Not a caribbean writer
I think we all understand the concept of “Imposter Syndrome” correct? If not, the short version is Imposter syndrome is a behavioral health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals. Shorter version, feeling like a fraud.
I’m not big on self-diagnosing yourself, but there are a lot of times when I feel this applies to me, especially where writing is concerned. I consider myself a good writer, great even if I’m being honest, at least in the creative sense. I did well when it came to research. One of my professors at the University of the Virgin Islands even kept my research paper on using the Nintendo Wii as an alternative to traditional exercise. Best thing I ever wrote to be honest. There was also the piece I wrote on the alarming number of students needing to take remedial courses when they entered the university; More so the ones needing reading courses. I, myself, am intellectually unarmed when it comes to math, but that’s neither here nor there.
I led with all of that to say, that despite literally being a Caribbean write–I.e., someone from the Caribbean who is a writer–I don’t feel like I am, or am even recognized, as one at home.
A lot of the books and writers that are recognized at home are people who write children’s books about the Caribbean, or historically accurate books referencing such. I…do not.
While my first set of books (sans the initial one) are set in the USVI, the setting is literally just that. There will be no deep dive into why the Johnny Cake is a Johnny Cake, or how colonialism affects the local economy, nor how indentured servitude was rebranded as tourism. There’s none of that. Because that’s not what the books are about. You can find a book about that somewhere. I actually know you can, there’s several, they have ample PR. But where is the PR for folks like me who write mature thrillers and mysteries or focus on the paranormal?
Beyond the genre, there is also the issue of content. Yall, people have sex. People curse. Sex is how you got here. Someone told me what I wrote was great, but they were taken aback by literally “Fucking.” I say it like because the act of fucking and the word “fucking” had them in a gear. It’s also not the first time I’ve heard that. So, essentially, since the kids can’t read my book and the elders can’t read my book, it’s not very…marketable. Because to hell with the audiences that COULD like the book, we’re going to focus on the audience that the book wasn’t even written for.
Commentary like that has really affected me a little…a lot. I’ll be honest, it’s a bummer to hear that. Oh, and dialect. I don’t write much of it. Not because I have beef with it, but would you believe I find that harder than “The Queen’s English?” Crucian dialect actually has structure, and you can go from being genuine to sounding like an offending caricature really quickly.
Anyway, I’m still of course doing my self-promotion, but I wanted to get these thoughts out. Too Long Didn’t Read, I don’t feel like I belong in the Caribbean Writer scene at home. When folks start naming authors and books, mine aren’t going to be the first to come up whether people know about them or not. It kind of sucks but it also is what it is.
Tata for now!
