Academia leader Dr. Marlene Daut wrote Tropics of Haiti: Race and the Literary History of the Haitian Revolution in the Atlantic World, 1789-1865, a book the critic Anna Brickhouse praised as the “first exhaustive study of the transatlantic print culture of the Haitian Revolution”. Did her degrees make writing her book a breeze? Like most authors, is she already thinking about her next book? Let’s find out.

Kreyolicious: How did your educational background help in the writing of this book?
I would have to say that my education—a B.A. in English and French from Loyola Marymount University and a PhD. from the University of Notre Dame—were absolutely essential to me in researching and then writing Tropics of Haiti. I was very lucky to have some wonderful mentors in the French department, in particular, at LMU. I also had a really great team of advisors in graduate school, who really taught me how to research and write like an academic. I actually had to unlearn a lot of what I had been doing as a creative writer though. You know, that’s the biggest difference, to be a creative writer, you don’t really need the kind of schooling that I had. You need a lot of discipline, creativity, and stellar writing skills, but academic writing requires the ability to amass (mostly, in your head), synthesize, and explain vast amounts of information. Creative writing has its own difficulties. You need to be interesting! In some ways, literary historians have it easier…as long as we can find an interesting subject to explore, we can usually be interesting in our monographs.

Kreyolicious: While on the subject of educational background, did your parents support your initial attraction to academia?
Oh, yes, my parents were wonderfully supportive. They were so proud when I got my [doctorate]. But, knowing how I loved to read as a child and a teenager, and then how I continued on with that tradition in my higher education, I think they really wanted me to publish a book. So, they were just elated when Tropics of Haiti was published. My mother still asks me when I’m going to write a novel though….

Kreyolicious: What was it like researching your book?
Researching for and then writing this book is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I think it was so hard because there was just so much that was unexpected. No one in my family has ever written a monograph, so I had to learn how to do everything, and I sometimes felt a bit lost in the archives. There was just so much material that had been written on the Haitian Revolution in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries–it was shocking. I began to curse the day I ever got it into my head to write a literary history! But once I started to really complete some chapters (you know, there are twelve of them!), I gained more confidence, and I was certain that I was going to finish. I also had what I thought was a really good research question—“why and how was the Haitian Revolution racialized by those who wrote about it in the eighteenth and and nineteenth centuries?” I have to say, this research took me to some pretty ugly places. It’s hard to read racist words all day and not have it affect you. Many of the people who wrote about the Revolution in the early days, circa 1791-1802, for example, were cruelly genocidal, which I have written about. I almost didn’t believe it myself. In some ways it is really unbelievable to find out that an actual colonial women living in colonial Saint-Domingue, a mother herself, wanted to sterilize all free children of color….. Anyway, I wrote the bulk of this book from 2011-2013, and those two dates mark the birth years of my two sons. I jokingly say that they are baby warriors to survive that, because revolutions and wars, violence, and virulent racism, was pretty much all I ever thought about when I was carrying them.

Kreyolicious: Are you already working on your next one?
I actually have a couple of book-length projects in the works. The first, is a monograph about the Haitian writer Baron de Vastey (1781-1820). He fought during the Haitian Revolution, but he is more immediately known as King Henry Christophe’s most important secretary. He was in Christophe’s inner circle, so he provides a real wealth of information about early Haiti. In fact, he published over a dozen books and pamphlets, and also edited for a time the official newspaper, the Gazette Royale d’Hayti. Another project is actually related to Tropics of Haiti, and it is going to be an anthology of many of the fictions of the Haitian Revolution that I discuss in my first book. This will allow a broad range of people to finally have access to over 150 fictional representations of the Haitian Revolution, which they would otherwise not be able to read. I have a website, which contains a bibliography of many of the works.

Kreyolicious: Do you visit Haiti frequently?
I should visit more! I’d like to teach one day at the State University of Haiti. I think one of the worst things that can happen to a country is that specialists like doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, historians, librarians, as well as people who perform essential functions like mechanics, plumbers, electricians, bus drivers, cooks, managers, etc., leave and don’t come back. These are the kind of people who can more easily (although, it is always difficult), harness the kind of resources necessary to leave the country, in the first place. It is because they have paying jobs. My grandmother was a seamstress, for instance, and this is what allowed her to have any money at all. People tend to call this the migration of skilled workers like my grandmother, “brain drain.” I’m not sure I like that term, but I also don’t like the idea that once people learn a transferable skill, they leave. I understand why it happens. Opportunity. The same opportunity that my grandmother sought and had and gave to my mother, who then passed it on to me, but it seems to me, then, like I owe Haiti something. Haiti has given me so much. What I mean is that I often feel badly that the majority of Haitian people can’t read my writing. So, yes, I’d like to go back one day, I’d like to give back.

