WE LICKLE BUT WE TALLAWAH! - SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY WRITERS OF THE CARIBBEAN

Ek'abo Ebi! (Welcome Family!)

As a Yardie, it is only right that I acknowledge Jamaica’s 52nd year of independence from British colonial rule (August 6, 2014).  In addition, August 1st marked 176 years since Jamaica was emancipated from slavery. (Though it came with certain conditions. But that’s not something I intend to address today).

As Jamaicans all over prepare to celebrate these important dates in our history, it occurred to me that though we have many powerhouse authors who originate from the Caribbean, I have not heard of many authors (from Jamaica in particular) who have written books influenced by the genres of science fiction and fantasy. I decided to do a little digging to see what I could find out.

I only came across three authors from the Caribbean who write in those genres. Only one of them is from Jamaica.

Nalo Hopkinson

-   Jamaican science fiction and fantasy writer.

-   Author of novels such as Skin Folk, The Salt Roads and The New Moon’s Arms, works of short fiction and anthologies.

-   Recipient of many awards including the World Fantasy Award (2003), Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic (2003, 2008), nomination for the Nebula Award (2007) and the Prix Aurora Award (2008) [Canada’s reader-voted award for science fiction and fantasy]. 

Tobias S. Buckell

-     Grenadian science fiction writer.

-     Author of novels such as Crystal Rain, Ragamuffin, Sly Mongoose, and Halo:The Cole Protocol (on the NY Times Best Seller list in 2008).  Wrote numerous pieces for magazines, anthologies and contributed to a short story collection for Halo in 2009.

-     Nominated for the Nebula Award in 2007.

Karen Lord

-     Barbadian writer of speculative fiction.

-     Author of Redemption in Indigo, The Best of All Possible Worlds

-     Received the Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Award for Best Unpublished Manuscript (2008), Carl Brandon Society Parallax Award (2010), Crawford Award and Mythopoeic Award (2011), World Fantasy Award (2011) and Kitschies Golden Tentacle Award (2012).

It is hard to believe that this list is so small. With all the stories I heard growing up or books I’ve read where Anansi the spider caused trouble, or duppies (ghosts) roamed the Earth, or conjurers of Obeah (dark witchcraft) afflicted the unwary, and even a talking tiger stirred up and seasoned his pot of soup J you would think there would be more stories of the incredible.

Perhaps one day, I may be able to add my contribution to this short list. (My story Grand Design is based in Jamaica).  In the meanwhile, I extend this challenge to you.  If you are an author of Caribbean descent and you find the genres of science fiction and fantasy of interest, try your hand at it and see what develops.  “We Lickle But We Tallawah” There may not be that many of us, but we always have alot to say!  See this as another way to increase the diversity we so desperately need in books.  Who knows you may become the next Nebula or Hugo Award nominee!

Thanks for coming through Ebi and Happy Independence Day to all my JA massive!

***

For all of you who have been visiting my blog each week, I greatly appreciate it.  I hope that you’ll continue to do so.  But I would really love to see more of your comments. Whether it is today’s post or entries in the past.  Tell me what you think of the direction I’ve taken so far or any thoughts or suggestions you may have J 

It has come to my attention that some of my readers have been unable to comment as they do not have google accounts.  If you would like to comment, I welcome you to e-mail me directly at amachi.is.hope@gmail.com.

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-

HOW DO YOU FIND THE TIME TO WRITE?

Greetings Everyone!

An old acquaintance of mine recently found out that I wrote Amachi’s Hope. (Check out my excerpt if you’re new here J) She was even more surprised that I found the time to create and now maintain this lovely blog. LOL! She complimented me on my success and shared with me that she’s also in the process of writing a book. [There goes another connection!]  Then she asked me the question that I am sure most authors who are mothers hear, “How did you find the time to write?”

As you may already know, I began my quest to write this book in 2003.  After deciding that this idea would be better suited for a young adult, I started more intense research in addition to my writing.  During that time I was already a mother (2 became 3), a wife, a daughter, a sister and anything else that was needed. (No complaints, love my fam. J)

In 2009 I had a solid draft but it still needed work. Believe it or not, it can take years to get your book where you want it to be. I went through periods of exhaustion and times of disinterest. Times when my thoughts and ideas would fight to come out. Or I would suffer absolute and complete writer’s block. Though some people say it’s an urban legend, believe me it does exist.

I would walk away from my book for weeks before I’d look upon it again. Sometimes that’s really all it takes. Walk away. Do something else.  When you look at your work again, it will be as if you had a fresh pair of eyes. At least that was my trick.

Whenever I worked on my book it was either at night after my little ones went to sleep, during my lunch break at work or the occasional “quiet” visit to my local library.  They say that any “serious” writer should always find time to write.  Even if it’s an entry in your journal or on a scrap of paper that you snatched off of your kitchen table; desperately jotting down your idea with your kid’s purple crayon before it slips away into the ether.

Uninterrupted time to write when you have children is a treasure.  Sometimes a supportive partner or spouse is the key. Or even a grandparent or sibling that’s willing to babysit for a few hours.  As someone who has been through it and continues to experience it; trust me it is possible to find the time.  No one said that you have to produce a masterpiece in each sitting.  But getting something down on paper (or on your computer) will make you feel like you’ve accomplished something.  Perhaps, it will bring you one step closer to your goal.  You guys know how I feel about that J

Good Luck and Keep pushing forward!

S-