The Caribbean-Writer? Vol. 1
As a writer, I’ve always been preoccupied with what the Caribbean-writer writes.
I don’t despise the hyphenated way I see my writer.
Honestly, I have never imagined writing for writing sake, or as something I’ve had to do to be whole, but rather something I could do to contribute to the whole.
I am not alltogether altruistic, this is just a thought-pattern that is as familiar as the need to put pen to paper (and yes I still write everything longhand first).
I’m working out the kinks of this thinking as I write here, but I remember the first time I attempted novel-writing, and here again, I mean that as the double entendre it pretends to be.
The setting was of course, a trajectory of island home that moves Columbus-like over an unknown expanse of water with thoughts of conquering in mind i.e. my own inhibitions, fears and perceived limitations.
And the destination? Why the only place where conquering could work naturally—Mother England. I had learned at her feet after all, so like the best of them, there was an inkling that I could endeavor to be worthy of her stamp of approval.
This is somewhat strange, considering that the one I most aspired to, was not Oxford-educated, but strung across a faulty phone line leading to another gray place—New York City. And through a series of happy-accidents (she might never prefer my phrasing and that would be as it should be) and what not, she did what she could do, and I have enjoyed the fruits of that labor.
Yet, she was so unique, that I imagined that mold to be broken (by God) and certainly not a thing to be duplicated, and there again, never in the way of the plagiarist. But in a manner of ‘this is the channel.’ Since we all, who are here, have faced that channel, even if we were not allowed passage.
And so I worried my writer and her message. Worried her to the point where she refused to talk to me, and yet I felt her—too close not to know that she still cared. Did I say that I was sorting this out as I wrote? Thank God this space is somewhat a labor of love. Who would ever pay to read any of it?
The one thing that has kept me writing, in this not-so-beautiful state of limbo, is the thought that I always wanted to go back.
Let me explain myself.
Every Caribbean writer I know and love, seems to write from that place of exile. It is as if to write, they had to leave—whether on their own recognizance or another’s. I not only wanted to toy with the ‘what if’ of staying, but I wanted to work and play in that landscape of returning and sprouting new roots.
But then again, it all feels like exile, because I am giving writing in-place credence, and writers need be free.
If only in their mind. If only in that sound place where Brother Bob sang of as diatribe—freedom is a principal thing.
So, I write on my knees, as passenger, as driver, in church, on my answering machine, in a voice memo, in morning pages, in my hand, on the inside of my arm, online, on post-its, in word and indeed.
I still think it’s a delightfully agile exercise to wonder, mull over and chew my cod on what the Caribbean-writer writes, but I’ve discovered that I am so much more.
More Caribbean. More writer. More woman. More determined. More everything. Much more than I could have ever imagined.
I will never just write anything for the sake of writing—not the appropriate thing, not the required thing, not the right or wrong thing.
I will write what is necessary for my writer to live and write again.
Dasheen Magazine is all about that place ‘where culture feeds imagination.’ It is both motivation and challenge.
Are you a writer? Creative? What kinds of challenges and motivations have you encountered in pursuing your craft?
ABOUT THE WRITER
Ah the insanity and love of it all! The Caribbean-Writer? Who is she
exactly?… http://fb.me/wMCsSBMm
I dig your site.
…and I dig yours—totally!!! Imagine my surprise when I clicked through your name and found the artist who created the awesomeness that has graced my desktop on and off for the past few months.
This is a real encouragement to me as much as your work is that visual inspiration on my desktop. I love the reminder to represent on the daily and you do it well lady!
I read you and my heart find a different rhythm for that moment… keep it coming sista!
Mariah!
I read you and I heart you. Please keep writing. It’s all just too good not to
The way my @DasheenMagazine write makes Artist wanna jump on da bed! The Caribbean-Writer? Vol. 1 — http://b2l.me/aevs39 #FB
I love this website! I love the name “DASHEEN” and what it represents…our culture definitely feeds imagination! Your article on the mango makes me want to eat one right now as I speak. Keep up the good work! I am truly impressed!
Cynthia!
Thank you love! Again your encouragement means the world. Keep prayerful that this dream flies.
My publisher/publishing dreams are colliding. Scary beautiful! http://dasheenmagazine.com/the-caribbean-writer-vol-1/ http://fb.me/CJLtuOOk
RT @DasheenMagazine: My publisher/publishing dreams are colliding. Scary beautiful! http://dasheenmagazine.com/the-caribbean-writer-vol …
“Since we all, who are here, have faced that channel, even if we were not allowed passage.”
This line says so much more than is obvious.
Your writing is exquisitely sound.
Clayton,
So good of you to come through. Telling that you would quote that line, I poured everything into it… So much things to say and write, but thank you seems right.
“so much things to say and write,” Curious to hear and read…
The evening is made for the writer. http://fb.me/vmHeW03v
Greetings Tynisha, as a Caribbean writer I am definitely feeling ‘where culture feeds imagination’ and I’m now your newest follower.
Welcome Kaya! Let’s vibe over some virtual delights sometime… let our wily writers find their way to friendship…You set the time and place and I promise not be more than 5 minutes late.
Did I say thank you? Well, thanks to you it all seems possible! Bless!
I telling yuh, Tynisha, just getting new inspiration revisiting Dasheen. Definitely have to vibe sometime. I will pass through from time to time and check in on you. And please let me know if you have any upcoming projects. Bless up!
The Caribbean-Writer? Vol. 1 http://t.co/A344gQG via @DASHEENmagazine
What are you working on currently? RT @TheAbeng: The Caribbean-Writer? Vol. 1 http://t.co/IApYFEY via @DASHEENmagazine”
What are you working on currently? RT @TheAbeng: The Caribbean-Writer? Vol. 1 http://t.co/IApYFEY via @DASHEENmagazine”
Keep up with this Caribbean Writer… http://t.co/3Pd8GP5s