Kreyolicious: What advice would you give to Marlene, the high school graduate?
Hmm…well, I think I would tell a high school graduate to follow their dreams, even if those dreams change over time and become unrecognizable. It might be cliché, but, you know, when I look back at my life, I can honestly say that I have very few big regrets. I mean, everybody has little regrets. A phone call not made, a hand not held, a keepsake not kept. But I guess I just always feel like, with respect to the big decisions in life, if I don’t like the direction my life is heading in, I can change that. It might not be easy, but I can always choose something else. A character from one of my favorite novels, Frédéric Marcelin’s Marilisse, sums my feelings up perfectly: “Je pourrais en être désespéré,” he says, “Je ne le suis pas, ce qui prouve que mes souvenirs sont bons et me défendre contre cette chose inutile, qui ne sert à rien, de regretter ce qu’on a fait”—[which means] “I could be feeling hopeless, but I’m not, which proves that I can remember and defend myself against this useless thing, which is to regret things we did.”]. So, I guess that is the advice I’d ultimately give is if you make a mistake, or you don’t want what you think you wanted, not to despair. Do everything. Regret nothing.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT DR. MARLENE DAUT’S WEBSITE! | CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE DR. MARLENE DAUT’S BOOK FROM AMAZON!

Considering her MBA background (with a concentration in Business Management from Strayer University), it would seem that if Myrlande Sauveur ever made the decision to write a book, it would be related to entrepreneurship or leadership. But, no. Her first book Daily Spiritual Vitamins and Minerals for Your Soul is an affirmation-filled, inspirational book. Sauveur’s experiences as a health and wellness consultant, who teaches people how to live a healthy and well-balanced life, certainly served her well in that task.

Sauveur is also the co-Chair of the Dorcas Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on helping Haitian college students and women in Connecticut and the surrounding areas by providing them with charitable services such as scholarship application opportunities, and health fairs. She is also a volunteer youth counselor who works with troubled teens all over the U.S. and Canada through an online mentoring program. Sauveur was born in Haiti and came to the USA when she was 17, and has made the best of her journey.

What made you write this book?
For the past year, I noticed that the style of my writing started to change, from poetry, love stories to devotional meditations, and emotional struggles that I was going through on a daily basis. I was inspired to write my first book, Daily Spiritual Vitamins and Minerals for Your Soul.

Who has been the most inspirational person to your life?
When I really think about it, I can’t name the most inspirational person in my life, because there are too many. I have been blessed to be surrounded by so many inspirational people and they all contribute something to who I am today.

And growing up, who was the most business-minded person you knew?
The most business-minded person I knew would be my mother. She would travel to different parts of the country buying rice, and beans at a very low cost and selling them back home on the weekends to make a profit. I was always intrigued by her ability to turn nothing into something and teach others how to do the same. I wanted to be just like her.

You’re definitely a forward-thinking entrepreneur. What are some of the best lessons you’ve learned about business?
Being an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that if you want to succeed in business as well as in life, you must have a “why”—something to keep you going when you don’t feel like it. You must not be afraid of failure. You must be coachable, persistent and passionate about what you do.

We’re always hearing how important it is to not only take care of our bodies but also take care of our mental health. What suggestions do you have for our readers on this?
I am all about beauty from the inside out and living a well-balanced life. In order to do that, we must keep our minds clutter-free. A few tips I find very helpful are to disconnect yourself from all sorts of negativity, live in the present; and not worry about things you cannot change. Be thankful, and be happy and at peace with yourself. Give your time to a worthy cause—it can be an hour a week volunteering in a soup kitchen or with seniors at the nursing home. And remember no matter what is going on in your life, God is still in control.

Are you planning on writing on another book of inspiration?

Yes, I am. I am currently working on my second devotional book and my first poetry collection [set] to be released at the end of next year—God willing.

[Photos: Provided by subject]

You can check out Myrlande Sauveur’s book by clicking HERE.

Have you been wanting to accomplish a particular goal, but find yourself feeling unmotivated, stalling, or just plain procrastinating? May Kayla Ferdinand serve as the inspiration you need to get moving! She is the author of Dancing Robot Adventures, a children’s book she published earlier this year.

