What motivated you to become a writer?
I believe human development is a continuous process of learning from each other – whether as nations, races, tribes, or individuals. During my latter days at C&W I felt increasingly convinced that my story could be of value to others. And, of course, I was taken in by what Dan Brown and JK Rowling had accomplished. Writing, for me, therefore, satisfied both a humanitarian and commercial need.
Which publisher do you work with?
In 2006 I established aCaribbeanTale.com not only to publish but also to promote and distribute my work globally. We’re also willing to consider publishing other aspiring Caribbean writers whose stories and experiences are inspirational and uplifting … and well written.
Do you ever miss corporate life?
At times I used to miss the hundreds of souls I once led and, in particular, the times when I felt that we were all driven by a single spirit, a single mind, a single purpose … those times when we were all speaking the same language, dreaming the same dreams … the times when the energy that drove us seemed unstoppable … when we all seemed prepared to give our last ounce to achieve our goals, without counting the cost to ourselves, as if we were all part of something bigger than us.
But that was before.
Now I’m able to experience all that, but with a much smaller workforce. Now, I miss no part of corporate life. And I certainly don’t miss the deceit and cunning often referred to as corporate politics.
What role do you see the Caribbean playing in today’s world?
Consider these comments from Jacques Compton, a fellow writer, and friend:
“The closest thing to the ancient Greek City states were the West Indian Islands … When one considers the considerable contribution the ancient Greek City states had made and which forms the basis of Western Civilization it is not size, it is not strength, it is not power, it is what one does with what one has that matters. And the West Indian islands show that one can have very little and still achieve the things which stand out among the greatest achievements of mankind.”
Think of Jamaica – how could such a small country have such a big influence on the world: Reggae music, sports, fashion (dreadlocks) … and so on …?
Think of St. Lucia – how could a little island with a population less than 170K produce two Nobel Laureates in one generation?
Think about Barbados – the most successful black country on the planet … a country with one of the highest rates of literacy in the world, and one of the highest GDP per capita.
Think of Trinidad & Tobago … its carnival, its music, its invention of the steel drum – the only musical instrument invented in the 20th century.
I could go on and on … but I’ll leave it there for now.
What are your thoughts on race?
Perhaps we were all meant to be equal, but we’re not … some are more equal than others. Perhaps the relative dominance and power of individual races, over time, is a cyclical thing? I once read somewhere that when the history of the world is told, it will be said that the Chinese dominated the world except for a fleeting period of a few hundred years, when those in the west ruled.
What I believe is that the world would be a far better place if we all appreciated and respected each others uniqueness. For my part, I see white, black, yellow, etc. only in group terms. I do become colour blind when I get to know someone.
Who are your heroes and why?
William Wilberforce – The great British humanitarian who, at great personal risk and sacrifice, championed the emancipation of West Indian slaves.
Nelson Mandela – His story speaks for itself.
Rosa Parks – The seamstress who, by remaining seated, stood up for all, and became the mother of America’s Civil Rights Movement.
Mahatma Gandhi – An icon of an age. Who would have thought such a simple little man, without firing a single bullet, could have toppled the mighty British Empire?
What are your 10 favorite books —and why?
The Power of Positive Thinking (Norman Vincent Peale) – I would probably have been a different person today had I not, at an early age, stumbled upon this inspirational bestseller.
Kane & Abel (Jeffrey Archer) – brilliant, compelling narrative, with an intriguing story line that I found easy to relate to.
Awaken the Giant Within (Anthony Robbins) – The bible of self-mastery … positive thinking taken to a whole new level.
Angels & Demons (Dan Brown) – Suspenseful, mind-boggling. Undoubtedly, Brown’s best effort to date.
The Prime Movers (Edwin A. Locke) – Brilliant insight into the personality traits, and lives, of the great wealth creators.
Capitalism and Slavery (Dr Eric Williams) – Taught me the things my history books ignored: the role played by African slavery in fuelling the industrial revolution … the foundation of the prosperity of the West.
In the Castle of my Skin (George Lamming) – Wonderful narrative of the colonial experience in Barbados, seen through the eyes of a boy.
The Elements of Style (Strunk and White) – A small but indispensable book … significantly improved the quality of my writing, and that of millions more.
The Millionaire Mind (Thomas Stanley) – Brilliant insights into the mindset of the millionaire, and how to become one.
Courage and Confidence, an Anthology (Norman Vincent Peale) – A source of great wisdom from a variety of great thinkers.
Favourite films?
I am a movie buff … I have many favourites. But A Bronx Tale – starring Robert DeNiro and Chazz Palminteri – jumps at me. There is something about the mood of that film that does something to me: the 60s music accompanying most scenes; the storyline of a youngster torn between his father’s love and the attentions of a Godfather-type gangster, the American–Italian culture and its interaction with the African–American culture … I’ve only seen the film about ten times, and I look forward to seeing it again, and again.
Favourite music?
Third World’s earlier albums (96 Degrees, Journey to Addis, Prisoner in the Street, etc)
Soul and Rare Grooves … R&B
And … I risk my reputation on this one: TuPac … sure, he was a thug, a real bad boy … but beneath that gangster’s veneer, you hear, you see, you feel in his music, pure genius. And I’m intrigued by the prophetic overtones in songs such as, God Bless the Dead, How Long Shall They Mourn Me? and so on. Who knows … perhaps he is still alive?
Who are your favourite writers, and what makes their writing special?
Dan Brown – undoubtedly the most exciting writer of our time. But perhaps, also, no other writer in history better appreciates the commercial ingredients of a successful novel.
Jeffrey Archer – a great storyteller, with the ability to traverse decades with his prose, and yet keep you constantly on the edge of your seat.
What are the landscapes depicted on the front cover of A Caribbean Tale?
The cover features St. Lucia’s majestic twin peaks – the Pitons – a World Heritage Site, against a background image of the London skyline … dominated by the London Eye.
When is your next novel coming out?
The sequel to A Caribbean Tale – Sent From Overseas – has been completed, and will be released in early 2007.
What was the motivation for such a title – Sent From Overseas?
As a youngster, one of my favourite songs was Third World’s 96 Degrees in the Shade, about Britain’s execution of Paul Bogle, a freedom fighter later named a National Hero of Jamaica.
The lyrics went something like this:
96 degrees in the shade
real hot in the shade
said it was 96 degrees in the shade
ten thousand soldiers on parade
taking i and i to meet a big fat boy
sent from overseas
the queen employ
excellency before you i come
with my representation
you know where i'm coming from
you caught me on the loose
fighting to be free
now you show me a noose
on the cotton tree
entertainment for you
martyrdom for me
96 degrees in the shade
real hot in the shade
some may suffer and some may burn
but i know that one day my people will learn
as sure as the sun shines, way up in the sky
today i stand here a victim the truth is I'll never die
I could easily relate to the underlying story in the song.
What thoughts would you like to leave your readers with?
I’d like to leave readers with this quote from Theodore Roosevelt, who, at age 42, became the 26th President of the United States.
‘It is not the critic who counts; nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms; the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.’
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