dusty-ass blanket like some spinster with Dick Clark as your only company?” She asked as she sashayed in.

“I receive another rejection letter today.” Olivia mumbled and flopped down onto the couch once more.  Sighing, Lorraine rolled her eyes and gingerly sat down next to Olivia.  Looking down, she swiftly brushed her hands over her svelte, hips and thighs. Lorraine was wearing a sexy, black velvet mini dress.  The last thing she needed was a bunch of lint spotting her dress like polka dots. 

“Liv,” she said wearily.  “I’ve wanted to ask you this for some time but I wasn’t sure how you would react.” “What?” queried Olivia. “WHY DO YOU WRITE?! I mean seriously, why do you bother?  It has been almost five years and still you’ve heard NOTHING.  I mean what drives you? Because if this was me,” she looked her up and down with pity, “I would have given up a LONGGGG time ago!” She exclaimed.

“It’s hard to explain Lorraine.” Olivia responded in a long-suffering voice. “And to tell you the truth, only a writer would really understand.” Lorraine sucked her teeth as she attempted to get up.  Olivia quickly grabbed her wrist.  “Listen, Lo I did not mean to insult you, but it is what it is.  Only another author would understand what I’ve been through.” Pointing to a bookshelf full of novels, she continued. “Do you think those authors were discovered overnight?!” She yelled. “My story deserves to be heard and this is the best venue to do it in. I know my moodiness can be trying at times.” Olivia elbowed Lorraine when she rolled her eyes. “But I so want the world to share in my characters experiences.  I just need one person to hear me out.  Just one.” She whispered sadly.

“Well your dream is not going to come true, while you are here moping around! Come on. You have a half an hour to get dressed.  I’ve been invite to an awesome party and you are coming with!”

***

The last thing Olivia wanted to do was go to a party.  She wished to shake off and forget the old year and begin thinking of ideas for the new.  But she felt guilty for insulting Lorraine and she wanted to keep the peace. 

Jumping into a yellow cab, they stopped in front of a skyscraper at the corner of a major intersection in the city.  There was a lot of excitement as people rushed to get to their destinations before midnight.  After paying the cabbie, Lorraine dragged Olivia out of the car and into a beautiful, brightly lit lobby.  “You better hurry ladies!” said the door man as they hustled by. “You only have 15 minutes left!” As they ran into the elevator and the doors shut before them, Olivia turned to Lorraine. “Who’s throwing this soiree anyway?” She asked suspiciously.  “You’ll see...” Lorraine responded with a secret smile. 

They were on the fiftieth floor when the doors opened. Olivia was in shock when she saw a banner stretched across the top of a set of ballroom doors.

THE ASSOCIATION OF AFROFUTURISM AUTHORS

WELCOMES YOU TO OUR ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA!

Olivia had to fight not to yell out.  She desperately wanted to attend this function but tickets were usually sold out months in advance.  Olivia squeaked when she saw one of her favorite authors stroll by.  “I don’t know what to say!” She exclaimed. “This is so unlike you.” Olivia remarked with a smirk on her face.

Rolling her eyes, Lorraine responded. “I’ve watched you struggle through the years.  Fighting to be noticed; publishing your pieces in magazines. But I also started to see a change in you.  You were starting to lose the light of determination that I’ve always seen in you. For a moment there, I thought you were giving up on your dreams.  That’s why I asked you that question earlier.  It did my heart good to know that you haven’t given up!” Spreading her arms out before her she carried on.  “There are publishers, agents and authors all over. I bet before the night is over, you’ll be one step closer to your dream!”  Giving her cousin a big hug, Lorraine pulled Olivia into the crowd just as the old year ended and the New Year began. "HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"

***

Are you like Olivia, sitting on what feels like a never ending train ride to Publishing Central? Or are you Lorraine, a loving family member or friend who continues to give support to the author or writer in your life.  Whoever you are keep doing what you are doing.  Whenever that book comes out, we’ll all be better for it. Good Luck and Keep Pushing Forward!