The first-time author—who turns 10 next month—says she loves music, art, fashion, nature, writing and reading. She’s as girly as any girl—she loves pink and she loves technology.

The very accomplished native of Florida—born to Haitian parents—also runs her own website Planet Kids Club, a web portal for kids in her age group.

Kreyolicious: How did you get interested in writing a book?

It all started when I was six years old and I just had a passion for writing at this age. Every single day, I would write small stories and the characters always ended living happily ever after. The more I grew up was, the more my stories expanded. When I turned eight, I found out one of the things I wanted to do with my life and that was writing books.

Kreyolicious: Wow. What grade are you going to?

I am going to fifth grade and I am very excited for the new experiences of learning new things and meeting new classmates.

Kreyolicious: How does it feel to be a published author?

It feels like I could do anything in life when I just focus and believe in myself and so can young readers—and of course—adults too. I mean any age group because to me there is no such word as impossible.

Kreyolicious: Let’s talk about your book. How did you get the idea for it?

It all happened in Second grade when my teacher assigned the class to do a writing project. She said that we had to write about an adventure with a main character and some other background characters. So, I chose to make the story about a robot named Nichole The Dancing Robot. The original version of the book before I made the background characters was about a robot named Sammy and the inventor was named Nichole, but then I realized that I wanted the robot to be a girl so I just switched it up.

Kreyolicious: How cool. And I hear you have a website. I would love to hear more about it.

Yes I do, and its called Planetkidsclub.com. On the website, we talk about developing self-confidence, cleaning the communities with the No Litter-No Harm program, and different topics such as Haiti and family. I just wrote a post about the meaning of Father’s Day. I would like to do more with the site—so mom and I are always thinking of new topics to make it interesting.

Kreyolicious: You’re quite busy for a nine-year old. What do you like to do when you’re not writing books and running your website?

I like to do what normal kids do—like watching TV, playing with my little brothers, or reading a book. I also like to draw or play games on my Ipad.

Kreyolicious: What would you say to a first or second grader who wants to write a book?

I have three words for you, Go For It! What I mean by that is to follow what your heart wants and your biggest passion in life. You may be too young to know what’s going to be your passion in life, but since I found what I can do then—so can you. You just have to focus, put your mind to it, listen—then follow it.

Kreyolicious: What’s next for you?

I am starting to work on my next series for my book. I want to write as many series as I can. At the same time, I’m learning new skills such as ballet and playing the piano.

Visit Kayla’s Website By Clicking Here | Click Here To Buy Her Book |

You’ve read her books; you’ve been to her book signings and every time you’ve read a news notice about her winning a literary award, you beamed with pride. Sometimes, you even wish you could be her; or write like her!

Bet you went ahead and tried to pre-order her latest book Claire of the Sea Light even before it was available for pre-order. You’re that obsessed!

I’m talking about Edwidge Danticat, of course.

You’ll never write like her. Yeah, sorry to break the news to you! But fear not, you will be served with a special treat today! Some heartfelt advice from her on writing.

Let’s get started with the questions!

One…

When you’re writing a book, how do you know when you’ve done all you can on it? When it’s arrived to that level where you’re really satisfied with it, since writers it seems don’t think they’ll ever reach perfection?
I know I’m done when I find myself putting in and removing the same things over and over. In other words, when the editing starts getting repetitive, then I know I’m done.

Two…

What do you have to say to writers who feel that nothing they write is good enough?
When I was just starting out, a teacher of mine gave me the best advice on that front. She said, the mind is infinite and there are only so many words in any language. We all sometimes feel like what we write doesn’t live up to what we imagine. You just have to keep trying to get it as close as possible. You learn to write by writing, so keep writing and you’ll get a little better with each piece. As for doubts, all writers have doubts at some point or other, about the story, about the ability to tell it, even those writers who’ve been writing for a very long time.

Three…

What’s the best way to deal with writer’s block?
Read. Change your pace. Exercise. Go to the movies. Do something else. Have some fun. Take a break. Live your life. Sometimes you just need to put some space between you and the work you’re doing. I’ve been unstuck many times while reading. Take the pressure off yourself for a while and in some cases, the flow returns.

Four…

What’s your advice to aspiring writers about perfecting their craft, developing a style of their own and about writing itself?
Read a lot. Read Broadly. And write. Write. Write. You can only become a writer by writing. You can only discover your singular voice by writing your own singular story, whatever that may be. Don’t be discouraged. Keep at it. Remember you’re the only person who can tell the story you want to tell. Others can tell their story, but only you can tell yours.

