February 2008

The Caribbean Connection

By Nicole Moore, Co-founder of Words of Colour

When I set about writing this piece, rather than writing about the beautiful island of Jamaica being a writers’ paradise with its breathtaking ocean views and stunning sunsets, and risking the column developing into a ‘travel’ feature, I disciplined myself and kept the creative writing theme flowing throughout. However, I make no apologies about expressing how exciting my recent two-day visit to Kingston (Jamaica’s capital) was.

I had been in Negril for three months (September to December 2007) before I set off for the four hour drive to Kingston. I wished I’d gone there sooner – but nothing happens before its time - does it? This was my tenth trip to Jamaica and my third visit to Kingston, which although short was dynamic.

The saying ‘It’s not what you know but who you know’ carried a lot of weight on this visit. I have to give credit to my artistic guide Marva Gillespie, a talented singer, songwriter and fashion designer who was more excited than me about promoting my second anthology Sexual Attraction Revealed.

So with business cards, leaflets and books at the ready, Marva directed me as I drove around Uptown Kingston – nerve-wracking at first - but similar to driving in London’s busy traffic, minus the pot holes! From the moment we met on Thursday 6th December at the Mayfair Hotel, located behind Devon House, Marva was busy making calls. Before I knew it, I was in a brief encounter with her friend and publisher contact who was jet setting to the US the next day who eagerly accepted a copy of my book to read on the plane.

In exchange, I received a copy of one of her author’s Macka Diamond’s Bun Him!!! released on 19 September 2007 and available online at www.sangstersbooks.com. Bun Him!!! is Jamaica’s first official Dancehall novel which, according to the author’s website, ‘literally flew off the shelves, becoming an instant bestseller in Jamaica and a much sought after piece of literature worldwide’. I saw Macka Diamond perform at a Beanie Man concert in Negril a few weeks prior and Macka is not only a talented writer but a great entertainer. Check her out at www.myspace.com/mackadiamond

On Friday 7th December, Marva and I visited Kingston’s University of West Indies campus www.uwimona.edu.jm built on the grounds of the former Mona sugar estate and located within 600 acres of land. We left book leaflets at the Creative Arts Centre and Bookshop, and a book order followed.

Next was a meeting with Denroy Mullings, Book Purchasing Manager at Kingston Bookshop www.kingstonbookshop.com who gave us a warm welcome and agreed to buy ten copies of my book.

Marva and I then visited Liberty Hall www.garveylibertyhall.com, part of the Institute of Jamaica, a small scale equivalent of the British Museum, where I met Donna McFarlane, Director/Curator, who was pleased to accept a donation of my book for the Marcus Garvey Research/Reference Library.

Marva and I spent the rest of the evening at the Rastafarian Headquarters, where we enjoyed the social and cultural interaction, and I met a lot of sophisticated women who were open to discuss my writing experience and buy a signed copy of my book.

On Saturday 8th December, I made a fleeting visit to an International Arts and Crafts event, where I managed to sell more books to a wider audience, which included French and German visitors and exchanged a book for some beautiful handmade jewellery before leaving Kingston.

Although I already knew that Jamaica has strong cultural values and a vibrant arts community, I was pleasantly surprised at how quick I was able to tap into the creative writing scene in Kingston. Having travelled extensively throughout the Island, it is Kingston in particular that has a vital cultural energy. I plan to return this year to continue where I left off and judging from my short, sharp two-day visit, I feel confident that Kingston will still have open arms waiting.

Useful websites and information:

• Jamaica Cultural Development Commission
  who run an annual Jamaica Creative Writing Competition, which closes in July 2008.
• The Caribbean Institute of Media & Communication runs creative writing courses.
• February is Black History Month in Jamaica

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