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

S-

CHANGES

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

I took my boys to a birthday party/barbeque the day before the new school year started.  The party was at one of the more popular parks in my area.  While my boys enjoyed their last swim of the summer with their dad, (I was in no mood to get chlorine in my hair LOL!) I sat down and watched as the leaves fell from the trees. I was surprised to see that the seasonal change had already begun. There were leaves in shades of yellow and a bit of red too.  As I watched them fall, I began to think about the changes writers go through when writing a book.

You know!  That process that we experience at the beginning, the middle and the end of a book? Do you remember who you were when you started? Were you nervous, tense, wondering if doing this would be worth your time? Do you remember looking in the mirror and seeing a different person at the end? Perhaps, you looked more confident and a hell of a lot more knowledgeable about what it takes to write a book?

Whether you are a writer who has been classically trained or a person who decided one day to put pen to paper, we all go through changes when trying to creating the perfect story.

Changes can come in different forms.  I must say that writing has been a real education for me.  Developing my skills as a writer; learning to give a character more of a voice or enhancing a scene in a book. It is a never-ending process. Don’t get me wrong, these changes caused me to view things differently and to gain knowledge about the culture I chose to write about. 

For others it could be the changes they go through just by bringing a story to life.  It’s like giving birth to an idea that you’ve been carrying around for years! Perhaps, you see it as self-therapy; a way to purge or give yourself closure.  Maybe it has allowed you to get over your fear of writing.  And now you have the courage to write all the other stories that have been running around in your head! 

What changes did you go through during your process?  Did you find out that you are you an obsessive writer who blocks out everyone and everything?  Did you find out that you are interested in something more than romance? Did you stumble upon the Sword and Soul genre and realize that the story that has been sitting in a dusty notebook in the back of your draw for years would be the perfect fit?  If so, reach out to me and share your story! I would love to hear about it. 

Mari e laipe!
See you soon!

S-

SO EXCITED!

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

We are in September already! But my journey to publication and recognition continues.  I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to appear on the blog, Diverse Pages.  Their purpose is to promote and discover MCoC’s (Main Characters of Color) in the mainstream and independent publishing industry in genres such as fantasy, sci-fi etc. [http://www.diverse-pages.com/]

They are currently running a series called Coloring Outside the Lines and I’ve been asked to appear as a guest author.  The point of the series is to recognize those of us who take the chance to write outside our race, culture etc.  It gives us a forum to discuss our feelings about the writing process, what made us decide to step out and approach the “unfamiliar.”

As some of you already know, my story is based in West Africa.  As a woman who was born in America and raised by Caribbean parents, this process was and continues to be an eye-opening experience.  Wouldn’t it have been safer to go with what I know?  I’m sure that in some instances that would have been best. But imagine all the things I’d have missed out on; new countries, languages, cultures you name it.  To tell you the truth, I did not truly appreciate all that I had done, until after I read my first draft. Enlightening is the best word to use for that experience.

So when I read the call for submissions for Diverse Pages, I screwed up the courage and reached out to them.  This was a great chance to share my journey and let others know that they are giving the world a gift by sharing their story. Connections are made in so many different ways and you don’t have to speak with someone directly to do it.

Someone out there regardless of the race or culture may read your story and realize, “I see myself in you!” or “We have so much in common!” Wouldn’t you feel a sense of fulfillment knowing that you were able to do that for another?

Reading the entries of other authors, I noticed that we each have a different outlook on the publishing process.  But we all understand that writing outside your comfort zone should be encouraged.

Please check out my thoughts on:

http://www.diverse-pages.com/2013/08/coloring-outside-lines-sharon-mitchell.html

And I’ve also done an author interview should you like to know more about me.  (Tomorrow @ 9:00 am EST!)

http://www.diverse-pages.com/2013/08/author-interview-sharon-l-mitchell.html

After your visit, hit me up and let me know what you think!

Mari e laipe!

See you soon!

S-