Are you a writer? Which of these pieces of advice did you find most helpful?

[Photo Credit: Charlotte Christopher]

JM Lominy is the author of the thriller/mystery novel The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale , published through his very own publishing company Five Sons Publishing. Lominy was born in Port-au-Prince and at age seven he immigrated to the USA, along with his sister to join his mother in Brooklyn.

Upon his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in the Gulf War. Following an honorable discharge at the age of 22, Lominy enrolled at The City of New York and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

The father of five is based in Marietta, Georgia where he lives with his wife and their three youngest sons.

Lominy says he’s been writing for the past twelve years. “I am a writer with a lot of passion, determination,” he says, “and the desire to touch generations of readers with an emphasis on the Haitian experience.”

He gave Kreyolicious.com a behind-the-scenes look at how his pulse-pumping debut novel came about.

Was writing a book always a dream of yours?

Writing was not always a dream, most of my life I enjoyed many things in passing. I became an avid reader while in the Marine Corps. At that time, the Commandant of the Marine Corps required every Marine to read a list of books based on their rank. These books were mostly fiction with a military theme. I enjoyed those books so much I have not stopped reading [ever since].

My passion for writing began in college with poetry that few people have seen or read. It was not until 2001, when I visited Haiti for the funeral of my maternal Uncle did I start to write with a purpose. The vivid environment of Port-au-Prince and Pétion-Ville unleashed story ideas I have always had but never saw as potential book material.

Granted, you could have chosen to have the setting of your novel in contemporary times, or any other decades in Haiti’s history. Why the late 1950s?

I chose the late 1950s as the setting of The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale because it was a unique time in Haitian history. The late 1950s was the first time the exile of a president resulted in three short presidency and two military juntas, all between the periods of December 1956 to October 1957, which lead to a dictatorship and a violent period in Haitian history. The only other time you had such turmoil was post-Jean-Claude Duvalier in 1986.

How did you go about doing the research for The Deadly Rose?

My research for The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale began in 2001, after my visit to Haiti. The research was originally for another book I planned to write, but soon felt I was not skilled enough for such a complex and important book, so I put it on the shelf.

When the idea for The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale came to me, about five years ago, I used the research from the initial book. The research consisted of books written about that period, Haitian music provided me with vision about the period, a map of Port-au-Prince helped with the reality factor, and I consulted friends and relatives. I also used the Internet as a source for detailed topics I could not find elsewhere.

Were there tools and resources that you found especially helpful in publishing your book?

There are multitudes of websites and blogs dedicated to publishing, publiteriat.com is one of my favorites. Books like APE How to Publish a Book by Kawasaki and Welch is a must own. Other author’s websites may list information on publishing. In addition, I attended author conferences on publishing. These sources will cover publishing, printing, and marketing.

Most published authors will say that writing a book and completing a book is one of the most satisfying things they’ve ever done. Once you finished the first draft of The Deadly Rose, what came next?

The feeling I got from completing The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale was like catching my first fish; a total joy. Once I completed the first draft I started the editing process and sent copies to several friends for further editing before sending it to my editors.

Do you have plans to write more books?

I am working on the sequel to The Deadly Rose, An Assassin’s Tale and I am halfway to completion. I plan to write one book a year, if time allows, two. So far, I have 10 books I plan to write, all interrelated. I am constantly researching, which brings on more book ideas.

There are a great number of aspiring authors out there. What words of wisdom do you wish to throw on them based on your own journey as an author?

My advice for any author who desires to be accomplished; define your own goals, successes, and who you are or who you want to become. Write a wonderful book. Don’t take any short cuts and hire professional editors, book designers, and learn or hire marketing professionals. Reading is fundamental to writing, so read and write often. If you don’t enjoy the writing and publishing process, it will show.

You can preview the first chapter of The Deadly Rose by clicking HERE. Check out the book on Amazon!

Connect with the author on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and CLICK HERE to visit his website.

Like many published authors, Martine Chevry devoured tome after tome as a kid. Her favorite author during that time was the author Judy Blume. Born in Queens, New York to Haitian parents who immigrated to Harlem in the 1960s, Chevry is a graduate of CUNY School of Professional Studies. She currently holds an editorial position at a publisher in New York that specializes in global science, technology and medical sciences. Her debut into the publishing world isn’t in those fields, however. It’s a sizzling piece of urban fiction entitled Life Interrupted that chronicles the lives of Magdalena, Bryce and Ebony, three strangers whose harrowing, devastating secrets unravel as the book progresses.

In addition to her career in publishing, Chevry is the mother of a teenage daughter and is expecting her second child this year. The BA in Communications she earned from CUNY has served her well, as she heads her own publishing company, Jewel Publications.

How did the inspiration for your debut novel come about?

I was inspired to write a novel because I read so many great novels from authors like Crystal Lacey Winslow, Treasure Blue, Edwidge Danticat and so many others; that one day I was sitting at my computer at home and decided to just start writing a story of my own. At first, it was supposed to be a short story, but the story grew into so much more.

You ended up self-publishing this first novel. What are some of the things you have learned along your self-publishing journey?

A few things that I learned were: Always have your final manuscript professionally copyedited. Don’t short change yourself just to “get your name out there”. If you don’t hustle and market yourself and your book it will reflect in your book sales.

What advice would you like to give to those wanting to write and publish a book?

What I think is really important for writers to hold on to is: that you should never compare yourself to another writer. Your writing is just that—your writing. Just write your story and make sure you have it edited before it goes to print. There are too many self-published books out there with so many typos, and inconsistencies that it’s hard to get into the story and take it seriously.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?

I haven’t been to Haiti since I was a newborn baby and that was 42 years ago.

What’s next for you?

More writing…A follow up to my first book—as well as a self-help book. Also I want to expand my company Jewel Publications and sign writers who want to publish under my imprint.

Be sure to follow the author on Twitter, and check out her book on Amazon!

Roxane Gay an all-around creative soul. She’s an editor, professor, and writer. She’s not busy scribbling away in a loft in New York City, but her creative juices flow relatively well in a remote town in Illinois. It’s winter, and the wind outside is blowing so aggressively that at times she speculates as to whether—in her words—“Dorothy might come blowing through”.

Born in Nebraska to two natives of Port-au-Prince, Roxane Gay is the author of the book Ayiti, a collection of poems, essays, and writings about Haiti. When she isn’t writing articles for such outlets as The Rumpus, Gay serves as the co-publisher of Pank Magazine.

This spring, she is releasing Untamed State, a novel that allows readers a peek at the life and troubles of a privileged family of the Haitian elite.

How did you fall in love with writing?

I cannot remember how. That love has always been there. When I was like four or so, I would draw little villages on napkins and then write stories about the people in those villages. My parents saw me doing that weirdness and got me a typewriter and then I could tell far more interesting stories. We moved around a lot when I was a child, and I was lonely, but I could write myself a few friends and that was a saving grace.

So, you grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. How interesting!

I did. My father worked for a company headquartered in Omaha and though we would be transferred to various projects around the country, we always came back to Omaha. I had a pretty lovely early childhood—attentive parents, quiet suburban existence. The older I got, the more I realized that not only were we the only black family, we were Haitian and nothing at all like the people around us. This wasn’t particularly traumatizing, and we were part of a small, tight-knit Haitian community formed by the Haitians within about 100 miles, but it made me understand Omaha differently than I once did. It made me understand myself, and where and who I am from differently…to think what it must have been like for my parents in those early years? My goodness.

Robert Frost was quoted as having said, “I have never started a poem yet whose end I knew.” What about Roxane Gay…when she starts writing a short story or a novel, does she know exactly what the ending will be?

It really depends on the story. Sometimes I know exactly where a story will end and sometimes, I need the story to show me, one word at a time.

When you made the decision to become a writer, did your parents have a positive reaction about your career goal?

My parents weren’t really thrilled. They worried, as most parents do, about the viability of writing as a career, but now that they are starting to see my work out in the world, they are awful proud and supportive.

Essayist, novelist, book reviewer, writer…is it hard balancing all these creative extensions of yourself?

Not really. I’m a Libra so I’m always interested in balance and writing across genres makes it possible for me to develop my many and varied creative interests.

What advice would you like to give to those who want to carve a career in writing for themselves?

Read rigorously and diversely; write rigorously and diversely; understand the difference between writing and publishing; do unto others as you would have done unto you; have a good day job.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?

Oh, it has been years. My parents and brother live there part-time, so I feel connected, but I do not go back nearly as often as I should. I hope to go back next summer.

Being such an accomplished creative person, are there some things that you have yet to accomplish that you are planning on making a reality in the future?

Absolutely. I want to publish a book in hardcover. I want to write something worthy of a Pulitzer. I want to keep becoming better as a person.

Visit Roxanne Gay’s website by CLICKING HERE. Connect with her on Twitter by CLICKING HERE. You can order Untamed State through Amazon by CLICKING HERE.

There’s something about the writing of Maureen Boyer that gives you this persistent gut feeling that she has a novel within her that can pour out on a Word document—with some light pinching. Maybe there is. She’s already written a children’s book, Where is Lola?—so that’s more than a start.

Growing up in New York, Boyer was raised in an incredibly artistic environment. There was her musician dad, a craft-friendly mom, and a fine arts-schooled stepmom. It wasn’t until Boyer started writing, that the idea of pursuing the arts occurred to her. Like many scribes before her, she fell in love with words, and with writing.

After living for much of her existence in the USA, the Brooklyn transplant moved to Haiti in late 2009, and lives with her cousin Pete and two dogs Tchoko and Tchino. Haiti is a little island she left when she was twelve, but she’s doing her best to connect the lost years. Where is Lola ?—a story about a little girl’s search for her lost pet—seems to be an apt metaphor for the author’s own identity search.

Kreyolicious: At one point, did you imagine that you would one day be the author of a children’s book?

No actually! I love children, but I never imagined myself writing a children’s book. But when this opportunity presented itself from One Moore Book, I had to do it. I had a chance to demonstrate my version of Haiti through a colorful manner. And I’m so grateful that Wayétu Moore gave me this opportunity.

Kreyolicious: Did you have a say with the illustrations?

I had an idea of what I wanted, but I was more excited about what images my word conveyed to another person and I feel like Kula Moore did an even better job than I could have imagined.

Kreyolicious: Sometimes when people think of children’s books, they think they’re easy to put together. But they probably can be just as much as putting together a Tolstoy. What was the process like for you?

Writing for children is definitely not an easy task. What I had to do was bring out my inner child. As a child, I loved reading—so I tried to imagine what I would have liked to see in a book, what would stimulate me. And you also have to make sure that you use the right words and to make your lines as simple and to the point as possible and that can be hard, especially since I like using metaphors in my writing.

Kreyolicious: The plot and concept for the book came easily to you?

In a way yes, at that time I had a dog named Lola and I was just falling in love with Haiti as a landscape, so the book represents my life and my state of mind at the time.

Kreyolicious: What do you think can be done to encourage kids to read more?

I’m guessing it starts at home. I don’t have children, but I’ve been a teacher for the past year-and-a-half and I noticed that kids whose parents read to them or whose parents read we’re more likely to read. I guess it’s instilling at an early age that words aren’t the enemy.

Kreyolicious: How soon can your fans expect another book from you, children’s books or otherwise?

That, I am not sure! I’m writing this book about a woman finding herself while experiencing the highs and lows of living in Haiti. However, I feel like I’m still not certain about the direction of the book because I feel like I’m sort of living that story, but I’m hoping to have a draft of it in a year. Then who knows….

|CLICK HERE to purchase Where Is Lola? | Visit the author’s blog by CLICKING HERE.
¬¬

Katia D. Ulysse fits the picture of what you’d imagine an author to be like. She sports a bright, perky smile in her photos. She’s a self-described addict to literary fiction, who loves gardening—she gives out bouquets of fresh flowers to acquaintances and random folks—and hosting year-round dinner parties. But then again, she doesn’t fit the “picture”. Look, she ain’t the mousy type, okay? She’s very much into psychological thrillers and she’s far from being an introvert. “Meeting people is on my top ten list of favorite things,” she admits. “I revere those who overcome adversity and earn the right to be called wise.” Oh, and it’s not surprising that she believes in friendship. “My best friend and I go back too long to mention,” she explains. “We know each other like cells in a body.”

Like cells in a body. Now, that’s some simile, a deep one—even coming from a writer. That statement from her makes me think of Flora and Yseult, the two characters in her novel Drifting. Flora and Yseult are inseparable while living in Haiti. They’re language-shamed by the nuns at a Catholic school when their little lips cannot get prissy enough to pronounce European-sounding French. When Ulysse speaks of cells, I think back to anatomy class, and think of the whole cell division stuff, and think of another aspect of Flora and Yseult’s story. They immigrate to the United States at different times in their lives, and finding each other in New York in countless cultural mazes, becomes their new dilemma.

When Ulysse mentions her obsession with flowers—fresh flowers (“I need fresh flowers around me daily, or else my creative spirit wilts. I love to surprise neighbors or passersby with huge bouquets of flowers,” she attests), I absent-mindedly think that’s why she named one of her characters Flora. But then I think back to the explanation given in the text about the character Flora being named after a hurricane that hit Haiti.

Reviewers are comparing Ulysse to Jamaica Kincaid, Edwidge Danticat, and other literary giants. Couldn’t help but wonder what authors she’s into. And this led to one of my first couple of questions for her…

Kreyolicious: Were you taken by any authors in particular when you were growing up?

I attended Anne Marie Javouhey, a catholic school in Petion-Ville. There was no shortage of religious texts. I devoured those. The biography of saints and martyrs fascinated me; they were like characters from mystical worlds. I read history books to death. I walked through virgin forests with the Taino/Arawaks. I drank wine with King Henry Christophe. I was there when they ambushed Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and Défilée-La-Folle—Marie Sainte Dédée Bazile—was the only one bold enough to give him a proper burial. I met Napoleon Bonaparte—strange little man. I hid in the hills with the maroons. Reading history books took me across time. There was no greater pleasure.

Other authors would come later, among them: Dany Laférierre, Jacques Roumain, Garcia Marquez, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Sandra Cisneros, Poe, Satre, Guy de Maupassant, Chekhov, Dahl, Dostoyevski, Pushkin, and many more. I developed an insatiable thirst for stories packed with irony. When I ran into Dany Laferierre recently, at a breakfast in Aquin, it was like being in the company of a giant. He is undoubtedly one of greatest scholars Haiti has produced. I love Franketienne. He is a true renaissance man. I cherish my copy of Adjanoumelezo: Espiral. When it comes to balancing phrases on linguistic tight-ropes, Franketienne holds an unbeatable record. He writes with the intensity and precision of a gold-winning gymnast. Reading Franketienne is like taking a master’s level class in creative writing.

Kreyolicious: How did you figure out that writing was going to be a considerable part of your life?

I’ve always known that telling stories would be my occupation. I wasn’t sure whether I would write, act in plays, or sing. So, I did all three. At the ABC building in Manhattan, when I had the opportunity to act in a soap opera, I discovered that I preferred to be behind the camera instead of in front of it. For years, I was the lead singer for a Brooklyn-based Racine band, but was so shy that performing was torture. The only means of expression to which I remained faithful was writing. My pen was my refuge. I feel liberated when I write; limitless. Thankfully, my stage fright has diminished to a manageable level. I love to give readings from my work. I look forward to completing a long-overdue CD project.

Kreyolicious: You wrote a children’s book, previously…entitled Fabiola Can Count. What is the difference between writing for that age group and writing for adults?

Writing Fabiola Can Count was an assignment. I was one of six Haitian authors who contributed to the series by One Moore Books—a young, independent publishing company. The other authors were Ibi Zoboi, Edwidge Danticat, Michele Jessica Fievre, Maureen Boyer, and Cybil St. Aude. Each of us wrote a book for the series.

As for the difference between writing a children’s book and a book for adults, the process is similar: Once I see a character in my mind, we sit and chat. I get to know the person well. As the character dictates his/her story to me, I write with the urgency of a woman in labor. I look forward to writing many more children’s books, starting with co-authoring my daughter’s first book: Color Me Loved.

Kreyolicious: It’s a fact in the life of authors: the year they first write or begin to write a work, is rarely the same as the year it’s actually published. Can you take us through the writing of Drifting your novel? How long did it take?

Drifting took years to write. I took long breaks between sections. I knew I needed to write the book, but was plagued with self-doubt. I spent a lot of time being afraid. Drifting kept me in a state of restlessness; it demanded completion. Once I submitted the manuscript—and it was accepted for publication—it took another year to reach the public. Like everything else, it’s a process. I will always be grateful to Johnny Temple, the publisher at Akashic Books, for giving Drifting a chance. It’s been a life-changing experience.

Kreyolicious: The title of the novel comes from one of the stories. Why did you settle on Drifting and not on the other stories’ titles?

The characters weave in and out of place, time, and one another’s lives. At the core of the stories is a longing to find home, though home no longer exists. Each character has his own voice; his own truth and lies. Within a single family, there are as many narratives as there are people. The stories move like vessels on turbulent waters. Sometimes, they sail alongside one another harmoniously. Most often, however, there are storms to overcome. In the end, just as it is in life, some of the characters find their way while others remain forever lost. They remain adrift.

From the Creator of Voices from Haiti

Kreyolicious: You have a popular blog VoicesfromHaiti. Was it difficult balancing your work as an author, mom, blogger and writer?

It is challenging, but I am compelled to continue the work I started on VoicesfromHaiti. Currently, we are transitioning into a new vision. I look forward to bringing the new Voices to our seriously loyal readers.

Kreyolicious: Your novel isn’t structured in a conventional way. That was rather refreshing.

When I began Drifting, I did not know what form it would take. Some writers create outlines before beginning to write. The definition I can offer for my way of writing is revelatory. When a character emerges from nowhere to inhabit my imagination, I listen. I am merely a scribe, writing for them all that they wish to disclose. I don’t judge them. I accommodate them. That is what writing is to me.

Kreyolicious: You came to the USA as a little girl. Do you ever sit there and wonder about the other version of you, the one who never immigrated to the USA, and the woman she would have grown into?

I love that question. I was not so little when we moved here. I was not of age, but I had seen more than any child should have. My innocence, in many ways, had been lost. I had to grow up too fast. It’s only recently that I’ve been able to acknowledge and protect the child I must have been. Recently, I had the opportunity to address that little girl through a letter entitled Dear Teen Me. You can read it on Dear Teen Me or on Akashicbooks.com.

Kreyolicious: There are inspirational teachers, and then there are teachers who are inspirational and predatory. Why did you choose to throw Mr. E, one of the characters in Drifting, in the second pile?

Teachers like Mr. E (and Ms. E) exist, as much as we would rather pretend otherwise. They excel at manipulating our children. As deceitful and interminably evil as these types are, they are shallow. Sexual predators who must be stopped. The more we expose them the safer our schools and neighborhoods. I knew a Mr. E. His presence in Drifting serves as a reminder that non-English speaking school-aged children of immigrants are particularly vulnerable.

Kreyolicious: What have you learned about writing and novel-crafting that you’d like to share with aspiring novelists?

Whoever said a writer must read five books for every word he or she writes wasn’t kidding. Writing takes dedication. Passion. Another priceless piece of advice is that a writer must kill those paragraphs we think are so wonderful. They do more harm than good. Each time I delete a paragraph of several pages, I trust that something better will come.

Kreyolicious: Girl, when was the last time you went to Haiti?

I go to Haiti often. My home is in Haiti. My family lives in Haiti. I was in Haiti this past April. I went to the music festival in Aquin. It was fantastic. I got to hang out with and photograph some of my favorite musicians for VoicesfromHaiti. I danced onstage with Zing Experience, Bookman Experience, Boukan guinnen. I did a great INNERview with Cynthia Casasola, co-founder and dancer for the popular band, Zing Experience. I cannot wait to share it on the new VoicesfromHaiti.

Kreyolicious: Was it different from the Haiti you remember from your childhood?

The difference between the Haiti of my childhood and today’s Haiti is similar to the difference between the Brooklyn I once knew and today’s Brooklyn. The Washington, DC I lived in 10 years ago is different than today’s DC. Change happens.

Kreyolicious: Bet you’ve already gotten started on a new novel. Am I right?

I think I’ll just stay in the moment and accept the fact that Drifting had been published in real life and is available for the world to buy. Tomorrow’s things are for tomorrow. I have no choice but to leave them there. In the meantime, though, I want to thank Kreyolicious for this wonderful opportunity to share myself with your readers.

BUY KATIA D. ULYSSE’S BOOK DRIFTING ON AMAZON INDIEBOUND | CLICK HERE TO VISIT VOICESFROMHAITI, a blog from Katia D. Ulysse | FOLLOW VOICESFROMHAITI ON TWITTER BY CLICKING HERE | VISIT HER AKASHAIC AUTHOR PAGE BY CLICKING HERE

Edwidge Danticat is going to be releasing a new novel this year, and Kreyolicious has the exclusive!

Yes, cheries, your girl has it like that!

Here is a cover reveal of the new novel.

The novel entitled Untwine is about the relationship of twin sisters, and is set in Miami and Haiti. This is Edwidge Danticat’s third Young Adult novel, following Anacaona: Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490 and Beyond the Mountains. Scholastic is releasing Untwine in October, so look out for it!

Go Edwidge Danticat!

Keep up with the latest with her by visiting the Edwidge Danticat Facebook.